PORTFOLIO MECHANICAL
SABELO NDALA
A
ABOUT ME
SABELO P. NDALA
Mechanical Draughtsman Z.A
I’m Sabelo, a multi-disciplined draughtsman, CNC programmer, and industrial design student based in South Africa. Driven by a commitment to sustainable, innovative design, I am dedicated to exploring and mastering the full spectrum of design disciplines—spanning mechanical, architectural, petrochemical, electrical, structural, and product design.
With over five years of experience in mining equipment manufacturing, I bring a strong background in both practical and strategic aspects of the field. I spent three years working in the Research and Development division at Thriftline Products Pty Ltd., and for the past year, I have had the privilege of serving as the program lead. In this role, I manage R&D initiatives, oversee drafting and design projects, lead prototyping efforts, and ensure rigorous quality control standards. I approach each project with meticulous attention and a passion for pushing boundaries in design and manufacturing.
Sabelo Ndala
+27 (081) 506-2288
spndala83@gmail.com
01.12.1983 South Africa
18 Viking Road Unit 1 Viking Place Dalpark Ext 1 Brakpan 1541
skills education prof. experience
soft
Emotional intellegence
Microsoft Excel
Adobe photoshop
Adobe indesign Adobe Illistrator
Managing customer expectations Project management Technical writting
Design Software
Autodesk AutoCAD
Autodesk Fusion 360
Autodesk Inventor
Autodesk Plant3D
Autodesk Revit
Autodesk Advanced Steel
Autodesk AutoCAD Electrical
SolidWorks
SolidEdge
Siemens NX
Autodesk 3ds max
2001
Ekurhuleni East College for FET N3/N4 Electrical Engineering Electrical Infrustracture design and Electronics
2010
Ekurhuleni East College for FET SMME Management
2022-2024
MDDOP N4/N5 Multi - desciplinary draughting Academic institute of Excellence
Current
Advanced Masters degree in Industrial Design Tech- Global University
2008 -2011
Operations manager S.Nkosi Cleaning Services Mondi packaging Contract
2022
Machenical Draughting apprentice Thriftline Products Pty Ltd. ZA
2024
Senior Machenical Draughtsman/ Quality Controller / CNC Programer Thriftline Product Pty Ltd. ZA
2024
Research & Development Lead Thriftline Products Pty Ltd. ZA
languages
Additional Courses
indesign photoshop illistrator Autodesk 3ds Max English IsiZulu Afrikaans
Draughting & Design Portfolio link
https://issuu.com/sabelo_p/docs/mechanical_draughting_design_portfolio_s.p_ndala
courses
MDDOP N4/N5 Archicad Solidworks
AQ_REAMING SHELL
SPLIT_MOULD DESIGN
AQ_R/set Reaming shell Carbon components assembly
HIGH DENSITY CARBON
In addressing the limitations of traditional reaming shell moulds, which are often single-use and thus costly, our team innovated a solution to enhance both efficiency and sustainability in manufacturing. We redesigned the reaming shell mould, focusing on reducing its size and weight while engineering it for reusability. As a result, each mould now achieves over ten cycles or “burns” before replacement is necessary, significantly reducing manufacturing costs.
Given South Africa’s rich mining history and the dominance of large corporations in the sector, achieving this milestone was no small feat. Our efforts have redefined the manufacturing process for reaming shells, establishing a new benchmark in the industry. This breakthrough not only optimizes resource use but also contributes to a more sustainable and cost-effective approach, paving the way for future innovations in mining-related manufacturing.
Project Name: AQ_Reaming Shell Split Mould Design_2024
Company: Thriftline Products Pty Ltd.
Product Description: AQ_Reaming Shell Split Mould Components
Software: AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor and Keyshot
Manager: R. Hogan
Collaboration: Carbographite /F. Benadie (Turner)
8’’ - 10’’ CONVERSION T-NUT
CUSTOM DESIGN
NOTES
We successfully retrofitted an 8-inch Smart Machine Chuck to accommodate 10-inch soft jaws by engineering a custom T-nut adapter. Faced with the challenge of unavailable market-ready solutions and the limitations of standard 8-inch soft jaws, our team designed and implemented this cost-effective and efficient solution. This innovation has proven successful, addressing the problem without resorting to expensive alternatives.
Project Name: 8’’ - 10’’ Conversion T-Nut Custom design_2024
Company: Thriftline Products Pty Ltd.
Product Description: 8’’ Chuck - 10’’ Jaws Conversion T- Nut
Designed by: S.P Ndala
Software: AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor and Keyshot Manager: R. Hogan
Collaboration: Jerrad / Vector Precision Engineering (Machinist)
1. INTERPRET DRAWING PER SABS 0111 CODE OF PRACTICE
2. ASME Y14.5-2009 STANDARDS FOR TOLERANCING AND DIMENSIONING
3. MATERIAL: 1541 - EN8 - ST52 MILD STEEL
4. REMOVE ALL BURRS AND SHARP EDGES. EDGE BREAK .001
5. TOLERANCE: 0.125mm Standard Engineering Tolerences
6. FILLET RADII - 1.5mm
AQ_CASING PIPE MOD &
FITTINGS DESIGN
Cost effective and innovative design
Problem: Production of the MC631500_AQ casing pipe and fittings faced significant cost and time constraints.
Solution: To overcome these challenges, we integrated drafting and programming functions to streamline the manufacturing process, reducing costs and lead times. The optimized casing pipe design exceeded industry standards by withstanding pressure tests at 500 KPa. This innovation enabled the transition of production from outsourcing to in-house operations, resulting in substantial improvements in cost efficiency, quality control, and time management. This shift demonstrates our commitment to delivering high-quality products while maintaining operational excellence.
Project Name: MC631500 Casing & Fittings_2024
Company: Thriftline Products Pty Ltd.
Product Description: AQ Casing pipe & Fittings Designed by: S.P Ndala
CNC Programmer/Setter/Operator S.P Ndala
CNC consultant: advanced programming :Urban Beeby Manager: R. Hogan
Software: AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor and Keyshot
Collaboration: J.R (Welder)
BEARING PULLER DESIGN PROJECT
Bearing Puller Design Project Academic Institute of Excellence, Midrand Campus, South Africa
The bearing puller project marked a significant milestone in my journey as a designer. As my first encounter with CAD modeling software—Autodesk Inventor—it became much more than just an academic exercise. This experience ignited a profound curiosity for mechanical systems and engineering design.
Through meticulous modeling and problem-solving, I discovered the power of translating ideas into precise, functional designs. The project challenged me to grasp core mechanical principles while honing my technical skills. It was both a springboard and a confirmation, leading me to confidently select the Mechanical Elective as my specialization.
This project represents the moment where I turned a passion for design into a career pathway, with optimism and ambition driving me forward into the world of industrial innovation. Project Name: Bearing Puller_2023
Student Project
RECYCLED ADAPTOR DRILLING GUIDE
Compact and Purpose-Driven Design
The_Recycled Adaptor Drilling Guide is a prototype solution engineered for precision and efficiency in field drilling applications. Tailored for use with portable drills, this innovative tool eliminates the need for a rotary table, providing exact alignment for 45-degree, 3mm holes. These holes accommodate 3mm x 5mm tungsten pins, crucial for re-tipping the AQ_drilling crown to a refurbished steel adaptor.
Crafted with portability in mind, the design fits seamlessly into a standard toolbox, ensuring convenience for on-site maintenance and repairs. This sustainable, solution-driven tool is ideal for professionals seeking precision and adaptability in demanding field environments, setting a new standard for mobile engineering solutions. Project
Core products design & draughting
Key Contributions and Responsibilities
In my role at Thriftline Products, I am entrusted with overseeing the daily operations of the drawing office, a dynamic environment that serves as the backbone of innovation and precision in our production processes.
My responsibilities include:
Document Control: Managing technical documents and ensuring compliance with quality standards. Research & Development: Driving new product research, generating innovative concepts, and integrating the latest industry trends.
Drafting & Design: Creating detailed technical drawings and 3D models that seamlessly transition from concept to production-ready designs.
Prototyping & Manufacturing: Collaborating with cross-functional teams to prototype and manufacture products that meet exact specifications and performance requirements.
Design Maintenance: Updating and revising existing drawings to reflect design changes, material updates, and supplier adaptations, while maintaining version control.
Supplier Coordination: Ensuring optimal material selection and supplier alignment to uphold consistent quality across the production line.
As a key supplier of core-drilling bits and accessories, Thriftline Products demands excellence and innovation. I stand at the forefront of these efforts, continuously updating 3D models and contributing to the full product lifecycle—from ideation to the final product. My role is not just about maintaining standards but elevating them, ensuring each product reflects the quality and reliability our clients expect.
This opportunity has allowed me to merge technical expertise with creative innovation, shaping both my professional growth and the success of our product range.
Project Name: Daily operations
Company: Thriftline products Pty Ltd.
Product : All product ranges and their respective components
Software: AutoCAD, Inventor, Fusion 360, Solidworks, Solidedge,Siemans NX
Software: Microsoft 365, Canva, Indesign, Google docs, Photoshop
Manager: R. Hogan
The Conveyor Belt Project
The Conveyor Belt Project was a pivotal component of a larger multidisciplinary initiative for my student portfolio, offering invaluable insights into the interconnected nature of design and the seamless transition between disciplines.
As part of the student brief, we were tasked with designing a comprehensive mail-sorting facility. My contribution, aligned with my mechanical elective, focused on designing the conveyor belt system—a critical element to demonstrate progress and proficiency in mechanical design.
This project served as a significant milestone in my journey, showcasing not only my technical capabilities but also my ability to integrate mechanical design principles into a broader system. The experience refined my problem-solving skills, reinforced my understanding of design workflows, and solidified my passion for innovative and functional design solutions.
Institution: Academic institute of excellence
Product : Conveyer belt
Software: AutoCAD, Inventor, Fusion 360,
Software: Microsoft 365, Canva,
Lecturer: M. Botha
Project Name: Conveyer belt
Sabelo