Browsing by Author "Girdwood, Richard David"
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- ItemDeveloping a framework to investigate the resource efficiency of manufactured titanium components process chains(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03) Girdwood, Richard David; Oosthuizen, Gert Adriaan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Industrial Engineering.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As part of an ever growing trend regarding both the aerospace and medical industry, requirements have risen that allow the users and manufacturers the ability to develop Titanium components with complex geometries, which in the past were only dreamed of. A solution that has made this possible for Ti-component manufacturers all over the world has come in the form of both additive and subtractive manufacturing. Pursuing more sustainable process chains, manufacturers are constantly striving to enhance the resource efficiency of their manufacturing systems. As part of this, additive and subtractive manufacturing technologies have become increasingly important for reducing waste, time and costs. Various input factors affect the efficiency of an additive approach and therefore also have an impact on the sustainability. Towards the establishment of an evaluation framework and an Excel based tool, this work investigates all the factors and characteristics that influence the resource efficiency of additive and subtractive manufacturing process chains. The design and development of various AM and SM manufacturing strategies for the fabrication of these parts will allow for and in-depth evaluation and comparison of which process chain is the most resource efficient through the steps of a developed framework model. The capability profile of each process chain can be outlined by quantifying the characteristics that follow: . Manufacturing Time . Geometrical Accuracy . Manufacturing Cost . Energy Consumption . Material Waste An overview is provided on the different approaches and techniques that have been used with the aim of identifying the most influential factors. The framework was validated using titanium aerospace and biomedical benchmark components together with conducted surveys. The Excel based tool was validated through the benchmark components, thereby essentially proving its ability to assist the process planners with decisions regarding Titanium manufacturing process chain selection. This study strives to contribute its value academically, together with industry partners and possible AM and SM manufacturers. Guidelines will also be given for the possible end users on how they should go about being more resource efficient.