THE Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) and the CSIR have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will see the two organisations collaborate on new technology and data sharing.
SAIW Executive Director John Tarboton described the MOU as a meeting of the minds. “As the world is propelled forward by technological innovation, the agreement is designed to scope the current and future landscape of our sector and utilise technology pilot projects to educate, support and ultimately advance welding for the future,” he said.
The MOU aims to merge CSIR development work within the 4IR technology sphere with the welding expertise and reach of the SAIW. The collaboration will see the SAIW feed its welding-related knowledge and data into CSIR technologies to drive ongoing improvements.
“Working with training institutions such as the SAIW, we aim to introduce 4IR technologies in a simple yet inclusive manner, and clearly illustrate the scope of innovation and growth in a range of manufacturing and fabrication sectors in which welding plays such a crucial role,” says Dr Ajith Gopal, Acting Cluster Executive Manager, CSIR Future Production: Manufacturing.
“We are currently establishing a Learning Factory platform at the CSIR, designed to expose attendees to 4IR technologies and learnings that will open their minds to the potential of these technologies in their fields of study or places of work. The MOU will allow SAIW students to visit the Learning Factory and experience these 4IR technologies first-hand.”
Elaborating on the importance of the knowledge and expertise that the SAIW brings to the table, Tarboton said data was the “new gold standard”. For example, one of the projects that could form part of this new collaboration is the development of a specially designed app that will utilise 4IR technology to scan welds and provide useful feedback to students and fabricators in terms of their quality and areas of improvement.
“Overall we see our MOU with the CSIR as the start of a process of pinpointing knowledge and innovation touchpoints that will provide an opportunity for broader industrial skills development as well as showcase technology-based training techniques already developed and in use, such as the SAIW’s current robotic welding facilitation,” Tarboton said.
Robotic welding
He said their “new look” robotic welding course would start in April 2021, and had been specially designed to equip students with the necessary skills to manage all aspects of a robotic welding operation by giving them the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge of this particular welding technology.
“The course offers a broader career path for students by serving as a stepping-stone to more advanced robotic welder training through its technology partners. It is the perfect example of innovation being very much part of the institute’s DNA”.
