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he problem that necessitated this study was that some furnaces that were responsible for the further processing of steel pipes at Company X were not connected to a programmable logic control (PLC)–Internet of Things (IoT) system. This slowed down the product flow. To address this problem, PLC-IoT systems were integrated so that the production system could be more effective. This study therefore models and simulates the integrated PLC-IoT control system, using the system dynamics modelling approach to investigate the performance of the automated gas furnaces. The PLC-IoT consists of an internal module that is used to process the data stream. After the implementation of the proposed control system, primary data was acquired by continuously evaluating the performance of the system. The research methodology used involved quantitative analysis and a simulation model using the Anylogic software. The result of the delivery and inventory of ingots from an automated system showed an upward trend with delivery and an inventory of an ingot at about 90 minutes; while a system that was not automated with PLC-IoT showed a downward trend of ingots. This shows that the introduction of the PLC-IoT for control makes the system more effective. The findings of this work could assist the manufacturers in achieving manufacturing or production efficiency, significant time savings, and better monitoring of the manufacturing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regulation of drones is a huge challenge for most countries around the world. The regulation and application processes are as much a challenge in South Africa as they are elsewhere. The number of drones is growing at a rapid pace, and there is a need to improve the current status to benefit from the technology. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the South African drone industry and to propose recommendations to enhance drone technology in South Africa. The research design applied in this paper was qualitative. Data was collected by interviewing drone operators who were interested in participating in this study. This was done to understand the drone approval process in South Africa and the perceptions of drone operators. The results indicated that commercial drone operators are being negatively impacted by the drone approval structure in South Africa and that it is holding the industry back. Key factors affecting the existing drone approval structure were identified and used to propose the strategies for improvement. The findings in this study could assist stakeholders in the South African drone industry to make effective decisions and to formulate policies that would promote the technological growth of the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses strategies to improve the application process for drones and Part 101 of the regulations for the approval of applications. Drones have the potential to transform the world by doing things differently and improving technology in the future. The use of drones is growing fast, and the need for control is important for reasons of safety and privacy. A qualitative method of data collection and analysis was used in this study, using the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) as a case study. Telephonic interviews were conducted to collect data from participants and to understand the issues affecting the drone application process. Drone operators were interviewed to collect data on the drone application process and the regulations. The researcher discovered that there were issues affecting the existing drone application and approval processes, such as restrictive regulations, the inclusion of manned aircraft requirements, slow issuing of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems operators' certificates, and the capital needed to enter the drone business. Recommendations are made to improve the drone application and approval processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of quality management systems (QMS) is central to the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). At present, there is a lack of information about the level of adoption and implementation of QMS by SMEs in Gauteng Province, even though that province has the highest number of SMEs in South Africa (SA). This study therefore aims to investigate the effect of the ISO 9001 QMS on SMEs in Gauteng. Quantitative research was conducted, and an online survey was used to collect data. An inferential statistical data analysis involving the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyse the collected data. The chi-square and Fischer’s exact tests were applied to validate the statistical significance of four hypotheses. The inferential analysis showed that there is a relationship between ISO 9001 implementation and SMEs’ sustainability, as well as a direct relationship between the implementation of ISO 9001 and the performance, growth, and life span of SMEs in Gauteng Province. In addition, the results indicated that 64 per cent of the surveyed SMEs are aware ISO 9001, while 36 per cent of SMEs were not aware of QMS. The survey indicated that SMEs face several challenges, such as the ineffective implementation of QMS, poor funding, a low level of human capacity development, a lack of adequate resources, poor working environment, and poor work organisation, a lack of necessary materials, and the use of inappropriate work methods. It is envisaged that, if a culture of QMS were to be adopted and implemented by SMEs, there would probably be an improvement in operational efficiency, leading to improved customer satisfaction and increased turnover and profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quest to improve customer satisfaction is one of the core aims of businesses in the competitive global market. This paper aims to apply the principles of Lean Six Sigma for continuous improvement in a small enterprise in the service industry in South Africa. A case study approach was used to carry out the investigation using the Lean Six Sigma ‘define measure analyze improve and control’ (DMAIC) approach. Data collection was done in a face-to-face interview and brainstorming session with the business owner and consultants. Observations and a time study were also used to collect additional data. The results showed a lack of knowledge and awareness of Lean Six Sigma among the business owner and the consultants. The commitment to and engagement of management in the project contributed positively to the implementation of the DMAIC approach. The process improvement changes were applied over a period of three months, after which the process performance was reviewed. The case study resulted in a 60.3% reduction in total non-value-added time and an increase in both the value-added time (53.85%) and the amount of uptime (10.74%). Furthermore, downtime was also reduced (47.7%). This study shows that the application of the Lean Six Sigma tool could solve the challenges of productivity and waste in a bookkeeping and tax consulting SME in the Gauteng province with a direct implication for operational efficiency and customers’ satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurement of cutting forces using highly sensitive piezoelectric force sensors is significant in the optimization of the machining process. In this study, the modelling and optimization of the cutting forces during the milling process of Ti6Al4V was carried out using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and the dynamometer. The ranges of the process parameters are: cutting speed (250-280 mm/min), feed per tooth (0.06-0.24 mm) and axial depth of cut (0.30-3.0 mm) are varied over four levels while cutting force serves as the response of the designed experiment. The physical experiments were carried out using a DMU80monoBLOCK Deckel Maho 5-axis CNC milling. Three sets of 2- flute, 10 mm corner radius mills was used for the machining operation. A solid rectangular work piece of Ti6Al4V was screwed to the stationary dynamometer (KISTLER 9257A 8-Channel Summation of Type 5001A Multichannel Amplifier) mounted directly to the machine table. Milling operations were performed using different cutting parameters of cutting speed, feed per tooth and depth of cut and data were collected through Data Acquisition (DAQ) connected to the computer. The numerical experiment produced a mathematical model for predicting the values of the cutting forces as a function of the independent process parameters while the physical experiment revealed that the piezoelectric sensor is highly sensitive to variations in the values of the cutting force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]