Rapid Product Development Association of South Africa (RAPDASA)

RAPDASA (Rapid Product Development Association of South Africa) is a non-profit organisation that strives to be the official platform for rapid product development in South Africa. We connect leading innovators, entrepreneurs, industry partners and academics through various community engaging events. RAPDASA was established to create a community representing all facets of the Additive Manufacturing (AM) sector – from idea/concept, to design, prototype development into manufacturing and commercialization. Since 2000, the annual conference has grown in size and importance and is recognised as a showcase for the AM sector in South Africa. International keynote speakers are invited to introduce the latest developments on the global front. The exhibition, which runs concurrently with the conference, has also grown in size with international and local exhibitors showcasing the latest technology and applications. The conference also hosts a pre-conference seminar on Additive Manufacturing of Titanium sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). A national Design Competition is run annually, opening a platform for designers to compete in a number of categories which require them to create designs which would not be possible to manufacture using conventional manufacturing technologies. RAPDASA is represented at executive level for ASTM International on Committee F42. ASTM F42 is dedicated to Additive Manufacturing and has a number of technical sub committees focused on the development of standards for AM technologies, materials and processes. These standards play a preeminent role in all aspects of additive manufacturing. RAPDASA is recognised as the official mouthpiece of the AM in South Africa and strives to promote Additive Manufacturing as a vibrant technology in the 4th industrial revolution.