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To cope with quick variation in product demand, modern automation systems shall be able to conjugate increasing complexity of controlled processes with agile reconfiguration of flexible manufacturing systems. To such an aim, structured approaches for reconfigurable system design, based on formal reference models, have to be provided. Mandatory condition for the adoption of such approaches is the identification of methodological guidelines, capable to proof their foundation and validity on real industrial application cases. In such a context, present paper describes main steps of a structured control system development approach -starting from UML based specification, integrating IEC 61499 based control design and closed-loop simulation based verification techniques -focusing a real industrial plant.

The demand for key metals for the production of high-tech products is constantly growing in Europe, leading to relevant problems both in terms of supply risks and costs. Waste from Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is growing very fast in Europe, with an annual increase rate between 3 and 5%. Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), which are embedded in electric and electronics products, are very valuable waste products, since they are composed also of precious metals and key metals (about 25-30%). Recycling of PCBs is a very challenging task that has not been solved yet: recycling rates for traditional metals are around 30-35% and many critical key metals, as well as the non metal fraction, are not recycled. This work proposes a set of solutions to be adopted towards the automated zero-waste treatment of PCBs. They address selective disassembly of PCBs components, mechanical pretreatments, chemical processes for the characterisation of metals material content of PCBs, as well as for the recycling of their non-metal fraction. New business models are finally proposed for the uptake of such solutions in a framework of integrated recycling chain.

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