Riaan Coetzee

Experience

• 

  Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

  Jan 1991 - now

  Established the Mechatronics and Micro Manufacturing research unit with a focuson: o Mechatronics o Robotics o Automation and Control o Micro Manufacturing and Microsystems- In the process to establish a National Technology Accelerator for medical devices, with the aim to develop a vibrant local medical manufacturing capability.- Chair Person of the Steering Committee for the Robotics Strategy for South Africa championed by the Department of Science and Technology.- Part of the Executive Committee of RobMech which is a local conference focusing on the use of Mechatronics and Robotics in Advanced Manufacturing and Mining.- Hosted the 25 International Conference on CAD/CAM Robotics and Factories of the Future in 2010 in South Africa. Part of the Executive Committee of the ISPE.- Established the Advanced Robotics and Mechatronics Research Network in order to do collaborative research.- Responsible for the establishment Fablabs in South Africa, with funding from DST- Responsible for the establishment of three Advanced Manufacturing Technology Labs: o Automotive Focus – NMMU o Aerospace Focus – Innovation Centre at Aerosud o Electronics Focus – CPUT Show less • Research done with manufacturing SME’s to determine what their key motivations for implementing ICT solutions are. Survey was done with 300 SME companies in South Africa. The results were used to develop an e-Readiness methodology for South African SME’s which will guide them on what the next steps are for their specific business needs.• Develop the Smart Factory concept where ICT is used to automate the information flow on the factory floor• Started a project to investigate High Performance Computing of clustering in utilizing idle CPU cycles.• Approached by the Department of Trade and Industry to be an independent evaluator for the Competitiveness Fund. Evaluated a number of companies and their specific ICT needs. Also evaluated the implemented solution by service providers and the effectiveness of the solutions.• Assigned to work on the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy (AMTS) to develop a Strategy for ICT in Manufacturing. ICT for Manufacturing Strategy was developed with inputs from industry, academia and Government.• Assigned to integrate and consolidate the existing Production Technology strategy and the ICT in Manufacturing Strategy. Formed a core team and developed a new Advanced Production Strategy. • Presented the Advanced Production Technology Strategy at Gallagher Estate• Development of transparent processes and criteria’s to select the best projects from the expression of interest process that was published.• Identification of Fablabs concept as a potential benefit to South Africa. Flown to the US(MIT) and negotiated the establishment of the first Fablab in South Africa• Was requested by Director to develop a business plan for a National Production Efficiency Centre (NPEC). Concept and business plan was approved. Secondment was terminated in order to start a new unit. Show less The DIO formed part of the Manufacturing Policy Centre and involved two main functions. The function was to provide ICT thought leadership to the business unit and provide inputs into national policies regarding knowledge management and the use of ICT for manufacturing. The work involved following:o Development of integrated knowledge management and e-Business strategy for unito Development of business model for B2B portal as part of a project for the manufacturing policy centre.(ManufacturingAfrica.com). This involved negotiations with government and service providers, trying to secure funding and develop of a sustainable business model.o Development of information security strategyo Provide inputs into business strategyo Responsible for IT investment decisions and infrastructure planningo Formulation of IT related policies or procedures, like acceptable use policy, Standards etco Internet and Intranet planning and designo Management of international internet project in the UK. The objective is to develop internet sites for the Faraday Knowledge Networks.o Study tour to investigate the use of ICT in Small and medium organizations in Canada.o Pilot project to investigate the possibilities to work from anywhereo Chairperson of the DIO forum. This is a forum at a CSIR level where all DIO’s discuss issues of importance to the whole CSIR.o Knowledge Management workshop Show less Providing IT support services for 450 people as well as Thought Leadership in using ICT to improve business efficiency. The work involved the following:• Management of IT Office which includes 4 support people• Backup strategy for unit as well as actual backups and off-site storage• Reporting on up-time of services• Security and firewall implementation• Virus protection strategy• Upgrading of ageing hardware for desktops and servers• Upgrading of software for desktops and servers• Implementation if new scientific software like Statica, Matlab, Labview etc• License management of desktop software and scientific software• Management of vendors and subcontractors• Management of Y2K project for Unit• Provide inputs into CSIR level initiatives• Management of multi-million rand upgrade of network topology for whole unit. This involves an upgrade to CAT5• Improved process for roll-out of new desktops• Complete TCO for unit for all It infrastructure• Contract with Rentworks to rent PC instead of purchasing. This involved improves electronic assetmanagement.• Hardware and software Inventory management.• Implementation of document management• Establishment of remote connectivity for unit- dialup to work• Development of forecasting and budgeting spreadsheets for unit.• Development of Internet and Intranet websites• Specific training received were the following:o Gartner Total Cost of Ownershipo Security Managemento Innovation skills for Teamso IDEAS TRIZ Show less Work focused on research and development of new innovative processes, products or solutions• Scale-up process development for the LiMnO2 batteries. This involves the scale-up of existing lab scale to a pilot plant process.• Extraction of MnO2 from ore and post processing to develop battery grade MnO2 with a specific tap density.• Ti extraction from Highveld slag with the use of a Direct Resistance Heating Furnace. Work involved X-Ray diffraction studies to predict the conversion and formation of TiN. Further work involved the study of the surface characteristics with a SEM to determine porocity and sintering.• Investigate alternative methods of TiN formation from Highveld slag and it involves microwaving of the ore.• Design and development of a fluidized bed reactor for chlorination of TiN. The work involved lab scale process development for the chlorination process.• Design and development of TiN chlorination pilot plant. This involved the design and development of a pilot scale reactor and post processing.• The coating of metals using diamond dust at high temperatures. Work was completed for De Beers• Simulation and modeling of processes. This involves mass balances, energy balances and cost modeling of processes. Show less

  • Manager: Future Production Systems

    Jan 2020 - now

  • Manager: Industry 4.0 PLM center of technologies

    Sept 2017 - Jan 2020

  • R+D Manager: Mechatronics

    Apr 2005 - Jan 2020

  • Technology Manager

    Feb 2002 - Mar 2005

  • Divisional Information Officer

    Jan 2000 - Jan 2002

  • IT Manager

    Jan 1995 - Dec 1999

  • Chemical Engineer

    Jan 1991 - Dec 1994