The twenty-fifth conference on computer- aided design (Cad)/computer-aided manufacture (Cam), robotics and factories of the future takes place at the Council for Industrial and Scientific Research’s (CSIR’s) International Convention Centre, in Pretoria, from July 13 to July 16.

It will be organised jointly by the CSIR and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, under the auspices of the International Society for Productivity Enhancement.

The conference aims to provide an international forum for the presentation and discussion of the latest scientific concepts and technology developments in the field of Cad/Cam, robotics and factories of the future. There will also be a focus on advanced Cad/Cam manufacturing systems and mechatronics, besides others.

CSIR conference cochairperson Riaan Coetzee says that these topics should be of particular interest to local manufacturing companies that use flexible manufacturing systems, computer-integrated manufacturing systems and agile manufacturing systems in their production facilities.

“It is such a vibrant year in South Africa and the conference organisers felt that it was fitting to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of this conference in the country,” Coetzee points out.

He explains that the event will start shortly after the FIFA World Cup final match and believes that the euphoria that South Africans are feeling, as the country emerges from the recession, is leading to growth and develop- ment.

“As the local economy starts to pick up and the country moves into a period of sustained growth, advanced manufacturing systems, associated with the principles of mechatronics and robotics, are ideal to improve the quality and production efficiencies of local companies that want to compete in the global marketplace,” he says.

The conference also aims to promote the sharing of ideas and emerging technologies, as well as to foster research and development collaborations among local and international academia, research institutions and relevant industries, he says.

This is reportedly only the second time that the conference will be held on African soil. Cochairpersons Professor Glen Bright and Coetzee strongly encourage South African higher educational institutions and local industry to participate. They explain that it will provide a platform for research collaboration between higher educational institutions, local industry and international delegates. “This is an opportunity not to be missed, as experts will be coming together in a single location over a four-day period,” says Coetzee.

Companies are encouraged to exhibit their products. He says that the exhibitions will be set up in the new CSIR International Convention Centre exhibition hall, where higher educational institutions will also be invited to showcase their research by means of paper presentations and exhibits.

Delegates will be taken on a technical tour of the CSIR’s mechatronics and micromanufacturing unit, which focuses on research and development in advanced manufacturing technologies. Innovative technologies will be on show, that could assist local industries in increasing their competitiveness in the global marketplace, he says.

Included in the technical tour will be research related to advanced manufacturing, reconfigurable and flexible manufacturing systems, robotics and mechatronic systems, automation and control, micromanufacturing, microfluidics and microsytems.

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