A Robotic System to Automate the Disassembly of PCB Components

The disposal and recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) poses a significant global challenge. The disassembly of components is a crucial step in achieving an efficient recycling process, avoiding destructive methods. While manual disassembly remains the norm due to the diversity and complexity of components, there is a growing interest in automating the process to enhance efficiency and reduce labor costs. This study endeavors to automate the desoldering process and the extraction of components from printed circuit boards (PCBs) by implementing a robotic solution. The proposed strategy encompasses multiple phases, one of which involves the precise contact of the developed robotic tool with the components on the PCB. The tool was designed to exert a controlled force on the PCB component, thereby efficiently desoldering it from the board. Results demonstrate the feasibility of achieving a high success rate in removing PCB components, including the ones from mobile phones. The desoldering success rate observed is approximately 100% for the larger components.