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Cast process ensures cost-effective production

10th March 2017 High pressure die-casting provides the shortest route from molten metal to completed component and comprises injecting molten metal into a hardened steel mold and allowing it to solidify under pressure before ejection, says casting supplier MRT Castings, based in Andover, England. →

Early signs pointing to recovery in foundry industry

By: Simone Liedtke 10th March 2017 With the foundry industry having been under pressure last year owing to very low levels of economic growth, the drought and continuing import leakage, the South African Institute of Foundrymen (Saif) believes that signs to date this year point towards some form of industry recovery. →

Saif CEO John Davies and Saif president Takalani Madzivhandila discuss the challenges of the foundry industry. Camerawork: Nicholas Boyd. Editing: Lionel da Silva

Forging market for automotive application to be valued at $56-billion by 2022

10th March 2017 Market research company Zion Market Research has published a new report highlighting that the global steel forging market for automotive applications was valued at $41.77-billion in 2016 and is expected to reach $56-billion in 2022, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% between... →

INCREASED DRIVE
Increasing cars sales are expected to drive the European automotive and automotive components market within the forecast period

Photo by Duane Daws
INCREASED DRIVE Increasing cars sales are expected to drive the European automotive and automotive components market within the forecast period

Metal casting technology station provides added value for industry

By: Simone Liedtke 10th March 2017 As a means to add value to the casting industry in South Africa, the Metal Casting Technology Station (MCTS) – located at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) – provides technical services such as testing, failure analyses, research and development (R&D) work in laboratories, as well as product... →

Former MCTS station manager and MCC Core Committee member Farouk Varachia and current MCTS station manager Kulani Mageza discuss the skills gap and current technologies in industry. Camerawork: Nicholas Boyd. Editing: Lionel da Silva

Concern regarding standard disposable cylinders

By: Simone Liedtke 3rd February 2017 Speciality chemicals and gas supplier A-Gas highlights its concern regarding disposable cylinders being used as packaging to import hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and in some cases, flammable hydrocarbons (HCs), into South Africa. →

CYLINDER LEGALITIES Chris Phillips explains that there are currently no legalities around the banning of disposable cylinders, however A-Gas continues to lobby the DEA on this topic

Company completes Wolmerton rail project

By: Sascha Solomons 16th December 2016 Rail track construction, rehabilitation, electrification and maintenance provider Grindrod Rail Construction (GRC), in a joint venture with engineering company Bakara, has completed the rail refurbishment of the Wolmerton Depot. This forms part of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s... →

WOLMERTON DEPOT The Wolmerton Depot overhaul falls under PRASA’s Depot Modernisation Programme

Lite-C sensors allow for reduction in electricity bills

By: Simone Liedtke 9th December 2016 Energy efficiency solutions provider Magnet Energy has developed, designed and manufactured the Lite-C wireless lighting control system, which allows for a reduction in electricity bills of up to 43%. →

AFTER INSTALLATION Lite-C sensors operate using radio frequency technology that allows input devices to communicate with and control output devices without the need for cabling over long distances

No excuses for noninvestment in greener buildings

By: Simone Liedtke 9th December 2016 With such a strong business case for energy efficiency and renewable energy, energy solutions provider Johnson Controls area GM Neil Cameron says South African companies do not have an excuse for not investing in greener buildings. →

NEIL CAMERON The design and manufacturing of all the equipment that Johnson Controls provides is based on constant innovation to ensure more efficiency

Company extends range to meet demand for portable power

2nd December 2016 Having identified a growing need for dependable portable power, particularly for use in agriculture and mining, for maximum efficiency of power tools in construction and for small-scale commercial and residential applications, custom power solutions provider Vert Energy is extending its range of... →

ENSURING DEPENDABLE POWER NSM’s welder is just one of several new products in Vert Energy’s offering for the mining, commercial and industrial sectors

The worst appears to be over for mining sector – Barloworld

By: Irma Venter 2nd December 2016 For the first time in four years some green shoots are starting to appear in the mining industry, says Barloworld CE Clive Thomson. Discussing the JSE-listed group’s financial results for the year ended September 30, he says he believes the current cycle has reached its bottom. →

Bell Equipment launches tractor-loader-backhoe

By: Donna Slater 2nd December 2016 South African equipment manufacturer Bell Equipment launched its new L-series tractor-loader-backhoe (TLB) to the domestic market in October. →

Ecofriendly innovations in on-site wastewater treatment simplified

By: Sascha Solomons 25th November 2016 Using technology in sustainable wastewater treatment combined with the creation of its own bacterial strains developed in-house, South Africa-based biological wastewater treatment solutions provider SewTreat can respond to the demand for water management across sectors. SewTreat spokesman Theunis... →

WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES SewTreat offers a specialised, modular biological wastewater treatment plant tailor-made for the African market

Some green shoots visible in mining sector, says Barloworld’s Thomson

By: Irma Venter 21st November 2016 For the first time in four years some green shoots are starting to appear in the mining industry, says Barloworld CE Clive Thomson. Discussing the JSE-listed group’s financial results for the year ended September 30, in Johannesburg, he said he believed the current cycle had reached its bottom. →

Photo by Duane Daws
Clive Thomson

Barloworld, BayWa extend collaboration in Southern Africa

By: Megan van Wyngaardt 18th November 2016 JSE-listed Barloworld and German company BayWa have entered into a joint venture (JV) to further expand their agriculture and materials handling operations in Southern Africa. Subject to approval by competition authorities, the parties will establish a 50:50 JV company, BHBW Holdings, which will... →

Local LSFB market worth R1-billion yearly

By: Simone Liedtke 18th November 2016 The South African light steel frame building (LSFB) market is estimated to be worth about R1-billion a year. This is based on the steel used by LSF manufacturers, as well as volumes of the major materials – including gypsum board, fibre cement board, insulation, vapour permeable membranes and... →

MALL OF AFRICA PROJECT The latest large-scale project completed using LSF was the external walling of the 131 000 m2 floor area of the multibillion-rand Mall of Africa

Analogue gauges outweigh benefits of electronic instrumentation

By: Simone Liedtke 4th November 2016 The structure and robustness of analogue pressure-type gauges, coupled with the guaranteed availability of spare parts for locomotives in South Africa, outweigh the benefits of electronic instrumentation that has to be sent away for repair or recalibration, says pressure and temperature... →

GAUGE PRODUCTION All SA Gauge gauges are sent for quality control before distribution

Custom-made hoses to be used by railway groups

4th November 2016 Benoni-based automotive tyre and industrial rubber products producer Dunlop Industrial Products has a high penetration in the African continent where it supplies custom-made solutions, such as the design and supply of vacuum and air brake hoses for State-owned utility Transnet, Passenger Rail... →

CUSTOM MADE Dunlop Industrial Products supply custom-made solutions for railway groups and companies globally.

Subcontractor working on expansion and skills development programmes

By: Simone Liedtke 4th November 2016 Tier-two subcontract manufacturer to original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) IEC Holden, which supplies electric motors and generators to the railway, power generation, oil and gas, and mining industries, is currently directly contracted to OEMs that supply the Transnet Freight Rail rail... →

PRODUCT SUPPLY A drive for electric freight locomotive, tested and ready for dispatch

New technology extended to wagon and passenger bogies

By: Simone Liedtke 4th November 2016 Having become the first rolling stock company in the southern hemisphere to pioneer its own fabricated lightweight, cost-competitive locomotive bogie, South Africa-based locomotives company DCD Rolling Stock is extending its technology to wagon and passenger coach bogies aimed at the global market. →

DCD ROLLING STOCK The company has moved away from the traditional casting-based bogie construction and designed its own fabricated bogies using hot rolled steel

Modified wagon designs to increase volumes per trip

By: Simone Liedtke 4th November 2016 By modifying construction materials and wagon design, original-equipment manufacturer Galison Group believes that the lighter weight of a wagon will significantly reduce transport and production costs, by enabling customers to increase their production volumes per wagon per trip. →

MODIFIED WAGON DESIGN The train system at Pulong copper mine will be a fully automated and driverless system

Track system to benefit railway contractors

By: Simone Liedtke 4th November 2016 Railway track manufacturer Tubular Track adviser and business development head of T-Track Global Jaap van der Merwe believes that contractors awarded Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) tenders can use Tubular Track’s tubular modular track (TMT) to build and rebuild track and platforms... →

PRASA INTERCHANGE The Tubular Modular Track product allows for rebuilding and rehabilitation of railway tracks

S Africa shifts towards 100% renewable energy

By: Kimberley Smuts 28th October 2016 This year’s Windaba conference and exhibition, which will take place during Wind Energy Week, aims to discuss ways in which South Africa could work towards achieving 30 000 MW of renewable energy by 2050. The conference – themed Towards 100% Renewables – will be held at the Cape Town Convention... →

100% RENEWABLES This years theme has been informed by developments in the renewable energy industry

Wide range offering increases client satisfaction

21st October 2016 Industry-leading rigging capabilities combined with a full range of services from storage to a bond facility and custom-made crating, can ensure client satisfaction, says machine movers and rigging company Lovemore Bros. Lovemore Bros warehouse manager Willy Chetty emphasises that offering a... →

ONE-STOP SHOP Providing a full range of services increases client satisfaction

Company buys 18 dump trucks for construction purposes

7th October 2016 Plant hire firm JoinPoint on September 12 announced its purchase of 18 new Bell Equipment B30Es owing to customer demand for new and reliable earthmoving equipment that is capable of delivering both performance and fuel efficiency. “Our customers are often involved in many of the country’s major... →

Water treatment plant for Limpopo

7th October 2016 Water technology solutions provider, Veolia Water Technologies South Africa (SA) recently reported that it provided an energy efficient, low maintenance packaged water treatment plant to supply an additional 5 Mℓ/d of potable water to two villages in Limpopo. Veolia was contracted by Lepelle... →

Construction additive product provides cheaper and faster building alternative

By: Aarifah Nosarka 7th October 2016 South Africa's housing shortage may be solved faster, cheaper and in a more ecofriendly way owing to the Selcrete additive building product, which only requires mixing cement and polystyrene, says construction products company Hjott South Africa (SA) CEO Graeme Horwood. The Selcrete additive... →

INNOVATIVE ADDITIVE Blockwork is laid about 20% to 30% faster than conventional, traditional systems

New technology optimises manufacturing process

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd September 2016 Cape Town-based aluminium-frame structure manufacturer Speed Structures is adapting skill sets to enhance adaptability of temporary structures for a variety of applications, such as military, warehousing and agriculture, as well as the traditional event, exhibition and festival industry. →

Photo by Speed Structures
CLEAR-SPAN MARQUEE An example of a clear-span marquee, with clear spaces between the vertical columns

Farm equipment supplier launches locally manufactured solutions

By: David Oliveira 16th September 2016 Local heavy duty equipment supplier and manufacturer Wuhlf Equipment launched four locally manufactured machines last month, including two front-end loaders, a mulcher and a forklift. Wuhlf Equipment manager Coert Steenberg tells Engineering News that the company originally imported its equipment... →

LOCAL MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE Wuhlf Equipment launched four of its locally manufactured farming solution last month

Company optimises wired data transfer with new cable solution

9th September 2016 Technical products and systems developer and producer Leoni has optimised all the components for wired data transfer involving flexible use of Cat 5e cable. Leoni offers a novel and flexible solution for wired, 100 MHz, Cat 5e data transfer. →

Generator manufacturer looks local for prime power applications

By: Donna Slater 9th September 2016 Alrode-based equipment manufacturer Doosan is aiming its newly launched diesel generators at industrial applications in Africa, primarily for prime power applications requiring 24/7 operation. →

Need for rope condition assessment emphasised

By: Sascha Solomons 9th September 2016 The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) highlights that regular testing of samples from ropes forms a vital part of ongoing monitoring and evaluation. “Testing ropes in service helps the users . . . to understand the condition in which the ropes are in order to make an informed... →

CSIR mining initiatives acting business manager Riaan Bergh discusses the need for rope testing in the engineering industry. Camerawork and Editing: Nicholas Boyd.

Agriculture entrepreneurs innovate to take awards

By: Megan van Wyngaardt 1st September 2016 Innovation in the local agriculture sector was highlighted at this year’s Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, with pelleting solutions provider Agricon owner Johan Eksteen named the overall winner. Pelletising is used globally by manufacturers of animal feed or at recycling facilities that... →

Agricon owner Johan Eksteen

New fire door in high demand

19th August 2016 Fire and security doors producer Bitcon Industries has been contracted to supply doors to an array of new shopping centres throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Jet Park-based Bitcon director Bill Vollmer comments that the company is supplying its Rubidor fire doors for the upgrading and construction of... →

Increasing support for Omron robotic solutions

By: Sebastian Whyle 19th August 2016 With robotics becoming a more viable alternative for food and beverage applications, the number of plug-and-play robotic solutions that are supported by industrial automation company Omron’s latest machine automation platform Sysmac is increasing, says Omron GM South Africa Victor Marques. →

INCREASED ACCURACY FROM MOTION CONTROLLERS Technological advancements in the food and beverage industry have led to greater accuracy and response times from motion controllers

Developer emphasises accuracy in measurement instrumentation

By: Sebastian Whyle 19th August 2016 The South African food and beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors require measurement technology that offers precision and reliability while complying with local hygiene regulations. There is, hence, greater demand for accuracy in measurement instrumentation in these sectors, says Germany-based... →

JAN GROBLER South African food and beverage hygiene regulations are as stringent as any other international regulations

Risk assessment pivotal in fire prevention

By: Sascha Solomons 19th August 2016 To achieve its aim of preventing business destruction caused by fire, Gauteng-based fire detection and suppression equipment solutions provider ASP Fire says that thorough analyses of businesses’ fire prevention points are needed. “ . . . to mitigate the risks of fire, it is important to complete... →

PREVENTING FIRES
Extinguishing fires before it starts is accomplished by proper analyses

ASP Fire’s COO Michael van Niekerk discusses the importance of fire prevention and accurate evacuation plans in businesses. Camerawork and Editing: Nicholas Boyd.

Company implements new logistics system

By: Sascha Solomons 12th August 2016 Amid the challenges of cost transparency and inefficient vehicle use, food and beverages producer and distributor Pioneer Foods implemented solutions provider Resolve Solution Partners’ in-house transport management system PLATO at its plant. The PLATO system helps generate an optimised... →

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