Browsing by Author "Du Preez, N. D."

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    3D-feature recogntion from measured data
    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Stellenbosch University, 1999) Janssens, M.; Van Wijck, W.; Du Preez, N. D.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This paper presents a method to automatically extract analytical entities like planes, spheres and cylinders from a file containing a cloud of points. The method facilitates the manipulation and reduction of large data sets and the evaluation of it. It can be used as a design tool, a quality control tool, data-processing tool or a data reduction tool. From a database of points, the user can automatically extract a subset of points belonging to an analytical entity of interest, within a predefined but adjustable level of confidence. If necessary, the dimensional parameters of the entity can also be calculated. The method is based on the subtle statistical properties of the least-squares technique that makes it compliant with the strict regulations in the co-ordinate measuring arena. Its robustness guarantees the applicability to less accurate environments than precision engineering.
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    Alignment of a functional innovation strategy
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, Department of Industrial Engineering, 2011-09) Katz, B. R.; Du Preez, N. D.; Schutte, Corne S.L.
    For a strategy to be successful it first needs to be the correct strategy then it needs to be aligned with the business values, structures, capabilities and other strategies and finally it needs to be executed [1]. This paper focuses, specifically, on the alignment of a company’s functional innovation strategy. The connection between the different levels of innovation strategy and other business strategies are developed and explained. A range of different business strategy classifications are presented from the literature and a golden thread of alignment is sewn from a company’s grand, strategic perspective down to its functional strategies. A theoretical framework is presented, which contains the strength of the relationships between different generic strategic perspectives and the components of a functional innovation strategy. The end result of this paper is a suggested decision framework which a company can use to align its functional innovation strategy with its strategic perspective, which in turn should be aligned with the company’s mission and vision. This will enable the company to assign the correct resources to its innovation activities so that innovation enables it to achieve its overall objectives. The decision framework is tested in theory by focusing on the insurance industry and understanding the interaction between the strategic perspectives of a company and that company’s focus on innovation. Evidence is gathered to support assumptions about the company’s innovation focus.
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    Architecting the enterprise towards enhanced innovation capability
    (Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2017-12-13) Louw, L.; Schutte, C. S. L.; Du Preez, N. D.; Essmann, H. E.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In today’s competitive environment, organisations cannot afford to focus only on effectiveness and efficiencies – they also need to innovate. This is evident from most literature sources on innovation. Innovation topics, such as the innovation process and the drivers, barriers, principles, and success factors for innovation, have received a lot of attention in the literature. What is still lacking, however, is a consolidated view of the core requirements for building an innovation capability within an organisation. This paper lays the foundation for an innovation capability reference architecture by identifying those innovation success factors or requirements described in the literature, and consolidating and structuring it within an easy-to-use enterprise architecture framework.
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    A business framework to network small South African enterprises for sustainability
    (SAIIE, 2007) Brand, R. P.; Du Preez, N. D.; Schutte, C.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This paper describes the role and use of enterprise engineering concepts as a formal approach to the deployment of sustainable networks of small businesses in South Africa. Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) operating in the informal South African economy struggle to survive for various reasons. A business framework is suggested that supports informal SMMEs through their initial stages of operation, and by doing so, improves sustainable growth and employment opportunities. This implies integration of informal business activities with the formal economy. The business framework is constructed using the Zachman Enterprise Reference Architecture, and is benchmarked by a small-scale fish farming project case study to validate the research hypothesis.
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    Evaluation of the GRAI integrated methodology and the IMAGIM supportware
    (SAIIE, 1998) Reid, J. M. C.; Du Preez, N. D.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This paper describes the GRAI Integrated Methodology and identifies the need for computer tools to support enterprise modelling,design and integration. The IMAGIM tool is then evaluated in terms of its ability to support the GRAI Integrated Methodology. The GRAI Integrated Methodology is an Enterprise Integration methodology developed to support the design of CIM systems . The GRAI Integrated Methodology consists of the GRAI model and a structured approach. The latest addition to the methodology is the IMAGIM software tool developed by the GRAI research group for the specific purpose of supporting the methodology.
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    Exploiting deterministic maintenance opportunity windows created by conservative engineering design rules that result in free time locked into large high-speed coupled production lines with finite buffers
    (Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2016) Durandt, C.; Smit, E. van der M.; Du Preez, N. D.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Conservative engineering design rules for large serial coupled production processes result in machines having locked-in free time (also called ‘critical downtime’ or ‘maintenance opportunity windows’), which cause idle time if not used. Operators are not able to assess a large production process holistically, and so may not be aware that they form the current bottleneck – or that they have free time available due to interruptions elsewhere. A real-time method is developed to accurately calculate and display free time in location and magnitude, and efficiency improvements are demonstrated in large-scale production runs.
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    Integrated product and enterprise design for global competitiveness
    (SAIIE, 1998) Du Preez, N. D.; Reid, J. M. C.
    This paper presents an overview of the challenge to integrate product and process life cycles in maintaining global competitiveness of an enterprise and proposes IEKOS as a possible solution . It provides the reader with a framework of two virtual life cycles which create a problem solving matrix for the industrial engineer. In this matrix, bordered by the virtual enterprise life cycle and the virtual product life cycles, the business functions of analyze, design deploy and operate are predominantly functions executed by the, industrial engineer. The different phases of each life cycle serves as a framework to a virtual industrial engineering toolkit providing access to detailed functions, formats, examples and a series of software and other "tools" available to the industrial engineer. In conclusion a brief overview is provided of the progress of the IEKOS toolkit which is under development at the department ofIndustrial Engineering at Stellenbosch University.
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    A roadmap towards significant customer value in a complex product environment
    (Faculty of Engineering, Department of Industrial Engineering, Stellenbosch University, 2016) Pretorius, G. D. P.; Du Preez, N. D.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Three fundamental processes of an enterprise are development, operations and marketing. When a product or service (Knowledge Item) is introduced to a customer, a specific series of success events are triggered. These events are modelled by using a roadmap underpinned by environmental influences, key (specific) decisions as well as human interaction between different role players’ involved in the life cycle of the product or service. Consequential phases of the engineering lifecycle drive an increasing maturity level of knowledge associated with the development item. A three-dimensional space is utilised to describe the knowledge attributes of the development item under discussion. This approach improves the success rate of a complex project by conceptualising premeditated (road mapped) tacit and explicit knowledge exchanges with the customers within the associated success events. A holistic roadmap towards realising customer value, and consequently the improved enterprise success, is discussed. The enabling contribution of human interaction factors towards the success are categorised and evaluated. Our understanding of the roadmap towards true customer value was augmented with applied studies in the areas of knowledge management, innovation, leadership, and other elements of the model. Project based case studies were conducted using a structured questionnaire sent to all knowledge workers with specific identified experience on the selected case studies. This resulted in a better understanding of dynamic, interdependent processes within the roadmap. This roadmap can be used to improve the probability of success of an enterprise by understanding the specific elements and their sensitivities towards the success event’s outcome. These events can be manipulated to benefit the enterprise. It will enhance its competitive position as well as the success related with a specific project, thereby realizing a significant value proposition for the customer.
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    Utilizing formal innovation models to support and guide industry innovation projects
    (Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineerg, 2007) Van Zyl, H.; Du Preez, N. D.; Schutte, C.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The high failure rate of innovation projects indicates that many companies are not getting the full benefit from their innovation projects [1], [2]. A research project was carried out during 2005 that explored and compared the existing formal models for supporting innovation, in order to address the identified problem. It proposed guidelines for improving and refining innovation projects. A case study that focused on the front-end of product innovation in the wine industry and the applicability of the formal W-model [3] to innovation activities was used to evaluate how formal innovation models can indeed effectively support industry innovation projects. The innovation life cycle was used to categorize a number of innovation frameworks for product, process, and enterprise innovation. Further research should focus on extending the case study to other industries, such as the automotive sector.