Change the world
2018 Innovation in Industry Conference
Managing Scientist: CT Scanner Facility at Stellenbosch University
Prof. Anton du Plessis graduated at Stellenbosch University with a PhD in Physics in 2006. After initial work as a research scientist at the CSIR National Laser Centre in Pretoria, he took up the role of unit manager in 2012 at the then newly established CT Scanner Facility, back in Stellenbosch.
While managing one of the best microCT imaging facilities worldwide, Anton gets to see pretty interesting things on the inside of structures. His interests in Additive Manufacturing stems from viewing manufacturing flaws (porosity) in these types of parts and trying to assess what the actual effect of these flaws are on the mechanical properties.
He does image-based simulations directly on real parts and thereby assesses the actual effect of these flaws. His research interests lie in Additive Manufacturing, X-Ray Tomography and Bioinspiration. He is currently working on projects in advancing the use of lattice structures in Additive Manufacturing.
Continuous Improvement Manager at Jendamark Automation
Jaco Heunis studied Mechanical Engineering at the Port Elizabeth Technikon before it merged with the University to become the Nelson Mandela University. He started out his career at B&E International as foreman on a mobile crushing site.
His passion for Machine Design lead Jaco to Jendamark Automation in 2002 as a Junior Mechanical Designer in the field of special purpose machine design. He then pursued this career into the position of Senior Machine Design Engineer, before indulging a new-found passion for continuous improvement relating to maximum utilisation of design software and system automation, especially with regards to manual workflow procedures.
This passion transformed his career into the realm of continuous improvement and his current role as Continuous Improvement Manager.
Application Engineer at Altair Engineering
Nicholas Minnaar holds a BEng and MEng degree in Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, respectively, from the University of Stellenbosch. He cultivated a passion for the application of simulation software to engineering problems at Altair Engineering while still a student.
Now a full-time employee for over two years, Nic trains and supports industry clients in the use of multiple software platforms developed by Altair to serve the CAE space.
His interests are predominantly in structural mechanics, with a strong focus on design synthesis through optimization technologies.
Consulting Head of Engineering & Project Manager
Martin Badenhorst graduated at the Nelson Mandela University with a NDip in Mechanical Engineering in 2014. After initial work as a Design Engineer in the NMU Solar Car Project, he became a founding member of the NMU Eco Car Project and Team Leader in Jan 2015.
Whilst on the project, Martin graduated with a BTech degree, won an award for ‘Best BTech Design Student’, and guided the NMU Eco Car team to become Champions at the 2016 Shell Eco Marathon: Africa.
In 2017, Martin worked as a Design Engineer & Lecturer at the NMU, and graduated with an MEng degree which focused on the Sequential use of Structural Topology and Composites Optimization.
Currently, doing his PhD studies, he is employed as Consulting Head of Engineering and Project Manager overseeing a multidisciplinary industry/government/NMU collaborative project intended for commercialization.
Team Manager/Race Engineer/Professional Race Car Driver at Terry Moss Racing and All Power
Michael Stephen graduated with NDip Cum Laude in Mech Eng at Port Elizabeth Technikon, passing all subjects with distinction and was awarded Top Mechanical Engineering Student in 2001 & the Rectors Award. He then repeated this excellence with his BTech (Mech Eng), achieving Best BTech Student again with distinction, and followed this up with his Masters, focusing on Friction Stir Spot Welding. He also achieved the prestigious Eskom Award for Top Student in South Africa in Technology.
Michael worked at Dorbyl Automotive Systems from 2005-2009 before taking up the position of MotorSport Manager at Terry Moss Racing, where he manages the entire racing output covering 6 motorsport categories.
Michael is probably more well-known for his exploits as a Professional Racing Driver, winning 8x SA Championships in Karting, as well as 5x SA Championships in various classes, including being current double SA Champion in the premier GTC Class in his Engen Extreme Audi GTC car.
Director - Rapid 3D JV (PTY) LTD
Bryan Bullock has a BTech (Mechanical, Technikon Natal), and also did research into composite material manufacturing methods at DUT. Following thay, he started a small engineering business which serviced mainly the food processing and packaging industry.
After two years, he decided to turn to designing and automating factory equipment, and in 2003 took a position managing the large toolroom at Pfisterer and also was responsible for the maintenance department which controlled all new projects within the company's 7x factories.
In 2008 Bryan left Pfisterer to do freelance machine design and manufacture for a number of companies in the KZN region, while also helping with RAPID3D.
During his 14 years of exposure to Additive Manufacturing technologies Bryan has built up a great deal of experience with many AM technologies. In 2017 Bryan attended a Design for Additive Manufacture course in Belgium and has returned with the intention of changing the way designers approach AM.
VP European Operations & Global CTO of Altair Product Design
Dr Royston Jones, joined Altair UK in 1998 as Managing Director and after ten years was appointed as VP European Operations and Global CTO of Altair ProductDesign, Altair’s consultancy business.
Dr Jones received a BSc., MSc. and PhD in Civil Engineering at University College Swansea. For over twenty five years, Dr Jones, has been involved in the application of CAE methods to produced design innovation.
He has published over 40 technical papers. Dr Jones is a Visiting Professor in Structural Optimization at both the Universities of Swansea & Leeds and in 1996 was directly elected to Fellow at both the Institution of Civil (FICE) and Mechanical (FIMechE) Engineers .
Director: Sales & Design at Jendamark
Yanesh Naidoo graduated at University of Cape Town with a BSc(Hons) in Mechatronics Engineering in 2002. After initial work as a project engineer at Volkswagen South Africa in Uitenhage, he took up the role of sales engineering in 2004 at Jendamark Automation (Pty) Ltd in Port Elizabeth.
Jendamark design and build special purpose machines with a focus on Powertrain assembly lines (engine, axle and differential) and Catalytic Converter assembly systems.
Over 90% of machines and assembly lines are exported across the world including China, USA, India, Germany, Portugal, Czech Republic and Argentina.
Yanesh was appointed Director of Sales and Design in 2010. Along with being responsible for the global sales of the group, Yanesh is also driving the Jendamark’s Industry 4.0 strategy.