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Institute for Advanced Tooling 
There are three centres in IAT located at the following institutions: Walter Sisulu University, Tshwane University of Technology and Stellenbosch University. The centres through a network approach focus on Tool Design, Tooling Technology Transfer, Research and Innovation to enhance the competitiveness of the SME’s in the tooling industry.
The Institutes for Advanced Tooling are positioned to be centers of excellence for Skills Development and Technology Transfer diffusions to accelerate the country’s growth in the Tooling sector, through the core business of promoting sustainable tooling in collaboration with international leading tool making private institutions, academic and the South African local tooling industry.
The acquisitions of appropriate and skilled human resources to carry out the technical and non – technical operations are required for these Institutes. This has been acquired through deployment of qualified Tooling Engineers from the training initiative in cooperation with the Indo – German Tool Room Programme. These qualified Tooling Engineers envisage building capacity amongst Previously Disadvantaged Individuals (PDIs), creating an Institution with meaningful empowerment with individuals able to participate in BEE manufacturing ventures within the envisaged future Tool Delivery Network.
Technological Competencies of IAT are in Tool Design and Manufacturing
Manufacturing
The IAT’s will be equipped with a range of modern industry specific capital equipment and technologies. They include:
- Modular high precision, 5 axis CNC milling machines.
- Metrology equipment including a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) for quality assurance
- EDM spark erosion, Robo drilling and Wire Cut EDM CNC machinery
- 3D printer for Rapid Prototyping Technology Platforms for reverse engineering.
Design
The IATS are equipped with high-end CAD/CAM software technology for modeling and designing for manufacturing.
- Pro – Engineer Wild Fire III that will be used for 3D CAD
- Mould flow software for polymer behavior examinations and optimization.
- CAM systems for post processing of CNC programs and Autocad 2006
- Unigraphics and Mold Wizard module of UG.
- Dynaform for Sheet Metal Analysis.
Services of the S.A Tooling Industry
Tool Design and Project Management at Walter Sisulu University
The centre is expected to continuously provide quality design of tools in compliance to existing quality standards. All orders relating to tool design and production enhancement will at all time be tackled by Tool Designers. A broad scope of services in tools design and production planning of Press tool, gauges, Plastic Moulds, Jigs and Fixtures, Die casting Dies will be analytically executed using simulations, analysis processes and testing from non – conventional manufacturing processes. Furthermore, design of blow moulds, transfer moulds and compression moulds using competent 3D modeling software’s and finite element method for structural analysis and components forming analysis are also undertaken.
Research, Development and Innovation at University of Stellenbosch
The IAT at the University of Stellenbosch is specializing in manufacturing of intricate shapes (cores and cavities) generating tool path for high speed machining processes using CAM software’s. Developing cutting strategies for cost and lead-time reduction; cutting strategies for specific surface finish requirements and surface modification, Milling of hard materials (tool steel) as well as manufacturing of fully assembled tooling.
Industrial services and Technology Transfer at Tshwane University of Technology
The ultimate success of the IAT at the TUT campus in Soshanguve lies in the ability to provide world-class technological tooling solutions for industry and SMEs with a strong focus on BEE development. By supporting local enterprises to develop initiatives and manufacture products locally, the Institute aims to stimulate the tooling industry to supply the products that are usually ordered from overseas.
Contact Details
National Tooling Coordinator: Mr. Vusi Skosana
Tel: 012 844 0413
Fax: 012 844 0412
Email: vux@tshumisano.co.za
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