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Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing is a production process that builds three-dimensional objects by depositing material layer upon layer, based on digital design files. The technology contrasts with traditional subtractive manufacturing, which removes material from a solid block to create a finished part. Additive manufacturing encompasses a range of techniques including powder bed fusion, directed energy deposition, binder jetting and material extrusion, each suited to different materials and applications. The process enables the creation of complex geometries that would be difficult or impossible to produce using conventional machining, casting or forming methods. Industries adopting additive manufacturing include aerospace, automotive, medical devices, tooling and energy, where it is used for prototyping, custom parts production and low-volume manufacturing runs. The technology offers advantages in material efficiency, design flexibility, reduced lead times and the ability to consolidate multiple components into single printed parts. Metal additive manufacturing, which uses powders of titanium, aluminium, nickel alloys and stainless steel, has gained traction in high-performance applications, while polymer-based systems serve broader industrial and consumer markets. South Africa has invested in additive manufacturing capabilities through institutions such as the CSIR and private sector players, targeting applications in mining equipment, medical implants and aerospace components. The sector continues to mature as material science advances, equipment costs decline and quality standards evolve to support wider industrial adoption.

Latest Articles in 60 Seconds

Sintavia delivers aerospace heat exchanger in record two weeks using AI-accelerated simulation

Composite mechanical component manufacturer Sintavia in March integrated Nvidia's RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition to design and validate a complex, multi-circuit aerospace heat exchanger in two weeks, a process that typically takes months. The resulting component demonstrated a 30% reduction in weight and 20% improvement in thermal efficiency, with Nvidia Blackwell graphics processing units running a 30-million-cell simulation 11 times faster than conventional systems.

Additive manufacturing expands into niche production and circular feedstocks

Additive manufacturing company Aditiv Solutions reports growing adoption beyond traditional aerospace and medical sectors into sports goods, industrial applications and mining, with typical clients requiring one to 500 components a month. Amnova is advancing circular manufacturing through direct pellet extrusion technology that processes recycled polymers including polyethylene terephthalate and polylactic acid, while the CSIR's new Hot Isostatic Press facility in Pretoria supports industry-led demonstration projects across casting, powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing with project timelines typically spanning less than seven days.

Metal Heart wins Seifsa award for patient-specific titanium implants

Additive manufacturer Metal Heart was named winner of the Additive Manufacturing BRICS+ Award at the tenth Steel and Engineering Industry Federation of Southern Africa Awards for Excellence in November 2025. The company, which holds ISO 13485 certification, specialises in custom titanium implants and prosthetics using selective laser melting for the medical, aviation, aerospace, defence, tooling and automotive industries.

Additive Manufacturing Updates


The multi-circuit aerospace heat exchanger designed and manufacatured by Sintavi
Multi-circuit aerospace heat exchanger designed in ‘record time’
17th April 2026

The launch of a complex, multi-circuit aerospace heat exchanger designed, simulated and validated within two weeks by composite mechanical component manufacturer Sintavia has successfully denoted... 


Gas turbine engine model
Recycled feedstocks advance circularity
10th April 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Proprietary systems are enabling the direct use of recycled materials in production, supporting the development of circular manufacturing models, says additive manufacturing company Amnova MD... 


KEY BENEFITS
From a sustainability perspective, the three key benefits of additive manufacturing are that it reduces material waste compared with subtractive methods, enables material reuse and lowers logistics requirements and associated costs
Additive manufacturing gains traction in niche production
10th April 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Greater adoption of additive manufacturing is enabling South African manufacturers to produce complex, low-volume components more cost effectively, says additive manufacturing company Aditiv... 


An image of platinum jewellery from PGI
Platinum jewellery remains resilient – PGI
11th March 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Amid record precious metals pricing and shifting luxury demand dynamics, platinum jewellery is demonstrating notable resilience, supported by substitution trends versus gold and continued strength... 


Hot Isostatic Press facility owned by Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
New facility advances post processing technology
6th March 2026 By: Halima Frost

Since commissioning its Hot Isostatic Press (HIP) facility –  unveiled at its Scientia campus in Pretoria, on December 11, 2026 – national research organisation Council for Scientific and... 


 AFSA International Aluminium Conference 2026 Concludes with Groundbreaking Insights and Global Collaboration
AFSA International Aluminium Conference 2026 Concludes with Groundbreaking Insights and Global Collaboration
2nd March 2026

The Aluminium Federation of South Africa (AFSA) proudly announces the successful conclusion of the AFSA International Aluminium Conference 2026, held on 25–26 February at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton.... 


Metal Heart clinches Seifsa award for patient-specific medical implants
Metal Heart clinches Seifsa award for patient-specific medical implants
8th December 2025

Additive manufacturer Metal Heart has been named the winner of the Additive Manufacturing BRICS+ Award at the tenth Steel and Engineering Industry Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) Awards for... 


Seifsa awards celebrate grit of metals, engineering sector companies
21st November 2025 By: Schalk Burger

Industry employer organisation the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) hosted its tenth yearly Awards for Excellence, which recognised the breadth of talent in... 


CSIR CEO Dr Thulani Dlamini unpacks the organisation’s 2024/25 financial performance
CSIR marks eightieth anniversary with exceptional KPI achievement
20th November 2025

As the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) celebrates its eightieth year of existence, the research organisation marks the occasion with a solid set of financial and operational... 


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