The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) co-hosts the preparatory school for Network for Zero-defect and Zero-waste Digital Manufacturing for Electric Vehicles' Components (NeDMEV) in collaboration with Nelson Mandela University (NMU) today at the CSIR Pretoria campus. This event, running from 7 to 11 July, welcomes 36 participants from various institutions, including the Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya and Pentecost University in Ghana.

The focus of this week-long training is on digital manufacturing technologies, highlighting topics such as artificial intelligence and big data science and their applications in laser-based manufacturing. This event is part of the larger NeDMEV project, which aims to build a stronger higher education and industry network across African countries and European partners, through enhancing postgraduate student and staff mobility, fostering inclusive learning with an emphasis on climate change mitigation through research in Digital Manufacturing of Electric Vehicle components.

Prof. Sisa Pityana, a principal researcher at CSIR, says, "This initiative is a notable stride towards capacity-building and technological progress across Africa. Participants will have a unique opportunity to learn from leading academics and industry experts."

The CSIR's role in the initiative extends beyond co-hosting. The CSIR team will conduct technology demonstrations throughout the week, showcasing various technologies like powder production, laser beam welding and powder bed fusion, which are sustainable manufacturing techniques used to create precise, durable products.

Co-host, NMU’s Dr Annelize Botes, a research associate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, anticipates an enriching session and notes that, “this week-long interactive training session will have a significant and multifaceted impact. Firstly, it will boost participants’ technical skills by providing hands-on experience with advanced laser systems used in processes like cutting, welding, surface treatment and additive manufacturing. This exposure not only deepens theoretical knowledge but also enhances practical skills essential for industrial use. Secondly, such training encourages innovation and problem-solving by fostering collaborative learning and knowledge sharing among participants from diverse backgrounds. This can speed up the adoption of laser technologies in local manufacturing and lead to increased process efficiency, precision, and sustainability.

Additionally, this training will help fill existing skills gaps in high-tech manufacturing, positioning participants and their organisations as more competitive in global markets. Over time, this supports workforce development, industrial modernisation and the broader effort to promote smart manufacturing initiatives.”

The agenda for the event includes keynote sessions from remarkable speakers, including Prof. Alessandro Fortunato from the University of Bologna, saying that, “This event offers a unique occasion to explore the opportunities and challenges of laser-based technologies within the context of modern smart manufacturing.”