D. Tech. Electrical Engineering. / Developes a wheelchair motion platform whereby its user may be introduced into a simulated world. This simulated world is then required to be closely related to real world spaces that will be encountered by a disabled person using a wheelchair as a mobility aid. The wheelchair to be accommodated in the simulation environment may have multiple mechanical construct possibilities. The wheelchair used on the simulation platform needs to be driven by a combination of two wheels, as is generally found on manual and electric wheelchairs. The final objective was to design the simulation as closely as possible to the real world in order to use the VS-1 motion platform for architectural evaluations, possible training and general research in the field of simulators used in an enabled environment.

D. Tech. Engineering: Mechanical. / Discusses the main objective of the study is to carry out a theoretical and experimental study of a water-to-water CO2 heat pump system and improve its performance by optimizing its working parameters and conditions. The optimization process will be based on South African conditions.Specific objectives to meet the required goal are: 1. Carry out the installation and experimental analysis of a water to water CO2 heat pump system.2. Evaluate the reliability of the system using statistical means through regression analysis and create relationship models between the input and output parameters of the system.3. Execute a thermodynamic analysis of the selected system and evaluate the most important factors that affect its energy efficiency, then identify and evaluate possible system improvements and optimum operating conditions. 4. Compare available heat pump related kinematic and mathematical models and evaluate the best model to describe the operations in the system under local operating conditions. Suggest further improvements to the models and evaluate these too.5. Perform computer modelling and simulations to analyse the CO2 heat pump system,supplement the measurements from the test rig and compare the results.

M. Tech. Industrial Engineering. / Discusses the main objectives of this research are to; analyse the current state of press brakes technology ; develop a press brake concept using the Screw Jack System applying DFM (designing for manufacturability) principles and to fabricate a mini prototype Screw Jack Press Brake.

D. Tech. Industrial Engineering. / Aims to develop new optimized press brake concepts using Reconfigurable Manufacturing System (RMS) principles. The objectives of the research are articulated as follows: Research and identify part/ product families currently being manufactured on existing bending press tools and the respective technologies used. Design new press brake concepts and possible reconfigurations to be incorporated in future bending press tools based on part/ product families. To design the library of modules for the bending press tools based on new concepts and reconfiguration mechanisms formulated. To manufacture prototype(s) based on new concepts and perform experimental tests to evaluate performance of the designs.

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The work described in this thesis is an analysis of the Plasma Source Ion Implantation (PSII) process. A metal target is placed within a plasma, and pulsed to a high negative potential (10 - 50 kV). The electrons in the plasma close to the target are then repelled very rapidly, leaving an area of uniform positive charge. This causes an electric field to be set up between the plasma and the metal target. The ions close to the target are then accelerated towards the target by the electric field. The ions reach the target at high velocities, and implant deeply into the metal (-5 x 10-8 m), and form nitrides, which pin dislocations within the metal's atomic structure. The strength of the metal is therefore increased, and other properties such as the corrosion resistance of the metal are also improved. Metals that have undergone the PSII process have widely diverse applications. For example, in the motor industry, ion implanted metal punches last much longer than nitrided punches, while in the medical industry ion implanted metals are used for artificial limbs. A combination of a number of different analytic, numerical and simulation models are used to describe the PSII process, including the plasma behaviour and final nitrogen implantation profile in the metal target after the application of the voltage pulse. In all cases, a specific attempt has been made to realistically describe as closely as possible, the actual experimental arrangement at the University of Natal. For example: a waveform with a fast rise time, short plateau and exponential decay was used; the nitrogen plasma was more realistically described by a two species fluid to account for the measured N+, N; mix; and finally, the actual atomic composition for 304 stainless steel was used in the TAMIX particle simulation. This work thus models the whole PSII process, and could form the basis of future studies for the optimisation of the process. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, 1993.