Department of Industrial Engineering

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Browsing Department of Industrial Engineering by Subject "3D printing"

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    Additive manufacturing for the spare part management of classic cars
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04) Paskert, Lukas; Sacks, Natasha; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Industrial Engineering.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The maintenance of older vehicles can be challenging since the supply of spare parts by the original equipment manufacturer is not guaranteed throughout the lifespan of a vehicle. Thus, there is a need to improve the current spare part supply chain for the automotive industry specifically for outdated products like classic cars. Within the automotive industry additive manufacturing (AM) technology is already being implemented in the production cycle of new cars. The need to improve the supply of spare parts for classic cars and the increased use of the AM technology raised the question whether additive manufacturing can have an impact on the spare part management of classic cars. In order to answer this question, this research study started with the review of literature. Three critical scoping literature reviews were undertaken to analyse the current performance of the spare part management of classic cars and to identify spare part attributes for the ranking of spare parts according to their potential for additive manufacturing. To fully understand the spare part management of classic cars, a first literature study on the classic car market was conducted. A second literature review on spare part management within the automotive industry utilized a performance measurement model to measure the impact of adopting additive manufacturing. Based on this, the applicability of additive manufacturing was the subject of the third literature review. Results show that a potential for additive manufacturing exists, and it can be measured with spare part attributes. Based on these results, it was decided to follow an exploratory research design approach. A survey was conducted with classic car owners to identify sourcing problems of spare parts and to assess their willingness to adopt additive manufacturing. The data from the survey was analysed using a ranking methodology from science which was modified toward the application of additive manufacturing on the spare part management of classic cars. The outcome of the ranking highlighted that small parts (e.g. switches) and batches are best suitable for additive manufacturing. A Delphi survey with subject-matter experts validated the ranking method. A case study was carried out in which a speedometer gear was reverse-engineered, additive manufactured and tested under realistic conditions. The case study highlighted that additive manufacturing is feasible to produce spare parts on demand and on a decentralized implementation strategy. Overall, this research has shown that additive manufacturing has a high potential to impact the spare part management of classic cars. The research result showed that unsatisfied customer demand is recognised. Additive manufacturing is a technologically feasible solution to produce many spare parts and has the high potential to increase the supply chain performance of classic car spare parts.
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    The application of 3D Printing in reconstructive surgery
    (Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010-03) Honiball, John Robert; Dimitrov, D. M.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Industrial Engineering.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As part of a growing trend in the medical industry of patient specific solutions, a need arises for means and methods that could grant surgeons the ability to improve their pre-operative planning, and help streamline their intra-operative proceedings relative to each individual patient. A suitable solution has emerged in the form of Additive Fabrication. Most of the traditional layer manufacturing technologies have been considered to be too expensive for medical application, and could not always be justified. However, more cost effective technologies, such as 3D Printing, have recently come to the scene and definitely require a fresh re-consideration for medical applications. In this report the research results are presented that look at the applications of 3D Printing in various fields of reconstructive surgery. Based on a variety of case studies the outcome strongly suggests that 3D Printing might become part of standard protocol in medical practice in the near future.
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    Development of a digital rapid training course for improving the additive manufacturing adoption rate - fused filament fabrication
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04) van Wageningen, Roelof Pienaar; Hagedorn-Hansen, Devon; Von Leipzig, Konrad
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies, such as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), have a slow adoption rate. Training on these AM technologies is typically not included in primary to tertiary education curriculums and studies have shown that the lack of education on it, negatively affects the adoption rate. This issue was addressed in this study by developing a digital rapid training course on FFF. A literature study was first performed to gain a better understanding of the different AM technologies and the adoption thereof. The focus was then shifted to a set of learning methods and platforms that are used in the educational sphere. After completing the literature study, it was concluded that training users in FFF can help improve the adoption rate of the technology. The knowledge gained through the literature study was then used to develop a cross-platform digital training course (Web, iOS, and Android), aimed at introducing users to and educating them in FFF. The course consists of teaching sessions, tests, and questionnaires. The course was made available to the general public (free of charge) for a year with no specific target group, allowing users with and without FFF experience to participate. The training course automatically gathered quantitative and qualitative data by recording users’ answers during tests and questionnaires respectively. The course was completed by 198 participants. This data was then analysed to determine whether the training course increased the users’ knowledge of, confidence to engage with, and likelihood to adopt the FFF technology. From the group of participants, 87% claimed that their level of knowledge and understanding of FFF increased by participating in the course. The majority (94%) of the participants stated they are more likely to interact with the technology after participating. The users with no prior knowledge/experience with the technology were found to have benefited the most from the course. Such individuals can be targeted during the development and deployment of AM courses to have the biggest impact on the adoption rate. It was concluded that the training course increased the majority of users’ knowledge of, confidence to engage with, and likelihood to adopt the FFF technology.