A partnership between leading international aircraft manufacturer, Airbus; local scientific and technology research, development and implementation organisation, the CSIR; and South African aviation industry leader, Aerosud; aims to dramatically cut aircraft component production costs through new technology dubbed Aeroswift. The partnership will explore the application of titanium powder-based additive layer manufacturing for fabrication of large and complex aerospace components.

The three organisations will sign the agreement to formalise their partnership in this project during the African Aerospace & Defence Expo on Thursday, 20 September 2012 at the CSIR Pavilion in Hanger 4 at Air Force Base Waterkloof, Centurion. The agreement will be signed by CSIR Chief Executive Officer, Dr Sibusiso Sibisi; Aerosud Managing Director, Dr Paul Potgieter and Airbus Vice President: International Cooperation, Mr Simon Ward.

The CSIR serves as the 'in-country' laser capability to South African industry, backed by its state-of-the-art suite of modern laser technologies and applications in Africa. Experienced scientific and engineering staff provide a critical core of laser technology knowledge and expertise for the benefit of local industry. This enables the South African industry to improve its global competitiveness and expand its market share.

Dr Ndumiso Cingo of the CSIR said: "The signing of this collaboration agreement represents a major step in ensuring that we develop laser additive manufacturing (LAM) technologies with inputs from our industry partners to make sure that these technologies are relevant when they are commercialised."

At the announcement of this partnership in Johannesburg recently, Airbus's Dale King noted that the CSIR and Aerosud are the only organisations in the world doing work on high-speed, large-volume additive laser manufacturing, making them unique. "That is why we have decided to forge a partnership with them [the CSIR and Aerosud],"commented King. "We came to South Africa for this project because we believe the country has the necessary skills and competencies in the field of LAM."

He said that if the technology succeeds, it would flow into Airbus' supply chain where the parts developed through the LAM project will be used - once tested and evaluated - in Airbus manufactured aircraft.