Researchers Sara Strakosova, Petr Novak, and Petr Kadera from the Czech Technical University in Prague have developed a new modeling approach aimed at improving the management of complex products throughout their entire life cycle, with a particular focus on the automotive sector. Their work, published in the journal “IFAC-PapersOnLine,” addresses the need for a more comprehensive approach to product life cycle management, incorporating end-of-life phases such as repairing, remanufacturing, or upcycling.
Current industrial standards often focus solely on the production phase and overlook the complete product life cycle. They also tend to emphasize production processes and resources rather than the products themselves. The researchers’ proposed model, called the Product-oriented Product-Process-Resource Asset Network (PoPAN), aims to fill this gap by combining the product structure as a basis for the model and incorporating end-of-life considerations within cyber-physical production systems.
The PoPAN model is designed to accompany the product throughout its entire life cycle as a digital shadow, encapsulated within the Asset Administration Shell of a product. This digital representation can facilitate better decision-making regarding the product’s end-of-life options, such as disassembly, remanufacturing, or upcycling. To ensure widespread adoption, the researchers have also proposed serializing the model in the AutomationML data format, a standardized language for automation systems.
One practical application of this research is demonstrated in a use-case involving the disassembly of electric vehicle batteries. By using the PoPAN model, the researchers show how the remanufacturing of these batteries for stationary applications can be supported. This not only extends the life of the batteries but also contributes to the circular economy by reducing waste and conserving resources.
In summary, the PoPAN model offers a promising approach to more effectively manage complex products throughout their life cycle, with particular benefits for the automotive and energy storage sectors. By incorporating end-of-life considerations into the engineering phase, the model can help optimize resource use, reduce waste, and support the transition to a more sustainable and circular economy.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.