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

Education & Training

CAD and CAM programming, Advanced Machining Techniques, 5-Axis Milling, Additive Manufacturing Fundamentals, Internships and Post Graduate Students

Short Course info at: https://ie.sun.ac.za/courses/

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

The Stellenbosch Technology Centre (STC), which is part of the Department of Industrial Engineering, has been using its state-of-the-art Additive...
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Manufacturing of a Hybrid Hot Forming Tool with Conformal Cooling Channels

The STC has just completed the manufacturing of 2 hot forming punches with conformal cooling channels using a combination of...
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STC: Biologicalisation in Manufacturing

The Stellenbosch Technology Centre (STC-LAM), in the Department of Industrial Engineering, is part of an international Fraunhofer Institute project on...
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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

OUR CLIENTS

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:

septemberchante@sun.ac.za,