Shape memory technology for active assembly/ disassembly: fundamentals, techniques and example applications

Purpose - This paper aims to present a review on utilizing shape memory technology (SMT) for active assembly/disassembly, i.e. assembly/ disassembly without physically touching. Design/methodology/approach - The fundamentals behind the shape memory effect (SME) in materials, in particular shape memory alloys (SMAs) and polymers, which are the cornerstones of SMT, are introduced, together with the possible approaches to implement this effect in active assembly/ disassembly. Example applications for not only active assembly/ disassembly, but also programmed active disassembly are presented. Findings - The advantages of utilizing SMT over conventional assembly/disassembly techniques are identified. Originality/value - The paper introduces the fundamentals behind the SME and the basic approaches to implement the SMT in not only active assembly/disassembly, but also programmed active assembly.