In a small world where trade is the new global driving force conquering countries and continents alike, international competitiveness is becoming the ultimate challenge. It requires high quality products manufactured with state-of-the-art technologies at low cost under the assumption of highly efficient operations management as well as clear corporate goals and strategy. This in turn is based on improved engineering training and education, relevant applied research and an active interaction between academia and industry. The conference theme is:

“Smart, Sustainable Manufacturing in an ever-changing world”

The International Conference on Competitive Manufacturing (COMA ’22) is taking place for the eighth time. The main objective of the conference is to present recent developments, research results and industrial experience related to Smart, Sustainable Manufacturing. A further objective of the conference is to be a generator of innovative ideas and fruitful collaboration both locally and abroad.

To download the conference brochure, click here

The late Professor Dimitri Dimitrov was the driving force behind the COMA conference. In honour of his legacy, RAPDASA started a scholarship in his name. To find out more visit https://site.rapdasa.org/dimitrov-scholarship/

Important Dates:

July 12, 2021: Abstract submission (Suitable late submissions will be considered)

July 16, 2021: Notification of abstract acceptance/rejection (Late submissions on an ad hoc basis)

Jan. 28, 2022: Full paper submission

Feb. 8, 2022: Notification of full paper acceptance/rejection

Feb. 15, 2022: Final manuscript submission

Mar. 9-11, 2022: COMA'22 Conference in Stellenbosch

Papers are invited in the following areas relevant to the conference theme. Industry sectors like Tool and Die, Bio-Medical, Railway and Aerospace will benefit directly from topics at COMA’22:

Product Design and Realisation: 

Design for manufacturing and assembly, Reverse Engineering, CAD/CAE, Concurrent Engineering, Design for additive manufacturing, Biologically inspired design approaches, Virtual prototyping, Networks in product development, Open design. 

Production Technologies: 

Expert systems in manufacturing, CAD/CAM Systems, HSC, EDM, Forming, Additive Manufacturing, Casting, Metrology, Mechatronics, Precision manufacturing, Bio-manufacturing, Robotics, Sensing, Assembly, Automation, Intelligent manufacturing, Biologically inspired manufacturing processes, Non-conventional machining, Environmental aspects, Machining of materials, Abrasive processes, Hybrid processes, Laser based manufacturing, Green manufacturing, Coating technology. 

Production Systems and Organisations: 

Production planning and control, Logistics, Modelling and simulation, SW-applications, Communication networks, 5G network applications, Social manufacturing, Learning Factory, Digital Factory, Biological transformation in production systems, Cyber-physical approaches, Big Data, Predictive Maintenance, Asset Management, Human-Machine Collaboration, Employee qualification, Human Resource Management, IoT in Manufacturing, Manufacturing Digitization Challenges, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Lean manufacturing, Sustainable manufacturing, 

Enterprise Design and Integration: 

Knowledge management, Product life cycle, Human interface, Integrated design and manufacturing, Technology and innovation management, Total quality management, Distributed control systems, Socio-economic and environmental issues, Artificial intelligence and machine learning, Digitals twins, Virtual setup, Subscription vs selling. 

Supply Chain Management:
Supply chain track and tracing; Digital supply networks, Blockchain in supply chains, Circular economy, Artificial intelligence for supply chains, Biological transformation in supply chains 

Covid-19: Manufacturing and Supply Chain: 

Post-pandemic business models, Supply chain localisation, Manufacturing as a service, Rapid medical device manufacturing, Distributed manufacturing, Constrained supply chains, Resilient supply chains;  

Materials and Manufacturing 

Smart materials, Recycling, Remanufacturing, Future materials, Biomaterials, Sustainable materials, Nanomaterials, Coatings, Metal matrix composites