Established in 1997 by Prof. Deon de Beer, the Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing (CRPM) has grown from two early machines to ten high-end additive manufacturing (AM) systems, making it one of the best-equipped centres of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Today, it operates as a premier research entity under the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement (DVC: RIE).
In 2015, the CRPM team was awarded a Tier 2 NRF South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chair in Medical Product Development through Additive Manufacturing, successfully extended for a second five-year term in 2020. Our overarching aim is to increase the technology readiness and industrial adoption of AM, generating new knowledge and intellectual property that directly benefits the South African manufacturing, medical, aerospace, and energy sectors.
"Through aligning our AM research and development strategy with national focus areas, CRPM continues to drive human capital development and establish the next generation of scientists, engineers, and technologists skilled in advanced manufacturing."
Prof. Kobus van der Walt
Director, Research Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing
Prof. Deon de Beer
NRF SARChI Chairholder: Medical Product Development through Additive Manufacturing
Strategic Focus: The CPAM Programme
Between 2016 and 2025, CRPM’s research activity was largely driven by the DSI-funded Collaborative Programme in Additive Manufacturing (CPAM), generating R34 million in research income. This programme was structured around five key sub-programmes designed to achieve full industry acceptance of AM technology:
1. Qualification of Ti6Al4V
Qualifying AM of titanium alloys for medical implants, aerospace components, and energy sector applications.
2. Polymer Additive Manufacturing
Developing and optimising polymer-based AM processes for diverse industrial and medical applications.
3. Design for Additive Manufacturing
A cross-cutting programme focused on optimising component design specifically for AM production capabilities.
4. AM Industry Development
Facilitating close collaboration with South African industry to transfer AM technology and build local capacity.
5. Additive Manufacturing of PGMs
Adding value to South Africa's abundant platinum group metals (PGMs) through advanced AM techniques.
Flagship Research Projects
Structural Sailplane Components (Jonker Sailplanes)
A major CPAM-funded initiative (2025–2027) investigating metal and polymer AM for high-performance composite sailplanes. Three active research projects include:
- DEng Study: Redesign, manufacturing, and in-flight testing of an L-PBF Ti6Al4V(ELI) tail wheel fork.
- MEng Study: Developing surface finishing and treatment techniques for L-PBF Ti6Al4V(ELI) structural parts to optimise fatigue performance.
- MEng Study: Investigating the feasibility of producing polymer linear bearings via AM to guide control rods.
CUT and WITS delegation visiting Jonker Sailplanes (Pty) Ltd, a leading industrial partner in the CPAM projects.
Implant Infection Control & Patent Development
To combat implant-associated infections, the CRPM cluster, in collaboration with the Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI), developed a novel biomaterial: PCL/PU/copper oxide nanoparticle composite nanofibres. Applied via electrospinning onto titanium implants, these coatings impart robust antibacterial properties and promote soft tissue integration. This novel research was awarded TIA Pre-Seed Funding (Project No. 20250622) and resulted in a provisional South African patent.
Kalagadi Manganese Mine: Sinter Star Breakers
In collaboration with the CSIR, CRPM is developing novel metal matrix composite materials to clad the surface of sinter star breakers used in manganese ore crushing. By leveraging the design flexibility of laser-based AM, the project aims to increase component longevity from three to eight months, significantly reducing operational costs and improving the economic viability of the mining activity.
CUT delegation visiting the Kalagadi Manganese Mine to assess advanced manufacturing solutions.
Strategic Research Partnerships
CRPM drives innovation through robust national and international collaborations:
BIUST: Hydrogen Storage in Metal Hydrides
Leveraging advanced materials engineering expertise, this collaboration develops AB2 alloys for hydrogen storage via computational modelling (DFT). The project aims to maximise capacity, improve kinetics, and reduce production costs for sustainable, low-carbon energy systems. (Featured visit by Dr Raghupatruni Prasad, December 2025).
Sibanye-Stillwater
Project: Additive manufacturing of platinum alloys. CUT collaborates within the Platforum (Pty) Ltd consortium to commercialise AM of PGMs.
CSIR Future Production
Project: Characterisation of Ti6Al4V powder for AM, mechanical testing of AM parts, and spheroidization of CSIR-produced powder.
BITRI (Botswana)
Project: Surface modification of additively manufactured implants with antibacterial agents for implant infection control.
University of Botswana
Project: Development of small- to medium-load-bearing resorbable, bone-regenerating scaffolds using AM.
JKUAT (Kenya)
Project: Process optimisation, development, and evaluation of additively manufactured Ti6Al7Nb acetabular implants for clinical applications.
Mintek
Project: High-temperature applications of PGMs, investigating oxidation resistance of iridium, rhodium, and ruthenium alloys above 1500°C for aerospace and nuclear components.
Innovation & Intellectual Property
Provisional Patent Awarded
Reflecting CRPM’s commitment to generating exploitable intellectual property, a provisional South African patent was recently awarded to Dr J.G. van der Walt with the title: "Baseplate for three-dimensional printing". This innovation directly supports the centre's ongoing research and development in optimising 3D printing processes and equipment.
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