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Purpose -To design a flexible integrated robotic assembly and rework (remanufacturing) cell for assembly, selective assembly and rework of advanced surface mount components (SMCs) using the generic methodology developed in this paper. Design/methodology/approach -Manual rework procedures are investigated for all advanced SMCs. General and specific component-related rework considerations are obtained and necessary tooling candidates for automation are determined. This is followed by determination of the specific automated rework procedure and selection of suitable tooling for automated robotic rework and generation and evaluation of design concepts. Findings -The developed methodology, which considers the reflow tool at the centre of the development process, has worked well in designing a flexible integrated robotic assembly and rework cell.Practical implications -This study identified the rework requirements for advanced SMCs, the essential features for rework reflow tools, criteria for comparing reflow tools, and a generic procedure for design and concept selection. Originality/value -It provides valuable knowledge for designers of flexible integrated robotic assembly and rework cells for assembly, selective assembly and rework of advanced SMCs.

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Sandwich structures with carbon fiber-epoxy face sheets and polyvinyl chloride foam core material are known for their high strength and flexural stiffness despite their low weight. However, the structural response, in terms of crush strength, of the particles added sandwich structures are not very well known under impact loading conditions. In this study, the impact resistance and damage characteristics of particle added low weight composite sandwich structures were investigated with a low-velocity drop weight impact test device. Boron carbide (B 4 C) particles, which had excellent hardness, thermoelectric, and radiation absorbing characteristics, were used as an additive for the epoxy matrix. For this purpose, 2%, 5%, and 10% by weight additives were mixed into the epoxy matrix and sandwich structures were produced with hand lay-up followed by vacuum bagging method. All configurations were subjected to low-velocity drop weight impact test at three different energy levels (10, 17.50, and 25 J). The results obtained from the experiments and the images of the post-impact damage of the sandwich structures were presented comparatively. According to the test results, configurations containing 10% boron carbide (B 4 C) additive has shown the best performance in terms of resistance to impact load. K E Y W O R D S boron carbide (B 4 C) particles, carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), epoxy matrix modifying, low-density PVC foam core sandwich structures, low-velocity impact properties, radiation shielding barriers

PurposeThe generic design environment for a flexible printed‐circuit board assemblies (PCBA) remanufacturing cell contains four interrelated complex design domains. Mechanical design domains are really complex and the use of well‐proven mechanical product design methodologies does not help the designer. Hence, this paper aims to develop a generic systematic design methodology for a flexible PCBA remanufacturing cell.Design/methodology/approachThe study investigates the use of conventional mechanical product design techniques for the design of a flexible PCBA rework (remanufacturing) cell. It indicates problems and the weaknesses when conventional product design techniques are used for the development of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS). It then provides a new systematic mechanical design methodology for designing a flexible PCBA rework (remanufacturing) cell. The design methodology is intended to be generic in order to apply successfully to any FMS design.FindingsConventional product design methodology cannot be used directly for the design of a flexible PCBA remanufacturing cell. Hence, two design methodologies were developed: the generic FMS mechanical design methodology and a specific FMS design methodology for a PCBA rework cell. The first one was developed based on the tasks of the conventional product design process integrated with new design tools. The generic design methodology was then extended to obtain the second methodology for a PCBA rework cell design. Both of the methodologies were applied to a flexible PCBA rework cell design problem. Both design methodologies eliminated unusable design solutions at the early design stages of the conceptual design process and made the design process easier.Practical implicationsThe generic and specific design methodologies provide a better design environment, even for less specialized FMS designers.Originality/valueThe design methodologies may help for the commercialization of a flexible PCBA remanufacturing cell that may be used for SM rework and assembly.