November 2010

Local engineering talent - an absolute necessity

This month the editor looks at local engineering talent, which is very much evident in our country, and emphasises that although we live in a global marketplace, we must continue to invest in projects and research that nurtures and sustains this valuable resource.

MechTech visited Denel Dynamics and was impressed at the high level of engineering expertise. While the defence spending and the history of weapons has long been contentious, and in the apartheid past, often indefensible, the legacy of engineering talent it leaves in its wake has become a national asset. The engineering that goes into these technologies is as advanced as engineering gets and presents wonderful opportunities for talent development. A significant percentage of SA's local pool of highly skilled engineers has benefited from local defence spending, resulting in a local talent pool at the highest level.

And it is local engineering expertise that is essential for the development of our economy as a whole.
In this issue, we carry in-depth articles on SKF's recent investment in an Economos Seal Jet machine for custom-designed sealing solutions; ThyssenKrupp Materials Handling SA, which has become the global centre of excellence within the global group for drum reclaimer technology; and Johnson Crane Hire, which although using imported Liebherr and Demag mobile cranes, proved conclusively by its well planned and executed demolition of the R21 pedestrian bridge at OR Tambo airport, that engineering expertise is the necessary ingredient for the effective use of its lifting equipment.

We look at Bluhm Burton Engineering, which has been using chilled water sprayed directly into air streams for bulk surface air cooling for over 20 years; and also Booyco Engineering's engineering expertise in terms of its custom-made air handling systems.

Please contact the editor Peter Middleton or Dale Kelly on tel: +27 11 622 4770, or email: mechanical@crown.co for editorial; and Lyn Sara for your advertising requirements on lyns@crown.co.za.