Lean Remanufacturing of Electric Motors: Process Steps, Challenges and Solutions
- The circular economy is an approach that aims to increase resource efficiency and hence sustainability. Remanufacturing as an element of the circular economy enables sustainability by multiple product utilization cycles. However, remanufacturing companies are seeking for optimization solutions for specific challenges in order to increase their competitiveness. Based on a case study with a remanufacturing SME (small and medium-sized enterprise), this paper focuses on process-oriented challenges when it comes to lean remanufacturing of electric motors. First, the process of remanufacturing is pointed out with its single steps.
Then challenges are collected based on the process of remanufacturing electric motors. Lastly, potential solutions from the lean production point of view are evaluated regarding their effectiveness to overcome the collected challenges. The results can be applied by companies which consider to establish processes to remanufacture electric motors and at companies which have already established remanufacturing ofThe circular economy is an approach that aims to increase resource efficiency and hence sustainability. Remanufacturing as an element of the circular economy enables sustainability by multiple product utilization cycles. However, remanufacturing companies are seeking for optimization solutions for specific challenges in order to increase their competitiveness. Based on a case study with a remanufacturing SME (small and medium-sized enterprise), this paper focuses on process-oriented challenges when it comes to lean remanufacturing of electric motors. First, the process of remanufacturing is pointed out with its single steps.
Then challenges are collected based on the process of remanufacturing electric motors. Lastly, potential solutions from the lean production point of view are evaluated regarding their effectiveness to overcome the collected challenges. The results can be applied by companies which consider to establish processes to remanufacture electric motors and at companies which have already established remanufacturing of electric motors but aim to improve their remanufacturing activities.…

