A multidimensional methodological approach to disassembly index calculation: Enhancing product dismountability and sustainability

Abstract

In the realm of sustainable manufacturing and end-of-life management, efficient disassembly processes and their measurement have become increasingly vital, especially in light of the Circular Economy principles, which emphasize efficient resource management. However, traditional product designs often neglect disassembly considerations, leading to challenges in resource recovery and reuse at the product's end-of-life. To overcome the above challenge, this study introduces the Multidimensional Disassembly Index (MDI), a structured framework to evaluate the disassembly efficiency of a product during its early design phase. The proposed approach systematically analyzes independent variables that directly impact the disassembly process and evaluate the disassembly effectiveness based on these independent variables. Through a case study, the paper demonstrates how the proposed methodology supports design improvements for easy disassembly. Using the MDI approach, the effectiveness of disassembly for remanufacturing and recycling was evaluated in a case study on a retractable ballpoint pen's design. The MDI score for remanufacturing is 9.01, reflecting ease of disassembly, while recycling MDI scored 8.74, highlighting design improvement on plunger accessibility and clicker material compatibility. The study concludes that the MDI is a valuable tool for advancing Design for Disassembly (DfD), enabling the development of products optimized for circular lifecycle strategies at earlier design stages.