Proof of concept of an elastomer based fastener enabling rapid disassembly

Cost efficient disassembly operations require the simultaneous release of multiple fasteners without the need to identify the location of every individual fastener. Despite the availability of a number of Active Disassembly concepts which offer significant potential to make systematic product disassembly economically viable, the stage of mass industrial implementation has not yet been reached. A novel fastener concept has been developed in an attempt to overcome some of the barriers that impede implementation of Active Disassembly in electronic consumer products. This fastener concept is based on the mechanical properties of elastomer materials and is triggered by an external force applied on the product housing. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V.