By: Selina Rapulane- 27 October 2022

Mr David Mauchline: AM Specialist TTI, second from the right, with UJ Metallurgy students

On Thursday, 20th October 2022, eight Metallurgy students from the University of Johannesburg visited the Vaal University of Technology (VUT)’s Technology Transfer and Innovation (TTI) for an introduction to foundry-related Additive Manufacturing (AM).

The students were hosted by Mr David Mauchline: AM Specialist TTI, who presented a lecture on technologies available to researchers through the VUT.

In his presentation titled: Advanced Mould and Pattern Manufacturing Technology, Mr Mauchline introduced AM and AM technologies applicable to foundries. Furthermore, he explained a few foundry case studies, looking at the reverse engineered impeller core – An impeller is the rotary component of a pump used to increase the pressure and flow of a fluid. It is the opposite of a turbine, which extracts energy from, and reduces the pressure of, a flowing fluid.

Later on, in his presentation, he discussed advantages of AM which include:

• Design complex components without adding cost
• Surpass limitations of conventional technologies
• Change designs with minimal hassle
• Skip investment in manufacturing tools
• Shorten time to market

After the presentation, the group was taken on a tour of the facility and various research collaborations were discussed during the walkabout.

The Advanced Manufacturing Precinct (AMP) focuses on advanced product design and manufacturing for various industries, particularly in the foundry and pioneering manufacturing sector.

The facility functions as a service bureau, supporting local industry and entrepreneurs, as well as providing research support to local and international researchers.

It offers a range of prototyping and manufacturing technologies, including 3D printing (3DP), fused deposition modelling (FDM), Binder Jetting (BJ) and laser sintering (LS). The facility has the ability to create useable prototypes and final components quickly and accurately, in a range of materials.

AMP offers the following services:

• Advanced Design and product development
• Advanced manufacturing using state-of-the-art-technology in 3D printing.

VUT TTI would like to thank Prof Didier Nyembwe, Vice Dean: Teaching and Learning at UJ’s Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment for organising the visit.