REFUSE- Resource efficient use and development of reconfigurable machining systems

Purpose and goal

The automotive industry´s environmental impact in manufacturing must drastically be reduced, at the same time as new generations of electric vehicles are expected to be introduced. REFUSE aims to enable resource efficient use, maximise utilization, and prolong the lifetime of machining systems by developing and demonstrating systematic and virtual-model based methods to be used in the Swedish automotive industry for collaboratively specifying, justifying, designing, and utilizing reconfigurable and circular machining systems for several generations of product models.

Expected results and effects

REFUSE will provide new knowledge and frame of reference on how reconfigurability can be applied to improve the circularity of machining systems. This is done through new methods for the development and use of reconfigurability, including virtual and digital models to support the continuous reconfiguration and commissioning, as well as best practice and guidelines for automotive industry. The project will contribute to increased machine utilization, extended length of life of the equipment, increased reuse of equipment and increased competence of personnel.

Planned approach and implementation

The consortium consists of leading vehicle manufacturers, system suppliers , suppliers in the automotive industry, industrial development center and academic partners. Project activities include state of the art and state of practice description, generation of concepts for circular and reconfigurable machining systems, and solution development and demonstrations. The project will continuously link the research progress to the companies’ current development activities related to machining system development through case studies and virtual modelling and commissioning.