Engaging for future business
Engaging for future business
Mr Rudiger Schreiner at the Nedbank Retail and Business Leadership Conference. (Engaging for future business)
Selina Rapulane
On 26 January, the Vaal University of Technology Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park’s Additive Manufacturing and Idea 2 Product Lab representatives attended the Nedbank Retail and Business Leadership Conference at the Empire Venue in Park town, Johannesburg.
The conference is held at the beginning of each year to engage around key changes happening and its impact on businesses. The conference showcases different technologies every year and this year, one of its focuses was on 3D printing as an example of future business.
On the day, there were four galleries and the 3D printing showcase was part of the “Experiencing Digital” gallery. This gallery showcased some information on internal digital solutions and 3D printing. On behalf of the VUT Science Park, Ms Welile Nyembe: HOD Additive Manufacturing and Mr Rudiger Schreiner: Laboratory Assistant, presented on the AM role at the Science Park and how it is gaining momentum in the Southern Gauteng communities, with VUT offering free training at entry level.
“During the conference, we managed to get positive feedback on our presentation and parents were very interested in the free entry level training and will be bringing their kids for an introduction into the world of AM,” said Ms Nyembe.
She also mentioned that attendees at Nedbank and from other companies were a bit puzzled about what 3D printing had to with Nedbank. She and Mr Schreiner came up with various scenarios to best explain the connection.
One of the scenarios was: “You are relaxing at home and you think of an idea, but you don’t know where to start. You can bring your idea to our department and we will help you with the design. After everything concerning the design has been approved and it has been printed out, you will have your prototype. For you to take it out to the public, you will need funding. That is where Nedbank’s involvement comes. They can be able to help you to have your design commercialised”.
The team was very content about being a part of this amazing conference and looks forward to offering the younger set training as they walk down the AM road. They also hope to nourish their relationship with Nedbank to reach greater heights.
