Impact Report 2018/19 An Initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry, managed and hosted by the CSIR AISI Vision To position South African aerospace and defence-related industry as a global leader, in niche areas, whilst ensuring effective interdepartmental participation and collaboration. AISI Mission To enhance the global competitiveness of the South African aerospace and defence industry by: • Developing relevant industry focused capabilities and facilitating associated transfer of technology to industry • Providing a platform for facilitating partnerships and collaboration amongst government, industry and academia, locally and internationally • Identifying, developing, supporting and promoting the interests and capabilities of the South African aerospace and defence industry • Accelerating the achievement of government strategic objectives including growth, employment and equity Contents Executive Summary .............................................2 Programme 2: Industry Development and Technology Support ...................................32 Impact and benefits ............................................4 • Completed Projects Programme 1: Technology Based Supplier Advanced adhesion technology introduced Development ........................................................5 for high frequency printed circuit boards • Technology Roadmapping for Technology production.....................................................34 Enhancement .....................................................6 Locally produced winders for in-flight • Standards and Accreditation .............................7 wing cleaning systems of sailplanes .............36 Improved advanced machining processes • Completed Projects result in SMME productivity gains ................38 Overcoming distortion problems in slender Novel attitude control gyroscope available parts production through residual stress for satellites ...................................................40 distribution ......................................................8 Localising production of Using laser technology to correct sailplane canopies .........................................42 distortion in aerospace components ............10 Simulated firefighting training for Made in South Africa: Jet engines in helicopter pilots upgraded ............................44 micro and small sizes ....................................12 • Projects in Progress Identifying defects in aerospace composites using infrared thermography .....14 Award-winning aviation engine enters initial manufacturing phase ...........................46 • Projects in Progress Next generation technology for SmartCAM system offers wide range spacecraft power systems ............................48 of applications ...............................................16 Local capacity building in additive Ramping up local capability for radio manufacturing of aluminium and video processing technology .................18 aerospace parts ............................................50 Jonker Sailplanes: Getting back to best in class ..................................................20 Programme 3: Sector Strategic Support Strategic investment in equipment and Initiatives ............................................................52 software platform for polymer aerospace AISI Governance ................................................53 components ..................................................22 Sentian: Introducing a new locally Summary of Organisations made UAV .....................................................24 benefiting from AISI Support ............................54 Enhanced manufacturing for multilayer Industry Partners and Collaborators ...............56 printed circuit boards ....................................26 Improving antenna design for space AISI Value Proposition ......................................58 communication .............................................28 Acknowledgements ...........................................59 Device for satellite attitude control under development ...........................30 Abbreviations .....................................................60 Executive Summary 1 In presenting this Impact Report for 2018/19, the management of the Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI) extends its gratitude to the AISI team; its main stakeholder, the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti); and the AISI’s host organisation, the CSIR, as well as to every organisation that has supported and participated in the AISI’s programmes during the 2018/19 financial year. he dti, through its Advanced Manufacturing Technology roadmapping TChief Directorate, established the AISI to During the 2018/19 financial year, the AISI carried support the South African aerospace and defence out eight technology roadmapping workshops. industries to improve its competitiveness. The tool enabled the AISI to identify and support seven projects in the 2018/19 financial year. Positive The AISI derives its strategic direction from feedback was received from the beneficiaries of this government objectives such as the industrialisation process. The process has also enhanced the AISI’s of technologies, job creation and industry trans­ understanding of the capabilities within the industry. formation. The AISI collaborates with other players The AISI is now able to match some of the SMMEs in the National System of Innovation such as to required capabilities as needed. industry, government departments and academia to address aerospace industry challenges. AISI programmes Technological advancements The AISI strives to ensure the competitiveness and Rapid technological advances, as well as increased sustainability of the local aerospace industry and globalisation, present significant challenges to small, executes its mandate through four main programmes, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the South namely: African aerospace industry. Substantial investment • Technology Based Supplier Development; is required to keep abreast of technological • Industry Development and Technology Support; developments such as additive manufacturing, • Sector Strategic Support Initiatives; and the 4th industrial revolution, advanced materials • Coordination, Promotion and Awareness. including composites, and product refinement to match market needs. The AISI supports these Figure 1 shows the percentages invested by the SMMEs by ‘de­risking’ of technologies through AISI in the four programmes. The percentages are technology transfer, validation and the provision aligned with the current AISI priorities and with the of product development support to enhance local strategic intent of its main stakeholder, the dti. 58% content. This gives the SMMEs access to new of the AISI’s budget for the year was invested in market opportunities and to technological advances Technology Based Supplier Development projects. that would otherwise be unattainable. These include technology enhancement, standards 2 AISI Impact REPOrt 2018/19 and accreditation and supply chain improvement pro­ AISI impact jects. The level of funding allocated to Technology Based During the 2018/19 financial year, the AISI undertook Supplier Development in 2018/19 is not at the level 25 projects, benefiting 32 SMMEs directly and indirectly initially planned as a result of funding that was allocated from AISI support. As a result of the AISI support, 18 jobs to the Commercial Aerospace Industrial Development were created in the participating companies. Study (CAIDS) under Sector Strategic Support Initiatives. 21% of the budget was invested in Industry Development The projects supported during the 2018/19 financial year and Technology Support projects. 17% of the budget was covered technology streams such as advanced materials invested in Sector Strategic Support Initiatives with the and manufacturing, avionics, sensors, propulsion, space major portion of the investment allocated to the CAIDS. and aerostructures, which highlight the diversity of The remainder was invested in Coordination, Promotion projects supported by the AISI. and Awareness. This Impact Report provides narrative reports of the The AISI supported 16 projects under the Technology projects, based on interviews with beneficiaries, as well Based Supplier Development Programme and 9 projects as information to enhance understanding of the nature of through the Industry Development and Technology each project. Support Programme. The Technology Based Supplier Development Programme will continue to be a significant pillar of the AISI. Figure 1: AISI budget breakdown by programme 58% 21% 17% 4% Technology Based Industry Development Sector Strategic Co­ordination Promotion Supplier Development and Technology Support and Awareness Support AISI Impact REPOrt 2018/19 3 2 Impact and Benefits Technology developments or 13 16 advancements New or advanced manufacturing processes 31 54 People SMMEs supported trained (direct and indirect) Export capacity 18 6 achieved Jobs created Jobs retained Import substitution achieved Facilitated access 4 to national infrastructure – number of academic institutions and 8 science councils involved NB. Statistics have been sourced from project beneficiaries 4 AISI Impact REPOrt 2018/19 3 PROGRAMME 1: Technology Based Supplier Development The AISI’s Technology Based Supplier Development the industry. The programme is made up of three Programme provides enabling mechanisms to interventions, namely: assist the industry in improving its competitiveness, • Technology Enhancement productivity