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The symposium to be held in Bloemfontein is jointly organised by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN); the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State; the Department of Science and Technology; the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy; and the Tshwane University of Technology.
The symposium provides a platform to showcase and establish the current state of advanced robotics and mechatronics research in South Africa. It also aims to garner support for the planned international conference in 2010.
The symposium offers the opportunity to provide a common platform for researchers, academics, application engineers, users of CAD/CAM, robotics and factory automation technologies and methodologies and policy-makers. Symposium themes include:
- Computer-aided design
- Computer-aided manufacturing
- Computer-aided engineering
- Computer-aided process planning
- Computer-aided production management
- Computer-integrated manufacturing
- Design for manufacture and assembly
- Flexible manufacturing systems
- Artificial intelligence/knowledge-based systems.
The symposium results from the establishment of the Advanced Robotics and Mechatronics Research Network (ARMRN) last year to increase collaboration and enhance knowledge sharing in the field of advanced robotics and mechatronics. It contributes to human capital development through stimulating interest in this area.
The network was founded by the CSIR and the UKZN. The ARMRN further expanded to include the CUT, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth, Stellenbosch University, the Tshwane University of Technology and others.
More information can be obtained on armrn.manufacturingafrica.com or www.cut.ac.za
Who should attend?
- Industry, technical directors, manufacturing managers, production managers, technical specialists, engineers, scientists, researchers, students, engineers, educators, policy makers, government decision makers, investors.
Keynote speakers
Professor Gloria Weins |
Professor David Bradley |
Gloria J. Wiens is currently an associate professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. She holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from The University of Michigan, and M.S. and B.S. in mechanical engineering from Kansas State University. After receiving her Ph.D. degree in 1986, she has served on the faculty of State University of New York-Binghamton, Auburn University and University of Florida where she has been for the past 14 years.
Over the past 20 years, Professor Wiens has been conducting research in the areas of intelligent and autonomous robotic systems, and development of innovative mechanisms and controls for automation, space robotics, manufacturing and micro-electro-mechanical systems. She has theoretical and experimental expertise in dynamics and controls of flexible multi-body systems; system identification; design and control of robots using intelligent, event-driven, and physics-based modelling techniques; sensor-enabled dynamic fixturing for micro/meso-scale manufacturing systems; system automation; modelling and design of MEMS devices; and design, path-planning, dynamics and control of reconfigurable, cooperative multi-robotic systems. Her research is/has been supported by DARPA, NSF, NASA, SNL, Hammond Machinery, Inc., Harris Corporation, PhaseSpace Corp., and others. |
David Bradley is an expert in Mechatronics and Advanced Manufacturing from University of Abbartey, Scotland, United Kingdom.
He has authored various books, journal papers in the field of Mechatronics. He is the co-author of two textbooks on mechatronics. His work covers the underlying philosophy, the nature of mechatronics education and technical issues such as construction robotics and tele-care systems. He is a member of Mechatronics Forum and has organised biennial conferences in Mechatronics for a long time, the latest one being in 2008 in Ireland. David Bradley has been involved in research and education in mechatronics since the mid-1980s. He is also a Professorial Consultant at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in the UK. His research interests currently include the design of intelligent and mechatronic systems, automated systems for physiotherapy and applications in tele-care and tele-health. |
Registration fees
A full conference package is available at:
- R1 000 for delegates
- R500 for students
This package includes the following:
- Accommodation for the 10th November 2008 at Bains Game Lodge
- Welcome dinner on the 10th of November 2008
- Breakfast and lunch on the 11th of November 2008
Envisaged programme
07:45 – 08:30 |
Registration |
Foyer |
08:30 – 08.35 |
Welcome |
CUT |
08:35 – 09.15 |
Keynote Speaker |
Prof Gloria Wiens |
09.20 - 10.00 |
Keynote Speaker |
Prof David Bradley |
10:00 – 10.15 |
Refreshments |
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10:15 – 12:15
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Parallel Session 1A: RMS |
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Parallel Session 1B: Advanced Manufacturing |
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12:15 – 13:00 |
Lunch |
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13:00 – 15:15
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Parallel Session 2A: Robotics |
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Parallel Session 2B: Automation and Control |
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15:15 – 15:30 |
Refreshments |
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15:30 – 16:30
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Parallel Session 3A: Intelligent Systems |
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Parallel Session 3B: Automation and Control |
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Registration
Please register at http://armrn.manufacturingafrica.com
The AMTS (www.amts.co.za) is a programme managed by the CSIR and funded by the Department of Science and Technology.
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