TECHNOLOGY STATION INRODUCTION The Technology Station for Metals Value Adding and Product development is a Government initiative to assist SMME's to be more competitive. This Technology Station concentrating on product development with one of the focus areas in Agricultural development. The technology Station got the infrastructure of the world renowned Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacture to its disposal.

The Personnel of the Mechanical engineering department of Central University of Technology, FS are involved in this initiative.

In the Agricultural focus area we are looking at developing specialized equipment for small farmers, greenhouses and equipment (eg. small packaging machines) that can add value to the produce of farmers.

One of the projects that we are involved in is the development of a ride on lawn-mower/ sprayer combination (cylindrical blade) which can do mowing, spraying and transport for the turf industry. The aim of this project is to development a piece of equipment for a specific need in the industry, that is not manufactured locally at present. A prototype of this machine is currently undergoing testing for commercialization in the near future. Envisaged further developments are a trailer and slasher for the existing machine as well as the development of a golf-cart.

The aim is not to reproduce existing designs but to develop specialized equipment, suitable for African conditions.