Designing Component Interfaces for the Circular Economy—A Case Study for Product-As-A-Service Business Models in the Automotive Industry

Philip Krummeck, Yagmur Damla Dokur (), Daniel Braun, Steffen Kiemel and Robert Miehe
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Philip Krummeck: Mercedes-Benz AG, Leibnizstr. 2, 71032 Boeblingen, Germany
Yagmur Damla Dokur: Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Nobelstrasse 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Daniel Braun: Mercedes-Benz AG, Leibnizstr. 2, 71032 Boeblingen, Germany
Steffen Kiemel: Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Nobelstrasse 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Robert Miehe: Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Nobelstrasse 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 21, 1-17

Abstract: The resource-intensive automotive industry offers great potential to avoid waste through new circular business models. However, these new business models require technical innovations that enable the rapid dismantling of add-on parts. In this paper, we design new mechanical interfaces that enable fast and non-destructive dismantling while still fulfilling all technical requirements and develop a general model for the evaluation of disassembly capability. For this purpose, the current dismantling options of add-on parts are first examined and evaluated concerning defined KPIs using the example of the front bumper. Based on the analysis, the requirements as well as various solution principles for the new interface concept can be derived. The necessity of removing neighboring components is identified as the main challenge for rapid dismantling. Two different concepts for the interfaces were developed by inserting an intermediate level as a connecting part between the front bumper and the front module. We prove that by redesigning and reconstructing the interfaces the number of process steps required to remove the front bumper could be reduced by roughly 60% compared to current interface solutions. The developed methodology should be applied to other components of a vehicle to create a greater positive environmental, economic and societal impact.

Keywords: circular economy; circular business models; life cycle engineering; automotive industry; sustainability; design for recycling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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