ABOUT US
The Stellenbosch Technology Centre - Laboratory for Advanced Manufacturing (STC-LAM) is part of the Industrial Engineering Department at the University of Stellenbosch. The centre is founded upon three main focus areas, namely Research and Development, Innovation Action Projects and Education and Training. Our mission is simple: to deliver novel research, resource efficient solutions and high-quality education. State of the art equipment for both subtractive (3- and 5-axis CNC, wire- and die sinking EDM) and additive manufacturing (laser beam melting) is utilized towards maintaining the high-quality outputs already established. This includes extensive technology transfer to industry with a large client base, as well as intensive national and international collaboration. We offer services regarding design, process chain development and prototyping, additive- and subtractive manufacturing solutions, and metrology for quality control and reverse engineering.
The roots of the STC stem from 1997 in the form of the Global Competitive Centre (GCC). Since then, we have been assisting industry with the challenges of global competition. We work closely with our partners in the aerospace industry to benchmark and improve process chains of standardized titanium components.
As a leading institute for resource-efficient production, the STC is your scientific research and development partner for the future industries of aerospace, automobile, medical, and mechanical engineering.
OUR SERVICES
High Speed Machining
3 Axis and 5 Axis high speed machining of metals and plastics including titanium alloys
Metal, Resin and Polymer 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing
Metal 3D Printing in Titanium Alloy, Maraging Steel, Stainless Steel, and Tungsten Carbide
Technology Transfer
Technology transfer packages on state-of-the-art technologies
CAD Design & Simulation
Computer Aided Design of products and moulds as well as mould flow simulation
Reverse Engineering
3D Scanning or tactile measuring with the CMM for accurate CAD model generation of existing components
Rapid Prototyping
3D printing of functional prototypes including moulds for trial injection moulding runs
Project Management
Management of complex manufacturing projects from concept to final product throughout the process chain
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES
Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing

Concept Laser M2 Cusing / SLM machine
Build volume | 250 x 250 x 280 mm (x, y, z) |
Selectable layer thickness | 0.02 mm (20 µm) to 0.05 mm (50 µm) |
Print speed | 2 – 20 cm³/h (Depending on material) |
Laser system | Fibre laser 200W |
Max Scanning Speed | 7000 mm/s |
Focus Diameter | 70 – 200 µm |
Materials | Ti6Al4V, Stainless 316, Maraging Steel |
Inert gas supply | Nitrogen or Argon |
Zortrax M200 FDM machine
Build volume | 200 x 200 x 180 mm |
Selectable layer resolution | 0.09 mm (90 microns) to 0.39 mm |
Dimensional and Angle Accuracy | +/- 0.2% |
Platform Levelling | Fully automatic |
Nozzle Diameter | 0.4 mm |
Connectivity | SD Card |
Materials | 1.75mm ABS and PLA Plastic |
Software | Z-Suite |


FormLabs Form 3+ SLA machine
Build volume | 145 x 145 x 185 mm (x, y, z) |
Selectable layer thickness | 0.025 mm (25 µm) to 0.3 mm (300 µm) |
Laser spot size | 85 µm |
Laser system | Class 1, 405nm, 250mW violet laser |
Print Material | Photopolymer Resin |
Resin Supply | Auto-filling |
Resin Cartridge Capacity | 1 litre |
Concept Laser Mlab 200R
Build volume | 100 x 100 x 100 mm (x, y, z) |
Selectable layer thickness | 0.015 mm (15 µm) to 0.3 mm (30 µm) |
Print Speed | 1-9 cm³/h (depending on material) |
Laser system | Fibre laser 200W violet (cw) |
Max. scanning speed | 7 m/s |
Focus Diameter | approx. 75 μm |
Inert gas supply | Nitrogen or Argon |

Subtractive Manufacturing: High Speed Machining
Hermle C 40U 5-Axis Vertical Milling Machine
Max Travel Limits | 850 x 700 x 500 mm |
Max. Spindle Speed | 18000 rpm |
Linear Rapid Transverse | 45 m/min |
Max. Table Load | 1400 kg |
Table Diameter | 800 mm |
A-Axis Limits | -110°/+25° |
C-Axis Limits | ±360° |


DMG MORI DMU 65 monoBlock 3-Axis Vertical Milling Machine
Max Travel Limits | 735 x 650 x 560 mm |
Max. Spindle Speed | 24000 rpm |
Torque | 100 Nm |
Max. Table Load | 3000 kg |
Table Size | 1000 x 650 mm² |
DMG MORI CTX Beta 800 TC 5-Axis Turn-Mill
Max. turning diameter | 500 mm |
Max. turning length | 800 mm |
Integrated spindle motor with C-Axis (0.0001°) | 5000 rpm |
Max. spindle speed turn-mill spindle | 20 000 rpm |
Max. bar work capacity | 102 mm |

Subtractive Manufacturing: Electrical Discharge Machining

AgieCharmilles CA20 Wire EDM
Max Travel Limits X, Y, Z | 350 x 250 x 250 mm³ |
Max Travel Limits U, V | 90 x 90 mm² |
Minimum Resolution | 0.1 µm |
Max. Workpiece Size | 820 x 680 x 250 mm³ |
Max. Workpiece Weight | 400 kg |
Table Size | 700 x 480 mm² |
Best Roughness Ra | <0.35 µm |
AgieCharmilles SP3U EDM
Max Travel Limits X, Y, Z | 500 x 400 x 400 mm³ |
Axis Resolution | X, Y = 1 µm
Z = 0.5 µm |
Max. Workpiece Size | 1040 x 700 x 420 mm³ |
Max. Workpiece Weight | 1000 kg |
Table Size | 800 x 500 mm² |
Best Roughness Ra | 0.4 µm |

NOTEWORTHY PROJECTS & PUBLICATIONS
Stellenbosch Technology Centre uses state-of-the-art equipment to manufacture parts for Covid-19 projects
Manufacturing of a Hybrid Hot Forming Tool with Conformal Cooling Channels
STC: Biologicalisation in Manufacturing
OUR TEAM
Prof Natasha Sacks
Director: Stellenbosch Technology Centre - Laboratory for Advanced Manufacturing
Professor of Advanced Manufacturing: Department of Industrial Engineering, Stellenbosch University
Email: natashasacks@sun.ac.za
Mr Clive Govender
Master Artisan - Subtractive Manufacturing
Stellenbosch Technology Centre - Laboratory for Advanced Manufacturing
Email: clivegov@sun.ac.za
Tel: 021 808 4567
Cell: 082 655 9486
Mr Xola Madyibi
Senior Technical Officer - Additive Manufacturing
Stellenbosch Technology Centre - Laboratory for Advanced Manufacturing
Email: xola@sun.ac.za
Tel: 021 808 9536
Ms Chante September
Administrative Officer
Stellenbosch Technology Centre - Laboratory for Advanced Manufacturing
Email: septemberchante@sun.ac.za
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OUR PARTNERS






CONTACT US
OUR OFFICES
Stellenbosch Technology Centre (STC-LAM)
Entrance 6, Banghoek Road,
Stellenbosch University,
Stellenbosch,
South Africa
Tel:
+27 (0) 21 808 4128 : Administrative Officer
Email:
