Technology Demonstrator · Innovation and Commercialisation
Central University of Technology, Free State, is the leading South African university in the application of medical 3D printing, also known as medical additive manufacturing. MedAdd (Medical Additive Manufacturing Technology Demonstrator) is a strategic initiative funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) to supplement the local medical device industry with the latest technology, infrastructure, expertise and skills.
MedAdd serves as a Corporate Social Investment strategy for the DSI through CUT, assisting people in need of advanced medical solutions with the aid of medical 3D printing to improve their health and quality of life, while enabling South Africa to compete internationally in the medical device industry.
Strategic Alignment
Strategic Goal 3
Engaged Scholarship and Societal Impact: Advancing technology transfer and commercialisation that addresses real-world healthcare challenges.
UoT Mandate
This project fulfils the University of Technology mandate through applied research, technology demonstration, skills development, and industry partnerships that de-risk innovation before commercialisation.
Project Partners and Impact
MedAdd enhances CUT’s equipment and capabilities, enabling the university, academic partners and local companies to demonstrate reproducibility and scale-up of innovative medical device products. It is available for small companies to industrialise new products, de-risking their innovative development before full-fledged commercialisation, while enabling students, researchers and industry personnel to develop the required skills for this new technology and industry.
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Critical Initiatives
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National Industry Partners
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Future Focus Areas
Measurable Outcomes
- Enhanced equipment and capabilities at CUT for medical additive manufacturing research and production.
- Demonstrated reproducibility and scale-up of innovative medical device products for academic partners and local companies.
- De-risked innovative development for small companies before full-fledged commercialisation.
- Skills development for students, researchers and industry personnel in medical additive manufacturing technology.
Funding Partner
Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)
National Industry Engagement
Cape Health Technology Park, South African Medical Technology Industry Association (SMTIA), Medical Device Manufacturers of South Africa (MDMSA), and National Medical Devices and Diagnostic Technology Innovation Cluster (NMDDTIC)
Project Phases and Focus Areas
Critical Initiatives (Current Focus)
- Research, development and manufacturing of medical devices
- Training of users
- Stakeholder engagement
Commercialisation (Future Focus)
- Assist companies with industrialisation
- Create new joint-venture companies
MedAdd in Action
Featured on BBC (click to view)
Get Involved
Join CUT in advancing South Africa’s medical device industry through additive manufacturing. Explore how your company, research institution, or healthcare organisation can partner with MedAdd on technology demonstration, product industrialisation, skills development, and joint ventures that bring innovative medical devices to market.
Explore Industry Partnerships
