A case study on enabling metrology in Africa with additive manufacturing
ISSN: 1355-2546
Article publication date: 15 June 2022
Issue publication date: 14 October 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This case study aims to investigate how locally additively manufactured functional parts can make African metrology institutes more sustainable and independent. These institutes provide calibration services, which links the measurement units to industrial and everyday measurements. This traceability is critical to overcome technical barriers to trade and industrialisation. Most African countries have such a designated institute that requires advanced scientific instrumentation. These instruments are custom-built for a specific application, hard to procure or sometimes obsolete. Servicing these instruments or obtaining spare parts are also difficult. The purpose aims to evaluate if three-dimensional (3D) printing can significantly improve this situation, by providing six institutes with a 3D printer and training.
Design/methodology/approach
Therefore, a 3D printer pilot project was launched, involving six African metrology institutes, with the aim of developing the basic manufacturing capabilities of these institutes so that they can produce functional parts. The project included training on both digital part modelling and 3D printer usage. This case study reviews the technology selection method, project risks, needs, challenges and results, with the aid of research questions.
Findings
The results of the project illustrate how additive manufacturing (AM) has started to enable metrology in Africa and how it can be expanded to the general scientific endeavour on the continent.
Social implications
The success of this project can be used to motivate the further adoption of AM in African National Metrology Institutes, as well as other scientific institutes.
Originality/value
The project is the first AM project of its kind for African National Metrology Institutes.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the PTB, Cindy McFarlane for developing and presenting the CAD training course and Oelof Kruger for project concept and liaison with the PTB.
The project would not have been possible without the active involvement of each institute, and the authors gratefully acknowledge the following participants:
Calvin Bore (KEBS): institute project leader, 3D printing, photos; T Pryam (MSB): institute project leader; Lusia Katanga (NSI): institute project leader, 3D printing, photos, information on micrometre clamp; Esther Guranungo (SIRDC-NMI): technical support; Burnhard Gandah (SIRDC-NMI): 3D printing, information on DTI tester; photos; Mathew Ranganai (SIRDC-NMI): institute project leader; Blessing Chibaya (SIRDC-NMI): 3D printing; Munyaradzi Mubaiwa (SIRDC-NMI): 3D printing; Angela Charles (TBS): institute project leader; Natasha Sichone (ZMA): information on the pipette holder; Lucky Chiyang’a (ZMA) photos; Frank Kabwe (ZMA): 3D printing.
Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest, and that the instruments or materials used in this work are not endorsed.
Research funding: The cost of the printers, accessories, filament, laptops as well as the development and presenting of the training course and support were sponsored by the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB).
Citation
Greeff, G.P. (2022), "A case study on enabling metrology in Africa with additive manufacturing", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 28 No. 10, pp. 1968-1977. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-03-2022-0078
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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