Divan Vorster

Experience

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  Epsilon Engineering Services

  Jun 2023 - Sept 2023

  Composite Manufacturing Apprentice

  Gained insight into the operations involved in composite manufacturing in South Africa's Aerospace & Defence industry by working on the shop floor with artisans and technicians to produce, among others, UAVs:- Participated the composite design, manufacturing, assembly, and inspection of kevlar, fibreglass, and prepreg carbon fibre components.- Operated and maintained manual and numerically-controlled heavy machinery, namely, lathes, drill presses, CNC milling machines, and flatbed CNCs (and was exposed to their programming), which taught me valuable lessons in precision manufacturing design.- Participated in optimising the workflow and physical effort involved in kevlar braiding, and was partly responsible for the CAD modelling of the improved machine.- Designed and 3D-printed a turbocharger keychain, which allowed me to gain experience in additive manufacturing design, and to gauge the strengths and limitations of 3D-printing. Was also exposed to innovative uses of 3D-printed components in composite assemblies.- Received brief OHSA training from Epsilon's Health & Safety Officer- Learned how manual labourers should be managed given the intensity of their work. Show less

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  Denel SOC LTD

  Jan 2024 - Feb 2024

  Aeronautical R&D Vacation Work Student

  Was tasked with developing several Python modules to allow for rapid research & development of a fixed-wing drone, in addition to overseeing (composite) projects on the shop floor, and studied the engineering decision-making involved in current and past multi-year projects, such as the Atlas Rooivalk and its sub-systems. Was mentored by Senior Stress Engineer (PrEng) - and adept programmer - Andrew Allcock, along with other Denel staff who were eager to pass down their extensive knowledge.- Employed OOP to develop a Python script to optimise multiple types of fixed wing geometries, by calculating their respective circulation-, downwash-, lift-, and drag distributions via Prandtl's Lifting Line Theory.- Was trained on the use of computational tools in the design process for rapid iteration, in particular, and the principles of concise, efficient programming it necessitates.- Received further experience in composite manufacturing: assisted in anomaly detection, identifying methods of repair, generating corresponding repair drawings, and updating mould tool designs.- Was taught good engineering practice, specifically i.t.o. documentation - "document what you do and do what you document" - and applied it to the Python script's implementation.- Participated in the project and supply-chain management of multi-year aerospace projects.- Partook in several experiments and material tests, thereby learning and applying experimental methods that maximise statistical confidence.- Gained intimate knowledge of Denel's OHSA protocols, i.e., its Safety, Health and Environmental management system, as well as the implementation and enforcement thereof. Show less

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  University of Pretoria Aerospace Society

  Jan 2024 - now

  Treasurer

  Currently utilising my passion for finance as the treasurer of a university society for 180 aerospace, aviation, and astronomy enthusiasts. I am tasked with the society’s short- and long-term financial planning and -management. This includes setting up a yearly budget, budgeting for events, and ensuring financial discipline and integrity within the society. Furthermore, I am responsible for identifying and implementing new income streams to supplement University funding - which is relatively low, thus requiring a frugal approach. Show less