All News, Insights

Exploring Key Concepts of the COMPASS Project | A-D

March 7, 2025

Starting from the core concepts of the COMPASS project, we’ve tried to break it down into key terms that capture its essence and objectives.

These keywords reflect the innovative approach the project takes in transforming the aerospace and automotive industries, promoting a circular economy, and using advanced digital technologies.

Here’s a closer look at the terms that define the future of remanufacturing and sustainability, all powered by COMPASS project.

  1. Aircraft disassembly
    [Definition, general use] The process of systematically dismantling an aircraft at the end of its lifecycle to extract valuable components for reuse, recycling or remanufacturing.
    [In the COMPASS project] The project applies strategic aircraft disassembly processes to maximize the recovery of high-value materials. Advanced disassembly techniques are employed to ensure proper handling of hazardous materials while minimizing environmental impact.
  1. Automotive recycling
    [Definition, general use] The process of dismantling and reprocessing end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) to recover valuable materials and components for reuse, recycling, or remanufacturing, contributing to sustainability and reducing waste.
    [In the COMPASS project] The COMPASS project improves material recovery from ELVs using advanced separation and recycling techniques, reducing reliance on virgin materials, minimizing waste, and supporting circular economy goals.
  1. Carbon fiber recycling
    [Definition, general use] The process of recovering and reusing carbon fiber from end-of-life products or manufacturing waste through methods such as pyrolysis, solvolysis, or mechanical grinding.
    [In the COMPASS project] The COMPASS project integrates carbon fiber recycling to extend the life of recovered fibers for aerospace and automotive applications. This process reduces waste, conserves resources, and lowers the demand for virgin carbon fiber, advancing sustainability in high-performance materials.
  1. CO2 emissions reduction
    [Definition, general use] The noun refers to strategies and technologies designed to lower carbon dioxide emissions from industrial activities.
    [In the COMPASS project] The COMPASS project uses energy-efficient manufacturing and recycling processes to reduce CO2 emissions, supporting climate change mitigation and aligning with global sustainability goals.
  1. Digital Product Passport
    [Definition, general use] The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a digital representation of a product’s key information, including its composition, production process, and environmental impact, aimed at transparency, sustainability, and compliance throughout the product’s lifecycle, from material sourcing to end-of-life management.
    [In the COMPASS project] The Digital Product Passports ensure transparency, facilitate and even boost reuse, recycling, and remanufacturing, and support compliance with sustainability regulations, driving circular economy principles.
  1. Digital tools for disassembly
    [Definition, general use] Technologies that use advanced systems such as 3D modeling, augmented reality (AR), and digital twins to optimize dismantling processes. These tools provide real-time insights into product structures, facilitating the extraction of reusable materials and enhancing recycling, repair, and remanufacturing processes.
    [In the COMPASS project] A range of digital tools are used to optimize each phase of disassembly:
    • Cutting Planner: Plans dismantling based on material compatibility, repair data, and cutting efficiency.
    • Manual Repair Assistant: Tracks and localizes repair work, integrating data into a 3D CAD model.
    • Sheet Metal Reforming Calculator: Optimizes component suitability for remanufacturing.
    • Composites & Sheet Metal EOL Re-Manufacturing: Enhances the use of end-of-life components for new products.
    • Remanufacturing Process Planner: Uses the digital product passport (DPP) to match dismantled parts with new ones.
    • Dismantling Assistant: Guides workers in recycling facilities using AR and high-precision 3D reconstruction.

Stay tuned for more…