Pre-conference Seminars

PRE-CONFERENCE SEMINAR ON
DESIGN AND ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING OF TITANIUM AND PLATINUM GROUP METALS PARTS
Hosted by the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT)

supported by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation
Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria, South Africa
Date: Monday, 27 October 2025
Time: 8:30 to 13:00

Background

Based on South Africa’s position among the world’s four largest producers of titanium raw material, a national Titanium Metal Industry Strategy was developed by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). In 2009 the Titanium Centre of Competence was established as an implementation vehicle of this strategy. Additive manufacturing of titanium alloys featured as one of the technology platforms of the Titanium Centre of Competence.

Following on the need for a national additive manufacturing plan expressed by the Rapid Product Development Association of South Africa (RAPDASA) in 2012, the DSI commissioned the development of a South African Additive Manufacturing Strategy. This strategy was published in 2016 (see SA AM Strategy) and provides guidance to South African players in identifying economic opportunities, addressing technology gaps, focusing development programmes and informing investment decisions that would eventually enable individual local companies and industry sectors to become global leaders in selected areas of additive manufacturing.

Early in 2015 the national Collaborative Program in Additive Manufacturing (CPAM), funded by the DSI, was initiated to pursue implementation of this strategy. This program is executed by a consortium consisting of the CSIR National Laser Centre, Central University of Technology, Free State, Aerosud, Stellenbosch University, Northwest University, Vaal University of Technology, University of Cape Town, University of Johannesburg, University of the Witwatersrand and Rapid3D. An important sub-program of the CPAM is aimed at Qualification of Additive Manufacturing of Ti6Al4V for Medical Implants and Aerospace Components.

Since 2016 research on additive manufacturing of platinum was initiated by CUT. In the subsequent years this initiative developed into a sub-program of the CPAM known as Additive Manufacturing of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs). Due to the growing prominence PGM products in South Africa, it was decided to expand this seminar to also include the design and additive manufacturing of PGM parts

Focus of the Seminar

This one-day seminar features research and development related to the CPAM sub-program on Qualification of Additive Manufacturing of Ti6Al4V for Medical Implants and Aerospace Components. In addition, research on the development and additive manufacturing of PGM alloys will be presented. It provides an opportunity for postgraduate students from the collaborating institutions and others to present their research to an international audience. Through their participation many of these students get their first exposure to the process of preparing and submitting conference papers for peer review and subsequent presentation in the seminar.

PRE-CONFERENCE SEMINAR ON
COMPUTATIONAL AND DATA-DRIVEN MODELLING
Hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Supported by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation
Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria, South Africa
Date: Monday, 27 October 2025
Time: 8:30 to 16:00

Background

The 2024 Rapid Product Development Association of South Africa – Robotics and Mechatronics – Pattern Recognition Association of South Africa – Advanced Materials Initiative (RAPDASA-RobMech-PRASA-AMI) Conference is pleased to invite you to submit abstracts on the latest research, development, and innovation (RD&I) in the field of Computational and Data-driven Modelling.

This pre-conference seminar of the Advanced Materials Initiative (AMI) offers a platform for researchers and students from the various AMI networks, the Light Materials Development Network (LMDN), the Ferrous Materials Development Network (FMDN), the Precious Materials Development Network (PMDN) and the Nuclear Materials Development Network (NMDN), as well as other students and researchers in the field of materials science globally, to present their work on the topic of this seminar.

The RAPDASA-RobMech-PRASA-AMI Conference is a mechanism for the academic peer review of the AMI programme, which encompasses an annual conference where the work done by students and principal investigators is peer reviewed and presented to the AMI community and other interested parties. Industry is urged to also take part in this exciting event. The program encompasses materials science aimed at beneficiation of South African minerals towards RD&I-led industrialization.

Focus of the Seminar

This one-day seminar features research and development related to the field of Computational and Data-driven Modelling. It provides an opportunity for postgraduate students from the collaborating institutions and others to present their research to an international audience. Through their participation many of these students get their first exposure to the process of preparing and submitting conference papers for peer review and subsequent presentation in the seminar.

For Both Seminars:

Abstract and Paper Submission

Students and researchers who want to participate are invited to submit extended abstracts to the seminar. Instructions on the required abstract format and how to submit abstracts and papers are available at Conference Paper Submission. On acceptance of the extended abstract participants will be requested to submit a full paper. Submitted papers will be subjected to the same blind peer review process as the 2025 RAPDASA-RobMech-PRASA-AMI conference papers. Successful papers will be published in the conference proceedings. Selected high quality papers will be submitted for publication in the South African Journal of Industrial Engineering.