AfriMold exhibition builds up a head of steam

Exhibition managing director Ron MacLarty says this year's AfriMold offers far more than the inaugural exhibition, including a high-level technical conference with keynote speakers drawn from world-class establishments including the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany. Presentations will also be made by world-class designers and leading machine tool manufacturers in Europe.

"They are supported by local experts who will address key aspects of the South African manufacturing industry, including design, materials, tooling, manufacture and conversion," said MacLarty. "To encourage young South Africans to seek careers within the industry there is also a Student Design Competition with the winner to be announced at the AfriMold gala dinner on 28 September."

The Plastics Institute of SA (PISA) will host the design competition which involves second-year students from the various Gauteng Universities competing for the coveted AfriMold/PISA Design Award, while the Toolmaking Association of South Africa (TASA) will sponsor 270 tool, die and mould making students from across Gauteng to attend the conference.

AfriMold has drawn new industries into participating in the 2011 conference programme and hosting special sessions devoted to the "toolmaking industry". TASA's speakers will cover topics that focus on increasing the competitiveness of the local tooling industry by addressing skills development for the industry, technology recapitalisation, enterprise development, development of the market, foreign direct investment and innovative cluster initiatives. Other topics to be addressed include "Laser technology in advanced manufacturing and processing", "Nano technology applications" and "Foundry technology".

MacLarty adds that individuals, companies and organisations can expect to benefit from networking and the generation of quality leads in fields such as CAE/CAD/CAM technologies, mould and tool design, rapid prototyping and additive manufacture as well as the entire spectrum of moulds and ancillary tooling.

"What we have is a wealth of engineering know-how and experience in a single exhibition and conference which is quite unique, and we have also invited the South African motor vehicle manufacturing industry to become involved," said MacLarty.

"We're also striving to get everyone who is at the show to take part in the conference because the potential for ideas and knowledge exchange is immense. We are also proud to have the National laser Centre of the CSIR at the show demonstrating their state-of-the-art equipment and capabilities. There will also be great opportunities for participants in the tool and die industry to forge new relationships and take advantage of benchmarking opportunities, with TASA subsidising stands for many of its members."

AfriMold will bridge the gap between the industrial design and manufacturing communities and original equipment manufacturers. "What we are doing is focused on getting the various communities within the overall industry to interact and talk to each other," says MacLarty. "AfriMold is a means of building brands, launching new products and services, networking and building up contacts and relationships."

This year leading industry institutions and associations will actively participate in the show. MacLarty sees this as "a strong vote of confidence in the value and relevance of AfriMold in terms of expanding the capability of the South African manufacturing industry and ensuring its competitiveness in both local and world markets."

Participating industry institutions and associations, all underpinned by TASA, which will be hosting three days of high-level tooling sessions across a number of thematic areas of tooling, include:

• Plastics Institute of South Africa (PISA)
  
• South African Institute of Foundrymen (SAIF)
  
• Aluminium Federation of South Africa (AFSA)
  
• Plastics Federation of South Africa (PFSA)
  
• National Foundry Technology Network (NFTN)
  
• Stainless Steel Association of South Africa (SASSDA)
  
• National Laser Centre (NLC)
  
• The Nanotechnology Centre

"We are very excited by the opportunity to participate in this year's AfriMold," said Bob Williamson, national chairman of TASA. "The support that the South African tooling industry has been receiving from the government has been phenomenal, and we look forward to displaying the fruits of everything we've achieved at the exhibition, and introducing up and coming talent to the lucrative and exciting world of tool making."

The Sandton Convention Centre has been retained as the venue for the show following the success of the inaugural event last year. The organisers also point to the convenience of the location in terms of the Gautrain service which offers delegates and visitors quick, easy access to and from the exhibition.