Implementation of quality management by controlling process parameters in spheroidisation

¹ Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
² Research and Innovation, South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, South Africa

Abstract

This article discusses the Quality Management (QM) implementation at South Africa’s Nuclear Energy Cooperation (Necsa) for the reconditioning of Ti6Al4V. The reconditioning serves to spheroidise Ti6Al4V from selective laser melting. The quality management tool was implemented to ensure the consistent output of the spheroidised Ti6Al4V. Steps taken to spheroidise Ti6Al4V were documented, and the tools and resources required to ensure the process flows smoothly were highlighted. Standard operating procedures were developed to provide a guide for operators of the spheroidisation facility on the operating parameters needed to consistently spheroidise Ti6Al4V. The main process parameter investigated was the relationship between power and spheroidisation and vaporisation. There are two types of process parameters for effective reconditioning of Ti6Al4V. There are the parameters that operate with the aim of ensuring consistent quality, and the second set ensures economic reconditioning of Ti6Al4V. QM would also ensure that there are standard operating procedures developed within an organisation. For the research, the operating parameters to economically spheroidise Ti6Al4V were determined-