SKF engineers have solved one of the great mysteries of bearing performance: Why hybrid bearings work so well. They are now applying their findings to help design machines for the world’s most demanding applications.

Adri Ludick, NDT manager for WearCheck, outlines the benefits and details of various non-destructive testing techniques.

MechChem Africa talks to Moeketsi Mpotu, executive director of Brimis Engineering, about localisation and the young company’s approach to next-generation valve and pump services for South Africa’s power, petrochemical and water sectors.

MechChem Africa talks to Manini Phokwane Ramagaga, technical advisor for the National Foundry Technology Network (NFTN), an initiative of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) about an intervention completed at Steelbest foundry that secured the future of 130 jobs.

Bosch Capital has been appointed by environmental and water governance, risk and compliance specialists, Carin Bosman Sustainable Solutions (CBSS), to support the commercial development of the new LEGUAAN™ Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) water quality monitoring, data visualisation and reporting tool. This project is supported by the WADER programme of the Water Research Commission (WRC).

An autonomous mobile robot has been seen moving around the corridors of the REDI shopping centre in Kalasatama, a suburb of Helsinki in Finland. Operated by OMRON’s solution partner Dimalog, the robot was taking part in a month-long trial of a ‘Home-on Demand’ automated courier service.

MechChem Africa talks to Kate Bester, the contracts manager for Jet Demolition, about new equipment and methodologies being pioneered by the company for improved safety, reduced environmental impact, maximised material reuse and minimised site contamination.

MechChem Africa talks to Kenny Mayhew-Ridgers, chief operating officer (COO) of Kwatani, about the company’s design philosophy for large scalping screens, which has resulted in a more than threefold extension of screen panel life, from eight weeks to more than six months.

Festo’s new valve technology and Motion Terminal VTEM system enables pneumatic valves and positioners to be digitally programmed and controlled via Motion Apps, a system combination that replaces over 50 individual components. This article describes how this modern technology is revolutionising and simplifying pick and place positioning applications.

Pump solutions leader Grundfos offers industry intelligent systems for minimising the risks associated with biological contamination in water treatment systems, which can lead to Legionnaire’s disease. Dean Naidoo, lead key account manager for OEM Industries at Grundfos South Africa, explains.

Grant Ramsden, regional managing director of Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East, talks about how the company’s successful 150-year evolution is continuing, with a strong forward looking sustainability vision.

Jordan Marsh, the recently appointed national sales manager for Integrated Pump Technology, talks about the company’s geographic footprint, the operating philosophy of its distributor base and some of the reasons why Grindex Pumps have become a preferred solution for mining applications across South and sub-Saharan Africa.

The G3 full line of planetary gearboxes from Zest WEG is among the most robust in the world and capable of running for 10 years before major servicing is required. Manufactured in Brazil by WEG company TGM WEG, these units are now successfully operating in sugar mills in Zimbabwe and Angola.

An experimental verification facility that will provide unprecedented insights into the mechanisms behind bearing failure and performance prediction is being built by SKF at its Research and Technology Development (RTD) centre in Houten, The Netherlands.

Business development manager Sebastian Harbig, who is responsible for Global Projects at VEGA, talks about the use of VEGAFLEX 86 guided-wave radar level sensors and VEGASWING 66 vibrating level switches on the Linde-developed Portovaya LNG Project under construction in Russia’s Portovaya Bay.

Postponed in November 2020 due to COVID-19, COP26, the United Nations’ next ‘annual’ conference, will now take place in Glasgow, Scotland, in November 2021. The event is already being described as a ‘watershed moment’ for the recovery of the planet: to ‘lock in ambitious low-carbon transition policy goals across the world’.

Henco du Plooy of Bonfiglioli highlights the role that efficient drive solutions can play in the water and wastewater sectors.

Non-destructive testing (NDT) works carried out by SKF Zambia on more than 90 mobile mining machines and equipment operating on one of the country’s largest copper mines has delivered massive savings for the customer over a six month period.

Jane Molony, the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) executive director, talks about the wonders of wood in the bio-economy and how the sector is extracting more value from trees “to make even more meaningful contributions to sustainable product development”.

MCA talks to Sandy Majatladi, programme manager for the National Foundry Technology Network (NFTN), about his vision for the South African metal casting industry and the successful interventions that are transforming the industry into a globally competitive one.