Noko Phukubye

 

MEng (Research – full time) student

“Evaluating digital image correlation speckle pattern quality using finite element based displacement fields”

An attempt to understand the relationship between texture patterns and the accuracy of digital image correlation measurement results.

Education: BEng Mechanical Engineering (2023) – Stellenbosch University

Notable achievements: Recieved the 2023 John-Thompson’s award for the best final year project in thermal energy systems.

Previous employment: Completed internships at Battery Power Industries and Alien Fuel Group in 2022 where I undertook several significant projects which provided me with hands-on experience, sharpened my engineering skills, and deepened my passion for complex system design, setting the stage for a promising career in design engineering.

 

Philip Ligthart

PhD student

“Investigating Real-World Loading Effects on Ilizarov Frames using Numerical Simulation”

Research on Ilizarov external fixation devices with the aim of being able to accurately predict the behaviour of the device under real-world loading conditions. Musculoskeletal and numerical modelling are used to create a high-fidelity model of the device and lower limb to which it is attached.

Education:

BEng in Mechanical Engineering, Stellenbosch University, 2021

MEng (cum laude) in Mechanical Engineering, Stellenbosch University, 2023

Notable achievements: 1st place in 2020 data analysis hackathon hosted by Capitec.

Professional experience: Ad-hoc lecturer in Finite Element Analysis, Stellenbosch University, 2024

Interests: Latex, Cooking, Rockets, Machine Learning, Wine.

 

Christo (Hendrik Christoffel) Janse van Vuuren

Christo Janse van Vuuren's profile picture

MEng (Research – full time) student

“Dynamics of a Nutating Mill with Charge-Structure Interaction”

The problem statement to be addressed by this research project is that the operational capabilities of a nutating grinding mill are poorly understood due to a lack of knowledge of its structural dynamics: the input, output and internal forces of the machine. This lack of knowledge has led to reliability issues for commercial parties such as the De Beers diamond company.

Education:

BEng Mechanical Engineering – Stellenbosch University, 2022

(Non-Degree exchange) Autonomous Systems and Management – Stuttgart University, 2021

Previous employment: Student Intern, Rheinmetall-Denel Munition, 2019 & 2020. Activities included literature review, concept development and testing of electrical components in high acceleration environments.

Interests: Aerospace industry, history, language, hiking, reading