In this paper, a decision-making framework for implementing the concept of digitalisation within the South African tool, die, and mould-making (TDM) industry context is developed and employed. The purpose of this framework is to answer the following question: "Which digital technologies currently available on the market can be employed to improve the efficiency of shop-floor operations in the South African TDM industry?" An exhaustive literature study of existing digital technologies is conducted. Thereafter, TDM processes requiring digitalisation are identified through knowledge engineering. Based on the system requirements analysis, digital technologies relevant to the South African TDM context are then proposed.
OPSOMMINGʼn Besluitnemingsraamwerk vir implementering van die konsep van digitalisering binne die Suid-Afrikaanse matrysmaak industrie is ontwikkel en toegepas. Die doel van hierdie raamwerk is om die volgende vraag te beantwoord: "Watter digitale tegnologieë, wat nou beskikbaar is, kan gebruik word om die rendement van werkswinkel bedrywighede in die Suid-Afrikaanse matrysmaak industrie te verbeter?" ʼn Omvattende literatuurstudie van bestaande digitale tegnologieë is van stapel gestuur. Daarna is matrysmaak prosesse wat kan baat by digitalisering identifiseer. Op grond van die sisteemvereistes analise is digitale tegnologieë relevant tot die Suid-Afrikaanse matrysmaak konteks dan voorgestel.
INTRODUCTIONThe production of tools, dies, and moulds (TDM) is a complex activity that requires a lot of expert knowledge and sound judgement. Due to the demand for customised and unique products, the process of tool-making requires great innovation, making it highly dependent on the craftsmanship of the toolmaker. The success of a project therefore depends on the experience and skill levels of the workers doing the job. This makes tool-making a skills-or people-driven exercise. The skills required in the TDM value chain include tool designing, project managing, toolmaking, cost estimating, and many more specialised roles. Schuh, Pitsch, Komorek, Schippers and Salmen [1] described the TDM industry as a knowledge-intensive and data-driven sector. During the fabrication of tools, dies, and moulds, many transactions that involve information exchange occur between toolmakers, their downstream customers, and their upstream suppliers, as illustrated in Figure 1. -Component information Design drawings and specifications Order Documents Design and production changes Order progress Toolmakers Raw material Suppliers OEM and Plastics Manufacturers Figure 1: Transactions during order processing in TDM operations [2]Due to the wide range of products it produces, the TDM industry is characterised by a huge variability of requirements and specifications for each final product. Figure 1 represents the nature of communication involved in processing orders in the TDM sector. A lot of production data is exchanged between toolmakers, their raw material suppliers, and their clients (usually overall equipment manufacturers [OEMs]). To a...