Repository logo
 

Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/9

Browse

Author: search.filters.author.Dewa, MendonStart date: 2023

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference scheme for defect detection and classification of solar Pv cells
    (Academy Publishing Center, 2024-09-12) Moyo, Ranganai Tawanda; Dewa, Mendon; Romero, Héctor Felipe Mateo; Gómez, Victor Alonso; Aragonés, Jose Ignacio Morales; Hernández-Callejo, Luis
    This research paper presents an innovative approach for defect detection and classification of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells using the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) technique. As solar energy continues to be a vital component of the global renewable energy mix, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of PV systems is paramount. Detecting and classifying defects in PV cells are crucial steps toward ensuring optimal performance and longevity of solar panels. Traditional defect detection and classification methods often face challenges in providing precise and adaptable solutions to this complex problem. In this study the researchers pose an ANFIS-based scheme that combines the strengths of neural networks and fuzzy logic to accurately identify and classify various types of defects in solar PV cells. The adaptive learning mechanism of ANFIS enables the model to continuously adapt to changes in operating conditions ensuring robust and reliable defect detection capabilities. The ANFIS model was developed and implemented using MATLAB and a high predicting accuracy was achieved.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Deploying built-in quality to reduce scrap in an automotive component manufacturer
    (SAIIE, 2024-05-31) Dewa, Mendon; Makua, Edward
    Automotive component manufacturers face global competitive challenges, and the paradigm has shifted from product price as the determining factor of competitiveness to the quality of the product. An automotive component manufacturer was struggling to manage the outflow of defects, and adding inspectors as quality gates to the rear-step bumper production line had severe cost implications. This study aimed to reduce the number of defects by deploying a strategic path of implementing built-in quality. Quality tools were used, and the study’s results included significant manpower reduction, improved quality capability, and reduced scrap rates and reworks.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Utilizing lean techniques through a P-D-C-A approach to drive built-in-quality in a thermoforming line for an automotive component manufacturer
    (Ponte Academic Journal, 2023-08) Makua, Edward Sontaga; Nleya, Bakhe; Dewa, Mendon
    Automotive component manufacturers are faced with competitive challenges globally. At the heart of these challenges is the need to produce parts that are of high-quality standards. Now more than ever before, organizations need to work as a unit to drive the fundamentals of built in-quality if they are to maintain good quality standards and overall cost competitive leadership. An automotive component manufacturer was struggling with managing the thermoforming line outflow of defects to their customers. Substantial amounts of resources in the form of inspectors were being added on their manufacturing lines to form quality gates and inspect for quality. This has resulted in cost implications and major profitability losses and further expanded their cost of quality. The severity of the problem was further exacerbated by the acceptance of the quality gates as a status quo with little or no initiatives to turn around the situation. The aim of this study was to subdue the traditional quality management approach of inspecting for quality by introducing a series of lean manufacturing techniques that process capability and built-in quality. The study streamlined a sequence of lean manufacturing techniques that supported each other in their findings and results to develop a Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) based strategic approach to drive in-process quality capability in the manufacturer’s Thermoforming line. The results of study were significant manpower reduction on the lines, improved quality capability results, reduced expected scrap rates and reworks, and an overall strategic guideline for the implementation of built-in-quality in automotive component manufacturer’s thermoforming line
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Implementation of fuzzy logic in scheduling a flexible manufacturing system
    (Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2023-10-31) Dewa, Mendon
    A flexible manufacturing system (FMS) has the advantage that it can easily adapt to equipment malfunctions and changes in the quantity or type of the product being processed. Proper scheduling is critical for production planning in order to meet customer demand. The case study organisation has been facing challenges in meeting due dates while concurrently minimising lead time and maximising machine utilisation. This paper presents the deployment of fuzzy logic in scheduling a flexible manufacturing system. The proposed approach identifies scheduling parameters for routing parts through system and membership functions and fuzzy rules are constructed to develop the best schedule using a toolbox on a MATLAB fuzzy logic platform. After comparison of several priority rules for job sequencing, the results demonstrated the applicability of fuzzy logic as a decision tool in the scheduling of flexible manufacturing systems.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Mixed model line balancing for manual assembly system
    (Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2023-10-31) Dewa, Mendon
    It is imperative for organisations in the automotive industry to adopt a culture of continuous improvement due to a highly competitive market environment. An automotive manufacturer had adopted a takt time of 60 minutes but has been facing challenges in meeting the daily target of vehicles produced per day. The challenges were attributed to the imbalance of the assembly line and waste generated from non-value adding activities. The focus of this work is to improve a manual automotive assembly system. Time studies were conducted, a list of tools and shovel-ware components was compiled, and work stations were allocated to all the operations. After line balancing, the bus trailer was moved from the sub-assembly bay to the production line leading to more productivity. Additionally, the centralisation of bus trailer allowed for the optimal use of the tools, and the savings that were derived amounted to R350 000 per year.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The implementation of an andon production management system to improve the efficiency of tracking of output scores
    (Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2023-10-31) Dewa, Mendon; Govender, Prenisha
    With the rapid ever changing technological advances, simple processes are easily changed from manual to automated. An automotive company struggled to keep track of their hourly target as well as the shift production scores. This was crucial to the production line management as this posed as a difficulty to determine the line overall efficiency as well as the possible factors of downtime. This paper is aimed to improve the tracking of hourly scores on a moving conveyor using an automated production management Andon system. Using the PDSA cycle, this automated system was implemented which made capturing of scores easier and more efficient. Once implemented, the daily downtime analysis report could be analyzed and factors affecting the production score were further investigated by the production line management. These contributors were then addressed with implemented countermeasures resulting in a high efficiency line as well as correctly tracked hourly scores.