Evaluation of Resource Efficient Process Chains for Primary Manufacturing Processes of Bamboo Bicycles

Abstract

In order for manufacturing suppliers to stay competitive in the global market, innovative and resource efficient process chains need to be a part of the manufacturing strategy. Primary manufacturing process steps entail the shaping, moulding, milling and forming processes applied to the raw materials to add value to the product. Bicycles have an enormous effect on society, both in terms of socio-economics and of advancing modern industrial processes. In order to manufacture bamboo bicycle frames in South Africa innovative designs and process chains need to be developed. In this study the process chains associated with the primary manufacturing processes of bamboo bicycles were mapped. Methods to optimise these process chains were developed and compared to the process chains in terms of resource efficiency. The effect on time, cost, quality and waste were evaluated and future work is also discussed.