A framework for digital twin driven product recycle, disassembly and reassembly

Remanufacturing plays an important role in promoting sustainable production. Novel models and methods have been proposed to optimize the key phases of remanufacturing, such as recycling decision-making, disassembly control, parts classification, and reassembly management. However, the implementation of product remanufacturing still faces some challenges: 1) uncertain features of recycling increasing complexity of remanufacturing, 2) difficulty of physical disassembly, 3) imprecise quality classification of returned products, and 4) exceptions existing in remanufacturing processes. As the development of advanced information technologies (e.g. internet of things) and simulation technologies, digital twin was proposed and gained wide attention. By digital twin technologies, the behaviors of physical entities can be monitored, simulated and validated in virtual space to facilitate optimizing the physical activities and making informed decisions. In this paper, a framework for digital twin driven product recycle, disassembly and reassembly was proposed to optimize product remanufacturing processes. Within the proposed framework, real-time management and optimization of remanufacturing processes can be achieved. A proof-of-concept case was used to illustrate the potential future application mode of proposed framework.