It’s as though there’s a call to the governments of every country around the world to get organised about 3D printing. We have already covered the formation of SASAM, a group dedicated to outlining regulatory policies for the adoption of additive manufacturing in the European Union. Of course, America Makes is the organization seeking to unify AM under one umbrella in the United States. Thanks to one 3DPI reader, Garth Williams, we’ve become aware of a similar national movement in South Africa.
Under the direction of experts from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the South African Department of Science and Technology (DST), a national effort is underway to disseminate and integrate information surrounding additive manufacturing throughout the country’s various industries. The program, titled the South African Additive Manufacturing Roadmap Development Project, will be made up of a series of short-term and long-term goals to incorporate 3D printing into the South African economy “by developing a representative and relevant strategy that will not only improve the competitiveness of local industry players but also attract buy in and support from all stakeholders that will strengthen this technology to the maximum.”
The Roadmap Project has begun its efforts with a series of workshops to educate members of key industries on the potential for the technology in their fields. Taking place this week are the following workshops:
Cape Town:
Monday, 11 November 2013 at 8:30 – 14:00
Lagoon Beach Hotel
Lagoon Gate Drive, Milnerton, 7441
http://www.lagoonbeachhotel.co.za/
GPS 33°53’31.48″S 18°28’59.72″E
Durban:
Tuesday, 12 November 2013 at 8:30 – 14:00
Assagay Hotel
7 Kassier Rd, Assagay
http://www.assagayhotel.co.za/
GPS 29°47’45,04″S 30°44’36,70″E
Johannesburg:
Thursday, 14 November 2013 at 8:30 – 14:00
Garden Court O.R. Tambo International Airport
2 Hulley Road, Isando ext 3, Kempton Park
http://www.tsogosunhotels.com/garden-court/or-tambo-international-airport/
GPS 26°07’42.85”S 28°13’15.97”E
If you’re interested in becoming a part of the South African AM movement and would like to attend one of the above events, contact CSIR’s Kelly-Anne Matthews. For more information on how AM might be used in South African industry, the CSIR has published one of its ScienceScope reports on the topic here.
