ON THE COVER
Young engineers revitalise rotating equipment life services
MechChem Africa talks to Chris Lubbe, engineering manager of SKF South Africa about the company’s expanded engineering services offering and how some new faces are giving the company fresh new ideas and energy. Read more...
PETER’S COMMENT
Privatisation, a UK perspective
MechChem Africa editor, looks at the United Kingdom perspective on privatisation. How rethinking privatisation has made service delivery in the UK effective, versus struggling and inefficient state-owned enterprises in South Africa with similar portfolios. Read more...
SAIChE IChemE NEWS:
For the first SAIChE ICHemE Member Profile of 2019, MechChem Africa talks to Kapil Moothi, the recently promoted head of the department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Click to read in the online magazine...
POWER TRANSMISSION, BEARINGS, BUSHES AND SEALS
Robust drives for wastewater treatment: MechChem Africa talks to SEW sales representative, Willem Strydom about the success of its wastewater-treatment solutions for its aerator, agitator, screen and screw conveyor-drive systems, particularly for the Wamechsi Group. Read more...
Bearing assemblies for vibrating machinery: Together with NSK, BMG has developed and introduce a simple bolt-on assembly solution for vibratory-specification bearings that reduces vibration and noise levels by as much as 50%. BMG’s business unit manager for bearings, Werner de Bruyn explains. Click to read in the online magazine...
New people and products for 2019: In keeping with its focus on offering the best international brands at cost-competitive prices, BI (formerly Bearings International) has appointed key people and is launching several new products in the New Year, all to ensure sustainability and stronger growth. Click to read in the online magazine...
HYDRAULIC AND PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS
SMC ZA: Your local connection into SMC’s global solutions: SMC’s general manager in South Africa, Peter Findley, talks about the local entity’s new name, SMC Corporation ZA, and how this reflects the company’s service-driven and globally connected way of doing business. Read more...
Hydraulic sealing solutions from Hallite: BMG – the only official distributor for Hallite Seals in Central and Southern Africa – supplies and extensive range of hydraulic and pneumatic seals and sealing solutions for demanding environments. Click to read in the online magazine...
Hydraulic systems at Black Rock commissioned: Hytec recently commissioned the R10-million hydraulic systems it developed for the new bulk handling equipment installed at Assmang’s Black Rock Mine Operations in the Northern Cape. Click to read in the online magazine...
Vacuum pumps reduce energy use for glass: At Glasstec 2018 in Dusseldorf, Atlas Copco launched its innovative variable speed drive GHS 3800-5400 VSD+ screw vacuum pumps, which are designed to suit the needs of the glass production industry. Click to read in the online magazine...
COMPUTER-AIDED ENGINEERING
Towards a holistic 4IR: At a launch event for Creo 5.0 at Zwartkops Raceway late last year, IIoT and agility software strategist, Harry Teifel summarised the opportunities and challenges associated with the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). Read more...
Mining, 4IR and the Artisan 4.0 initiative: With a known history dating back to the Bronze Age, mining plays a critical part in human development as one of the oldest industries in the world. It has a has had to transform following 3 revolutions of the 17thm 19th and 20th centuries, and it will again have to change as it faces the 4th industrial revolution. Click to read in the online magazine...
Revolutionising FEA with solid simulation: Altair SimSolid offers a paradigm shift In engineering design by providing fast, accurate and easy to generate FEA simulation results to enable confident decision making. Read more...
AUTOMATION, PROCESS CONTROL AND INSTRUMENTATION
Hope for Industry 4.0-ready SA workforce: Speaking ahead of Africa Automation Fair 2019, automation industry stakeholders are saying that aligning with the global Industry 4.0 revolution will demand a great deal of change and progress in South Africa. A key priority has to be skills. Click to read in the online magazine...
Modern Rockwell DCS for Mozal Aluminium: Rockwell Automation has migrated the control systems at Mozal Aluminium’s furnace assembly and ladle cleaning shop to its modern distributed control system based on the PlantPAx design standard. Click to read in the online magazine...
Assembly tower integrates Simera’s space telescope: Tectra Automation has designed and supplied a purpose-built assembly tower to integrate and align the lenses for a news space telescope for a low orbit satellite. Click to read in the online magazine...
MINERALS PROCESSING, METALLURGY AND MATERIALS
Toll processing: ideal for junior miners: MechChem Africa visits B&E International in Kempton Park and talks to the company’s plant and engineering director, Ken Basson, about the advantages for minerals processing operators of adopting B&E’s toll-based plant supply and operating model. Read more...
Optimising water and coal washing efficiency: Multotec’s expertise in cyclones, screens and dense medium separation technologies is being put to use to improve understanding of equipment and to enable operators to look proactively for opportunities to optimise water usage. Click to read in the online magazine...
Integrated solutions extend Cullinan’s working life: Highlighting the value of its Integrated Solutions offering, Zest WEG Group hosted a media tour to Petra Diamonds’ Cullinan Diamond mine, which completed a R1.65 billion plant expansion last year. MechChem Africa attends and reports. Read more...
INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING
Kathu Plant in-sync with energy needs: MechChem Africa’s Phila Mzamo reports on the recent synchronisation of Kathu solar power plant to the national grid, which brings South Africa closer to meeting the 2030 plan for 1 200 MW of concentrated solar power and installed renewable capacity of 20 000 MW. Read more...
REGULARS
Product and industry news Click to read in the online magazine...
Back page: We take a look at a packaging partnership between Safari-Vac and Afrox to bring packaging for a South African favourite, Biltong, to ensure longer shelf life. Click to read in the online magazine...
