Product development within the framework of a National Casting Technology Centre

Abstract

The need for a state of the art advanced National Casting Technology Centre (NCTC) has been widely supported throughout industry and recognised as an important facilitator in the growth of the foundry industry. This initiative also aligns itself with the government's Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy (AMTS), which is an implementation strategy in support of the South African government's Integrated Manufacturing Strategy ((MS) and National R&D Strategy (NRDS). The AMTS aims at supporting and developing the downstream high technology manufacturing industry, inter alia through the aerospace, automotive and metals sectors. In the light of the above and in an effort to retain and expand the current national skills, expertise and facilities in advanced casting technologies, the National Product Development Centre at the CSIR has initiated a process of establishing a National Casting Technology Centre (NCTC). The establishment of the NCTC provides a supportive technology platform for the Advanced Metals Initiative (AMI), which was launched in 2003. The primary objective of the NCTC is to preserve and expand the national expertise and capabilities in cast metals manufacturing by supporting the local casting industry with process development, technology transfer and skills enhancement in order to increase their global competitiveness.