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The aim of this diploma thesis is the design of machine for sheet metal cutting. This machine uses laser beam divide the material. The work is focused on the increase of the aesthetic character the machine has., at the same time the work include an ergonomic improvement, which make the operation more efficient and facile.

The aim of this thesis is an innovative approach to design of machines for waterjet cutting with technical, aesthetic, ergonomic and ecological requirements. The work focuses on the interaction between user and machine in small batch operation.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In a move towards cleaner and more sustainable energy systems, hydrogen as an energy carrier and hydrogen fuel cells as energy converters are receiving increasing global attention. Considering the vital role that platinum plays in the operation of hydrogen fuels cells, South Africa stands to gain enormously as the world’s leading platinum group metals supplier. Therefore, in order to benefit across the whole value chain, it is imperative to develop the capability to manufacture hydrogen fuel cell stacks locally. This project addresses this imperative, in part, by building a framework to evaluate the manufacturing performance of one of the more costly components of the hydrogen fuel cell stack. More specifically, this project builds a cost evaluation model (or cost model) for the manufacture of bipolar plates using micro milling. In essence, the model characterises manufacturing cost (and time) as a function of relevant inputs. The model endeavours to be flexible in accommodating relevant contributing cost drivers such as tool life and manufacturing time. Moreover, the model lays the groundwork, from a micro milling perspective, for a comparison of different manufacturing methods for bipolar plates. The approach taken in building the cost model is a fundamental one, owing to the lack of historical cost data for this particular process. As such, manufacturing knowledge and experimentation are used to build the cost model in a structured way. The process followed in building the cost model begins with the formulation of the cost components by reviewing relevant examples from literature. Thereafter, two main cost drivers are comprehensively addressed. Tool life is characterised experimentally as a function of cutting parameters and manufacturing time is characterised as a function of relevant inputs. The work is then synthesized into a coherent cost model. Following the completion of the cost model, analysis is done to find the near-optimal combination of machine cutting parameters. Further, analysis is done to quantify the sensitivity of manufacturing cost to design changes and production volumes. This attempts to demonstrate how typical managerial issues can be addressed using the cost model format. The value of this work must be seen in terms of its practical contribution. That is, its contribution to the development of the capability to manufacture hydrogen fuel cells locally. By understanding the effect of relevant input factors on manufacturing cost, ‘upstream’ design and development activities can be integrated with ‘downstream’ manufacturing activities. Therefore, this project supports the development of manufacturing capability by providing a mechanism to control cost throughout the process. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die soeke na skoner, meer volhoubare energie bronne word die fokus op waterstof, as energie draer, en waterstof brandstofselle, as energie omskakelaars, al meer verskerp. Deur die sleutelrol van platinum in die werking van waterstof brandstofselle in ag te neem, word Suid-Afrika, as die wêreld se grootste platinum verskaffer, in `n uitstekende posisie geplaas om voordeel te trek uit hierdie geleentheid. Om dus as land voordeel te trek uit die proses in geheel, is dit van kardinale belang om die vermoë te ontwikkel om waterstof brandstofsel stapels op eie bodem te vervaardig. Hierdie projek adresseer gedeeltelik hierdie noodsaaklikheid, deur `n raamwerk te bou wat die vervaardigingsoptrede van een van die meer duursame komponente van die waterstof brandstofsel stapel evalueer. Meer spesifiek, bou hierdie projek `n koste evaluerings model (of koste model) vir die vervaardiging van bipolêre plate deur die gebruik van mikro-masjienering. In wese kenmerk hierdie model vervaardigings kostes (en tyd) as `n funksie van relevante insette. Hierdie model poog om buigsaam te wees met die in ag neming van relevante bydraende kostedrywers soos buitelleeftyd en vervaardigingstyd. Daarbenewens lê hierdie model die grondwerk, vanuit `n mikro masjienerings oogpunt, vir die vergelyking van verskillende vervaardingings metodes vir bipolêre plate. Die benadering wat gevolg word in die bou van die koste model is fundamenteel as gevolg van die gebrek van historiese data vir hierdie spesifieke proses. As sodanig word vervaardigings kennis en eksperimentering gebruik om die koste model in `n gestruktueerde wyse te bou. Die proses gevolg in die bou van die koste model begin met die formulering van die koste komponente deur die hersiening van relevante voorbeelde vanuit die literatuur. Daarna word twee hoof koste drywers deeglik geadresseer. Buitelleeftyd word ekperimenteel gekenmerk as funksie van masjieneringsparameters en vervaardigingstyd word gekenmerk as `n funksie van relevante insette. Die werk word dan gesintetiseer in `n samehangende koste model. Wat volg op die voltooiing van die koste model is `n analise om die optimale kombinasie masjieneringsparameters te vind. Daaropvolgens word analises gedoen om die sensitiwiteit van vervaardigingskoste onderworpe aan ontwerpsveranderings en produksie volumes te kwantisfiseer. Dit poog om te demostreer hoe tipiese bestuursproblem geadresseer kan word deur die koste model formaat te gebruik. Die waarde van hierdie werk moet in die lig van die praktiese bydrae daarvan gesien word, menende, die bydrae tot die ontwikkeling van die vermoë om waterstof brandstofselle in Suid-Afrika te vervaardig. Deur die effek van relevante inset faktore op vervaardigingskoste te verstaan, kan ‘stroom-op’ ontwerp en ontwikkelings aktiwiteite geïntegreer word met ‘stroom-af’ vervaardigings aktiwiteite. Dus, hierdie projek ondersteun die ontwikkeling van vervaardigingsvermoëns deur `n meganisme te voorsien om kostes oor die omvang van die proses te beheer.

This diploma thesis is divided into two main parts. The first section is dedicated to the history and development of the laser technology. The second part describes all individual types of laser technology which are used in the industry nowadays. The next section follows with the research of various laser devices which serve mainly as a cutting tool. This knowledge gathered in the previous part was used to create the next part including the own conception of the machine. The second half of this diploma thesis deals with a research of software available at the market today. Eventually, after summarizing the characteristics of each software, the new concept and implementation of own software are made. In the final section, there are mentioned the possible extension and available upgrades. The reader should be able to create his/her own conception of the laser device and software after reading and understanding this paper.

This diploma thesis is divided into two main parts. The first section is dedicated to the history and development of the laser technology. The second part describes all individual types of laser technology which are used in the industry nowadays. The next section follows with the research of various laser devices which serve mainly as a cutting tool. This knowledge gathered in the previous part was used to create the next part including the own conception of the machine. The second half of this diploma thesis deals with a research of software available at the market today. Eventually, after summarizing the characteristics of each software, the new concept and implementation of own software are made. In the final section, there are mentioned the possible extension and available upgrades. The reader should be able to create his/her own conception of the laser device and software after reading and understanding this paper.