Robotic remanufacturing of deformable industrial products
Nine partners from Spain, France and Portugal participate in 'REMAIN (Robotic REMAnufacturing of deformable INdustrial products)', an ambitious project under the Interreg Sudoe programme, whose aim is to give a second life to manufactured products, especially those of the footwear industry, which produce a large amount of inappropriately discarded waste. This project seeks to contribute to environmental sustainability, thus complying with the requirements set by the European Union in this area.
A large part of the industrial fabric in the SUDOE area (Spain, France and Portugal) belongs to traditionally manufacturing sectors characterised by small and medium-sized enterprises with a low technological level in their production processes, especially due to the high cost associated with the development and implementation of new technologies. These sectors are also responsible for the manufacture of various products of common use with a short life cycle, either because the acquisition of a new one has a relatively low cost or because of the difficulties encountered in repairing or renewing them. This results in a huge amount of waste being disposed of inappropriately. In this sense, this project will seek to introduce the REMANUFACTURING process as part of the business model associated with these industries, highlighting the importance of design for the development of products that are more easily repaired or recycled. To this end, new tools will be developed to detect damage to used products and a multi-robot system capable of disassembling them and preparing them for reintroduction into their manufacturing chains.
ObjeCtivE
To introduce remanufacturing as part of the business model of manufacturing sectors, highlighting the importance of design in the development of more repairable or recyclable products. To this end, the project will produce new defect detection tools and a multi-robot system that disassembles and prepares the product for re-entry into the production chain. This solution will be created by experts and with existing resources in the SUDOE area, using innovation as a means to increase the technological level of the traditionally low-profile manufacturing industry. This will contribute to the development of better competitive advantages for companies, most of which are located in inland areas, thus favouring territorial balance. In addition, the project will promote new job and business opportunities, thus avoiding population outflows caused by the lack of work and employment in these geographical areas.
EXPECTED RESULTS
The main results expected from this project are tools for the detection of breakages and a multi-robot system capable of disassembling and preparing the product for its reintroduction into the production chain. These actions will be implemented in a pilot action in the shoe industry as target audience. This means that the first step will focus on developing the technology so that a shoe can be disassembled and prepared to re-enter the production chain. FICE, INESCOP and AIDA CCI as well the Universities involved in the consortium are key players in bringing this technology to the industry and to other sectors. This adoption will be widely stimulated by means of dissemination, transfer and publication of technical articles, so that industry and the scientific community can adopt these developed technologies and, in the long term, companies will increase their capacities.
Project co-funded by the Interreg Sudoe Programme through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)..
Specification for the selection of an auditor
Specifications Procurement of equipment I
Specifications Procurement of equipment II
Project start date: 01/01/2024
Project end date: 31/12/2026
Project no.: S1/1.1/E0111
PROYECT FUNDED BY
PARTNERS
Asociated partner
Socio asociado
“Project beneficiaries take full responsibility for the opinions expressed in this article/publication, which in no way represent the opinion of the management bodies of the territorial cooperation programme.”
Do you want to know more about the REMAIN project?