Browsing by Author "Govender, Reuben A."

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    Development of a Prototype Embedded 3D Printer with Dual Ink-Gel Extrusion Capability
    (2025-12-12) Van Driel, Adrian; Govender, Reuben A.
    3D printing has advanced significantly, enabling new applications such as embedded 3D printing for materials that solidify slowly. This method prints liquid materials into a support gel that holds their shape while curing. This project developed the dual ink-gel extruder (DIGEX) to address the limitations in the print volume seen in previous projects and to enable the simultaneous extrusion of material and support gel. Various sub-assemblies and deposition techniques were tested to optimise performance. While DIGEX successfully demonstrated the concept, difficulties remain in scaling for large-format printing, requiring further refinement in hardware, software, and process configurations.
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    The Application of Taguchi Experiments in Developing Gecko-Inspired Dry Adhesive for Macro-Handling Applications
    (2026-12-12) Nyanga, Lungile; Govender, Reuben A.; Matope, Stephen
    Synthetic dry adhesives have been developed to mimic the gecko’s adhesion using lithography and micro-machining of a mould to cast a suitable elastomer. Previous international studies used nano-manufacturing processes, which are expensive and are not readily available in South Africa. In this study, a simple micro-machining method was used using a three-axis milling machine and Vytaflex 30 to develop an adhesive pad. The Taguchi method to design experiments was used to determine the optimum machining conditions to create micro-wedges. The results show that, although a maximum adhesion pressure of 1,924 Pa was obtained with a preload pressure of 1,323 Pa, the adhesion force produced might not be suitable for macro-handling applications.