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research
The Computer Aided Design Research Group in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering researches and develops a number of aspects of computer aided design and offers related services to industry. The overall objectives of the research is to make mechanical designers more productive by using information technology, i.e. using computers and the internet to reduce the time required to produce designs for products with a lower life cycle cost.
Group Members
Areas of expertise
Objectives
Contact
group members
Prof
Anton Basson
Dr Cornie Scheffer
Dr Kristiaan Schreve
Dr Corné Coetzee
Mr Danie Els
areas of expertise
- Injection
moulding, simulation and testing for non-conventional manufacturing
processes for thermoplastic parts. Experimental investigations
of processing parameters are also conducted.
- Design for
manufacturing analyses and manufacturing cost estimation for
improving manufacturability.
- Advice on
best practice product and machine design procedures for more
effective product quality and development time.
- Develop customised
CAM software for specific applications to reduce programming
and machining time.
- CAM cutter
path generation for non-routine applications, typically on shapes
that are difficult to handle in commercial CAD/CAM software.
- CNC Milling (3
or 4 axis) and turning for non-routine applications.
- 3D
metrology, reverse engineering and rapid prototyping (in
collaboration with the Global Competitiveness Centre).
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objectives
- To optimise
the lomolding process for thermoplastic parts: Lomolding is a
novel process that overcomes some critical limitations in injection
moulding. analysis
and assessment with the associated measuring
equipment and software tools to conduct research in seating dynamics
and sound quality as well as to provide consulting services to industry
to solve noise and vibration issues.
- To develop
advanced prototype lomolding machines: A lomolding machine is
a classical mechatronic machine. The development is addressing
the whole life cycle of the machine and integrates a wide spectrum
of areas of expertise, including life cycle cost modelling, thermoplastic
flow modelling and mechatronic machine optimisation.
- To develop
cost estimation models and software for application during early
design phases: A software tool to aid designers in cost estimation
and manufacturability assessment (CeDeas, for Cost estimation
Design assistant) is being developed.
- Communication
support for distributed and co-located design teams: Low cost
internet-based collaboration and documentation tools for design
teams are being researched and developed. The first version of
DiDeas (Distributed Design assistant) has been evaluated in academic
and industry. It is being intensively redeveloped based on the
inputs obtained in the evaluations.
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contact
Prof Anton Basson
Tel.: +27 (0)21 808 4250
Fax: +27 (0)21 808 4958
E-mail: ahb@sun.ac.za
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