Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Publications
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- ItemReconfiguration ramp-up cost analysis for a reconfigurable guillotine shear and bending press machine(Cogent Engineering, 2022-05-28) Sibanda, V.; Mpofu, K.; Daniyan, I.; Ale, F.Reconfiguration is an important manufacturing step that allows the system or the machine to change its function or capacity when introducing a new part family. The purpose of this study is to present a method for determining the reconfiguration ramp-cost for the reconfigurable guillotine shear and bending press machine. To achieve this, the development of reconfiguration ramp-up and costing models was demonstrated. This focuses on the analysis of the ramp-up time and the cost of reconfiguring a dual functional reconfigurable guillotine shear and bending press machine. This includes the conversion of the machine from one function to another and length variation as well as the identification of the ramp-up characteristics and reconfiguration requirements for the machine conversion. From the findings of this study, the conversion cost reduces from $0.3965 during the manual operation to $0.0264 for the automatic operation. This amounts to 93.34% reduction in the conversion cost. In addition, the reconfiguration ramp-up cost reduced from $9.05 for the manual process to $8.68 for the automatic process, which amounts to a 4.08% reduction in the cost. It is expected that the findings of this study will allow manufacturing industries to achieve cost-effectiveness per unit time during reconfiguration operations for improved profitability.
- ItemAdvanced prediction of soil shear strength parameters using index properties and artificial neural network approach(World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews (WJARR), 2024-01-03) Habte, E.T.; Vadlamudi, S.; Ncube, M.; Muusha, P.This study embarks on developing predictive models for soil shear strength parameters, cohesion (c) and angle of internal friction (ϕ), in Bishoftu town, employing Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). It aims at offering a cost-effective and time-saving alternative to traditional, often expensive, and labor-intensive laboratory methods. The research utilizes soil index properties such as Sand%, Fines%, Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index to construct separate ANN models for c and ϕ. These models use a multi-layer perceptron network with feed-forward back propagation, varying the number of hidden layers to optimize performance. The study's dataset comprises 316 soil test results, encompassing both primary and secondary data, conforming to ASTM Standards. Soil cohesion and internal friction angle were determined using the direct shear box method. The models demonstrated remarkable success in predicting shear strength parameters, evidenced by correlation values of approximately 0.99 for cohesion and 0.98 for internal friction angle, surpassing the capabilities of existing empirical methods. Further examination of the models included comparison with existing correlation techniques and cross-validation using primary soil test data. This validation process confirmed the ANN method's superior accuracy and fit for predicting shear strength parameters over selected empirical methods. This research substantiates the efficiency of ANN in geotechnical engineering, particularly for areas with limited resources for extensive soil testing. It establishes ANN as a powerful, efficient tool for estimating soil shear strength parameters, with significant implications for future planning, design, and construction projects in similar environments.
- ItemReports on Collection, Identification and Estimation of Microplastic in Freshwater Bodies(Springer Nature, 2024-04-27) Falayi, T.; Musiyarira, H.; Sithole, T.; Moyo, M.Microplastics (MP) are plastic materials whose particle size is less than 5 μm. MP are pervasive and are an emerging threat to fauna and flora. MPs are now being found in fresh water sources and this has a threat on the wellbeing of human beings. To properly manage the pollution problem of MP, the collection, identification, and estimation of MPs in freshwater is important. The methods described should be robust with very low estimates of uncertainty. This chapter, therefore, takes a systematic review of the current and advances in the identification, collection and estimation of MPs in freshwater. The use of non-validated marine methods for freshwater analysis is problematic. The expensive nature of some of the MPs detection method render the monitoring of MPs in resource challenged countries a problem.
- ItemMicroplastics Originating from Paints and Synthetic Textile Materials(Springer Nature Singapore, 2024-04) Moyo, M.; Baloyi, R.B.; Sithole, B.B.; Falayi, T.There is continued growth in paints and synthetic textile materials production and consumption due to expanded use of paints in different applications, population growth and fast fashion trends. Paints and synthetic textile materials are some of the major sources of microplastics. The major sources of microplastics originating from paints are marine paints, road markings, architectural paints, and spray painting. Major contributing factors in the release of microplastics from paints to the environment are paint production processes, weathering and abrasion, paint spilling, residual paints on paint application tools and storage containers, paint end of life (EoL) disposal, and paint applicator’s expertise. In the context of synthetic textile materials, major emissions of the microplastics occur during the production processes of the synthetic textile materials, during use and laundering, washing conditions and drying. Studying the role and influence of paints and synthetic textile materials in the generation of microplastics is critical. It helps in coming up with mitigatory measures to reduce the generation of microplastics from paints and synthetic textile materials and hence promotion of sustainability. Devising a holistic approach to research and development of green chemistry and green manufacturing processes in the production of paints and synthetic textile materials is one of the mitigatory measures. Also, developing policies and legislation on wastewater treatment systems for all responsible stakeholders and introducing legislation on do-it-yourself (DIY) painting activities could help in reducing the generation of microplastics from paints and synthetic textile materials.
- ItemDEVOLUTION, NEIGHBOURHOOD FORM AND STRUCTURE AND TRANSFORMATIONS IN BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE, 2018-2021(JUSIRZ, 2024-06) Magwaro-Ndiweni, L.; Fayayo, R.With the government of Zimbabwe channelling devolution funds through the Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, the paper challenges this channel towards ‘Si Ye Pambili’ the city’s motto, that is translated as ‘Let us go Forward’. The question is who is being taken where, by whom, and how is it going to happen and when. Zimbabwe has selected devolution as the mechanism within that to achieve decentralisation. The paper seeks to understand the Zimbabwe National Devolution and Decentralisation Policy. Through analysing the policy in the context of local government amendment bill and the constitution of Zimbabwe. In the contexts of neighbourhood organisation structures, neighbourhood management and neighbourhood fiscal resource allocation and neighbourhood information access. The growth of Bulawayo City has been largely unsuccessful, the decision-making process has been met with fluctuations in funding and questionable levels of support from central government and the communities. Devolution is therefore an important opportunity to re-examine how the devolution of powers and decision making to neighbourhoods, through the community sector, could be achieved. Using lucid review of literature, informed by theories, and qualitative, descriptive research approaches the paper discusses issues of mechanisms for neighbourhood governance. The paper concludes by saying that, although new mechanisms for neighbourhood governance would be required, they would have to vary according to geography and local requirements going beyond consultation processes.