An Empirical Study on Lightweight CNN Models for Efficient Classification of Used Electronic Parts

The problem of electronic waste (e-waste) presents a significant challenge in our society as outdated electronic devices are frequently discarded rather than recycled. To tackle this issue, it is important to embrace circular economy principles. One effective approach is to desolder and reuse electronic components, thereby reducing waste buildup. Automated vision-based techniques, often utilizing deep learning models, are commonly employed to identify and locate objects in sorting applications. Artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning processes often require significant computational resources to perform automated tasks. These computational resources consume energy from the grid. Consequently, a rise in the use of AI can lead to higher demand for energy resources. This research empirically develops a lightweight convolutional neural network (CNN) model by exploring models utilising various grayscale image resolutions and comparing their performance with pre-trained RGB image classifier models. The study evaluates the lightweight CNN classifier’s ability to achieve an accuracy comparable to pre-trained red–green–blue (RGB) image classifiers. Experiments demonstrate that lightweight CNN models using 100 × 100 pixels and 224 × 224 pixels grayscale images can achieve accuracies on par with more complex pre-trained RGB classifiers. This permits the use of reduced computational resources for environmental sustainability.