ANDILE HLAKALOVU

First-Year Project (2022): Design of a Wheelie Bin Refuse Compressor
-Submitted a comprehensive report.
-Drafted design concepts using AutoCAD and SolidWorks.

Second-Year Project (2023): Design and Manufacture of an Elastic Band-Propelled Floating Vessel
-Developed a vessel capable of transporting a 1-litre Coca-Cola bottle across a 12-meter swimming pool while maintaining an upright position.
-Authored a detailed project report.
-Utilized SolidWorks for concept design.
-Employed a glue gun, elastic bands, and a 1L bottle during the manufacturing process.

Third/Final-Year Project (2024): Design of a Pumped Storage Hydropower System
-Designed a pumped storage hydroelectric power plant with a minimum output of 200 MW to enhance the integration of renewable energy into the grid.
-Created and constructed two reservoirs using SolidWorks and built them at the CPUT engineering workshop.
-Developed a motor-generator system that produced power via a nozzle-driven mechanism.

• Intern as a Machine Operator.
• Operating Depalletisor, Palletisor and Packer
• And performing Maintenance when there is a break down on the machine
• Gained valuable experience working within a production industry, applying learned concepts directly into relevant work situations.
• Analyzed problems and worked with teams to develop solutions.
• Contributed to a positive team environment by collaborating with fellow interns on group projects and presentations.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Project

Topic: Aquaponics System Development

Designed and developed an integrated aquaponics system that combines aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soil-free plant cultivation) to create a sustainable, symbiotic environment.

Key Contributions:

-Designed and manufactured a fish tank and grow beds for plant cultivation.

-Utilized SolidWorks for concept design and structural modeling.

-Implemented an Arduino-based temperature monitoring system for fish welfare through programming.

-Performed key calculations using MATLAB for system optimization.