OFFERINGS OF THE TECHNOLOGY STATION

 

The Technology station for metal value adding and product development (MVA-TS) was awarded to the Central University of Technology by DST due to the existence of CRPM (Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacture) and the services CRPM can render. CRPM are therefore be used as the delivery arm of MVA-TS. CRPM is the best equipped prototyping centre in the country and are counted under the best in the world.

 

MVA-TS focus on Growing of Prototypes, Developing of products in the plastics industry, Foundry Industry, Manufacturing of Agricultural Equipment and Processing plants for Agricultural Produce. The Technology Station makes use of expertise in the Faculty of Engineering. Their expertise are used to transfer technology to the SME’s in need for the Technology by means of developing new products or develop new processes to manufacture their products.

 

Examples Of Products Which MVA-TS Was And Is Involved In:

 

CUTLERY DEVELOPMENT

This was the development of new handles for existing cutlery. This added value to the client’s low cost products.

 

 

KNIFE SHARPENER

This was the development of a product that can be mass manufactured. The client had a welded cover which he tried to manufacture as a Belt Sander. We devloped a total new cover which can be casted in Alluminium.

 

 

 

OB FRACTIONS

All children find it difficult to understand the principle of fractions. The client is a old schools inspector which teaches Maths the biggest part of his life. We changed a very crude fractions set into a product which is now on the Educational list of teaching aid.

 

 

RIDE ON LAWNMOWER

This was the development of a multiple use equipment for use to cut grass, spray cropp sprayer and pull a trailer. This can be used for tunnel farming and small scale farming.

 

 

 

STRAW HOLDER

A nurse came with the idea of developing something which will assist in their job to hold the straw for patient who is too ill to do it themselves. This can also be used by people with disabilities.

 

 

 

LU-LA-LOO KIDDIES TOILET

The Lu-La-Loo Kiddies toilet is a aid for parents, hospitals and crèches to potty train their kids with no headaches. The kid got enough confidence to go to the toilet themselves with no need of the parent to be afraid that the child will fall into the toilet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLASTIC WHEELCHAIR

This was the design of a plastic wheel chair which can be manufactured from plastic. The cost of the wheelchair should be as low as possible. The aim of the project is to keep the cost of the wheelchair under R 500-00.

 

 

 

SAFE PARRAFIN STOVE

This is the development of a parrafin stove which is safe for use and can be manufactured by a SME in his garage with limited hand tools with no electricity. Eleven manufacturers was trained and provided with material to manufacture each 100 stoves. This was done through a sponsorship from the Fuchs Foundation. The stove is currently at the SABS for testing. We plan to set up a factory in Bloemfontein to manufacture kits which can be shipped to the manufacturers to speed up the pace of manufacturing. We are currently searching for funds to put the further plan in motion.

 

 

 

 

TOMB STONE LETTERING

This was assistance to a SME which are manufacturing letters from lead for tomb stones. His letters was not the same size and shape. We developed a set of moulds which the SME can use to cast letters. This letters can be casted in zink instead of lead. We are busy building a Spincaster for the SME to be able to extend his product range to include more art type of designs on his tombstones.

DONKEY CART PROJECT

 

The Transport Department of North West asked us to develop a four wheel donkey cart for them. The cart should comply with all the regulations set out by the SABS. The project were completed to the satisfaction of our client. They are planning to build more of these carts in this financial year.

 

 

 

 

DESIGN OF FIXING DEVICES FOR WHEELCHAIRS IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT

APD requested our assistance with the design of fixtures to be able to secure the passengers in public transport which are transported in wheelchairs.

 

 

 

 

REFUSE BAG FOR CARS

 

This was the development of a refuse bag for cars hanging behind the seat of a car. This is to tidy up the car.

 

 

 

MIXING DEVICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

 

A group of disabled people from Bultfontein are manufacturing floor polish and candles. All their raw material should be melted and mixed in a big pot. The way they were doing it in the past were to take a 210 liter drum cut it in half and use that as their pot. They then put gas burners under it and melt the raw material. Then they scoop it out with a little tin bucket and pour it into the required tin in which they sell it. This is very dangerous since the drum can tip over or they can burn themselves.

 

We have designed and build a device which they can operate without any danger of burning themselves or any other harm. They can also just sit in their wheelchairs and just open a tap and pour the wax or polish or whatever into the containers.