Not sure if this already exists, I've searched for a bit and not come up with anything, but I'm not sure what search terms to use.
Basically my idea works like this:
--When you go to pick up certain things (assemblers, drills, chem plants, etc.) instead of getting back the machine you get back the components of it. If there isn't enough space in inventory, the overflow will spill on the ground and you can pick it up later.
--Things like level 2 assemblers that have a level 1 assembler as one of their components will also disassemble the level 1 assembler.
--Construction bots aren't allowed to carry multiple items at once, so when they deconstruct something its components end up on the ground, automatically marked for pickup, to be collected by other bots.
--Fast-replacing something (dropping a level 2 assembler in place of a level 1, for example) also disassembles the old one and returns its components (dropping the excess on the ground if there isn't enough inventory space)
Again, not sure if something like this already exists or is even possible to return multiple items. If it is possible, I had one other idea: instead of recovering certain items like iron plates or gears, you'd get back scrap metal that has to be sent back to a furnace to be recycled.
Picking up a machine disassembles it
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Re: Picking up a machine disassembles it
Angel's Industries does this for Component Blocks (used in most buildings).
BobDiggity (mod-scenario-pack)
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Re: Picking up a machine disassembles it
I'm not sure that the OP will find this approach... satisfactory ? 

BobDiggity (mod-scenario-pack)
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Re: Picking up a machine disassembles it
https://mods.factorio.com/mod/Deconstructionjchardin64 wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2020 10:05 pm --When you go to pick up certain things (assemblers, drills, chem plants, etc.) instead of getting back the machine you get back the components of it. If there isn't enough space in inventory, the overflow will spill on the ground and you can pick it up later.
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Re: Picking up a machine disassembles it
Ah, interesting. Thank you.darkfrei wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2020 8:45 pmhttps://mods.factorio.com/mod/Deconstructionjchardin64 wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2020 10:05 pm --When you go to pick up certain things (assemblers, drills, chem plants, etc.) instead of getting back the machine you get back the components of it. If there isn't enough space in inventory, the overflow will spill on the ground and you can pick it up later.
Quick question (I'm not at my gaming PC right now so I can't look for myself) does this also apply to construction bots or just things that the player personally picks up?
Re: Picking up a machine disassembles it
For both.jchardin64 wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2020 8:57 pm Does this also apply to construction bots or just things that the player personally picks up?