CFAM Technologies (Pty) Ltd developed from a Masters degree engineering student’s research in 1998 to an established extruder technology company. In 2002 the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing was established at the School for Mechanical Engineering at the North-West University. The focus of CFAM was to do research and development in extrusion technology, high precision design, reverse engineering and to manufacture products locally (localisation of imported products).
The twin-screw extruders that were developed at CFAM are a good example of localisation through reversed engineering. Previously twin-screw extruders were imported from mainly Europe, the UK and the USA. However, CFAM developed twin-screw extruders in Africa for the African industry.
In 2007 CFAM Technologies (Pty) Ltd was established to roll out products commercially that were developed at the NWU. The NWU is a shareholder of CFAM Technologies. Twin-screw extruders are used for food extrusion, feed extrusion, polymer extrusion, powder coating and compounding extrusion.
CFAM Technologies is also involved in the Department of Trade and Industry’s Centre of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing (CoE) which was established in 2009 at the NWU. The company assists the CoE to implement their projects and provide ongoing maintenance and support.
Highly skilled engineers and artisans form part of the team, while Masters Degree engineering students have the opportunity to receive practical training and undertake research projects.
CFAM Technologies is proud that it is rated as a Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) company.
CFAM’s staff members – the greatest asset of the company. This team was involved in the manufacturing of Africa’s largest twin-screw extruder (at the back)
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Our facilities comprise of:
- Full 4- and 5-axis CNC-machining centres with digital tool setting and measuring technology
- CNC turning with digital tool setting and measuring technology
- Precision CNC EDM wire cutting up to 500 mm thick
- Submerged CNC EDM wire cutting
The extrusion laboratory used for product development.
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