EC Industrial & Business News - Issue 57 by The Media & Events Company

EASTERN CAPE INDUSTRIAL & BUSINESS NEWS

YOUR LINK TO INDUSTRY THROUGHOUT THE EASTERN CAPE

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

Inside Holbrook’s Voice

Page 6 Pumps, Valves, Pipes & Fittings page 7 Metals, Fabrication & Machine Tools page 13

Motors, Drives & Transmissions page 17 Occupational Health, Safety & Security - page 18

Company & Product News page 24

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issue no. 57

Jobs fund scoop

HE AIDC Eastern Cape has partnered with the South African government’s R9bn Jobs Fund to ensure that the region’s automotive sector is a major beneficiary. Three highly significant job creation projects worth R170m have already been commissioned as part of the successful application initiated by the Eastern Cape MEC, Department of Economic Development Environmental Affairs and Tourism Mcebisi Jonas under the management of implementing agency, the AIDC Eastern Cape. The projects include a programme to place 135 graduating engineers into industry over three years, the creation of an automotive incubator in Buffalo City Municipality and the commissioning of a unique metal surfaces treatment facility within the East London IDZ. Eastern Cape MEC, Department of Economic Development Environmental Affairs and Tourism Mcebisi Jonas said the successful Jobs Fund application added momentum to the Eastern Cape government’s efforts to grow the socio-economic outlook of the region. “This programme is key to continued on page two

The Cecilia Makiwane Hospital at Mdantsane, East London, is undergoing an upgrade comprising a new 46 500 square metres double-storey main hospital building. See full story on page three.

R250 million aquaculture project to boost economy

W Industrial Cleaning page 21

Buying Dept

hat started out as a hobby converting pig sties into fish tanks by a Graaff Reinet couple has led to the development of one of the largest aquaculture projects in South Africa in recent years. Located in Graaff Reinet about 254 and 377 kilometres from the Eastern Cape’s main economic hubs of Port Elizabeth and East London respectively, the R250 million Blue Karoo Trust (BKT) project is expected to breathe life into the Karoo economy. Spearheaded by development financier, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), the project has already attracted the attention of the major

public sector financiers in South Africa.

At completion, the project will consist of a six hectare core farm and 39 outgrower farms, three hatcheries producing 13 728 tons of farmed fish a year. When fullyestablished, the project is expected to create 3 214 jobs. In the first phase of the project the core farm will be supported by 13 aquaculture production systems and a hatchery. This will translate into nutritional food to at least 1 158 000 people. The price tag is earmarked for the construction of the farms and for working capital. There will also be a factory for processing, targeting the bulk catering market. The brainchild of Stephen and Liesl de la Harpe, the project has been a long time in the making when the couple first began exploring economic opportunities with ECDC as far back as 2006. Enquiry No: 1

First-of-its-kind XDR-TB ward opens in PE HEALTH services in Nelson Mandela Bay was given a major boost recently after a new “centre of excellence” was opened to cope with the difficult strain of extremely drug resistant tuberculosis (XDRTB) and its impact on patients in the region. A first-of-its-kind, 40-bed XDR-TB ward was opened at Jose Pearson TB Hospital in Port Elizabeth by Eastern Cape Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Health, Sicelo Gqobana, officials from the Department of Health and top municipal and health sector officials. Sod was also turned on the second continued on page two

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September / October 2013

news

US Consul General visits the Border-Kei Chamber M

embers of the executive of February 2014. the Border-Kei Chamber of Issues regarding travel and tourBusiness met with Erica Barksism were also raised, and it was Ruggles, Consul General of the US noted that VFR (Visiting Friends recently . The meeting centred around and Relatives) was a growing marissues of investment opportunities in ket for South Africa. A point of conthe Eastern Cape Province as well as cern was raised regarding visas. areas of mutual cooperation. Of interest and linked to renewMatters discussed during the meetable energy, the South African ing included: Green Schools Initiative was preSiyakhana Health Trust, Chambers sented to the Consul General, a flagship project headed up by Dr programme to “green” all schools Simeon Odugwu providing healthcare in BCM, making students more au support in the workplace. The linkages fait with energy and sustainability to the US included the USAID grant issues. This Chamber initiative has in April 2013 for TB treatment. The now been linked with WESSA, Back Row from left: Chris Ettmayr, Dr Consul General was most impressed international Eco-Schools prowith the project and its achievements Simeon Odugwu, Gordon Thompson, Les gramme. and requested to be kept up-to-date Holbrook. Front row seated from left: Brian Further elaborating on this topic Townsend, US Consul General: Erika as there could be future collaborative the Consul General informed the Barks-Ruggles, Rory Haschick opportunities. meeting of the Power Africa initiaThe Buy Eastern Cape project was tive whereby the American governalso discussed which aims to encourment has earmarked $ 7bn funding age EC based companies to do busi- spend in the Province – the project is for export guarantees for green energy Enquiry No: 2 ness with one another in order to keep proposed to be launched officially in products.

EC Industrial & Business News

Jobs fund scoop Lance Schultz, the AIDC EC Jobs Fund Programme Director continued from page one

facilitating the growth of manufacturing output and the potential of exports by increasing our automotive supply chain’s level of global competitiveness. Increased productivity, particularly in manufacturing, creates much needed jobs,’’ Jonas said. Jonas said the province was “picking the fruits of government’s investment in the AIDC”, which recently celebrated its 10 th anniversary. The AIDC Eastern Cape is a wholly owned subsidiary of the ECDC, an implementing arm of the Department of Economic Development Environmental Affairs and Tourism. As part of the successful

application, 135 engineers will be placed into automotive and affiliated sectors over a period of three years, providing scarce skills support to the region’s manufacturers. The programme was expected to create sustainable annual savings to the Eastern Cape auto sector exceeding R100m and spur the creation of at least 2000 jobs in the automotive sector, the AIDC said. Funded through the Development Bank of South Africa’s R9b Jobs Fund, the engineers will seek to improve the local automotive economy towards excellence under the AIDC’s internationally endorsed programmes and projects. The engineers will be placed at host companies around the Eastern Cape. Enquiry No: 3

The movement

has begun

from fossil fuel to zero fuel Operating cost of your forklift:

Jose Pearson TB Hospital Acting Chief Executive Liziwe Rwentela, Eastern Cape MEC for Health Sicelo Gqobana, Jose Pearson TB Hospital board chairman Charles Anthony, and Coega Development Corporation Department of Health Programme Director, Babini Melitafa show the plans for the new pharmacy at the Jose Pearson TB Hospital

TB hospital upgrade

continued from page one

FUEL CONSUMING TRUCK

ELECTRIC TRUCK

– and more complex – phase of the Jose Pearson TB Hospital upgrade to mark the onset of construction of the new pharmacy and outpatient department (OPD) sections of the hospital. “Today we are delivering best practice, the first of its kind XDRTB ward in the country,” said Gqobana, adding that the model would be replicated around the country as it represented a centre of excellence in health. Gqobana also said the department did not have “the luxury of time” when it came to delivering services to the people and that infrastructure projects were an integral part of addressing the challenges in the

health sector, of which the new ward, pharmacy and OPD centre at Jose Pearson were leading examples. The second phase of the R19million construction project will see the establishment of topclass facilities serving the local community, the department said at the event. The project is being managed by the Coega Development Corporation (CDC), the department’s implementing agent on a range of provincial projects. “This highly important project is geared to meet the needs of people with TB in Nelson Mandela Bay,” said Eastern Cape Health MEC, Sicelo Gqobana. Enquiry No: 4

EASTERN CAPE INDUSTRIAL & BUSINESS NEWS Tel: 0861 122 441 P O Box 1322 Wandsbeck 3631 Fax: (031) 266 7514 Email: editorial@mediaevents.co.za www.mediaevents.co.za

YOUR LINK TO INDUSTRY THROUGHOUT THE EASTERN CAPE

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Managing Director: Janet Coom Editor: John van der Meer Email: editorial@mediaevents.co.za Sales & Marketing Manager: Cheryl Murphy Email: cheryl@mediaevents.co.za Office Manager & Layout: Chantal Haines Any news items, press releases, articles and photographs relating to business and industry in Eastern Cape Industrial & Business News are welcome. All contributions will be considered for publication. Disclaimer: The editor and management of Eastern Cape Industrial & Business News make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this publication. However, no warranty is made and no responsibility will be borne by the editor or management of consequences of any actions based on information published. The views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the editor and/or management. PUBLISHED BY: Hentiq 1910 (Pty) Ltd t/a THE MEDIA & EVENTS CO Reg No. 1999/019445/07 COPYRIGHT: All rights reserved

September / October 2013

news

EC Industrial & Business News

Lifting firm expands rental fleet A

erial Lift Rentals, a rental company specialising in Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPS) in the Eastern Cape, recently embarked on a programme to grow its rental fleet by placing an order for more machines from Goscor Hi-Reach. Aerial Lift Rentals has been operating from Port Elizabeth since the late 1990s and has over the years built up a reputation for strong service and support. With these latest acquisitions, the company is hoping to further serve the customer base in Port Elizabeth and the rest of the Eastern Cape. The first of the units to be delivered was a Genie GS-4069DC, one of the latest product releases from Genie Industries to come into the South African market. These electric selfpropelled scissor-lifts offer outdoor functionality on firm, level surfaces, providing accessibility for a wide variety of applications. For outstanding outdoor performance on uneven terrain, the GS-69 DC series cannot be beaten;

full height drive and powerful AC drive motors provide it with unique rough terrain capabilities. Ronnie Buis, Director of Aerial Lift Rentals, commented that he was surprised at the allround package that the unit provides. “The size of the deck, the smoothness of operation and the general stability of the unit, were way beyond our expectations”. “The fact that it can be used both indoors and outdoors offers greater rental utilisation potential and the pioneering AC power drive system maintains power, even as battery charge runs low, and provides up to 30% less energy consumption when compared to conventional drive technology. “It thus was no surprise when the machine went out on its first rental contract almost immediately,” he said. George Landsberg, Goscor Hi-Reach MD, who was in Port Elizabeth to hand over the machines to the Aerial Lift Rentals directors, Ronnie Buis and Brian Paddey said that more

Record disbursements

George Landsberg Goscor Hi-Reach MD (right) handing over the Genie GS-4069DC to Aerial Lift Rentals’ Ronnie Buis machines will follow including some that had not been seen in the Eastern Cape before. Enquiry No: 5

Essential supplies for hospital upgrade

roducts supplied by the Chryso Southern Africa Group are being extensively used for the upgrading of the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in the Eastern Cape. Chryso SA, and its sister company, a.b.e. Construction Chemicals, are providing the essential products from its Port Elizabeth and East London operations. The Cecilia Makiwane construction project at Mdantsane, East London, comprises – in seven phases – the provision of a new 46 500 square metres double-storey main hospital building. Also included in the upgrading are the provision of a nursing college, a new 150-bed step-down facility, 100-bed psychiatric unit, and the upgrading of the current hospital into a 350-bed facility. The main contractor for the multi-million rand project – at present about half completed - is

the Stefanutti Stocks/CMH Joint Venture. It is one of the largest construction projects currently in progress in the Eastern Cape. In fact, Gareth Catherine, Technical Sales Consultant for a.b.e. Construction Chemicals in the Eastern Cape, says the project is so large-scaled and intensive that a.b.e. has to be on site almost weekly. “The a.b.e. products primarily being supplied to Stefanutti Stocks so far cover a wide range, including brixeal, plastergrip, duralatex, and durarep, to name just a few. The contractors have placed a bulk order with a.b.e. and we constantly ‘top up’ the supplies as required,” Catherine explained. a.b.e.’s brixeal is a multi-purpose bitumen emulsion which can, for example, be used as a waterproofing barrier, or as concrete curing agent. plastergrip is a blend of synthetic polymers and additives designed to enhance

the bond of cement screeds or renderings to concrete surfaces. The company’s duralatex is a synthetic resin polymer which improves the qualities of site-batched cementitious mortars and slurries; while durarep is a rapid-setting cement-based powder that curtails water seepages. “The contractor seems exceptionally pleased with the performance of the a.b.e. products, our delivery schedules, and the relationship we have established with Stefanutti Stocks,” Catherine added. For the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital project, an exceptionally wide range of Chryso SA admixtures are being used by concrete supplier, Concrete 4U, to enhance the performance of the concrete it provides to Stefanutti Stocks. Enquiry No: 6

for industrial projects

n pursuit of sustainable and inclusive industrial development, the IDC announced that it had disbursed a record R16bn into the economy in the 2012/2013 financial year. In addition to this achievement, the corporation sustained its funding approvals at the R13bn mark recorded in the previous financial year. Announcing the results, IDC Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Qhena (pictured) said these results were achieved against a backdrop of a challenging economic environment, mainly due to a prolonged sovereign debt crisis in the Eurozone as well as a moderation in the growth momentum in a number of emerging and developing economies. Despite these challenges, IDC has continued to play a proactive role in the economy by supporting the development of key industries. As part of a broader strategy by the IDC to improve the competitive landscape and achieve the development potential of local industries such as steel manufacturing, the corporation acquired Scaw as well as an equity stake in Palabora Mining Corporation. “Scaw is a significant player in the local steel industry and the company’s ability to ramp up steel production could, in the long run, help to build a more competitive industry,” said Qhena, adding that this strategy includes other related investments to reduce the cost of input material, including increased scrap recycling. In partnership with the private sector and government, IDC has made similar strategic interventions in various sectors, including the green economy, supporting government’s renewable energy drive and associated localisation opportunities. The IDC is also focusing on expanding the fabricated metals, capital and transport equipment industries, on the back of infrastructure build programmes of state-owned companies, in particular Transnet, Prasa and Eskom. Through a collaborative effort with local manufacturers, retailers and government, the IDC has also contributed to the stabilisation of Enquiry No: 7 the clothing industry.

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September / October 2013

news

EC Industrial & Business News

Coega investors rewarded

for creating jobs

he Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), through its Jobs Stimulus Fund, has disbursed R5.2million in reward of three Coega investor’s job creation efforts and contribution to the economy to date. Overall it has committed over R10-million worth in incentive grants to six Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) investors. The Jobs Stimulus Fund incentivises Eastern Cape job creation through sector-specific, catalytic investments which stimulate sustainable new jobs across the value chain. ECDC Job’s Fund manager, Thabo Shenxane, said the fund could also be used to assist in the retention of existing jobs within the provincial manufacturing sector in particular.

“This mandate links well with the general mandate of the The Job Stimulus ECDC which is to finance businesses that create jobs in the Fund can be used to Eastern Cape,” said Shenxane. assist in the retention of existing jobs The funding criteria takes into account the strategic impact of the jobs created, the sector prioritisation, the spatial orientation and location Mandela Bay area, which includes six comand the skills development. panies based in the Coega IDZ. A total of “The approved funds are meant to subsidise R10.9-million has been allocated to the Coega the company payrolls to encourage them to investors. The R5.2-million which has already maintain the jobs created and also to improve been disbursed went to Dynamic Commodities their cash flow,” said Shenxane. staff through its business process specialThe Job’s Stimulus Fund was launched in ists, Outsource, Discovery Health and Coega October 2011 and a total of 28 companies Dairy, with Cape Concentrate, Agni Steels and Enquiry No: 8 were approved for funding in the Nelson Bizworks still set to benefit.

SA built wind turbine approved by US body

he American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has approved for State incentives, the Kestrel e400nb. South Africa’s only small wind turbine manufacturer, Kestrel, has the only turbine verified by design to be a class one small-wind turbine and to pass the testing. Approved by the Small Wind Certification C o u n c i l (SWCC), US homeowners and businesses benefit from Feed-In Tariff schemes to incentivise renewable energy installations. The leading small wind turbine from Kestrel can produce 3,930kWh annually, and is ideal for the US due to its size and affordability. Teamed with its durability it can withstand high wind speeds (156mph) and has proved itself already in the US with a number of successful installations. With wind prevalent in most States and an average speed of 4.1 meters per second, wind energy is a great way to become eco-friendly, self-sufficient, less

reliant on fossil fuels and reduce electricity bills. And, depending on the scheme, solution owners can even earn money when they send energy back into the grid. “Solid returns from renewable energy, new technology and improved government incentives, makes it easier to become less reliant on fossil fuels,” commented Kestrel Director, Leon Gouws. “The US Government’s commitment to renewable energy and the certification process means people can support this vision, with knowledge that their turbine is robust enough to withstand the toughest of winds, and is reliable to ensure consistent energy production.” Electricity produced by the turbine is processed by an electronic inverter and fed into the grid. The property is then preferentially supplied by wind power, and any shortfall during peak demand is supplied by the grid. The result is that your energy bill is reduced by the amount of wind energy that is harvested. Enquiry No: 9

bay view Kevin Hustler

The last few years have seen a flurry of “Buy Local” campaigns worldwide, encouraging spend on homegrown products and services. The rationale is that local money spent at local companies stays local. While there are arguments on both sides of the fence, supporting local could mean prosperity for local businesses, leading to job creation and sustainability. It encourages entrepreneurship, as local entrepreneurs are exposed to opportunities to become part of the supply chain for a number of industries. With economic sustainability as a chief concern, even government is looking to local procurement as a means to strengthen local economies. Without an acceptable framework, local and regional economic development will be a challenge with limited success. This calls for a collaborative effort between economic development government practitioners and key private sector economic development institutions to work in unison. It is against this backdrop that in March 2013 the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber strategically agreed to participate in the Buy Eastern Cape initiative, under the stewardship of the Department of Economic Affairs. This campaign aims to promote increased local content in production, and gives preference to products emanating from the “Green Economy”. The Chamber’s participation is predicated on baseline data research being conducted to understand fully the economic value chain, strategic input on provincial government procurement and sourcing from local business, including the spread of tender allocations, the identification of scarce industries, potential bottlenecks, remedial action and the capacity of supply. We aim to understand provincial government buying patterns, the capacity of supply and the availability of a high standard of entrepreneurial capabilities. The Buy Eastern Cape campaign aims to influence the attitudes of buyers and procurement officers regarding locally-supplied goods and services, and impact government supply chain policies and systems. The campaign must be viewed as a starting point for encouraging a change in procurement attitudes. In the 2011/2012 financial year, the Eastern Cape provincial government tabled a budget of R52-billion, of which goods and services totalled R8.9-billion and Capital/Infrastructure related expenditure R3.7-billion. What economic benefit could be achieved if 10% of this total is shifted to local suppliers of goods Enquiry No: 10 and services?

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ALL SYSTEMS GO: Site clearance has commenced on location at Air Products’ new air separation in Zone 3 of the Coega Industrial Development Zone in preparation for the construction phase. Construction will get underway as soon as site clearance is complete and it is now all systems go for the Eastern Cape’s first ever Air Separation Unit. Air Products will design and construct a high efficiency and reliability plant that produces liquid oxygen and nitrogen – as well as installing strategic product storage facilities for critical customers in the Eastern Cape. The completion and commissioning of the plant is planned for the third quarter of 2014. According to Air Products, the first phase R300-million investment will bring stability to the local gas sector and makes business sense given the industrial growth on track in the Eastern Cape. Touching base on the site developments was Air Products Area Sales Manager of the Eastern Cape, Pierre Fourie (left), with site foreman, Basil Goliath, from SBT Building. Enquiry No: 11

September / October 2013

EC Industrial & Business News

COMPANY PROFILE: ENGEN INDUSTRIAL LUBRICANTS

Engen Industrial Lubricants

– providing smooth, trouble-free operations

id you know that Engen also has a focused industrial lubricants team that covers the lubrication needs of the complex industry sector of South Africa? Various segments are serviced including paper and pulp, power generation, mining and construction, general industry and manufacturing, cement, rail, marine and aviation. Engen also excels in other fields such as wind turbine projects, gas engines and plastic injection mould-

ing.Engen markets a broad range of industrial mineral and synthetic lubricants under the Engen, PETRONAS and Mobil brands, which fulfils most of the local and African-based industry’s needs. Engen’s industrial sales team boasts key account managers, sales managers and sales representatives based in our regional offices throughout South Africa and in the 21 African countries that we are represented in. To support the complex appli-

cations encountered in this sector, there is also a technical engineering team which covers various services

“... Great Service, Great Technology ...” in the field, including product recommendations, lubrication training, plant equipment surveys and new

tion and dispensing practices. Engen uses a modular approach to tailor this service to each customer’s needs and operational conditions. This flexible approach is a combination of a number of ‘building blocks’, any of which can be selected to meet your specific requirements, including equipment lubrication, basic condition monitoring, used lubricant disposal, product inventory management and lubrication training. Fluidlink also provides the environmental health and safety control systems to reduce risks to people, processes and the environment in the storage, handling and dispensing of products up until the point of use.

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED Engen Industrial Lubricants also promotes economy and security of supply through our vast footprint and logistical coverage. In South Africa, primary distribution centres are present in all major cities, and a number of secondary depots are situated in outlying areas. Depots and storage facilities can also be found throughout our network in Sub Saharan Africa. Products are distributed not only to those countries where Engen has assets and operations on the ground, but also to other countries in Africa. Distribution and technology combine to offer a fully-mechanised, truly efficient system designed to meet and exceed customer needs and demands.

As an independent oil company, Engen is not restricted to one source of technology and can access the world’s high-tech laboratories for cutting-edge lubrication technologies. Our local decision-making places Engen Industrial Lubricants in the unique position of being able to introduce new products that meet the harsh operating conditions in Africa. New products are continually developed to enhance the product range. Hydrokin ESF energy-saving hydraulic fluid, Resista Urea Grease, ResistaSulfonate Grease and True Grit Hand Cleaner are just some of the recently-introduced products that meet industry needs for enhanced performance in specific applications. Look out for Engen’s Energy Saving Fluids logo on selected highperformance oils.

CLEAN STORAGE FOR MOISTURE SENSITIVE PRODUCTS Continuous requests for mini-bulk solutions with product loss control, product cleanliness and quality has resulted in the development of the Innovative Packaging System (IPS). Engen IPS is a packaging solution for lubricating oils and greases and consists of a five-layer plastic bag housed on a wooden pallet, holding 900L of oil or 850kg of grease. This one-way solution provides clean storage and dispensing of lubricants and is especially useful for moisture-sensitive products such as transformer oils. The system can be used in a fixed position, such as in a workshop, or alternatively in a mobile environment,for example on the back of a small truck for top-up jobs. With simplicity and advanced dispensing solutions this could be the solution your industry has been looking for.

A CENTURY OF EXPERIENCE PLUS WORLD-CLASS SUPPORT For consumers who want the quality, experience and expertise offered by Engen, but who purchase smaller volumes and would prefer to have same-day deliveries, the Engen distributor network is the ideal partner. The distributor network, consisting of The Oil Centres and Small Distributing Companies (SDCOs), is an extension of the Engen sales and distribution team and is able to offer this convenience in an area close to your industry. The Oil Centre markets and distributes both Engen- and Mobil-branded lubricants, together with related products such as lubricant storage and dispensing equipment, spill containment kits and garage equipment. The Oil Centres are owned by local, service-orientated entrepreneurs with a strong

customer-service focus. At The Oil Centre the quality and standards of service, combined with the standards of customer relationships, are key success factors. Consumers will find that The Oil Centre provides both convenience and efficiency - a comprehensive range of products and services available at high-quality facilities. The Oil Centres can be found in Cape Town, Kimberley, Durban, East London, Gauteng Central, Gauteng North, Gauteng South,

Customer Service Centre: 08600 36436 Email: 1call@engenoil.com Website: www.engenoil.com

Cape Town head office where 1-Call will cover everything from order placement and equipment maintenance requests to lubricant application queries and product recommendations. The CSC takes full ownership of all queries and inquiries until they are resolved. Operating hours are weekdays from 7am to 5pm and the team can be contacted by phone (08600 36436), fax (0800 111 002) or email (1call@engenoil.com).

VALUE-ADDING PRODUCTS

FLUID MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS

Engen offers a world class fluid management service known as Engen Fluidlink. This is a complete lubrication and fuels management solution that has evolved from years of experience. Fluidlink is designed to reduce downtime and increase the life of equipment through the implementation and management of lubrica-

product trials. A maintenance engineering team is also on hand to support customer equipment installations. The industrial-focused marketing team co-ordinates all industry-related marketing events.Engen Industrial Lubricants is an active media and exhibiting participant in publications and events related to the many industries serviced by us. Our state-of-the-art customer service centre (CSC) is based in the

Nelspruit, Phalaborwa,Port Elizabeth and Rustenburg (www.theoilcentre.co.za). The SDCO network can be found in many of the smaller and rural towns of South Africa. They also distribute the Engen range of industrial lubricants. Contact the Engen Customer Service Centre to find your local SDCO. With the Engen Industrial Lubricants team, you get a century of experience and worldclass support, as well as a comprehensive range of lubricants that ensures the maximum efficiency and lifespan of your machinery. You also get the technical expertise of one of the largest suppliers of lubricants. In other words, you get a smooth, trouble-free operation.

September / October 2013

news

EC Industrial & Business News

Gas pressure regulator sales exceed expectations

frox has developed an innovative new gas pressure regulator hailed as the most technologically advanced and engineered gas pressure regulator in the

global industrial market. The regulator was launched at a lavish function held at a PE hotel recently. “We’ve received orders for the SMOOTHFLO gas pressure regulator from the day of the launch and we’re still being inundated with queries about it, primarily from the fabrication and mining sectors,” says Nazmi Adams, Head of the company’s Hardgoods division. “As soon as industry representatives saw the regulator on display they recognised the many advantages this new generation regulator could offer their businesses. “This is the first locally manufactured regular of its kind and its success out of the starting blocks proves that Afrox understands the local markets and their specific requirements. “Safety drives sales of gas equipment in today’s market and the added safety benefits that this regulator brings to the workplace have attracted immense interest, particularly from our key customers who regard safety as paramount.” Safety was a key driver in designing this new all-South African product, making the easy-to-operate SMOOTHFLO one of the safest gas regulators in its class. The break-off inlet stem is designed to ensure that should a cylinder and regulator be accidently impacted

by a fall, the high performing excess-flow valve will automatically safely seal off gas discharge from the cylinder into the atmosphere. Other safety features include a piston-embedded safety valve that eliminates the need for a diaphragm. Piston-driven technology produces excellent pressure stability at higher flow rates, which allows an operator to achieve greater gas cutting speeds. The ability to go from zero to maximum operating pressure in just three turns reduces the amount of set-up time required. “Although the piston technology has been around for some time, Afrox has perfected it by completely eliminating the need for a diaphragm,” Adams comments. The patented concept of embedded pressure gauges protects the gauges from damage in the industrial working environment, while a unique gauge design reduces possibility of damage to the lenses. The new gas pressure regulator, sold with a five-year warranty, represents years of research and development and significant investment on the part of Afrox. It is ISO 2503 and AS 4267 certified and its patented design has been oxygen ignition tested and promoted oxygen ignition tested by international inspecEnquiry No: 12 tion body Apragaz.

Deserving females in line for bursaries The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has announced that it will be awarding bursaries to deserving female learners in the Eastern Cape province. The announcement was made at a career day event held by the parastatal at the International Conference Centre in East London for grade nine to 12 learners from rural and semi-urban areas in and around East London, reaching out as far as King William’s Town. “As August was women’s month, we thought it fitting to reveal our plans to award bursaries to these top-performing female learners. This is part of our Women in Rail initiative, which aims to promote careers in rail,” explains Lucky Montana, PRASA Group CEO.

Over the next ten years, the parastatal will begin a process of expanding its rail network, improving current infrastructure and rolling out a fleet of new world-class locomotives (with quality and innovation equalling the world’s best). The bursaries will help ensure that the required skills are available for the future. “South Africa is faced with a shortage of rail skills due to a number of skilled people going on retirement. Our aim with the bursaries is to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent learners to take up careers with us,” says Montana. Careers at PRASA span a broad range of disciplines, from the technical field to social sciences to property management. Enquiry No: 13

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Holbrook’s Voice Les Holbrook – Executive Director: Border-Kei Chamber of Business Renewable Energy is the proverbial “new kid on the block” and it’s taking over! The Border-Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB) has actively supported and encouraged all renewable energy focused business practices in the push towards a green economy. It is clear that business is an integral player in the preservation of our planet and needs to also “play the game” by consciously adjusting business practices to ensure this. In order to reinforce this with our members, the Border-Kei Chamber of Business has recently revisited the issue of our Environmental Charter and after careful deliberation we have introduced the 2013 BKCOB Environmental Sustainability Charter which urges signatories to adhere to all requirements of relevant environmental policies, legislation, regulations and best practices. BKCOB through its Energy Forum launched the South African Green Schools Initiative (SAGSI) in November last year where a methodology was created for the pilot project at Merrifield School. The basic idea of the initiative is to install RE technologies and practices into schools and reduce their carbon footprint. This will lead to schools that start going green, reducing their reliance on conventional electricity, heat, sewerage and refuse removal, fuels, etc. In adopting this project, schools will start becoming more environmentally conscious and at the same time incorporate the technologies into the syllabus, therefore enhancing science, biology, economics, business management and even mathematics, with practical examples which are demonstrated on the school premises. Lastly, the Border-Kei Chamber of Business has initiated a project launched last year November for the EU-Eastern Cape Renewable Energy Conference whereby the conference was run entirely on green energy through the supply of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) by BKCOB’s Green Desk. One of the quickest and easiest ways for businesses to become involved in the move towards a greener economy is to make use of Renewable Energy Certificates or RECs. The Border-Kei Chamber of Business Green Desk is registered with zaRECs on behalf of RECSA, the issuing authority of RECs in South Africa, to sell RECs to end users. The Green Desk is an initiative of the Border-Kei Chamber of Business Energy Forum. We as a Chamber are passionate about our environment and we seek to address the sustainability of our planet first-hand and we like to imagine we are contributing in some way as Enquiry No: 14 illustrated above.

Former mineworker takes advantage of booming construction sector When former mineworker Harold Peza left his mining job some 17 years ago, he struck “gold” of a different kind in the form of the Eastern Cape’s booming construction sector. The Eastern Cape’s construction sector is buoyant driven largely by significant infrastructure backlogs particularly in the rural hinterland. This presents substantial growth opportunities for entrepreneurs in this space. For example, the majority of development financier, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation’s (ECDC) loan funding in the 2012/13 financial year went to construction businesses because of the school building programme which is linked to the national infrastructure development programme. A total of R59.9 million was disbursed to these businesses in loan funding. A qualified bricklayer and mineworker for 18 years, Peza took on his first construction job in 1997 and his company H&Z Construction has never looked back amassing projects running into millions of rands. “This has been an extraordinary journey for me. From being a bricklayer in the Gauteng mines to the owner of a multimillion rand construction company has been an overwhelming yet gratifying experience. I could not have taken on some of these projects without the help of development financier, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC). The corporation has financed some of my projects with funding exceeding R14 million,” says Peza. Enquiry No: 15

September / October 2013

EC Industrial & Business News

PUMPS, VALVES, PIPES AND FITTINGS

First-of-its-kind polyurethane lining for pipe bends developed

olyurethane specialist UMP has successfully developed the world's first polyurethane lining technology for 3D and 5D pipe bends as part of its US$2-million contract with Turkish-based construction company Tekfen Construction & Installation. The project, which was officially

signed in February 2013, involves the supply of several specialised polyurethane linings for pipe bends ranging from 350 nominal-bore (NB) to 900 NB, for a throttling plant at a phosphate project in Morocco. UMP director Trevor Carolin notes that this was a challenging task due to the fact that the company was required to design

specialised tooling to line the pipe bends to 12 mm thickness as per the client's request. “Following a number of unsuccessful attempts with other manufacturers from around the world the client approached UMP to develop a solution that offers good abrasion resistance against the slurry which is transported at a pressure of over 120 bar. UMP manufactured special casting tools for the project and also invested around R2,8-million in the manufacture of a complex tooling system to get a mould in and out of the bend. As a result we successfully developed this new lining technology which has placed us as an international leader in the supply of polyurethane lining," he explains. Carolin reveals that the large pipe fittings also made the installation more challenging. "Each pipe on average weighs about 3,5 tons and some are as high as 6 m. With the new technology for the lining UMP had to provide a solution that would be easily maintained on site and, with the current polyurethane lining supplied by the company, the pipeline should last Enquiry No: 16 at least 20 years."

SA pump supplier increases stock to reduce lead time

ocal pump manufacturer Mather+Platt has increased stock holdings of the Viking range of internal gear pumps, aiming to gain market share by reducing lead time. The company claims to now have the largest ready stock of this type of product in South Africa. Positive displacement Viking internal gear pumps are widely used in mining and industrial applications across South Africa, where they transfer viscous fluids up to 440 000cSt. The pumps have applications in petrochemical processing (bitumen, pitch and viscous oils), chemical processing (sodium silicate, acids, plastics, paints, resins, adhesives and mixed chemicals), pulp and paper (acids, soap, lime, kaolin and sludge), and the food industry (chocolate, butter, fillers, molasses and vegetable fats). The internal gear pumping principle, invented by Viking Pumps co-founder Jens Nielsen, uses two rotating gears which un-mesh at the suction side of the pump to create a vacuum which pulls fluid into the pump. The spaces between the gear teeth transport the

fluid on either side of a crescent to the discharge side, where the gears re-mesh to discharge the fluid. Mather+Platt’s range of Viking range gear pumps is extensive, comprising six distinct lines. There are universal seal pumps in 12 sizes, comprising heavy duty, foot-mounted models with enlarged bearing housings that allow seals and seal technologies to be exchanged without removing the pump from the flow line. Materials of manufacture include stainless steel, steel, ductile iron and cast iron.

High speed compact pumps in six sizes are recommended for medium to heavy duty applications. No speed reducer is required. Materials of manufacture are as for universal seal pumps. Motor-speed pumps in six sizes are manufactured in ductile iron, and may be footmounted or closecoupled to IEC frame motors for a compact footprint. General purpose footmounted pumps in 14 sizes are made of cast iron for medium duty applications. Jacketing options are available. C-flange mounted pumps in eight sizes are made from cast iron for medium duty applications. No speed reducer is required. For applications in which leakage and fugitive emissions must be eliminated, or where downtime for seal maintenance would be problematic, there are mag-drive pumps in 12 internal gear and 22 external gear sizes to replace shaft seals with magnetic Enquiry No: 17 drive.

SPECIALISTS IN INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION MOTION & CONTROL PROCESS & CONTROL TURN-KEY SOLUTIONS (PLC & SCADA) PRODUCTS FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY

SUPPLIERS OF Southern Africa

WWWA.division PNEUMAX .CO.ZA of the Set Point Group CAPE TOWN T: +27(0)21 531 4540/1 F: +27(0)21 531 5641

Port Elizabeth T: +27(0)41 451 2822/4/5

COMPONENTS FOR PNEUMATIC AUTOMATION DUST FILTER COMPONENTS ACTUATORS & AUTOMATED VALVES PROCESS SOLENOID VALVES TRAINING & TRAINING EQUIPMENT FITTINGS & TUBING DECELERATION & VIBRATION TECHNOLOGY VACUUM TECHNOLOGY

SO MIN PO ON G RT ELI TO ZA BE TH

September / October 2013

PUMPS, VALVES, PIPES AND FITTINGS

EC Industrial & Business News

Pump selection not determined by energy use only

hole life costs are playing an ever-more important role in pump selection by the water and wastewater industry – and energy use is no longer the benchmark for making efficiency and cost comparisons. That’s the view of WatsonMarlow Bredel Durban Sales

Manager Reon Durgapersad. “For engineers and plant managers in the water industry, pump selection has long been a complex and timeconsuming task, usually involving the collection and analysis of significant volumes of information with any number of parameters to take into account,” he explains.

Specialists in Corrosion Protection

HotDip Galvanizing – 3m x 1.2m x 1.8m Thermal Zinc / Aluminum Metal Spraying

Protective Coatings and Linings Abrasive Blasting

Tel: 041 4511947 | Fax: 041 4510773 | Cell: 0824410692 E-Mail: henning@galvaspin.co.za | Website: www.galvaspin.co.za 2 - 5 Fearick Street, Sidwell, Port Elizabeth

“Accurate assessment of head and flow, identification of the most suitable generic type or types of pump based on fluid properties and process requirements are needed for the preliminary selection, coupled with pump efficiency, long-term energy, maintenance and service costs.” For many purchasers the complexity of assessing such a wide range of variables has often meant that the focus has been on the most immediately identifiable and transparent area of energy costs. However, with the advent of more sophisticated assessment tools which can cope with the input of a wide range of complex variables to generate more accurate analysis of Whole Life Costs for pumping technology, purchasers are increasingly aware that using energy consumption as the main determinant can significantly skew selection of the most appropriate, cost-effective pump. Energy use, fre-

quently used as the benchmark in the decision-making process, often masks hidden costs which, if taken into account, would render some choices uneconomic. “Accurate analysis looks at all the components that make up the total cost of pump ownership in the context of how the pump operates as part of the overall system – including both the internal components of the pump itself and external ancillary equipment – as a result, conventional approaches to pump selection are changing significantly,” Durgapersad points out.

“This is particularly relevant in the context of peristaltic pumping technology which is reflected in its increasingly wide uptake across the water and wastewater industry globally. The traditional approach of viewing whole life costing in terms of energy efficiencies is now being replaced with a far more comprehensive analysis - which includes other factors such as maintenance, reliability, failure rates and replacement parts of associated equipment.” Enquiry No: 18

Sweep angle control valves deal with erosive liquids

weep Angle Control valves from PSV Mitech are ideally configured for service with highly erosive liquids where pressures and/or temperatures are too high for pinch valves or similar slurry valves. They are also ideal for applications where severe flashing is expected. Modular in design, the valves are available in sizes from 1”to 16” and larger sizes are available on request. The Sweep Angle Control valve has flange ratings of up to #2 500. The plug and seat can be manufactured in hard material, up to and including tungsten carbide or other ceramics, and the body can be bronzed or coated with high velocity spray coated tungsten carbide in critical areas. The sweep angle control

valve has a flow-to-close configuration with few components in the flow path eliminating any sharp changes in direction. The seat ring is clamped between the valve body and the downstream pipe work, so there is no need for a traditional retainer or cage. Typical applications for the valve include those found in mining, petrochemical, food, pulp and paper and power generation Enquiry No: 19 industries.

Cable locator detects faults, locations

est Instruments Africa (TIA) has announced a new cable locator, Chauvin Arnoux’s CA6681 Locat-n cable locator, designed for the detection and location of faults in all metal conductors - electrical power cables, telecommunication cables and metal pipes – and is ideal for housing maintenance, renovation and improvement work. Comprising a transmitter and a receiver, the CA6681 can be used on both current-carrying and non-current-carrying mains circuits. Its digital technology overcomes interference and disturbance signals to provide precise location details. The receiver displays the value of the signal measured, which is also shown on the bar chart or in the form of acoustic signals whose amplitudes vary in proportion to the signal distance. This allows for easy tracking of electrical cables through walls or the detection of buried pipes in gardens. The receiver can quickly identify the circuit breaker or fuses corresponding to the socket to which the transmitter is connected, to guide the user and simplify the job. It can also be used to detect short-circuits or cuts on existing installations. For example, it is possible to detect faults in underfloor heating pipes. Applications: • Location and tracking of lines and sockets • Identification of the network

voltage Identification of fuses Location of line interruptions Short-circuit detection Detection of the pinched or obstructed part in a non-metallic pipe • Tracking of buried circuits • Fault detection in under-floor heating systems • Detection of metal heating ducts • Detection of metal water pipes The CA6681 cable locator is lightweight, ergonomically designed and is delivered complete with two units (transmitter and receiver) in a hard case with practical accessories for direct measurements on screw-in or bayonet lamp sockets or on mains power sockets. • • • •

Enquiry No: 20

September / October 2013

EC Industrial & Business News

PUMPS, VALVES, PIPES AND FITTINGS

New method to measure pump performance data

n any production environment, system performance needs to be monitored to ensure maximum productivity. In an environment that uses pumps (particularly vacuum pumps) to drive a system, this has not been practical until now. Historically a Beama Nozzle test would require disconnecting and isolating the suction port of the pump and fitting a range of nozzles of varying inlet diameter and recording the resultant pressure and temperature conditions. This data is used to calculate the performance curve and duty point of the pump. The process is done manually, typically every 12 - 18 months and involves disconnecting the pump from the line and therefore halting production, downtime... Measure Matrix, a Durban based company, has developed and internationally patented a method of measuring this performance data that works in-line with the factory system and monitors the suction port of the pump to calculate the pump’s operating capacity. The resultant real time performance information would be an invaluable asset to production managers in maintaining optimum productivity of their lines. Any performance degradation would be immediately visible in the output allowing faster response to issues on the production line. Tracking long term performance degradation due to wear and tear on pumps, seals, bearings etc becomes easier and preventative maintenance can be planned and undertaken with less disruption to production outputs. The system comprises a spool piece of suitable inner diameter and length. Sockets are installed along the length of the spool piece to which electronic sensors are fitted. The sensors are all connected to a data acquisi-

Roberto Falconer (left) with John Wrathmall tion system which then outputs metric units of measurement. A software service will run on a workshop/ shopfloor computer to log data from the sensors and publish it to an online database environment for analysis by the reporting software. The information is stored in a database and is available live from any device with an internet connection. This online centralised design allows the data to be available to a wide range of platforms that are not geographically limited. The system can be set to inform the production manager via electronic means such as email and/or SMS, or can output any number of visible and audible alarms on the factory floor or in control rooms in the event of any degradation of performance out of an acceptable range. This system can be applied to any pump technology, but it is with vacuum pumps that it is most revolutionary in terms of being a new way to achieve a long standing objective of Enquiry No: 21 measuring pump capacity.

Certifiably corruption-free

thics watchdog TRACE International has awarded full compliance certification to AESSEAL South Africa. The mechanical seals company is among the first South African engineering organisations to meet TRACE International’s stringent code of ethics. Certification is likely to serve AESSEAL well during competitive sales situations, reinforcing the company’s product offering by guaranteeing transparency and freedom from corruption. TRACE International is an internationally recognised association that works to raise the anti-bribery compliance standards of members. Founded to achieve economies of scale and set a common standard for due diligence reviews and anti-bribery training, the organisation provides a practical and cost-effective alternative to increasingly expensive and time consuming corporate compliance. New member AESSEAL joins an exclusive club of some 220 companies worldwide certified by TRACE as adhering to a strict code of

corruption-free conduct. Compliance certification applies uniquely to the South African subsidiary of the British multinational, and followed a four-month process of comprehensive background checks undertaken on all key employees driving growth. Detailed curricula vitae on all directors, shareholders and sales staff were submitted and scrutinised by internet search engine cross-checks seeking evidence of susceptibility to corruption through positional power, multiple directorships or political dynamics created during previous employment or gaps in employment. Questions arising from the checks were submitted to AESSEAL for clarification, after which further checking processes took place. Enquiry No: 23

Air release valve delivers three way protection

veng Manufacturing, a local valve manufacturer is marketing its air release valve as the most efficient and cost effective method of protecting water and sewerage pipelines against damage caused by surge, air build-up and vacuum. Aveng Manufacturing DFC claims that its Vent-O-Mat range is without equal in terms of useful valve life and the potential cost of repairing pipeline damage after the fact. The product was conceptualised in South Africa in the early 1980s to simplify pipeline protection. The goal was to design a single valve that would deliver three‑way protection. Extensive market research preceded product development, and the design philosophy focused on the physical laws that govern air valve and pipeline operation. The result was a product that delivers relevant protection through immediate reaction to pipeline dynamics. Comprehensive user trials proved successful, and the product was launched in 1982. Although the installation of a Vent-O-Mat air valve does not always eliminate the need for other surge control measures, which depend

on the pipeline profile and the operating conditions, the Vent-O-Mat does offer automatic protection during filling of a pipeline when most surge devices are not operational. A major advantage of the product is that protection against destructive surge and water-hammer phenomena are independent of mechanical devices, ensuring reaction within milliseconds. Before Vent-O-Mat, most air valves were prone to premature closure and poor sealing, and none was able to effectively assist with the elimination of surge and water hammer as a standard automatic function. Vent-O-Mat was quickly recognised by South African engineers as being unique in its ability to deliver simultaneous three-way protection in the roles of air-release, surge moderation and vacuumbreak. Such protection is necessary because, even at normal filling rates, a fast approaching flow medium can generate a transient pressure rise (shock) of potentially damaging proportions. Enquiry No: 22

LEADERS IN THE PROVISION OF

FLUID TRANSFER MEASUREMENT & DISPENSING EQUIPMENT ALSO NOW PITSTOP & RAV LIFTS

WWW.METERSYSTEMS.CO.ZA A division of the Set Point Group

CAPE TOWN T: +27(0)21 531 4540/1 F: +27(0)21 531 5641 PORT ELIZABETH T: +27(0)41 451 2822/4/5 F: +27(0)41 451 2844 sales@metersystems.co.za

September / October 2013

PUMPS, VALVES, PIPES AND FITTINGS

EC Industrial & Business News

Save energy from going down the drain

arbon footprints and escalating energy costs have led Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies, a subsidiary of the global Veolia Water (represented locally by Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies South Africa), to develop an innovative solution for harnessing the power of domestic sewage – effectively turning bio-waste from our sanitation network into a valuable and environmental fuel source. The company has optimised a process known as thermo hydrolysis, which uses temperatures of between 150 and 190 degrees Celsius and pressures of between six and 15 bar to crack the long chain molecules typical of municipal sludge. This increases the reaction rate, making more bio-active carbon available

than previously possible with more traditional technologies. Known as Exelys, this system has already been utilised in Veolia-built and operated plants in Europe and, at current levels of advancement, helps to turn roughly 1.2 mega litres of sewage into enough energy to supply one home for a month. “We recently estimated that in South Africa, up to 40% of a wastewater plant’s monthly expenses are directly spent on energy,” says Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies South Africa’s GM, Laurent Schmitt. “This technology is one way municipalities can reduce this ongoing expense by up to 40%, while becoming global leaders in environmental wastewater

treatment at the same time.” Exelys is currently the most effective energy enhancement methodology available to the market as it increases bio-gas production and lowers sludge volumes, while pasteurising the recovered sludge at the same time. It is proven to help sewage works reduce C02 emissions by between 10 and 30%, and returns on investment within an average of nine years.

“The goal behind this system is to achieve energy neutrality throughout our sanitation networks. With even further innovations, we should advance to a point where we can start to feed electricity into the national grid – which is a very environmental and clean-energy soluEnquiry No: 24 tion,” says Schmitt.

SLR pump impeller lasts and lasts and lasts

During R&D phase, the Warman SLR undergoes rigorous testing at the local test bay facility.

INNOVATIVE FEATURES COUPLED WITH EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGY

WEG Automation incorporates innovative technology in motor control coupled with ease of human-machine interface. Engineered for an energy hungry world, WEG Automation offers optimum functionality including easy installation and operation.

0861 00 ZEST |

www.zest.co.za

LV Drives: 0 - 2850A Single Phase 220 V – 0.18 to 2.2 kW Three Phase 525 V – 1.5 to 1850 kW

Three Phase 380 V – 0.37 to 1750 kW Three Phase 690 V – 1.5 to 2000 kW

MV Drives: 85A - 1178A Three Phase 2.3 kV – 400 to 3730 kW Three Phase 4.16 kV – 400 to 6000 kW

Three Phase 3.3 kV – 400 to 6000 kW Three Phase 6.6 kV – 450 to 6000 kW

LV Soft Starters: 0 - 2424A Three Phase 380 V – 1.1 to 750 kW Three Phase 525 V – 1.5 to 1050 kW

Three Phase 380 V – 1.1 to 1250 kW * Three Phase 525 V – 1.5 to 1800 kW *

Coralynne & Associates +27 (011) 422 1949

MV Soft Starters: 180A - 360A Three Phase 2.3 kV – 550 to 1100 kW Three Phase 4.16 kV – 1100 to 2250 kW

*(inside delta connection)

Three Phase 6.9 kV – 1900 to 3400 kW

eir Minerals Africa has obtained consistently exceptional results after introducing a Warman SLR medium duty slurry pump on trial at Consol Industrial Minerals (CIM) more than a year ago. After 2 000 hours of operation the pump was opened for its first inspection, revealing that there had been no visible wear on the impeller or sealing arrangement. While the competitor pump required an impeller change every 3 000 hours, the Weir Minerals Africa team confidently predicts that the patented SLR pump will last as much as four times longer – up to 12 000 hours — before replacement will be needed. At the time of going to press, no wear parts on this pump have needed replacing. CIM, an established customer of Weir Minerals Africa, has been in operation for more than 40 years, mining silica sand primarily to supply the Consol Glass factory in Bellville. CIM also produces special application silica sands for many other external markets. The operation is located on a 96 hectare site in the heart of Philippi which contains a natural silica deposit, and mining currently takes place to a depth of 20 metres below ground in a dredging operation. The silica sand is screened and washed, then sized using a hydro-sizing process. Once dried, the sand is packaged for bulk delivery. The CIM process plant produces about 200 000 tons of silica sand annually. “When this customer started experiencing gland sealing arrangement problems with an existing pump, we offered them a trial replacement with one of our new technology SLR pumps to improve both the sealing arrangement and the overall performance,” Rui Gomes, Product Manager for slurry pumps at Weir Minerals Africa, says. “The maintenance and short wear life of the existing pump parts were also an ongoing problem. The existing unit was leaking while in operation which, in turn, caused the shaft sleeves to fail, resulting in regular packing change-outs. “The Warman 75 SLR pump has proved to be the solution to these problems. This pump is fitted with an expeller that seals the gland without any leakage while in operation and does not require any external flushing water. “The SLR pump’s very effective Hi-Seal shaft seal is a major improvement on what has been available up until now and, from the outset, we saw an immediate improvement at the CIM plant. Regular monitoring has proved that the pump is sealing corEnquiry No: 25 rectly.”

September / October 2013

PUMPS, VALVES, PIPES AND FITTINGS

EC Industrial & Business News

The ultimate pump for tough dewatering environments T he new series of submersible dewatering pumps has been modelled around Xylem’s iconic and hugely popular Flygt BIBO pump. Durable and robust, Xylem’s Flygt BIBO series has been specifically designed for the toughest dewatering environments including mining, quarrying, construction and tunnelling. The new updated design forms the core of a new generation of Flygt BIBO pumps that now includes the most advanced pumping technology, bringing the best in dewatering pump capability to the market. Xylem’s new Flygt BIBO includes several innovations such as the DuraSpin hydraulic system for unmatched wear resistance, a new plug-in seal and a single impeller-

adjustment screw. All of these additions work together to deliver a pump with high uptime capability and a limited and low-cost service requirement. The arrival of the new Flygt BIBO promises to be welcome news for customers working in the mining and construction sectors. Daniel Westin, Product Manager at Xylem, said, “We are delighted

to unveil the new Flygt BIBO. The reliability and capability of the original Flygt BIBO dewatering pump is renowned within the industry and set the standard for submersible dewatering when it was first launched in the 1960s. Over one million of the original pumps have been sold since it was first brought to market.” Xylem’s new Flygt BIBO is available in four models 2830, 2840, 2860 and 2870, capable of handling flows of up to 100l/s (1600GPM), heads up to 80m (300 feet) and solids up to 12mm in diameter. Available with power ranges from 3.7 to 18 kW and 5.9 to 27 HP this series of pumps is engineered for professional use in the harshest of environments.

DuraLabel’s DuraTag valve tags are used to attach labels to valves and actuators. An adhesive-backed vinyl label is printed using the DuraLabel PRO 300 and the label is applied to the tag which is attached to the valve or actuator. Valve tags are used to provide identifying information. They also can be used to provide operating instructions, information about a process, maintenance requirements and safety warnings. DuraTags make it easier to find valves and actuators and help to eliminate costly errors, while reducing the potential for accidents. Valve tags can be made in a wide variety of colour combinations, allowing the user to colour code valves and actuators for quick visual identification. The valve tags provide a rigid base onto which vinyl labels are applied. DuraTag valve tags have

a heavy duty design that results in long-lasting tags. The valve tags are available in two sizes: 56,25 x 93,75 mm and 84,38 x 118,75 mm and are supplied in packages of ten. In addition to labelling valves and actuators, DuraTags are used to label other devices such as transmitters, instruments, burners, containers and dampers. DuraLabel is represented locally by Aspercon.

Enquiry No: 29

Enquiry No: 26

Feed-pump skids delivered

S BMG’s new Superbolt multi-jackbolt tensioners are designed to reduce downtime and eliminate unsafe and laborious bolting methods

Safe jackbolt tensioners reduce downtime

MG’s new Superbolt multi-jackbolt tensioners, which form part of the Nord-Lock range, are designed to reduce downtime and eliminate unsafe and laborious bolting methods for pumps and pumping equipment, particularly in harsh operating conditions. “These new multi-jackbolt tensioners replace or retrofit nuts and bolts on pumps and only require hand or air tools for installation and removal of any size tensioner,” says Darryl Campbell, GM for BMG’s fasteners, tools and equipment division. “Bolts on pumps and pumping equipment need to be easily removable during maintenance procedures, but must resist the loosening effects of vibrations and dynamic loads. “This quick and efficient bolting method is based on a design which splits one big torque into a number of smaller ones. Superbolt, which has numerous advantages over conventional bolting products, ensures joints can be tightened with high accuracy, without the need for specialist skills or heavy tooling. Tightening in pure tension allows higher preloads on the same size bolt than conventional tightening methods. “By generating a preload high enough above the separating forces means bolting will not vibrate loose on properly designed joints – this eliminates costly downtime. Added elasticity increases fatigue life of the bolted joint. Installations are safe because only small hand tools are required. This means there are no safety hazards from immense hydraulic pressures, no pinching hazards, no need for the lifting of large tools or sockets breaking under high pressure. “Multi-jackbolt tensioners are easy to install, even in confined spaced and although there are multiple jackpoints to tighten, by using hand or air tools, installation times are faster than other bolting methods.” Enquiry No: 27

asol has taken delivery of four Sundyne LMV311 feedpump skids for propylene transfer at the C3 stabilisation project under construction at its Secunda complex. The four machines are identical small-footprint, integrally geareddriven centrifugal pumps designed and manufactured specifically for chemical and petrochemical applications to ISO 13709 and API 610 Edition 10 standards. After installation, the feed-pump skids will be supported and serviced by AESPUMP, Sundyne’s newly appointed channel partner and service provider for its product range throughout South Africa. AESPUMP is an independent company with a focus on the support of petrochemical refineries and mining operations, and the

repair of API 610 pumps. It has a strong presence in Secunda, with a workshop that incorporates a recently commissioned test bay, new machinery and clean-room facilities for flameproof pump repairs, and a spray booth and drying chamber for Belzona protective coatings. Machines weighing up to ten tons are accepted for repair. In addition to Sundyne, AESPUMP’s Secunda facility has been approved as an accredited service centre by KSB Pumps, Hidrostal, Ecochem Pumps, Franklin Electric, Netzsch, Helico and SS Pumps. The facility is ISO 9001, ISO 29001, ISO 14001 and OSHAS 18001 accredited, and is equipped to ensure that repaired machines comply fully with all health and Enquiry No: 28 safety legislation.

Tel: +27 31 701 3261/2

Fax: +27 31 701 8216

Email: reception@natalpumps.co.za Website: www.natalpumps.co.za

PUMPS, VALVES, PIPES AND FITTINGS

September / October 2013

EC Industrial & Business News

Valve system for applications in wet areas

for the food processing industry, thanks to its design and the material properties. With the CL03, a separate control cabinet is not required and the new XL version is now available with a high flow rate of 1 100 l/min for use with larger actuators. The CL03 valve system is now available in an XL version Making this valve system unique, for applications with larger cylinders different valve sizes can be combined in the same unit. Rexroth, distributed and supported in South esigned for protection class IP69K Africa by Tectra Automation, a Hytec Group and certified by EHEDG, the CL03 valve Company, thus enables different flow rates in a system, the latest innovation from Bosch single valve unit with a hygienic design. Rexroth, can be installed directly in systems With the CL03-XL variant of the valve sys-

tem, operators can control larger cylinders or actuators for faster movements, without having to install a dedicated valve unit or separate individual valves for the larger consumer. The key is a uniform base plate where different valve sizes can be integrated at any position. There is no need for adapter plates, as the position and geometry of the air channels are identical in all valves, independent of their size. This reduces the installation effort. Users also profit from the design with integrated combination options, which require just one control. When only one valve unit is used instead of many, cleaning is a lot simpler. In wet areas of a system in particular, units have to be not only compact but also especially suitable for

Excellent Minerals Solutions

WARMAN® Centrifugal Slurry Pumps ENVIROTECH® Centrifugal Slurry Pumps ISOGATE® Slurry Valves Lower your operational costs with the Weir Minerals Solution In slurry and dewatering pumping, processing and control applications where the cost of ownership often outweighs capital cost as a priority, we help our customers address such issues as longevity, capacity, efficiency of operation and maintenance.

Expertise where it counts

Warman® slurry and Envirotech® dewatering pumps are among the world’s most comprehensive range of pumps for use in mining, chemical and industrial applications. These pumps are designed for ultra heavy duty applications such as mill discharge, process plant and tailings, high pressure pipelines, as well as other speciality applications. Robust design and rugged heavy-duty construction, the Isogate® slurry knife gate valve is designed for long life and high reliability. The Isogate® valve range now also includes Autoball™ 3 way check valves, swing check valves, and a diverse range of mechanical and pneumatic pinch valves.

Copyright ©2012, Weir Minerals Africa (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved. WARMAN is a registered trademark of Weir Minerals Australia Ltd and Weir Group African IP Ltd; ISOGATE is a registered trademark of Weir do Brasil Ltda; AUTOBALL is a trademark of Weir Minerals Australia Ltd.

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fast and thorough cleaning. The fewer the components, the easier the cleaning. A single valve unit with different flow rate options, such as CL03/CL03-XL, is the ideal solution for such situations. Another advantage: tubing from the valve to the actuator stays as short as possible, and there is no unnecessary dead volume. That saves energy. The CL03-XL valve system can implement in up to 32 pressure zones and is available with multi-pole or field bus interface. The electrical signal can be tapped directly and put to further use. Enquiry No: 30

Original valve beats imitations

aunders diaphragm valves continue to be regarded by mines throughout Africa as the benchmark for performance and reliability, so much so that they are frequently illegally imitated through reverse-engineering techniques. The Saunders brand is sometimes also illegally used in marketing campaigns for the reverse-engineered product, particularly on the internet. Saunders nonetheless remains the only company to own the necessary research and development, design and production techniques essential to effective valve performance, including the all important diaphragm itself. Invented in 1928, Saunders valves today safely handle a wide variety of corrosive, abrasive and combined corrosive/abrasive fluids, including chemicals, water, sludges and slurries. They are manufactured under licence in South Africa by Aveng Manufacturing DFC, which produces the complete range from 15mm to 350mm nominal bore. A wide choice of materials, linings, methods of operation and body-end connections satisfies the needs of most applications, while reliability, safety and ease of use flow naturally from an essentially simple design that results in low maintenance for minimum running costs. On both pressure and vacuum, Saunders valves operate at close to 100 percent leak‑tight. The valves may be operated by handwheel, by fast-acting levers, or by pneumatic or electric actuators, and there is positive visual identification of operating status, whether open or closed. The stem of the valve is designed to reduce friction for low operating torque. Sealing operating mechanisms in the valves are isolated from service and atmosphere, avoiding the need for exotic materials. A fully sealed option is available for corrosive applications. Strong and resilient diaphragms give positive shut-off, assisting flow and completely isolating working parts from the line fluids. These diaphragms and a variety of rubber linings are produced by DFC’s own in-house rubber plant, allowing complete control of product quality. Body-end connections are available in screwed, flanged and weld-end options to suit UK, European and US specifications and avoid planning problems. Genuine Saunders products are manufactured only in the UK, South Africa and Enquiry No: 31 India.

September / October 2013

EC Industrial & Business News

METALS, FABRICATION & MACHINE TOOLS PE foundry set to become global castings supplier

eir Minerals Africa is making a substantial investment into its newly acquired Xmeco Foundry in Port Elizabeth that will upgrade it to the point where these facilities will be capable of not only producing the company’s requirements from an African perspective, but also having sufficient capacity to supply other businesses within the Weir Group globally. The Xmeco Foundry occupies a 4.5 ha site in the Neave township of Port Elizabeth, where it manufactures castings varying in size from a few kilograms to a maximum of 18 tons in a variety of alloys. “This facility is capable of ramping up to about 1 000 tons a month and we believe it’s potentially one of the lower cost facilities in the world for the production of our parts,” Dave

Athey, Weir Minerals Africa regional MD for Middle East and Africa, says. “We’re already looking at the possibility of supplying cast products into the Canadian oil sands sector. As

Improvements to internal operations higher oil prices and new technology enable profitable extraction and processing, these bitumen sands have only recently been considered to be part of the world’s oil reserves. “The Weir Enterprise Resource Planning system has been implemented at the foundry and we’re currently deploying the Weir Production System. As we ramp up production

at this heavy bay foundry, we will start seeing improvements in our own internal operating efficiencies. The Xmeco Foundry complements our existing African operation, adding the heavy bay capacity that is vital for future growth and boosting our existing foundry expertise with valuable new talent and specialised foundry personnel. It will also enhance productivity with the application of Weir’s lean philosophy in the production, manufacturing technology, supply chain and front-end business processes. “A big advantage of this foundry and, indeed one of the main reasons it was chosen as an acquisition target, is its proximity to the deep water Port of Ngqura. Typically, the Canadian oil sands use very large pumps and pump components, and

A big advantage of this foundry is its proximity to the deep water Port of Ngqura a single pour for a component or part could be up to 20 tons. Being so close to a major port will help us

achieve significant savings in logistics costs.” Enquiry No: 32

Critical components supplied to refinery furnaces

teloy Castings recently S joined an all-local cast of world-class contractors, headed up by engineering, procurement and construction company, Heurtey Petrochem, to supply critical components for the replacement of furnaces at Natref’s Sasolburg refinery which were becoming unreliable and required a full upgrade to bring the refinery in line with new government regulations. Natref, the largest inland crude oil refinery in South Africa jointly owned by Sasol and Total, required a long-term solution to replace two furnaces in their crude distillation unit which, after 40 years in operation, were becoming worn and out of date with new fuel legislation. As a key supplier to Natref, Heurtey Petrochem was chosen as the primary contractor for the project and, following feasibility studies, instruction to proceed with engineering was awarded in April 2011.

With Natref’s local content requirement in mind, Heurtey Petrochem commissioned supplier of quality cast components, Steloy Castings, based on their close proximity, intrinsic technical ability and on-going track record with Heurtey Petrochem. Steloy supplied the main structural components, including tube sheets, supports and brackets, for the heart of the refinery, the interior of the two furnaces that were to be replaced. Although these components form only a small part of the whole furnace structure, they were critical to the overall construction, without which the upgraded distillation heaters would not work. It stands to reason that only the best quality components which not only met but exceeded strict client stipulations would be satisfactory on this immense and challenging project which involved a complete refinery shut down while the furnaces were being installed. Enquiry No: 33

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September / October 2013

METALS, FABRICATION & MACHINE TOOLS

EC Industrial & Business News

Jeffreys bay wind farm to erect wind turbines J effreys Bay Wind Farm, one of the largest wind farms in South Africa, has announced that it has begun erecting the first of its 60 wind turbines. With two specialist cranes, working simultaneously, it will take approximately two to three days, weather dependent, to construct a single turbine. “This is a pivotal point in the construction of this wind farm, which is set to supply enough clean, renewable electricity to power more than 110 000 South African homes each year,” said Mark Pickering, General Manager of Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm. The wind turbines are 80m tall to allow for optimum energy production, however, when one of the blades stand vertically, the turbine’s tip height is an impressive 132m.

The heaviest component is the nacelle, which contains the generator and gearbox; and weighs 86 tons. The three 49m blades, made from fibreglass reinforced epoxy, are connected to the rotor at ground level before being hoisted to the top of the turbine. This is a complicated lifting exercise, in which the crane raises the assembled rotor whilst the smaller crane guides the rotor into the correct position. “It is remarkable to watch the two cranes working together to lift the rotor, which has a diameter of over 100 meters,” explained Pickering. Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm began transporting wind turbines from the Port of Ngqura to the site during July. Over 100 loads were transported during the first month and deliver-

ies are on schedule. Loads travel to Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm as single abnormal consignments, with the largest blade deliveries requiring police escort. The project is one of the first wind farms arising from the South African Government’s R e n e w a b l e Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPP). With demand for electricity continuing to grow in South Africa, the introduction of this clean energy will have far reaching benefits for

the country’s power sector, economy and people. The wind farm is expected to start supplying electricity to the national grid by mid-2014. “Not only will the project be able to provide a significant number of homes with clean,

renewable energy by harnessing the wind, it will also save millions of litres of water that would otherwise have been consumed in the production of energy,” concluded Pickering. Enquiry No: 34

Engine plant takes top honours at awards function Accepting their award are, from left, Adri van Aswegen, Quality Manager; Paul Brooks, Plant Controller; Satya Banda, Plant Manager; Charles Joseph, HR Manager; Justin Ford, Financial Analyst; John Cameron, Operations Manager; and Hyron Muniz, Puma M/C Launch Manager

he Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) and its Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth have taken several top awards at the annual Exporter of the Year banquet held recently by the Exporters Club of South Africa – Eastern Cape. This was the largest banquet to date with over 500 people attending the function, which was held at the new Boardwalk Convention Centre in Port Elizabeth. Ford emerged with the lion’s share of the silverware, walking away with no less than two category wins and a merit award. Ford was acknowledged as the “Best Exporter – OEM”, a category for manufacturers of original equipment for the automotive industry. It also earned the Industrial Development

Corporation (IDC) Job Creation award – a new category introduced this year for exporters who have created the most sustainable jobs over the last year. The team also walked away with an SJM Flex Environmental merit award; honouring exporters that are ISO 14001 accredited and pursue excellence in environmental management. “We are delighted to be honoured with the Exporters Club awards as it bears testimony to the huge investment that have been made in the Struandale Engine Plant in terms of people, resources, equipment and training,” says Satya Banda, Plant Manager of the Ford Struandale Engine Plant. “As part of the global One Ford strategy, we have totally redeveloped our

business to become a Ford regional centre of excellence with the highest standards in quality, efficiency, productivity and cost-competitiveness.” The Struandale Engine Plant currently machines components and assembles engines for the Ford Ranger export programme. Component sets, comprising the Duratorq TDCi engine cylinder head, block and crankshaft, are exported to Ford plants in Argentina and Thailand, while fully assembled engines are shipped to Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria for installation in the Ford Ranger, which is exported to over 148 markets around the world. A total of over R3,4-billion has been invested in the two plants as part of this global export programme. Enquiry No: 35

Game-changing machine operation with smart phone convenience

One Source many solutions FLSmidth is your One Source for crushing, grinding, classifying, thickening, clarifying, slurry handling, flotation, underground mining, pyroprocessing, material handling, automation, engineering, screens, centrifuges and complementary products, metallurgical testing and modernisation services. FLSmidth offers you a complete line of equipment and services with proven reliability and enhancing performance from the leading brand names of Krebs, WEMCO, EIMCO, Dorr-Oliver, Pneumapress, Moller, Vecor, ABON, RAHCO, Buffalo, Meshcape and Conveyor Engineering. Meshcape™ Screen Media is an ISO accredited Engineered Consumable Product (ECP) supplier to the Quarry, Industrial and Mining industries throughout Africa. Contact us on: Tel: +27 (0)10 210 5000 • Fax: +27 (0)11 452 2545 E-mail: za-mesh-sales@flsmidth.com • www.flsmidth.com

One of Germany’s most renowned controls and automation technology companies, Schleicher Electronic, is revolutionising the operation of machine tools, handling devices and industrial robots with the ProNumeric OP 50 M hand-held operating device. This is the first time that a machine can be controlled with smart-phone convenience. “We are excited about being able to offer this game-changing operating device to our customers,” says Karin Visser, MD of Johannesburgbased Anglo Allied Engineering, the sole supplier of Schleicher control devices in South Africa. The large touch display of the handy device visualises the individual user interface, which is communicated by the device controller via a web browser. Traditional operating elements such as the high-resolution hand-wheel that eases real-time interaction between the operator and the controller are provided at the same time. Best of all and unique at that, compared to conventional operating devices, the ProNumeric OP 50 M not only enables optimised handling but also supports problemfree interfacing with the leading machine networks EtherCAT and sercos III. A ProfiNet version is currently in the planning stage. Enquiry No: 36

September / October 2013

EC Industrial & Business News

METALS, FABRICATION & MACHINE TOOLS

Development financier injects R15 million into global firm

evelopment financier, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) has announced it has approved an investment of R15 million into a global automotive company TrelleborgVibracousticIkhwezi, which is based in East London. Late last year, TrelleborgVibracoustic (TBVC) announced it had entered into a majority owned Joint Venture with Ikhwezi Investment Holding to locally manufacture chassis bushings for the Mercedes-Benz C and E class to support South Africa’s leading supplier of automotive suspension systems, Foxtec-Ikhwezi. TBVC currently supplies several suspension mounts for the C and E class and has recently been nominated on the next generation C Class (W205), which is scheduled to start production in 2014. The bushings and suspensions are supplied to Mercedes-Benz plants worldwide as well as locally in East London. The plant covers an area of 4 000m² and production began earlier this year. It will initially employ 22 people increasing to around 55 once peak volumes are reached. Ikhwezi has a 30% share and will provide support services such as recruitment, finance and information technology management. TrelleborgVibracoustic (TBVC) will have full

New cutting tool in strong demand The new STIHL TS 500i cut off machine cuts easily through concrete and natural stone, steel beams, pipes or asphalt components

he new STIHL TS 500i cut off machine has been in significant demand since its launch earlier this year and MD, Hayden Hutton, says he is not surprised. “The TS 500i is one of the most advanced and revolutionary cutting machines ever produced. Its fully automatic engine tuning with STIHL-designed electronically controlled fuel injection – a world first for a hand-held machine – guarantees optimal output at all times and for all tasks. This machine doesn’t just set new standards in engine technology, it is the new standard,” Hutton says. He adds that the net result of the groundbreaking technology advances in the TS 500i is a machine that is indispensable for anyone in construction. “For building, engineering work, road construction or landscaping, the power and ease of operation of the STIHL TS 500i makes light of heavy work as never before. Cutting easily through concrete and natural stone, steel beams, pipes or asphalt components this amazing tool can conquer almost any cutting task,” he says. One of the prime aims in STIHL technology is to make machines as user friendly as possible and the TS 500i certainly fits into this category. The STIHL Injection system does away with the need for a choke and a starting throttle position. Thanks to automatic cold/hot detection, only one starting position is needed. This intelligent detection system uses data like external temperature, altitude and fuel grade to automatically calculate the quantity of fuel needed when starting making starting easier than ever! The operator simply moves the start switch from 0 to I, purges, and starts the engine – there is no chance of operator error! Also, the STIHL TS 500i is one of the easiest cutting machines to operate. The high torque over a wide engine speed range makes it insensitive to feed pressure. It therefore pulls steadily and produces an even cut. The special top handle facilitates control during cuts that require a high level of precision. Enquiry No: 38

product design and manufacturing responsibility. “ECDC”s investment of R15 million into this multi-million rand JV operation is well timed. With this investment, ECDC has ensured that modern technology is brought into the Eastern Cape and this will improve skills for the economy and job opportunities in the car manufacturing sector. Currently the TBVC plant in Port Elizabeth supplies bushes for the current model which is manufactured in Poland. “With this investment we have swung the manufacturing philosophy and technology of the plant towards increased local content. Disbursement started at the beginning of the current financial year. We have also leveraged on other export trade opportunities to the European markets. “We are proud of the fact that we have used the incentives from the Jobs Stimulus Fund to further boost local employment opportunities at the plant,” says ECDC Chief Executive Sitembele Mase. Through this Fund, a total of 40 new jobs would have been created once the full effect of the incentive has been felt. Currently 22 employees have already been employed with further imminent increases in the pipeline.

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LYNX 220LMS Horizontal Turning Centre

PUMA VTS1620 Vertical Turning Centre

• Max. Turning Diameter 240 mm • Max. Turning Length 525 mm • 15 kW Spindle Motor • Live Tooling / Sub Spindle

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METALS, FABRICATION & MACHINE TOOLS

September / October 2013

EC Industrial & Business News

Wide range of apps for machine builders

o meet machine builders’ needs for flexible micro programmable logic controllers (PLCs) that optimise standalone machine performance a n d cost, Rockwell Automation announces the new Allen-Bradley Micro850 and enhanced Micro830 PLCs. Both micro PLCs feature embedded motion capabilities for up to three axes of motion, allowing them to support a wide range of applications. “To be profitable, machine builders need world-class micro PLCs,” said Adrian van Wyk, Business Manager Rockwell Automation Southern & Sub-Saharan Africa, “but these controllers must meet requirements for economical, just-enough control, while providing additional options and features that enable machine builders to differentiate their

machines from the competition. The new Micro850 and enhanced Micro830 controllers balance those needs and help machine builders compete more profitably.” The Micro850 micro PLC is equipped with the same form factor, plug-in support, instruction/data size and motion capabilities as the 24-pt and 48-pt Micro830 controllers, but with the added capabilities of Ethernet and expansion I/O. The Micro850 controller specifically targets the needs of OEMs and excels at stand-alone machine applications. The Micro850 controller has an embedded Ethernet port for higher performance connectivity to human-machine interfaces (HMIs). The EtherNet/IP protocol with CIP Symbolic support is used for simplified Allen-Bradley PanelView Component HMI connectivity. Tags

created while configuring the HMI screens can easily reference the variable names in the Allen-Bradley Micro800 programme. I/O flexibility in the Micro850 PLC is one of the keys to successfully minimising the cost of a machine. With support for up to five plug-ins, OEMs can customise the functionality of the controller with additional I/O, special functions, and serial ports without increasing the size of the controller. If more I/O or higher-performance analogue I/O is required, the Micro850 controller supports up to four 2085 expansion I/O modules, including high-density digital I/O and high-accuracy analogue I/O, for a total of 132 digital I/O points. The enhanced Micro830 (via a firmware and software upgrade) and Micro850 controllers support up to three motion axes using pulse output to stepper or servo drives. OEMs can use intuitive motion function blocks, including Home, Move Velocity, Move Absolute, and Enquiry No: 39 Move Relative.

New-generation coated cemented carbide grade for steel turning

his latest innovation in tool material proT vides a new, higher potential for increasing cutting speeds and a longer, more predict-

able tool life with very high reliability, over an extended broad ISO P25 application area. Predictability has become increasingly important in today’s machining, especially where there is limited supervision in production. There are always a number of threats to the edge line remaining intact long enough in steel turning. One challenge is the breadth of the ISO P25 application area, which includes several very different materials, from ductile low-carbon steels to high-alloy hard steels, bar material to forgings, castings to pre-machined parts. The advances with the new grade, GC4325, will actually help users resist holding back on cutting-data levels. The grade provides extremely high process security through its ability to retain an intact edge line. The insert substrate and coating of GC4325 have been developed to better withstand high temperatures, thereby reducing the effect that causes excessive wear. As a bonus, the grade is highly capable of maintaining the insert edge line at higher temperatures, which translates into the capability for higher cutting speeds with added security through more predictable, longer tool life. With all this in mind an average productivity increase of 30% from today’s existing levels Enquiry No: 40 is now available.

Multi-cutter range expanded with plunge saw blades

he South African division of Bosch Power T Tools - a global supplier of electric power tools and accessories - is expanding its acces-

sories for professional multi-cutters, which will soon be launched in the local market. Included in this expansion is the “C-Tec Precision” plunge saw blades, which are manufactured from Bi-Metal and high carbon steel. These multi-cutter blades have a convex cutting edge, expansion slots, tapered body and a reinforced OIS 12-point mounting system, and now also come with a unique colour coding system. Bosch South Africa Regional Brand Manager for Power Tool Accessories Campbell Mhodi explains that the convex cutting edge helps with precise and smooth plunge cuts into the material, by minimising vibration and friction, as opposed to the conventional multi-cutter blades with straight cutting edges. “The reinforced oscillating interface 12-point mounting system ensures that the blade is firm with a high power transfer while cutting into the material.” What’s more, the new OIS 12-point mounting system allows Bosch multi-cutter accessories to be compatible with any multi-cutter tools available on the market without using an adapter. “The tapered body minimises the risk of the saw blade jamming and possibly breaking in the material during operation, and that ensures exceptionally smooth and precise cuts,” adds Mhodi. Enquiry No: 41

September / October 2013

EC Industrial & Business News

MOTORS, DRIVES & TRANSMISSIONS New generation engines require skilled remanufacturing

he benefit of quality engine parts and skilled engineering is seldom seen in the first thousand hours of a vehicle’s operation. This only becomes evident later, when the engine starts to log extended machine hours. So says Andrew Yorke, Operations Director of Metric Automotive Engineering, who adds that driven by the quest for more power from smaller engines, better fuel efficiency and higher emission standards, the design of engines today is more complex than it has ever been. “The engines currently being installed into new vehicles are highly sophisticated, not in their major elements, but in the minor components that are so critical to performance and emissions efficiencies,” he says.

“Although the primary elements have stayed the same, when it comes to engine rebuilding, machining tolerances and clearance tolerances have become a lot tighter.

direct impact on performance “This necessitates far higher skill levels among remanufacturing engineers, even compared to the recent past, as well as more accurate equipment because there is a great deal less room for error. Some fleet owners, plant managers and foremen are not aware that the major engine OEMs share basic engine

designs, but adjust them to suit their own requirements. “Today it can’t be assumed that because the engines look the same, the same parts can be used. Certain engine models are being shared by up to five different OEMs. “The engine block is the same, but there are small size variations in the componentry and even within a single manufacturer’s range of engines there are even subtle variations.” Since these subtle differences have a direct impact on engine performance and the customer’s return on investment, Yorke recommends that when customers look for remanufacturing services, they should audit the status of the remanufacturer’s equipment to determine if it is capable of handling these new

Better efficiency from three phase motors that uses a starting capacitor or a starting and a run capacitor, both equipped with a centrifugal and a stationary switch,” Edson Cristofolini, Product and Projects WEG three phase motor and VSD to Manager at Zest WEG Group, replace single phase motor applications. explains. Three phase motors, on the other hand, have three windings ingle phase motors are typi- and are fed with a three phase voltcally used on farms, office age. The interaction between the buildings and residential appli- magnetic field on the stator and the cations where low output power is induced magnetic field on the rotor required and no three phase sys- makes the motor run. tem is available. However, with the “When using a single phase VSD ongoing improvements in technology you would still have a single phase and lowered cost of smaller variable feed to the drive allowing the existing speed drives (VSDs), three phase installation to be used without any motors can now be used in these modification, however there would applications. be a three phase voltage feed to the “Single phase motors have a single motor,” Cristofolini continues. “This is winding and are fed with a single possible because the VSD will recphase voltage. There are various tify the single phase voltage from its arrangements that can be used but input and switch the voltage on and the most common design is the one off with IGBTs, from a DC link pro-

vided by a capacitor bank, to create the three phase signal on the output to feed the motor.” In general, three phase motors present a better efficiency and power factor than a single phase motor and they are also more reliable, lighter and require less maintenance, as no capacitor or internal switches are needed. “Added to the performance and reliability of three phase motors, when they are run on a VSD it eliminates the need for a DOL starter with contactors and thermal relays, since all the protection is now built in the VSD,” says Cristofolini. WEG manufactures a variety of VSDs which also provide additional features not available on a normal starter for single phase motors. These include current and speed reading, under voltage and phase protection, fault history and speed Enquiry No: 43 variation.

New standard in motor control and power switching set

he introduction of the new AF T range of contactors completes the ABB portfolio of motor protection

and control, which includes thermal and electronic overload relays and manual motor starters. By combining AC, DC with surge suppression in a single contactor and additionally controlling the coil electronically, ABB brings a product to the marketplace which offers multiple benefits over the conventional alternatives. Meeting the requirements of all major national and international standards, ABB contactors provide unquestioned quality and an extensive range. These motor control contactors cover applications from 9 A to 1050 A, in all popularly installed

motor at Konkola Copper Mine in Zambia. The 8 250 kW motor, which is one of the largest slow-speed DC motors in operation worldwide, was acquired by Konkola from a South African gold mine several years ago and was installed on the multi-rope winder at Konkola’s No.4 Shaft. “After successfully completing a four year shaft sinking programme at Konkola, the motor indicated some

generation engines. Engineering and artisan machining skill levels are also critical. When remanufacturers are obliged to outsource certain elements of the process because

they don’t have the equipment or the necessary skills in-house, this can impact quality, create turnaround delays, add to the costs and even affect warranty terms. Enquiry No: 42

Moving heavy loads with ease

ucket wheel excavators, wood pulp presses and apron feeders – machines of this magnitude must be able to move extremely heavy loads at slow speeds. To do this, they need planetary gear units like the P series from SEWEurodrive. The new Po92 and P102 gear units mean that this series is able to cover the torque range from 360 to 500 kNm. As a result, SEW-Eurodrive can now offer solutions in a torque range from 24 to 500 kNm. All P series gear units are designed to be especially compact. The series consists of eleven different sizes, and all the drive solution are designed as planetary stages with primary gear units. Both helical and bevel-helical gear units can be used as the primary gear unit in these solutions resulting in large number of possible combinations.

The entire torque range can be achieved using standard solutions from the SEW-Eurodrive modular system, which means the operators obtain drive solutions with optimally matched components. Planetary gear units from SEWEurodrive can be used without limitations. For applications in environments with high humidity or severe atmospheric or chemical contamination, an OS3 coating ensures that the gear units have the required surface protection. For environments with large amounts of dust, a labyrinth seal is also available, which reliably prevents application-related damage. This makes the gear units suitable for the most demanding applications in the processing industry or the mining industry. Enquiry No: 46

The right solution every time

sizes. Furthermore ABB’s AF range enables a single contactor coil to handle 100 V – 250 V for both AC and DC applications. Flexibility of this nature enables these contactors to be included in designs destined not only for South Africa, but throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. Coil energy consumption is reduced by 80%, which allows for the building of smaller panels and the use of more compact transformer designs. Design and assembly planning to take advantage of these improvements is assisted by easy access to ABB CAD drawings and coordination tables.

"With over 19 million drives in the global market Mitsubishi should be your first choice for Variable Speed Drives"

Advantages of the AF range are not restricted to the technical innovation; logistics aspects have also been considered. With only four contactor coil sizes across the entire range the number of product variants has been reduced by 90%, with a direct saving in administration and stock holding requirements. In environments where voltage fluctuations occur, motor stoppages are commonplace. AF range contactors ensure continued operation in unstable networks, voltage sags, dips and surges can be absorbed, keeping plants operational. Enquiry No: 44

Winder motor repaired

arthinusen & Coutts recently M performed a comprehensive onsite repair of a large DC winder

Metric Automotive Engineering operates a fully equipped facility staffed by highly skilled in-house engineers

overheating while the mine was in the process of converting the winder from shaft sinking to permanent duty operation,” says Ian Solomon, M&C’s Field Services Manager. “The repair job assigned to us had to be done on a breakdown basis to ensure that any disruption of the mine’s construction schedule was kept to a minimum.” M&C immediately sent a team to the mine to assess the condition of the motor under the supervision of sister company ACTOM Industry. Enquiry No: 45

Fitting of the brush gear onto the field frame for the 8250 kW AEI mine winder

Advantages at a glance

September / October 2013

EC Industrial & Business News

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY & SECURITY

Gas company boasts 30 year incident-free facility

t takes highly developed skills to work with gas – a volatile and complex substance – but managing large volumes of gas output on a daily basis without incident for over 30 years is no mean feat and requires strict compliance with health and safety regulations, a commitment to caution and sound organisational practises. Air Products South Africa’s Port Elizabeth facility in Deal Party boasts both a clean track record and multiple awards for adhering to and exceeding safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) expectations. The plant is a National Occupational Safety Association (NOSA) accredited facility – an indication of its on-site safety and health standards. Air Products has won numerous awards from NOSA, in particular the prestigious NOSCAR five star award,

which seeks to acknowledge excellence in occupational safety, health, and environmental quality. Area Sales Manager, Pierre Fourie, says the company is extremely proud of running an incident-free facility for the past 30 years – the total number the plant has been in operation. “We empower our staff with broadranging skills on a regular basis. In addition they are also given first aid, fire fighting, dangerous goods and fork-lift training, as well as welding courses. We also conduct internal and external quality audits to ensure that our premises are maintained to the best standards,” says Fourie. On the list of criteria that helped Air Products scoop the NOSCAR award are good housekeeping, mechanical, electrical and personal safeguarding, management of fire and other risks,

incident recording and abidance to their safety, health environmental and quality policies. In addition, it is the company’s commitment to quality products and the implementation of strict safety controls that helped win the awards. “When I arrive at work I make sure that I am completely fixated on the work at hand. It is so easy to make mistakes because we work with highly complex mixtures of gas on a daily basis. I have to be 100% focused to ensure that I mix the correct blend of gas,” said Justin Krige, an Air Products fill operator. Air Products fill operator, Justin Krige, is committed to upholding the high standards of safety and health at the company’s Deal Party depot

Enquiry No: 47

aintaining water quality at the 11,000 hectare Coega Industrial Development Zone is a key priority for the Coega Development Corporation, but it is no simple matter establishing exactly what standards should apply. SRK Consulting has been conducting water monitoring studies along the Coega River for the corporation for many years, establishing baseline values at various sampling locations. “Water quality standards are commonly used to judge whether water is contaminated or not,” said Rob Gardiner, Principal Environmental Scientist at SRK’s Port Elizabeth office. “However, these standards are aimed at health impacts of drinking water, and don’t consider unique local geological and ecological conditions at the site. A classic example is where naturally occurring salinity exceeds drinking water standards, with the erroneous conclusion that the water is contaminated.” At the top of the Coega River, for example, the water is relatively fresh, said Gardiner, at the bottom, it’s practically sea water with very high levels of salinity. “The water quality changes naturally all along the river,” he said, “so we set the baseline values at each sampling location because it changes so much along the watercourse – especially in terms of pH and salinity.” SRK has used this data to establish statistically sound baseline values, or “background conditions” as a means of identifying potential pollution events in the future, and has submitted this baseline dataset to the Department of Water Affairs for its approval.

Keeping the water at Coega fresh and healthy

Water feature in the Coega IDZ being monitored by SRK Consulting in Port Elizabeth “There hasn’t yet been a great deal of development along the river, as it has historically been outside of the developing urban areas of the Nelson Mandela Metro,” said Gardiner. “This will now change as the Coega Industrial Development Zone grows, so it is important that we have gathered detailed data on the natural condition of the water – so that any changes can be compared to this baseline.” The success of long-term monitoring programmes, he said, requires

standard sampling and analytical methods, good quality control and quality assurance and sound data management. “We establish a network of sampling locations, sample at a predefined frequency, and analyse for certain parameters,” said Gardiner. An accredited laboratory tests the samples, and SRK analyses the data for any significant changes in quality, which is also compared to the Enquiry No: 48 standards.

September / October 2013

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY & SECURITY

EC Industrial & Business News

Health trust revs up outreach with city’s first workplace mobile clinic

ast London-based public benefit organisation, the Siyakhana Health Trust, believes that its R600,000 state-of-the-art mobile clinic investment will help employers to better manage their employees’ health and so reap the benefits of a productive workforce. The introduction of its first mobile workplace clinic in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality heralds a new era for the PBO which was established seven years ago. To date, the trust has tested over 14,000 workers for HIV and put over 750 of them on treatment through a private network of doctors. This

highly successful HIV management programme boasts an HIV viral suppression rate of 85% and has been expanded to include medical fitness examination of employees including lung function, vision and hearing tests. The mobile clinic, which became operational during the early part of 2013, has already visited five companies, a number which it expects to extend to 20 by the end of year. All the services are provided on company premises hence obviating the difficulties and costs associated with the relevant off-site health services. The cost of the mobile clinic visits to

companies is highly subsidised, due the support of sponsor companies such as Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Hemingways Casino. Project Director Dr Simeon Odugwu says the benefits for companies include higher productivity in the short to long term because of improvements in the health of a company’s employees as well as ensuring that companies are compliant with the law. Dr Odugwu says that the investment which companies make is very affordable. Importantly, the approach keeps employees at work and optimally productive. Enquiry No: 49

Dr Simeon Odugwu, Siyakhana Project Director; Mahlubandile Qwase, Acting Superintendent-General, DoH; Les Holbrook, Executive Director, BKCOB; Johann Evertse, Vice President for Human Resources, MBSA

Motivation key to solving hearing loss

afety professionals know the hazards of loud noise, but how can we convey that risk awareness to workers, and motivate them to take personal and pro-active actions? Read any hearing conservation regulation cover to cover, and the word motivation never appears. But the safety-savvy employer will know that motivation is the keystone to preventing noiseinduced hearing loss. Motivated employees take responsibility for protecting their hearing both on- and off-the-job, rather than just viewing hearing protectors as a workplace compliance issue. Here are some tools used in successful hearing conservation programmes for instilling the risk awareness that motivates workers to take action to conserve their own hearing: From the young worker with illusions of invincibility, to the seasoned worker who claims “the loud noise doesn’t bother me like it used to,” there are many in our workforce who don’t believe they are personally susceptible to noise damage. These fantasy attitudes may crop up in comments such as, “I’m used to the noise,” or “The noise isn’t really that bad,” when your sound measurements indicate otherwise. The brain may perceptually grow accustomed to constant noise, but anatomically, the ears can never “toughen up” against hazardous noise. Ears respond to loud noise by losing hearing. We can dispel those illusions of personal invulnerability by providing employees with the hard facts of noise and hearing loss: the audiogram and the measured noise levels. Several studies have found that the incidence of noise-induced hearing loss drops significantly when workers are provided a copy of their annual audiometric tests, with an explanation of the results. It is hard to argue with an objective test that historically shows the progression of hearing loss from year to year. When provided a copy of their audiogram showing a “noise notch” in their hearing, many workers are surprised: the decline in hearing was so subtle; they had no idea that their hearing was being measurably affected. Publicly posting the measured noise levels also encourages the use of hearing protectors. Some employers utilise noise thermometer posters, clearly showing specific noise levels at their facility, along with other common occupational and non-occupational noise levels. The message to a worker is clear: Noise above 85 dB can damage hearing, and your lathe machine is 94 dB—you are at risk. (Article supplied by Brad Witt, Director of Hearing Conservation, Howard Leight / Honeywell Hearing Protection, LLC). Enquiry No: 50

Saffire, your passport to welding safety

Saffire Choosing the right welding and cutting equipment is your passport to a safe working environment. Insist on Afrox gas equipment and meet the highest international performance and safety standards. Buy Saffire, for quality you can be sure of. AFROX Customer Service Centre: 0860 020202

saffire 300x210.indd 1

Email: customer.service@afrox.linde.com

www.afrox.com

2012/12/05 11:52 AM

September / October 2013

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY & SECURITY

Work chairs for young and old, tall and short

Working with Bosch Rexroth’s new ergonomic swivel chairs boosts productivity by reducing fatigue and discomfort

ith an estimated R52 billion loss to the South African economy since the year 2000 due to sickness and absenteeism, Bosch Rexroth is finding ways to improve workstation ergonomics and limit the risk of employees developing back and musculoskeletal problems. “Although routed in drive and control, we

highly recommend one of the latest workstation innovations from Bosch Rexroth for both general office and specialised workstation applications,” says Greg Calder, Product Manager for Linear Motion & Assembly Technologies at Tectra Automation. With the latest-generation swivel work chairs for ergonomic seating comfort, it no longer matters whether a worker is old or young, tall or short, slim or heavy-set. Users can easily adjust their chairs to suit their body type exactly which, according to experts is essential to maintaining a healthy posture when seated. “With a solid foundation in workstation design, Bosch Rexroth, represented in South Africa by Tectra Automation, has incorporated user experience from some of the most demanding assembly line applications around the world into the new range of swivel work chairs. “The resulting customisation and seatback contour advances can help users to comfortably maintain the correct seated posture and delay the onset of fatigue, whether working on a high-tech assembly line or inside a call centre,” says Calder. The range features a variety of functions, including a step-up rail, adjustable seating surface and synchronous techniques for better Enquiry No: 51 weight distribution.

EC Industrial & Business News

Health, safety standards in chemical industry of paramount importance

etrochemicals have been a part of the manufacturing industry since the 19th century. These chemicals were first incorporated into manufacturing as a cheap substitute for natural products. Today, petrochemicals are used in everything from medication to plastics and the industry represents a significant contribution to the world economy. Sadly, its contribution stretches beyond the financial sphere as the industry is continually plagued by a high number of workplace incidents and accidents. Environmental considerations are now also taking a front seat due to the potential harmful impacts produced by chemical releases and spills. With science and technology rapidly advancing, adhering to health and safety standards when working with chemical substances has never been so important. Producing chemicals involves handling hazardous materials and managing large amounts of energy. While these chemicals are generally safe when found in their finished products, in their raw form they can be toxic and must be handled with care. Because of these hazardous conditions, when something goes wrong at a petrochemical processing

facility, it can have catastrophic consequences. Let’s take PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) as an example. Even if PPE is seen as the last in line to protect employees, after prevention and engineering protection, the vast majority of employees in the petrochemical industry use PPE. The establishment of an effective HSE system always starts by setting the policy, followed by planning. By setting the HSE policy, all aspects of SHE risks are welldefined. This is followed by a PPE profiling process to ensure all safety equipment meets the needs of the environment in which it is to be used, as well as those of the individual user. Next, precise planning can be accomplished based on a clear understanding of the HSE challenges and by using the available solutions, strategies and tools (such as industry and international guidelines e.g. ISO series of standards). Due to the complex structure of the petrochemical industry, companies often find it difficult to streamline and manage its HSE processes and procedures effectively. Hence, due to technological advances, increasing competition, fluctuating pricing and quality issues, there is an increasing need for quantitative techniques to plan, procure, manage and control HSE products and services.

(Submitted by Bramhope Safety Solutions - a specialist importer/wholesaler of certified safety products that trades via various distributors throughout southern Africa) Enquiry No: 52

Early warning smoke detector meets global standards

Proudly PPE! HSE Solutions is proud to offer you head to toe, premium protection from the worlds leading brands of Personal Protective Equipment. Respiratory Protection | Hearing Protection | Eye & Face Protection | Hand Protection | Fall Protection | Gas Detection Tel: + 27 (0) 11 971 8040 Fax: + 27 (0) 11 971 8065 Email: hseenquiries@hsesolutions.co.za Web: www.hsesolutions.co.za

HSE Solutions

optrel

The intelligent evolution of motor control?

Definitely. UMC 100 + FBP June 2013(Landscape).indd 1

The Centa Group, specialists in complete fire protection, keeps abreast with stringent international standards in all sectors, including industrial fire detection. Centa’s range encompasses a recently launched VESDA VLI early warning aspiring smoke detection (ASD) system, designed to protect industrial applications and harsh environments (Class 1 Div 2 applications) up to 2 000m². “Reliable smoke detection in industrial applications can be a challenge because of various factors that include background pollution, smoke and airborne particles, extreme temperatures and plant washdown influences,” says Duncan Boyes, Chairman of the Centa Group. “With the launch of the new VESDA VLI early warning aspiring smoke detection system, which is manufactured by Xtralis, Centa prevents disasters by ensuring total reliability of very early smoke detection. “This smoke detection system detects the earliest presence of fire, ensuring there is sufficient time – especially in an industrial situation - to prevent devastation to lives, property, products and equipment. VESDA VLI is designed to reduce risk, prevent product loss Enquiry No: 53 and minimise downtime.”

Industrial and chemical plants use many motors to provide the necessary motion. Any unplanned or sudden motor stops can lead to costly faults in the process sequence. Avoid these faults through reliable management and protection of these motors. ABB’s UMC100 offers motor control and protection, fieldbus communication with the control system and diagnostic functions. Compared to conventional motor feeders, motor controllers offer significant advantages throughout the entire lifecycle of an industrial plant. www.abb.co.za/lowvoltage

ABB South Africa (Pty) Ltd Tel. +27 10 202 5000 E-mail: LP@za.abb.com

2013/06/19 09:19:19 AM

September / October 2013

EC Industrial & Business News

INDUSTRIAL CLEANING

New PE premises for cleaning firm

ap SA has moved to new premises in Port Elizabeth. The company is in a position to supply world class cleaning equipment of the highest technical standard, engineered to provide best in class productivity, outstanding levels of reliability, with the lowest possible ecological impact. Besides offering the full range of NilfiskAdvance cleaning machinery, Wap SA has the technical expertise and experience to supply a comprehensive range of locally designed and locally manufactured cleaning equipment, built to work efficiently and reliably under some of the world’s toughest conditions. In-house workshops and fully equipped field service vehicles staffed by highly trained personnel form the backbone of Wap’s service back-up, supported by a 100% parts avail-

ability guarantee, as well as service and full maintenance plans. Its product range includes: • Cold/hot water/steam pressure cleaning equipment, both mobile and stationary types; • Industrial, heavy-duty vacuuming equipment, both mobile and stationary types; • Automatic parts washers; • Single and multi-bay jet wash carwash systems; • Vehicle valet and detailing equipment, such as upholstery cleaners, upholstery driers, steamers, engine and undercarriage cleaning machinery; • Industrial chemicals and detergents; • Comprehensive line-up of single disc and automatic floor scrubbing/polishing and maintenance equipment;

Delegates network at ‘green’ conference Delegates used the platform to share, network and deliberate on how to be more environmentally conscious, and what better environment to profile the car of the future?

his year’s bi-ennial Eastern Cape ‘Green Revolution’ Conference saw 72 delegates participating in lively debates; join in on significant discussions about environmental consciousness and maximising networking opportunities. Guest speaker, Sarah Edwards from RWS Environmental Consultancy based in the United Kingdom, focused on international best practices in the waste industry. Edwards shared that the growing population and economy increased complexity of waste streams, limited understanding of waste flows, the policy and regulatory environment as well as the absence of a recycling infrastructure in South Africa poses great challenges that need to be overcome. One of the highlights of the day was Nick Chapman, Manager of Central Plant Engineering at Volkswagen South Africa, who

shared insights into the automotive giant’s Think Blue. Factory initiative. Chapman indicated that ecological sustainability is amongst the most important challenges in becoming the ecological number one in the automotive market. In addition, Prof Maarten de Wit, from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) added by sharing insights on “How to get earth back on track” through a new discipline called “Earth stewardship science”. “We are delighted by the positive turnout for this conference and for all the valuable insight we received about focus areas in the waste industry, green technology, South Africa’s recycling prospects and newly formulated disciplines. On behalf of the IWMSA, we would like to thank all the speakers for their time and knowledge,” comments IWMSA President, Dr Enquiry No: 55 Suzan Oelofse.

• Ride-on floor scrubber/driers; • Combination sweeper/ scrubber/driers; • Full range of ride-on and walk-behind sweepers; Sean Hadley (pictured) Branch Manager standing next to the new high pressure Den-sin Mermaid 500 bar, 1800 l/h water blaster. The portable Den-sin units are available in three models, the Merlion 350 and the Mermaid 500 and 800, perfect for deck cleaning, removing paint, rust and marking on steel and concrete. The heavy duty high pressure water blasters The South African division of Bosch Power Tools - a world leader in portable electric power tools and accessories - has expanded its local offering after launching a range of user-friendly Aquatak high pressure washers. The Bosch line of Aquatak DIY high pressure washers combine power, mobility and optimal performance to ensure effortless cleaning of contents such as cars, driveways, patios and garden fixtures. Bosch Power Tools SA senior brand manager Juergen Lauer notes that the range includes the entry-level AQT 33-10, the mid-sized AQT 35-12 and the larger-scale AQT 37-13. "All Bosch Aquatak DIY high pressure washers are classified as cold water units, and are designed for utilising water that is up to 40oC in temperature. What's more, all models boast innovative

offer powerful and cost efficient cleaning for professional users. This unit was taken out to the new wind farm at Jeffreys bay for a demonstration on cleaning the wind turbines. Enquiry No: 54

3-in-1 nozzle technology that enables the user to select from the fan-jet, rotojet and low pressure-jet options to suit a specific cleaning application - with a simple turn of the nozzle," he states. For greater maneuverability and flexibility, all Aquatak models come standard with a 5 m cable and a 3 m hose, in addition to a rotating gun barrel to swiftly adjust the angle of the jet when required. "The Bosch Aquatak range is among the most user-friendly in the local market today, thanks to an advanced detergent suction system and easily connectable SDS fittings, together with an 'Auto-Stop' system that delivers the exact amount of power only when required," Enquiry No: 57 adds Lauer.

Universal grinding machines improve floor maintenance,

cleaning

he process of industrial floor maintenance and cleaning can be substantially improved through a new range of Qwikchange universal floor pads. The floor pads were introduced to the local market in mid-2013 by Diamond Products - a specialist in the manufacture, assembly and sale of diamond tools and equipment for industrial applications. Unlike competitor floor pads, the Qwikchange range comes fitted with a universal adaptor plate that enables the product to be attached to the majority of floor grinding machinery that is currently available in South Africa. Through the development of the innovative universal adaptor plate, Diamond Products is providing the market with a high quality and precision alternative at a considerably discounted rate, which could reduce the overall cost of floor polishing projects by up to 30%. Diamond Products has exclusive southern African distribution rights to the Dutch manufactured floor grinding and polishing pads, which are being branded under the

Diamond Products banner locally. The universal adaptor plates simply click straight onto the grinding machine, thereby reducing downtime and additional costs associated to bolting and mechanical installation. The fact that these adaptors are being provided at a highly competitive price is a significant value-add to the local market, which has been severely restricted by brand dominant fixed pricing for a number of years. Diamond Products also stocks a comprehensive range of Diamatic scarifying machines, grinding machines and dust collectors, in order to provide the market with a comprehensive all-in-one floor preparation, cleaning and maintenance solution. The company also stocks six different stages of resin, and metal bond systems that are available in hard, medium and soft matrix, with an option of five grit sizes to cater to various applications. Enquiry No: 56

Even better results with hot water. HDS 8/18-4 C - Improved cleaning results with less detergent. Saving time & money. Dealers situated in Eastern Cape: East London, Port Elizabeth and George. Kärcher Head Office - Tel: (011) 457 6600 www.karcher.co.za

www.karcher.co.za

industrial cleaning

September / October 2013

EC Industrial & Business News

Nimble and agile scrubbers work quietly K ärcher’s new B 40 C walk-behind scrubberdrier feature the Kärcher Intelligent Key operating system (KIK) that enables every user to set up an individual profile. The B 40 C makes it very easy to handle and highly efficient because they are always adjusted optimally to each applica-tion. Narrow passages and irregularly shaped areas are no challenge for these nimble, slender machines. A new type of suction motor casing reduces operating noise, in the case of the B 40 C to less than 60 dB(A), depending on the brush speed. Low operating noise emissions make the machine highly suitable for cleaning in noise-sensitive areas such as hospitals and hotels, ideal for use during trading hours. Kärcher Intelligent Key (KIK) can be used to set varying levels of authorised access by means of colour-coded keys (yellow for operator, grey for facility manager, red for service technician). The facility manager, for example, can set parameters such as travel speed, brush speed, motor output or cleaning agent dosage to suit the application. The key is used to transmit the settings to the machine. All the

operator can do is use the rotary switch to select the desired cleaning program. As a result, only the necessary amount of energy and cleaning agent is used. KIK practically rules out operating errors. Concern about the environment, the machines Eco!efficiency mode cleans in an especially energyefficient and environ¬mentally friendly manner. The Eco!efficiency mode, is perfectly adequate for maintenance cleaning of most floors. In this mode, the machines operate with a reduced motor output and a lower brush rotation speed, and uses less detergent. At just 62 cm wide, the B 40 C negotiates narrow passages with ease found in supermarket checkouts and can easily be transported in lifts. Machines, tank is tapered toward the front to provide a good view of the brush head allowing the operator to clean carefully along edges. In models fitted with a roller brush head, a pre-sweeping device picks up coarse particles such as cigarette stubs or bottle caps. The suction beam angle can be adjusted easily to different floor coverings by means of a rotary knob. Enquiry No: 58

Versatile spray gun also available in stainless steel S praying Systems Co. has expanded its line of CU150A GunJet low pressure spray guns. Now available in stainless steel in addition to brass and aluminum, the CU150A GunJet spray gun features an adjustable spray pattern making it suitable for use in many applications and industries including food processing. Users can easily adjust the spray pattern from a solid stream to a 50° hollow cone spray pattern by varying the trigger pull. This flexibility enables operators to easily move between areas that require different levels of cleaning without interruption. The CU150A GunJet spray gun also features

an ergonomic design to reduce user fatigue and maximize cleaning time. The spray gun is available in three capacities ranging from 10 to 22 gpm (38 to 83 lpm). Spray capacity is clearly designated by color bands on the protective rubber cover to ensure operators can quickly select the proper spray gun for the cleaning operation. The choice of materials enables users to match the gun durability to the cleaning requirements. The 316 stainless steel version with a white cover is designed for use in food processing plants. The brass and lightweight aluminium versions are traditionally used for general plant and equipment clean-up. All CU150A GunJet spray guns include a corrosion-resistant outer Enquiry No: 59 cover to extend wear life.

INCOMPARABLE CLEANING SOLUTIONS Goscor Cleaning Equipment offers comprehensive, tailor-made cleaning solutions backed by world-class after sales backup and service.

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• Sweepers: Commercial, Industrial and Road • Sweeper Scrubber Combination machines • Scrubbers: Commercial and Industrial • Carpet Cleaning Machines • Single Disc: Scrubber, Polisher & Burnisher • Chemicals: Equipment Specific Environmentally Friendly Green Hygiene Solutions • Escalator Cleaning Machines • High Pressure Machines • Combination Jetting Machines • Vacuum: Commercial, Industrial and Heavy Industrial (Truck & Trailor) • Short Term Rentals • Used Equipment

Visit our stand at Bauma Africa 2013 18-21 September • Gallagher Convention Centre • Stand # H5.321 and Outdoor C61

Offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban & Port Elizabeth Tel: 010 594 4356 cleaning@goscor.co.za • www.goscorcleaning.co.za A proud member of the Goscor Group of Companies

High power washer range unveiled

he South African division of Bosch Power Tools - a world leader in portable electric power tools and accessories is launching a range of state-of-the-art high pressure washers for professional applications. The Bosch line of GHP professional high pressure washers combine a high flow rate and powerful pressure that significantly reduces water consumption and Bosch Power Tools SA senior brand manager Juergen Lauer notes that the GHP range is designed to remove stubborn dirt, even in the most rugged environments. “All Bosch GHP high pressure washers are classified as cold water units, and are therefore designed for utilising water that is up to 50ºC in temperature. The range includes the entry-level GHP 5-13, the mid-sized GHP 5-14 and the 3 phase industrial scale GHP 8-15 XD. These are ideally suited to numerous industries, including; automotive, hospitality, manufacturing, contract cleaning, construction, mining and the service and repair sectors,’’ he explains. Lauer highlights the fact that all GHP models boast a self-priming feature. “The specification is 0,5 m negative head from

pump inlet to the level of the water. Bosch has tested up to 1 m negative head with good results in terms of delivering negligible pressure drop, but has not yet tested over long term endurance.” What’s more, all Bosch GHP high pressure washers come standard with an “Easy Service Hatch”, which allows for user friendly repair by simply loosening four screws that allow for the swift and efficient removal of the top hatch. This unique design feature allows for quick access to internal parts, thereby reducing unnecessary costs related to downtime and maintenance. GHP 5-13: The GHP 5-13 weighs 16,5 kg, and is powered by a 2 300 watt induction motor. With a working pressure of 130 bar and a maximum flow rate of 520 ℓ /h, the compact Bosch GHP 5-13 boasts an excellent size-to-power ratio that makes it ideally suited to the service and repair industry. What’s more, the GHP 5-13 C boasts a Venturi suction tube. When dipped into a liquid in low pressure mode, this tube automatically sucks the detergent liquid and Enquiry No: 60 delivers it from the gun.

September / October 2013

focus on MAXIFLEX DOOR SYSTEMS

EC Industrial & Business News

Maxiflex opens doors in Port Elizabeth

axiflex Door Systems EC (Pty) Ltd recently opened up its doors extending its network of offices in South Africa. We currently service VW SA, Mercedes Benz, Aspen Pharmacare, and Mondelez Foods to name a few. Maxiflex are the agents for Albany High Speed Doors, Crawford, MegaDoor and Teckentrup as well as suppliers of Maxiflex PVC strip curtaining, protection screens and Impact doors. As the Eastern Cape is a major automotive and component manufacturing centre it made sense for us to set up offices in Port Elizabeth thus enabling us to offer a 24 hour turn around time on after sales service. Maxiflex Door Systems started up as Janssen Products cc in 1990 to manufacture, supply and install Maxiflex PVC Strip Curtains, Protection Screens and Impact Doors. The value of strip curtains is often understated in the cold chain industry. This innovative and economical solution is ideal for enclosing all internal and external apertures. Consisting of transparent strips formulated from a PVC compound, strip curtains are designed to combine high clarity with mechanical strength due to an outstanding degree of flexibility. The clear strips will not interfere with natural light and will allow unlimited access to vehicles and pedestrians under conditions from +60° to -45°. The strip curtains are available in various widths and thicknesses (200 x 2mm, 300 x 3mm and 400 x 4mm) and are mounted to specially designed mounting brackets. Strip curtains are an economical solution for docking systems.

PARTNERING WITH ALBANY In 1994 Maxiflex Door Systems was appointed the accredited sole-distributor in Southern Africa for Albany Door Systems, a German based company renowned for their high-performance roller doors. Our customer’s range from various industries such as car manufacturers, food, mining and mining equipment as well as pharmaceutical companies, Bram Janssen, owner of Maxiflex Door Systems, explains. “Having successfully installed doors in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique makes Maxiflex Door Systems the leader in this specialised market in southern Africa!” The Albany high-performance door range is ideally suited for high traffic areas where control of the working environment is of utmost importance. Door types tailored to size, speed and the type of application, enable a practical solution to be found for dispatch and receiving loading bays, warehouses, distribution centres, factory entrances and partitioning and shopping centres to name a few examples. Albany Door Systems now part of the ASSA ABLOY Group together with Crawford and Megadoor for which Maxiflex Door Systems is also the chosen distributor in South Africa. Included in the Albany range of doors is their highly rated and most robust door, the UltraTough and UltraBig Rubber Doors. Manufactured of the strongest materials these doors are designed for larger openings where the environments are extremely rough and dirty like mining workshops with successful installations at Debswana and Kumba Iron Ore in Sishen. C

CMY

WELCOMING CRAWFORD TO THE FAMILY With the increasing demand from customers to deal with more versatile and flexible companies, Maxiflex Door Systems have chosen to supply the range of high-quality industrial sectional overhead doors from Crawford, says Janssen. “This range of industrial doors are top-quality, hard-wearing products that will not only improve the appearance of a building but also save energy and reduce maintenance costs.” Easy to integrate into modern architectural designs and fully compliant with the most recent technical requirements in terms of safety and ease of use, these doors can be ordered with either manual or electric operation. “Our high-quality door products maintain temperatures without effecting traffic flow with the added benefit of reducing draughts, dust, insects and birds from entering the workplace,” explains Janssen. It decreases energy costs and discomfort, and increases hygiene, cleanliness and productivity.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT MEGADOOR

To offer the full package, Maxiflex Door Systems are the distributor of the Megadoor range of doors, which are specifically manufactured for large openings as in mining workshops, aircraft hangars and shipyards. “These doors are designed for the roughest environments and can handle the most extreme wind loads,” explains Janssen. With branches in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth Maxiflex Door Systems has

a well-established nationwide network. “Understanding our client and knowing that our products are utilised in critical areas, our trained service technicians are on-call 24 hours,” Janssen says. “This enables us to focus on the client’s needs by ensuring that downtime is kept to a minimum. Customer satisfaction is our main priority and we believe that through our extensive, quality product range and excellent service, there is no need to look anywhere else but, Maxiflex Door Systems!” Guy Cooke (on the left) and his team

September / October 2013

EC Industrial & Business News

COMPANY & PRODUCT NEWS Customer driven Motor group acquires SA transformer award for plant manufacturer hire firm

obcat Equipment Rental SA is the recipient of the 2013 PMR Africa Gold Arrow award in the Plant Hire Companies in the Loader Rental category. “As 2012 recipients of this award for the same category, we are delighted to receive the Gold this year,” said Bobcat Equipment South Africa’s National Sales & Marketing Manager, Michael Burns. “For Bobcat this represents on-going credibility, respect and recognition amongst the major players in the construction industry. Equally important is the fact that the award is customer-driven and we extend a most sincere thank you to all our valued customers who rated us highly in this survey.”

The National Survey on Plant Hire Companies, conducted annually with construction companies who utilise Bobcat Bobcat M 500—Series S770 Skid Steer equipment and services, requires Loader respondents to name the plant hire companies they have dealt with over it possible for us to accomplish these the past year. In addition to indicating achievements.” the kind of equipment they hired and Burns said, “The acquisition by the for what application/s, they also have Goscor Group last year means we to provide comments on perceived are part of Imperial which gives us strengths and weaknesses of the access to vast resources that assists respective plant hire companies. us in expanding our business to its Burns extends his appreciation to full potential. With our customers’ the Bobcat team. “The professional best interests at heart, we remain service and dedication of our committed to upping our game so skilled operators, sales, service and that we can continue to offer market technical teams and administrators leading, competitive solutions.” Enquiry No: 61 at our country wide branches, make

The Hawker Siddeley Transformer assembly line

he Zest WEG Group, a local subsidiary company of leading Brazilian motor and controls manufacturer WEG, has acquired the entire business of Hawker Siddeley Electric Africa in South Africa, subject to conditions precedent. Hawker Siddeley is recognised among the pioneers of mini substations and has become one of the largest manufacturers of mini substations, unit substations and distribution transformers in South Africa, with the capability to design and manufacture the complete range presently in use in the country’s industrial sector. Louis Meiring, Chief Executive Officer of the Zest WEG Group, says the rationale behind the acquisition of this leading local manufacturer is simply that while the Zest WEG Group has enjoyed tremendous success in the African market with the supply of large transformers — typically 20 MW and larger — it has not been able to participate in the

transformer sector with products from 50 KVa to 20 MVA, in both distribution transformers and mini substations. “It made absolute sense to fill this gap in our product range via an acquisition that would give us instant access to a product segment in which historically we could not compete,” says Meiring. “The acquisition means that we can now make the most of opportunities to supply a spectrum of our products on a turnkey basis. Pursuing this route will also give us a cost leadership advantage. “A cornerstone of our business is our relationship with the market and, over a period of time, a number of our existing customers have made it clear that there has been a definite need for additional local manufacturers of transformers. Listening to the marketplace has always been a major differentiator for us and will continue to be part of our modus operandi.” Enquiry No: 62

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September / October 2013

COMPANY & PRODUCT NEWS

EC Industrial & Business News

Simulation tools boost experiential learning

xperiential learning opportunities are rapidly increasing in popularity as a highly effective way for professionals to gain real-world experience – but without the usual risk. This is especially suitable to professionals in the supply chain that need to get the right products/ services to the right places at the right time and cost. “This is hands-on learning without the risk of making expensive mistakes, giving people the chance to learn in a short space of time what would ordinarily take years for them to learn,” says SAPICS Director David Goldschmidt (pictured), Supply Chain Development Manager of Optimum Learning Technologies. Experiential learning brings the reality of the supply chain closer to home, enabling people to learn in a simulated environment – a bit like training pilots

on flight simulators. “In just a few days, you can learn from all the errors you might have made in ten years in the workplace.” According to Goldschmidt, experiential learning opportunities are of great benefit to a wide range of supply chain professionals, from Directors to Planners, and from Finance to Supply Chain and Sales. “All the participants who have been exposed to experiential learning simulations on our programs have confirmed that learning in this way provides an ideal development opportunity for cross-functional teams, S&OP leadership groups, development programmes, and all those involved in optimising the value chain and increasing business performance.” “As the simulation environment is dynamic, decisions made closely

Enquiry No: 63

Maximise space, performance with compact sensors

pace is often at a premium in manufacturing and processing plants. Sourcing sensors that can effectively perform their selected tasks while allowing for installation in tight spaces can be problematic. The Leuze Series 5 from Countapulse Controls is a compact photoelectric sensor that is ideal for restricted installation spaces. According to Gerry Bryant, MD of Countapulse Controls, the successful selection of the appropriate sensor rests on a comprehensive plant survey undertaken by the sensor supplier. “There are thousands of sensors available on the market today, but not all of these are suitable for just any given environment or for the ultimate end purpose. Countapulse Controls receives repeat business from a number of its customers because of the investment it makes in familiarising itself with end users’ specific needs. “Parameters that should be considered include the range of the sensor, the speed of the automatic process, the background conditions and type of

product, auxiliary equipment and the circuits within the process. By adopting a structured approach to selecting the most appropriate sensors or flow monitors for a given application, customers will experience enhanced operational advantages,” he continues. The Leuze Series 5 sensor is ideal for use in packaging technology, on conveyor and storage systems as well as in special-purpose machinery manufacturing. “Due to the large temperature range of between minus 40 and plus The Leuze Series 5 from Countapulse 60°C, the sensors are suitable Controls is a compact photoelectric sensor for applications in extreme climatic conditions, for example that is ideal for restricted installation spaces cold storage facilities,” Bryant points out. spaces. Alignment and commissioning This rugged industrial unit has a are quickly completed using the large, sturdy plastic housing, with protec- highly visible brightVision light spot. tion to Class IP 67. A flexible cable During operation, a high range and outlet, which can lead from below or the A2LS active suppression of extrabehind the unit, allows integration neous light, ensures complete reliabilEnquiry No: 64 into the tightest available installation ity of the unit.

New reversing aid for trucks, trailers launched

reflect reality, and if they are incorrect or non-aligned, impact the business negatively,” says Goldschmidt. “Taking part in such a simulation re-enforces the need for a solid and well-communicated supply chain strategy, as well as tactical skills and knowledge that result in operational effectiveness – and ultimately, market success.” It also illustrates the importance of collaboration and trade-offs that are encountered in everyday decision-making. “A key component of the learning process is the team dynamics, group discussions and technical analysis that go into forming and achieving the overall supply chain strategy.” “Simulations are designed to be relevant to most supply chain and operations environments,” concludes Goldschmidt. “This is as close to the real thing as it gets.”

erco and Ikhaya Automation are marketing and distributing a camera system for trucks and trailers in line with their drive to offer transporters leading edge technology. The system is designed to assist the driver with reversing and has an in-cab LCD screen linked to a rear mounted camera. By improving rear visibility utilising a wide angle camera, the driver can maneuver the vehicle for offloading quickly and safely while reducing the chance for damage during docking. Congestion at stores and safety of shoppers are also greatly improved with the increased visibility for the driver. “While there are other camera systems available these focus on recording driver behavior and driving standards, while this system does all of this, it also offers the reverse aid facility which assists the driver greatly and saves cost by reducing accident damage and saving time,” said Holcroft. The system has HD quality video, can accommodate up to four cameras, records up to eight days of data and has night vision. The rear mounted camera housing also comes with a five-year warranty against damage. Ikhaya a member of the Serco Group specializing in Telematic products will install and support the system. Enquiry No: 65

COMPANY & PRODUCT NEWS

September / October 2013

EC Industrial & Business News

New service procedure for crane company K onecranes Southern Africa has upped the level in the crane service industry throughout sub-Saharan Africa by introducing a new Service Procedure and a new Service Manual for all makes of cranes and hoists. The aim is to reduce customers’ operating costs of running cranes and hoists by reducing breakdowns and increasing the availability, safety and efficiency of operation. “We have drawn up this brand new Service Manual based on the experience of 607 Konecranes service branches worldwide, working with over 420 000 cranes under service contracts - with over 1.4m service calls annually worldwide”, said John MacDonald, Service, Sales and Marketing Director of Konecranes Southern Africa. Konecranes Service experts will inspect and service the equipment and revert to the customer with a full report and recommendations within the parameter of the new Manual. Each crane and hoist has its own Service Manual, which the customer retains.

The world needs fewer engineering companies. Rebranded as Royal HaskoningDHV, SSI Engineers & Environmental Consultants believes in being more than an engineering company. Our rebranding to Royal HaskoningDHV ushers in a new class of engineers and consultants, offering solutions for the sustainable interaction between people and their environment, ultimately enhancing society together.

www.rhdhv.co.za www.royalhaskoningdhv.com

In addition to the Service Agreement, Konecranes also offers two unique inspection tools: RopeQ, which checks the state of the inside and the outside of the wire ropes and the ‘RailQ’ Runway Survey which is an advanced survey technique that uses a remote controlled robot trolley along the runway of the crane. Another innovation unique to Konecranes is the Truconnect Remote Monitoring that allows customers to check on the performance of the cranes on their own computer through online access to a special Konecranes report-back system. Truconnect is available for all makes of cranes and hoists. The new Service Manual initiative checks the effectiveness of the procedure, records the servicing details and necessary repairs, ensuring that preventative maintenance is done. This results in a significant decrease in maintenance costs and an increase in availability and safety of the cranes and hoists as well as increased production capacity. Enquiry No: 66

Wooden pallet alternative wins award

ellap has won the prestigious “Best Product” award, in the under R1-million category, in the 2013 Green Supply Chain Awards held recently. “The Tellap environmentallyfriendly pallet-free bulk bag is an innovative storage and transportation system, which integrates two light plastic sleeves into a polypropylene bulk bag, replacing the conventional wooden pallet, with a totally recyclable design,” says Clinton van den Berg, Products Manager, Tellap. “Companies seeking a strong, lightweight, recyclable alternative to a conventional bulk bag and wooden pallet, now have a new safe and reliable option – the Tellap pallet-free packaging system. For the first time, there is an economically viable, sustainable, modern alternative to the inefficient wooden pallet. “This coveted environmental award, which recognises excellence and innovation in the ‘greening’ of supply chains, is a highlight in Tellap’s global development.

“An increasing number of leading bulk bag storage and transportation companies are investing in the cost effective Tellap system and are benefiting from reduced shipping costs, fuel savings, lower warehousing costs and ISPM15 compliance. “Conventional bulk bags and wooden pallets have dominated the transportation and storage of granular dry bulk products globally because there has not been a competitive alternative. “Many disenchanted companies have cited increasing pallet costs, product contamination, safety concerns and the transportation of unproductive heavy bulky pallets, often weighing up to 30 kg, as impediments to business efficiency. “Today there is an alternative - Tellap, the new lightweight, recyclable, space-saving packaging system, weighing less than 5 kg. This system offers enhanced safety, improved logistic efficiencies and easy implementation. Enquiry No: 67

Clamp-on resistance tester offers rugged, safe features Test Instruments Africa (TIA) has announced the launch of a 600V, rugged, safe (CAT IV), clamp-on ground resistance tester. Chauvin Arnoux’s CA6416/17 is ergonomically designed specifically for ground measurements in urban areas - typically with limited access to set up ground stakes. The CA6416/17 ground clamps can be used to perform selective measurements on a parallel ground system without disconnecting conductors. In the case of regularlyspaced ground connections or an underground ground loop, the use of ground clamps to measure low values, allows the user to check the continuity of the loop conductor tested. • The CA6416/17 ground clamps can be used in the following applications: • Measurement of grounds in parallel on MV/ LV installations • Ground measurements in urban areas, and on buildings with Faraday cages • Measurements on telecommunications lines • Measurements in the railway sector • Ground measurement on buried or surface pipelines High-performance magnetic materials are Enquiry No: 68 used to limit the unit’s weight.

September / October 2013

EC Industrial & Business News

COMPANY & PRODUCT NEWS

Cable puller addresses market needs

lready known for its range of lifting equipment, Yale has recently released a new cable puller aimed specifically at the mining industry and other applications where products with aluminium housings are not suitable. Coming from the Columbus Mckinnon Corporation stable and distributed in Africa by CMCO Material Handling, this range of equipment is branded and marketed as Yaletrac ST. Maintaining the benefits of the original range, the new product also takes into account the evolving needs of the market. It boasts a space saving telescopic hand lever and a slimmer design which also provides optimal power transfer by positioning the forward and reversing levers in tandem. The combination of handle and foot ensure a stable upright position while the hand operat-

ing forces have been significantly reduced by the application of axial ball bearings. A housing of dimensionally stable deep drawn steel plates ensures a compact yet robust design that optimises weight. The service life has been increased by the introduction of rubber sleeves that reduce dirt penetration. Several salient features that remain from the original unit include overload protection provided by shearing pins, a lever which disengages the rope clamp system allowing for easy rope installation and the parallel arrangement of the clamping system that protects the rope by distributing the clamping forces evenly. Because the puller is manufactured from steel it is ideally suited to the coal mining industry where the use of aluminium products Enquiry No: 69 is prohibited.

Maximum Productivity, Extreme Driver Comfort.

The ultimate solution to power, performance, reliability & ergonomics

Specialised product for cold room floor Sika was recently contracted by Techni Construction to supply flooring for the cold rooms at Boxer Wholesalers’ newly constructed store in Commercial Road, Port Elizabeth. Already well established in the Eastern Cape, Boxer Wholesalers offers its customers a wide range of products in its butchery, delicatessen and fresh produce sections. As extremely low temperatures are required for cold rooms, Techni Construction recognised that a specialised product was required for this project. Sikafloor-21N PurCem, a threepart, water-dispersed, polyurethane-modified cement and aggregate screed that performs and retains its physical characteristics through a temperature range from -40oC to 120oC, was the unequivocal product of choice. Boxer Wholesalers stipulated that the cold rooms should be fully operational within two weeks, when trading was to commence. This requirement was the second factor in determining the choice of Sikafloor-21N PurCem, since the high moisture content of the cold room floors (in excess of 6%), precluded the use of normal epoxies; Sikafloor-21N PurCem may be applied to seven to ten day

old concrete. Further advantages in using this selfsmoothening, easy to clean screed include its high bond strength, which is in excess of the tensile strength of concrete; its high mechanical resistance – it behaves plastically when subjected to impact; and it is jointless, with no extra expansion joints necessary. Sikafloor-21N PurCem provides excellent chemical resistance against a wide range of organic and inorganic acids, alkalis, amines, salts and solvents. It has a similar coefficient of thermal expansion to concrete, thereby allowing movement with the substrate through normal thermal cycling. Hollywood Décor were contracted to apply Sikafloor-21N PurCem (dark grey)@ 4mm thick over the cold room floors, and by the end of the week-long, timeously completed project, had used 80 x 10.3litre kits for 120 m2. As this was the first Boxer project for which Sika supplied one of its top quality high performance products, they are confident that the Wholesalers will be suitably impressed with their results.

Crown is world-renowned for its innovation. And it’s never been just for the sake of change. Each progression has brought greater reliability, more efficiency, more uptime. You too can benefit from the reliability of products tested to deliver peak performance and reduce your total cost of ownership.

Forklift & Warehousing Specialists Branches in: Johannesburg (Head office), Durban, Cape Town & Port Elizabeth Tel: 010 594 4338 • lifttrucks@goscor.co.za www.goscorlifttrucks.co.za A proud member of the Goscor Group of Companies

Enquiry No: 70

First series of sensors launched The new VNB001 vibration sensor from ifm electronic monitors, displays and records vibration values. A display with colour change in traffic light colours shows machine conditions at a glance. The VNB001 is the first member of ifm’s new series of vibration sensors. The compact sensor monitors online the overall vibration condition of machines and plants according to ISO 10816 and features an onboard time-stamped history function as well as data logging and trending - all directly on the machine. The sensing principle is based on the efector octavis technology, which can also be used reliably in mobile applications. The sensor measures the effective vibration velocity in mm/s or in/s. Measured value and switching status are indicated on the LED display. Critical machine conditions can be signalled using two switching outputs or one switching output and one analogue input. As an alternative, the sensor can be powered via the USB interface and used as a handheld device. The product also offers rapid and easy handling and set-up as the parameters can be adjusted directly on the device. No additional configuration software is required. Enquiry No: 71

Air Liquide - specified solutions for welding & cutting Air Liquide has developed high, value-added solutions in all gas shielded arc welding and cutting processes. These developments are to reduce fumes and spatter, and increase welding speeds and make welding processes more operator friendly. As suppliers of industrial, premium and specialty gas mixtures, Air Liquide is able to cater to numerous welding and cutting needs, and with unique expertise and leading edge technology, Air Liquide integrates reduced energy consumption and optimized manufacturing processes through the implementation of fully integrated clean technologies.

A13190/2013

intelligent vibration

Air Liquide Southern Africa Tel: +2711 389 7000, Peter Bicker (Welding & Cutting Marketing Manager) +2711 389 7206 www.airliquide.co.za

Air Liquide gases are ideal for: • Gas metal arc welding • Gas tungsten arc welding • Plasma welding & cutting • Other processes

There is an Air Liquide solution that’s right for you.

September / October 2013

COMPANY & PRODUCT NEWS

EC Industrial & Business News

Early cement strength fast-tracks projects

onsolidating its position as a leading southern African brand, AfriSam’s flagship product, All Purpose Cement has now been upgraded from the 32.5R to the 42.5N strength class, further differentiating this all-round performance product from the low-end economy cements available on the local market. “Now in the ultra-high strength class and with 15% more concrete in every bag than the 32.5N class, All Purpose Cement delivers an early strength in

excess of 15 MPa after only two days,” Mike McDonald, AfriSam Product Manager, says. “With the construction industry under constant pressure to fast-track projects, this early strength offers a major advantage.” Ideal for general use in concrete, mortar, plaster and screed applications, All Purpose Cement is a sophisticated composite containing milled clinker, advanced mineral components and additives which improve the product’s workability and durability. This world

class product also reduces the risk of corrosion and is a more environmentally responsible choice, having the lowest carbon footprint in the 42.5N strength class. AfriSam has also upgraded its High Strength Cement and now offers the highest possible strength class from each production plant. This product has been specially formulated and activated to allow for further extension with additional mineral components in the production of structural concrete.

After-market Creating partnerships for life

SErvIcE And PArTS • Providing high quality service solutions tailored to your individual requirements. • Hydraulic field service available 24hrs, 7 days a week. • Only Toyota genuine parts to give you reliable Toyota quality.

rEnTAL • Lease options available to provide a long-term solution to your material handling needs. • Flexible short-term options from a single day to several months. • 24hr cancellation notice period for short-term hire.

vALuE AddEd SErvIcE • Forklift Driver Training. • Product training. • Forklift load testing. • Rebuild, engineering and electronic workshops.

Enquiry No: 72

Access control systems manage people movements

The TowerLight VT8 8m from Pilot Crushtec International is putting a shine on production for its Eastern Cape crushing client, Danoher Contracting. The TowerLight VT8 was originally supplied to illuminate sites during nocturnal operations but the unit’s diesel generator makes it possible to power the site office during daylight hours, providing enough power to run computers, air conditioners, kettles, microwave ovens and office equipment. “As evidenced by the 24-hour service the TowerLight VT8 8m is currently giving us, these free standing and easily transportable systems from Pilot Crushtec International, not only light up sites, they can be used during the day and in the remotest areas,” says Neil Danoher of Danoher Enquiry No: 73 Contracting.

TEL: 011 571 0200

“In contracts where durability is specified, High Strength Cement has proven to easily meet the required levels of oxygen permeability, chloride conductivity and water sorptivity,” McDonald says. “And, despite its exceptional performance, High Strength Cement maintains a carbon footprint lower than pure cement.”All AfriSam bagged products carry the e-mark, reflecting compliance with SANS 1841 that guarantees accurate and consistent bag weights.

EMAIL: toyotaforklift@eiegroup.co.za

WEB: www.eiegroup.co.za

Toyota Forklift, the global market leader in materials handling equipment.

egrand’s standalone and centralised access control systems have been designed for the efficient management of flows of people and for optimum security of access to several areas in public and private establishments. “These access control systems, which are easy to install and use, offer simple, one-off application solutions, as well as the management of complex scenarios,” says Luk Ivens, GM, Legrand Southern Africa. “Fingerprint readers, badge readers and coded keypads are supported by user-friendly supervision software and a range of accessories that enhance performance of the system. “Sometimes a classic key management system is inadequate for managing a number of accesses, copying a lost key or providing temporary access to one or more people. This is when electronic access management should be implemented. An important feature is these flexible systems can be easily adapted without having to change the readers.” “Legrand offers a technical advisory and support service to ensure customised solutions for every access control installation. These services include on site software training, pre-encoding of readers and badges, as well as customisation of badges, which encompasses detailing personal details and corporate identity.” Standalone access control systems, which are recommended for small areas, like meeting rooms and individual offices, are also

suitable for larger sized buildings where no management of events or supervision is required. For example, access to hotel rooms. Advantages of standalone systems include easy installation and simple programming. Because is there is no physical connection between the reader and the computer, minimal wiring is required. Standalone systems encompass one isolated internal or external door, or up to 256 doors with an encoder, which is linked to badge management software. This system has a flow management capacity of up to 500 users and 32 groups of users, depending on the circumstances. The software can also be used to manage lost or stolen badges, as well as for remote modification of the access area. This system also controls lifts, automatic control devices and gates. The standalone Arteor coded keypad enables temporary codes to be easily created and allocated for external companies or temporary staff, without having to disclose the codes of permanent Enquiry No: 74 staff.

Small controller enables prompt installation

he compact mechatronic controller CECC, is the first mini controller with IO-Link master and CoDeSys V3. It reduces installation times and simplifies programming, and also enables fast and cost-effective control of sensors and actuators. The mechatronic controller CECC is the answer to smallscale automation applications with limited I/O. Despite its modest dimensions, only 100 x 130 x 45 mm, its variety of interfaces means it can handle different electric and pneumatic automation tasks. It is an impressive compact solution with features that set the standard among mini controllers, such as an IO-Link master, CoDeSys V3, CANopen master and USB interface. The mechatronic controller CECC can be easily and reliably integrated into higher-level systems such as PROFINET, Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP. A major advantage of the CECC is its IO-Link master with four channels. While traditional sensor/actuator interface only transmits 0 or 1, the new Festo mini controller with IO-Link features an almost unlimited data interface. This enables diagnostics down to the I/O connection point for easier

troubleshooting. The flexible system for transmitting values saves converting the process signal and greatly reduces the complexity of the electronics with its consistent digitalisation. Festo offers readyto-install valve terminals for the IO-Link interface. Further sensors and actuators will be added to the range for this type of connection in the coming months. Thirdparty devices that conform to the IO-Link standard (IEC 61131-9) can, of course, also be actuated. Parameterisation of the I/O point can be done centrally during commissioning, which saves having to go to the installation site. The easy-to-operate configuration tool for IO-Link masters in CoDeSys V3 speeds up commissioning of sensors and actuators and the nominal/actual comparisons ensure operational reliability. Enquiry No: 75

September / October 2013

EC Industrial & Business News

COMPANY & PRODUCT NEWS

High speed doors reduce contaminants

educing the ingress of dust, insects and birds, as well as maintaining a constant temperature, is critical to many manufacturing and packaging companies. The installation of high speed Traffic and Sector doors from Apex Strip & Doors has successfully reduced downtime and lowered maintenance requirements in a number of applications. The fast opening and closing action of the Apex high speed door, not only improves productivity levels, but also enhances supply chain activities. These doors do not hinder personnel, forklift or vehicular traffic and, depending on the actual operation, can be either automatically or manually controlled. In instances where doors need to be opened for short periods of time to allow the passage of vehicles, the Apex Traffic high speed doors are the best option. These doors are ideally suited to outdoor access applications in shipment areas and warehouses. Available in sizes up to 8 000 mm wide and 8 500 mm high, the doors are a robust and aesthetically pleasing solution for medium and large entrances. Designed and engineered with durability and longevity in mind, the Apex Traffic high speed doors can resist winds of up to 50 km/h. A custom model which can withstand winds up to 90 km/h is also available. In addition, the material of construction is a strong self-extinguishing Class 2 fabric with excellent thermal insulation properties and the supporting structure is made from high quality galvanised steel. Where visibility is an issue, vision windows can be incorporated into the panels.

The fast opening and closing action of the Apex high speed door enhances supply chain activities Apex Strip Curtains & Doors has ensured that installation is quick and easy by incorporating all the electrical drive gear and a special mechanical counterbalancing system within the support structure. To facilitate safety, the door is fitted with a release lever that opens it from either side in the event of a power failure or malfunction. Enquiry No: 76

Hot water delivered safely, economically

hermoWise - specialists in energy saving systems - designs, manufactures and installs energy efficient bulk water heating systems that meet stringent local and international safety and quality standards. “Thermowise horizontal and vertical calorifiers, which are engineered to deliver hot water safely and economically, are used in diverse sectors for safe and reliable water heating,” says Browynn Fine, Director at ThermoWise. “These energy efficient water systems, with a working pressure of 600 kpa and a maximum water temperature of 60°C, have tank capacities between 500 and 10 000 liters. Advanced insulation of these vessels ensures energy saving and cost efficiency. “The heating methods of these robust calorifiers can be either through integral electrical heating elements or through the external air to water heat pump. The heating medium can also be by means of steam passed through a suitably sized heating coil. ThermoWise heat reticulation systems are available as standard systems and can also be custom-built to exact specifications.” They cope with standard capacities (up to 10 000 liters) and Kw ratings between 9 Kw and 96 Kw, based on heating water over a five hour period from 10°C to 60°C.

Capacities vary according to specific requirements and are protected with temperature/pressure safety valves. The vessels can be verified by independent testing authorities on request. Thermowise calorifiers are manufactured from 300 WA mild steel in thicknesses from 5.0 mm up to 10 mm, which can be coated by either hot dip galvanising or sandblasted, Zinc thermal sprayed and Penguard HB epoxy coated, to protect the steel from elements that would normally lead to corrosion and the eventual compromising of the steel shell. Enquiry No: 77

Leaders in Storage and Materials Handling Solutions • Pallet racking • Light duty racking • Fencing • Mezzanine ﬂoors • Conveyor systems • Vertical storage solutions • Linbins • Containers • Workbenches • Lockers • Cabinets • Shelving • Bulk storage • Trolleys & Ladders • Flooring & Matting • Drum storage • Pallets • Lifting equipment • Safety & Security equipment • Medical equipment • Refuse containers • Ofﬁce equipment • Washroom products • Cleaning products

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ThermoWise horizontal and vertical calorifiers are used in diverse sectors for safe and reliable water heating

www.storagedirect.co.za or www.linvar.co.za

September / October 2013

COMPANY & PRODUCT NEWS

EC Industrial & Business News

Safety first with durable floor grating

iability claims from slips, trips and falls in the workplace can be financially debilitating and have an extremely negative impact on the reputation of a business. Considered the most frequent cause of injuries in the workplace, these incidents can result in serious downtime and even closure of facilities. “Floors, stairs and handrails are often cited as the cause of such accidents. In some incidents, injury is caused by factors beyond the reasonable control of the business owner. However, there is great wisdom in the adage ‘prevention is better than cure’. Businesses should consult floor grating specialists to ensure that their floor grating adheres to the

required building regulations and occupational health and safety (OHS) standards,” Elaine van Rooyen, marketing manager of Andrew Mentis, says. Unfortunately for the consumer, not all floor grating products on the market are of a suitably high standard. “An inferior quality product may well look identical to a reputed brand when viewed through the eyes of an unsuspecting customer. However, the real litmus test comes after the installation is completed and employees start walking on the floor grating. At best these products will fail without endangering lives. At worst, a business could face a lawsuit citing negligence,” van Rooyen points out. Van Rooyen cautions that customers

should carefully research the claims made by the floor grating manufacturer. “Mentis floor grating is engineered to take specific loading which then ensures the optimum safety of the people walking on or working in those areas. “We initially meet with customers to determine their exact needs, then our processing department compiles the layouts for the required products according to the structural

steel drawings supplied by the customer. A complete understanding of the load bearing capacity of grating is required to ensure that the correct floor grating product is selected for an application.” Enquiry No: 78

Automation of handling systems simplified

Lifting in Expolsive Environments

first for customers, Bosch Rexroth has developed the innovative EasyHandling system, which seamlessly integrates electro-mechanical axes, pneumatic axes and drives and controls in one pick and place system and is now available in the South Africa market through sole distributor of Bosch Rexroth solutions, Tectra Automation. Rexroth’s EasyHandling makes the automation of handling systems much easier, faster and more economical. This comprehensive handling system simplifies the automation process by integrating all drive and control technologies with linear systems, standardised mechanical and electrical interfaces and new commissioning assistants, all of which are perfectly matched. With over 30 years of experience in delivering single source automation solutions, Bosch Rexroth are known to be market leaders in machine integration and have taken a technological leap with the first of its kind, the EasyHandling system. Users no longer have to custom-engineer solutions for handling tasks and purchase individual components to build the machine. With EasyHandling, the integration is seamless and reduces the total

time required to assemble, configure and commission a plant by up to 80%, depending on the application. “Previously separate technologies were required for the automation process. Now with the bundling of the technologies and expertise, the EasyHandling system can combine pneumatic axes with electro-mechanical axes, making it more than just a modular set of mechanical components,” says Kevin Lombard, General Manager of Tectra Automation. EasyHandling is designed to simplify various phases of a project, offer excellent scalability and optimise the process from engineering right through to the operational phase, reducing the strain on resources across the board. The system is available in three variants; basic, comfort and advanced, which provide outstanding solutions for all layers of assembly and handling automation. Bosch Rexroth has developed the innovative EasyHandling system, which seamlessly integrates electro-mechanical axes, pneumatic axes and drives and conEnquiry No: 79 trols in one pick and place system.

EVERY CRANE AND HOIST SHOULD HAVE ONE LIFTING MORE THAN JUST THE STANDARDS IN THE CRANE AND HOIST SERVICE INDUSTRY Documented control of your crane and hoist Inspection, Servicing, Maintenance, Modernization and Load Testing

Willow Road Business Park, Block C, Unit 14, 33 Willow Road, Port Elizabeth Phone 041 367 1603 fax 041 367 1652 Graham.Meek@konecranes.com 072 6345741 Kevin.Barnett@konecranes.com 076 051 5553 www.konecranes.co.za

Handing over keys to a driver instructor, Lumka Manziya, is the CDC’s Executive Manager of Corporate Services, Zuko Mapoma WITH a vision for socio-economic development at the core of each Coega Development Corporation (CDC) initiative, the company’s pioneering driver training programme is a flagship project that is no different, making inroads into rural communities and the lives of people who need it most. Starting out in 2008 as an initiative to provide CDC interns with the opportunity to obtain their driver’s licenses – and a competitive advantage in the job market – the driver training programme has growth from strength to strength both on a demand and needs basis, the organization said today. “Our target market is the youth and students, the unemployed, disabled persons and those who don’t have the funds to access driver training – a skill which renders them employable, or worse, if they don’t have a license, unable to enter the job market,” said Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC head of marketing and communications. “One cannot imagine what a barrier to job market entry this small achievement is.” Enquiry No: 80

September / October 2013

COMPANY & PRODUCT NEWS

EC Industrial & Business News

Power float combines best of both worlds

ayday Equipment has reacted to demand from the market for a power float that combines cost effectiveness with uncompromising quality. The Dynamic Power Float, now available from the company, is designed for use as a standard concrete floating machine as well as for finishing applications, using floating or finishing blades. Floating concrete requires a robust and durable machine that is characterised by reliability. Because of the nature of power floating, it is critical that the operation takes place only during the optimum concrete drying period. If the floor surface is floated when it is too soft and wet, the power float will damage the surface. Similarly, if floating is attempted when the surface is too dry, the machine will have no visible effect on the finish. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance

that the operation is undertaken continuously, with no interruption. The float is powered by the reliable Honda petrol engine and is designed around ease of use. An adjustable handle facilitates positioning at the optimum height for the operator, to reduce fatigue. In addition, the safeNina Mason, Director at Mayday Equipment with the ty of the operator 600 mm Dynamic Power Float and Jabu Mashinini, and bystanders is ensured through Internal Sales Manager, at Mayday Equipment with the 1100 mm Dynamic Power Float the incorporation of an integral safety switch. Should the handle, the engine will automatically Enquiry No: 81 operator lose contact with the float’s shut down.

Cleanest diesel trucks, lowest emissions 37 to 55-kW power class since January 2013. Equipped with a modern common-rail diesel engine delivering 44 kW of power and a particle filter fitted as standard, these vehicles do not only meet the statutory limits for harmful emissions — they are well below the limits. The value for emitt e d particulate matter (PT) is approximately 83% below the limit, hydrocarbons s (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are 26% below the limit and the figure for carbon monoxide (CO) —a gas that can have serious effects on the respiratory

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s part of its sustainability strategy, Linde Material Handling (MH) uses environmental performance evaluations to analyse and document the environmental impact of products over their entire life cycle. The exhaust emissions of the company’s combustion-engine trucks have now been evaluated as part of this process, and the result is sensational: In the largest sales segment — trucks with a load capacity of between 2.5 and 3.5 tons — Linde diesel trucks are the cleanest! They also produce some of the lowest emissions in the other load-bearing capacity classes of up to 2.5 tons and from four to eight tons. With its H25 to H35 EVO diesel trucks, Linde MH is the only truck manufacturer to meet the stringent Stage IIIB of emissions directives 97/68/EC and 2004/26/EC for mobile equipment, which have applied to the

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system—is as much as 99% below the limit. What’s more, by installing a special axial piston displacement pump for the lifting hydraulics, as well as an electric fan, the overall efficiency of the new “EVO models” has been significantly increased. In practice, the intentionally large design of the variable displacement pump ensures a reduction in engine speed of up to 1200 rpm when performing all lifting operations, resulting in fuel savings of 20% at an average compared with previous models, which were Enquiry No: 82 already fuel efficient.

September / October 2013

COMPANY & PRODUCT NEWS

EC Industrial & Business News

Centralised production data management reduces scope for human error D id you know that human error has been cited as a primary cause or contributing factor in disasters and accidents in industries as diverse as nuclear power aviation, space exploration and medicine? We have all been consoled at some point in our lives after having messed up “We are only human – we all make mistakes.” While there is no denying the truth of this, the fact of the matter is that sometimes little mistakes can have very big repercussions. Despite all the automated machinery involved, the production line is not safe from error caused by human intervention either. For most manufacturers, important data has to be

manually inserted at some point by an operator – and it is very often at this point where things go wrong. This is where the advantages of centralised data management through integrated machinery networking are clear. Markem-Imaje, an international OEM that’s range of coders is exclusively distributed by Pyrotec PackMark in South Africa, has developed a software system that has been specifically designed to reduce the capacity for human error – ultimately saving time and money down the (production) line. Brandon Pearce, (pictured) GM of Pyrotec PackMark, explains the benefits of this software: “CoLOS software has been specifically

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For more information on product or service news please circle the number relevant to the article then return fax this coupon to enquiries at (031) 266 7514 / 086 656 7452 or email: john@mediaevents.co.za Name: _______________________________________________ Surname: ____________________________________________ Company: ____________________________________________ Designation: __________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________ _________________________________ Postal Code:________ Tel:________________________Fax:_______________________ Email: ________________________________________________ Nature of business: _____________________________________ Issue 57 - September / October 2013 1

designed for centralised data management, allowing customers to link, manage and operate all printers throughout the plant.” “It offers production planners real-time data on the production process, by linking the production plan to individual bagging machines; providing increased visibility of the productivity of each machine; providing more accurate scheduling; capturing downtime information so that operators can identify the causes of machine errors; providing accurate performance reporting, and - importantly – automating the coding information, thus avoiding the risk of operator error.” Traditionally, batch and code data is manu-

TIC technology protects people’s health, safety

he latest in thermal imaging camera (TIC) technology is being introduced locally in October 2013 by the African division of MSA - a global player in the development, manufacture and supply of sophisticated products that protect people’s health and safety. The MSA Evolution 6000 series of thermal imaging cameras boasts a 320 x 240 high definition core, six colour palettes and proprietary image processing filters, making it ideally suited to local industries that include; oil, gas and petrochemical, firefighting, police and even anti-poaching units. MSA Africa Respiratory Products Manager Suraksha Mohun notes that the Evolution 6000 TIC series comprises three new models of camera to offer the best mix of features to support the thermal imaging needs of all emergency responders. “The Evolution 6000 TIC offers many of the same benefits that have come to be expected from MSA, as well as new ones to take user experience to another level. New and enhanced features include a high clarity picture, laser pointer, proximity flashlight and

ally entered into this system. When the report is pulled by the production supervisor, if a code has been entered incorrectly the whole line grinds to a halt while the root of the problem is investigated and rectified. This causes massive delays on the production line and can lead to further complications, such as cross contamination. Centralised data management allows for the fast and accurate retrieval of production batch codes, as coding information is automated. Enquiry No: 83

Ultra reliable performance from new cables

new breed of cables for earthworks and A other harsh operations are able to withstand these outdoor conditions as well as

built-in compass,” she explains. This, together with integrated video and picture capture and integrated wireless video transmission system, provide the user with the most detailed and accurate interpretations of their surroundings in the dark. Mohun adds: “This ultimately takes the guesswork out of life threatening situations.” The three Evolution 6000 TIC models being launched in the local marketplace by MSA Africa include the Evolution 6000 Basic, the Evolution 6000 Plus and the Evolution 6000 Xtreme. Mohun reveals that the entry-level Evolution 6000 Basic TIC is a cost effective and simplified ground tool. Enquiry No: 84

Nice rack? Universal Storage Systems, through the use of its own research technology and highly trained engineers, has a reputation of solving the toughest industrial shelving problems. By combining our knowledge with that of international partners, Universal is one of South Africa’s leading manufacturers of industrial and commercial racking and shelving for warehousing and storage solutions.

For more information and a full catalogue of our products please visit us at www.universal-storage.co.za

being able to meet tough mechanical conditions while delivering ultra-reliable performance. Manufactured in Germany by cabling and related equipment supplier, Helukabel, the range includes a variety of purpose built cables that have been specially manufactured for various tasks. Included in the range are impressive (and technologically advanced) cables for deep mining purposes, various coatings for process applications, trailing cables with high abrasion resistance and a wide variety of others. According to Helukabel South Africa MD, Doug Gunnewegh, some of the latest advances in cables include extreme torsionally stiff cables. These are used for reeling medium voltage power supply to heavy equipment such as cranes or large mobile equipment as well as excavators. It allows faster reeling speeds for better production output, while the purpose built construction improves reliability and minimises downtime as a result of breakages or damage. The cables can operate under tough conditions and have a number of built-in features that protect them from damage. Advanced anti-torsional protection is also built in to the cable to lend it further strength abilities. The cables are available in nominal operating voltages of between 3,6 – 20kV. Another cable range that has been optimised for harsh conditions is the trailing cable. These are used in vertical drum operation under extreme mechanical stress and on moving cable carriers. They can be used as a rugged feeder to construction machines, conveyor and transport systems in any conditions. The trailing cables have nominal voltages of Enquiry No: 85 between 0,6 – 1kV.

New Appointments Brian Olson Vice President Vehicles Sales, Service & Marketing General Motors South Africa

Kevin Barnett Sales Engineer. Konecranes Eastern Cape

Debbie Gillett Sales Executive HSE Solutions Eastern Cape Region