Carbon footprint-based optimization method for remanufacturing machining paths

Remanufacturing machining paths affect the remanufacturing cost, quality of remanufactured parts, and environment. Therefore, optimizing remanufacturing machining paths is an important problem in remanufacturing systems. However, the methods used in previous studies had a certain degree of subjectivity. Hence, this study proposes a novel carbon footprint-based optimization method in the context of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. Based on the data collected during the remanufacturing process, this method develops a carbon emission measurement model for the production process that comprises carbon emissions from energy consumption, material consumption, and waste. Essentially, this method translates the quality loss function, time loss function, and cost into carbon emission. Subsequently, the total carbon emissions of the remanufacturing machining paths were investigated. Ultimately, the case analysis of the CA6132 machine tool remanufacturing process proves that the proposed method helps reduce cost as well as time loss and improve quality while reducing the company's carbon emissions. This research provides new ideas and tools for low-carbon optimization control and management of remanufacturing enterprise's machining systems, thereby enabling enterprises to carry out lean remanufacturing and providing theoretical and methodological support for the sustainable development of the remanufacturing enterprise.