The Rapid Product Development Association of South Africa (RAPDASA) will hold its 15th Annual International Conference from 5 to 7 November 2014 at the Stellenbosch University’s Center for Advanced Studies (STIAS) situated in the heart of the Winelands region, Western Cape. This year’s conference will be hosted by the Department of Industrial Engineering, Stellenbosch University and is endorsed by Global Alliance of Rapid Prototyping Associations (GARPA).
Additive Manufacturing (AM), better known as “3D Printing”, has matured from a prototyping technology (in the 1990’s) into the fully-fledged manufacturing technology, which it is today. AM products are used as final products in aerospace, automotive, medical and the consumer product industries. This fairly new technology has proved itself in improving the quality of life and it is the best aid for product designers to take a virtual design and turn it into an actual product in just a few days.
The 15th Annual Conference theme is “Talent Driven Innovation”. The conference will offer opportunities for participants from industry, R&D institutions, academia and government to listen to presentations and meet with world experts in this field and for the South African additive manufacturing community to showcase the cutting-edge work carried out in this country.
Pre-conference workshops will be presented on 5 November 2014, one on medical applications and a second one on foundry and tooling applications at a cost of R750.00 per person.
RAPDASA (Rapid Product Development Association of South Africa) was officially launched during the first annual international conference, held in 2000 at the CSIR, following a number of meetings held nationally, to establish a community of practice. RAPDASA embraces the complete product development value chain (starting from idea/concept, to design, prototype development into manufacturing and commercialisation). RAPDASA aims to become a government-recognised activity or industry cluster/group, as it currently creates strategic links between academia, science councils and industry. It was started by volunteers, and is still being driven by individuals with a passion for innovative product development.
Who should attend?
RAPDASA invites product designers, toolmakers, production staff, technical directors and managers from industry involved in design, development and manufacturing of products and components, as well as participants from the international product development communities, academia, national R&D and educational institutions, to participate in the conference.
Conference package
The conference will be hosted at the Stellenbosch University’s Center for Advanced Studies, Western Cape, South Africa. An all-inclusive package of R4 800.00 (ZAR) per delegate includes:
• Full conference participation
• Lunches and conference dinner
• Refreshments (tea/coffee breaks)
• Welcome Function
• Gala Event
• NB – this package does not include accommodation or travel expenses
Online registration opened on the RAPDASA website and there are calls for papers and an early bird registration fee discount will apply before 31 July 2014.
For further information please contact K Smith on TEL: 21 808 4234 or email rapdasa@sun.ac.za or visit www.rapdasa.org
