Algorithmic selection of a disassembly sequence of a component by a wave propagation method

The design of a product for its entire life-cycle is becoming more and more important. Nowadays, a product is designed with significant considerations for its manufacturability, serviceability, its functionality and even for its disassemblability. This is due to the fact that the modern consumers demand products that are not only functional, but also reliable, easy to repair and also environmentally friendly. For maintenance and re-use, the operation sequencing in disassembly process planning needs of reversible operation selecting. We present a new wave propagation disassembly algorithm of the determined component of a product; the given data are the immediate predecessors of each component. We show that the solution exists and that she is unique in the following conditions: the binary matrix of the immediate predecessors is non-symmetrical and the data does not contain a cycle. A tracked down cycle method in the data is also proposed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.