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issn NO: 1996-9708

JANUARY/ February 2018

Inside Water purification leader expands as drought continues to bite - page 3

R17,10 (VAT incl.)

issue no. 83

Roads agency to bridge yawning BEE gap

Automation & Robotics - page 7

Green Industries & Renewable Energy page 9

An artist’s impression of the Msikaba Bridge. The R1.7bn project recently opened for retender and could be affected by SANRAL’s new BEE policy

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STABLISHED businesses, to ensure inclusive participation of particularly white-owned com- black South Africans in the opporpanies, with existing contracts tunities generated by SANRAL's Engineering with SANRAL must work with the annual financial investment in the roads agency to realise its trans- construction sector and related & Allied formation objectives if they wish to industries. Supplies continue doing business with it. “We are geared to roll out the page 10 That was the no-nonsense mes- policy on 01 April 2018. However, sage from South African National ultimately our implementation date is Roads Agency (SANRAL) Chief subject to the approval of the policy Industrial Executive Officer Skhumbuzo by the Minister and also Cabinet,” Macozoma at a business function he said. Property & held recently at the East London Since 2009, SANRAL has injected Development International Convention Centre. R33.3 billion in the provincial road - page 12 And with billions of rands in con- network. Of this, R11.7 billion was tracts up for grabs in the Eastern allocated for the past two years - R5 Cape over the next few years, billion in 2016/17 and R6.7 billion for there’s plenty at stake. The agency the current financial year ending in manages 4 952 km of roads in the March 2018. province – 22% of its total 22 190 However, only 10% of SANRAL’s km which spans all nine provinces. national R20 billion expenditure in SANRAL’s flagship in the province 2016/17 was spent on black SMMEs. is the N2 Wild Coast project, the 410 “Changing this trend is a nonHeating, Cooling & km stretch of road from East London negotiable,” Macozoma said. “We Ventilation- page 13 to the Mtavuna River on the bor- want to see more black women, der between the Eastern Cape and youth, people with disabilities and KwaZulu-Natal. The agency also military veterans getting a sizeable has some 116 projects in the initia- increase in our spend and particiCompany & tion, design and construction stages pating in our bursary and scholarin different parts of the province over ship programmes, internships and Product News the next three years. Technical Excellence Academy.” The - page 14 Macozoma said the roads agency academy is based in Port-Elizabeth. SEW KZN Industrial & Business News HVAC-a4_Advert October in 2017.qxp_Layout 1 2017/08/22 3:10 PM Page was unwavering its commitment In essence, the 1 success of

SANRAL’s transformation policy rests on six levers: • Ownership: buy-in from the large construction sector • Equitable access to contracts: across the Construction Industry Development Board grades • Community empowerment: with emphasis on local sourcing • Supply chains: black business access to equipment and materials • Healthy competition: including toll operations and other supporting sectors in SANRAL’s business • SMME and emerging contractor development. The session was attended by more than 100 delegates including some kings, traditional leaders and structures of the provincial Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) youth wing, as well as the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco), South African Women in Construction (SAWIC), EC Black Contractors Association, Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda), individual contractors and several youth business chambers from different parts of the province.

Buffalo River Bridge Meanwhile, there’s renewed hope that the long-awaited Buffalo River Bridge city bypass could finally see the light of day following talks between SANRAL and the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The proposed bridge and arterial road link between the N2 and R72 would bring a welcome reduction in congestion to East London’s central business district by offering roadusers a bypass to the west of the city. Buffalo City Head of Spatial Planning and Development, Nonceba Mbali-Majeng, said SANRAL had agreed to assist in a review of the feasibility study – including the costs. A progress report was recently tabled before council. An initial estimate in 1998 for the construction of the bridge and bypass put the cost at R300 million. Mbali-Majeng said this has since risen to an estimated R793 million, assuming the project is divided into four separate phases and contracts, and factoring in a 5% annual increase. Enquiry No: 1

January/ February 2018

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EC Industrial & Business News

Our robot future beckons E

By Kevin Cha

VERY January for the last 50 years, at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), tens of thousands of tech enthusiasts gather in Las Vegas for the unveiling of new gadgets that are being introduced to the world’s markets. This year’s edition was no different in terms of the buzz, curiosity and enthusiasm, with one major difference: The showstoppers were not gadgets, but the technology that are now feeding these gadgets and helping them run i.e. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics. The pace of integration of AI and Robotics into consumer products and our daily lives is accelerating and was on display across the CES, as robots demonstrated an increasingly diverse and complex array of skills and capabilities. The advancements in AI and Robotics are expected to transform lifestyles and industries around the world; and ultimately improve humankind’s experiences, from reducing repetitive tasks at work to eliminating age-old malignant practices such as manual scavenging. Being part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution now, presents several unique opportunities for economies around the world. While the previous three industrial revolutions—which span more than two centuries—largely revolved

around mechanization, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is something else entirely. It is blending the physical, digital and biological realms. Gartner is forecasting that 50% of all analytical interactions will be delivered via AI in the next three to five years. AI and machine learning will be embedded into everyday things like appliances, cars, sensors and drones. As you can see much of this new revolution is being driven AI, deep learning and machine learning and developments in these fields over the past few decades have led to an astounding array of capabilities. With artificial intelligence becoming the new engine launching the fourth industrial revolution, companies across the globe are setting its sights on AI enabled products and technologies. As part of the recent announcement, LG Electronics has announced the distribution of its AI development tool to all business divisions in line with its efforts to speed up the release of new products equipped with the latest technology. LG’s proprietary deep learning-based AI technology is in line with its efforts to speed up the release of new products with the latest technology. With innovative AI platforms such as LG ThinQ, the “live and learn” philosophy requires machines to educate themselves and become smarter over time. As machine learning becomes more

advanced, products will understand their external environments as well as absorb their customers’ behavioural patterns. For example, an air conditioner will learn its inhabitants’ living patterns over time and adjust the room’s temperature to its occupants’ desired range, or cabin monitoring technology in a car can familiarize itself with the driver’s facial expressions and gestures and be able to recognize the moment a driver starts to feel drowsy. DeepThinQ has already transformed the way certain products targeting the commercial and consumer sectors are designed. In Korea’s Incheon International Airport, LG’s Airport Guide Robots employ sophisticated ambient noise to improve voice recognition, enabling passengers to be better understood. The platform is an embodiment and extension of the company’s open philosophy – to provide the most powerful AI solutions to customers through a strategy of open platform, open partnership and open connectivity. There is no doubt that technology and the companies that spearhead innovation have grown from mere enablers into giant corporations that are redefining humankind’s way of life at a tremendous pace. We feel their impact throughout our daily lives – in our kitchens, homes, automobiles, offices, schools, smartphones and computers; through industries; across governments; in the media and of

course, on social media. Technology is influencing our thoughts and shaping our opinions. It is well and truly, omnipresent. Our world as we know it, is changing – in many ways for the better – as technology and innovation are freeing up humankind from monotony to pursue more innovation and subsequently, enhance their lives. Tech companies have an enormous responsibility to understand the socio-economic disruption caused by technology and must engage and work with governments, industries, policy-makers, activists, consumers and stakeholders to prepare societies for the change that is imminent. The positive vision that we should work towards is not of AI as a replacement for us, but as a technology that can enhance all aspects of our lives. As new technologies are rolled out, innovators must lead the conversation in civil society to reassure, retrain and recalibrate their skill-force. After all, we cannot expect AI and Robots to do that for us. Or, can we?

Kevin Cha is President, LG Electronics MEA Enquiry No: 2

Minerals company boosts capacity and footprint in Africa, Middle East

centres across the continent, while drawing in process engineering skills to bolster its capacity to optimise plants. His new leadership team of experienced experts are driving the company’s sales and service focus, to bring a wider Weir Minerals offers plant audits and evaluation services to improve range of offerings customers’ plant operations and performance closer to the market and ensure that the ROCESS solutions is now the focus business is solidly customer-focused. With of Weir Minerals Africa, as it works to Marketing Director Rajen Govender driving bring its growing range of services and the strategic marketing effort and handling products closer to customers in Africa and the the relationships with key customers, William Middle East. Cumming focuses on the ‘home ground’ and Regional Managing Director Gavin Dyer most neighbouring countries, as Sales Director said the company is investing continuous- for South Africa and SADC. ly in both physical and human resources – Sub-Saharan Africa from Zambia upwards building its footprint of branches and service – and also the Middle East – is the jurisdiction

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of Pieter Jordaan, Sales Director for the rest of Africa. The company’s process department is headed by JD Singleton; as Process Director, he manages the over-arching process engineering offering that will add value at service centre, branch and mine site level across the geographic footprint. “The work of this team will raise the profile of the wider product range and ensure that customers are achieving the best possible returns from this technology,” said Dyer. “There are still areas where Weir is known largely as an original equipment supplier in the field of slurry pumps. Our new structure and capacity will help alert customers to the many opportunities available from Weir Minerals Africa to improve plant efficiencies and performance.” Singleton said Weir Minerals Africa’s services and products span a range of mine processes from the run-of-mine tip to the tailings dams, including equipment such as crushers, pumps, cyclones, linings, hoses, conveyors and valves. This positions Weir Minerals Africa increasingly as a total solutions partner rather than a mechanical engineering company

focused on pumps. “We have engaged more process engineers in our team, and with these skills can optimise mine operations from pit dewatering and jaw crushing, right through to screening, process functions within the mill, and even tailings disposal,” Singleton said. Another key aspect of the current strategy is to build on Weir Minerals Africa’s extensive footprint in Africa and the Middle East, allowing better responsiveness to customers’ needs. “Our growing branch and service centre network provides the necessary springboard for the process engineers to get access to customer sites quicker and more often,” said Jordaan. Cumming said the strategic placement of more engineers now gives customers the opportunity to have site evaluations and plant audits more readily. By providing services like condition monitoring and better inventory strategies, unplanned breakdowns can be avoided and downtime reduced. Enquiry No: 3

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Water purification leader expands African footprint as drought continues to bite W ITH the Western and Eastern Cape in the throes of a crippling drought, Swedish global water technology company Bluewater has made a significant investment in I-Drop Water – a South African water solutions provider – to provide better access to clean drinking water and slash single-use plastic bottle use. Bluewater, which sells its advanced water purifier solutions across Europe, the USA, China and South-East Asia, said the investment marks the launch pad for the company’s continued expansion throughout Africa. I-Drop Water – a for-profit South African social impact company that designs, builds and installs drinking water purification and dispensing machines in general grocery stores at no capital cost - shares ongoing revenue from water sales with store owners. “Bringing I-Drop Water into the Bluewater family strengthens the fast-track approach to bringing our water solutions technology market proposition to South Africa and elsewhere in Africa,” said Anders Jacobson, co-founder and CEO of Blue AB, the Swedish sustainability-driven investment company that owns Bluewater. He noted how Johannesburg-based I-Drop has quickly built a strongly growing market position in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana, a presence Bluewater is committed to help grow in the long-term. With the Western and Eastern Cape in the

midst of a severe drought, a national listeriosis outbreak, and South Africa considered one of the world’s 30 driest countries, the coalescing of the two companies could not be better timed. While Bluewater specialises as a world leader in water purification solutions for home, commercial and public drinking stations, I-Drop designs, builds and installs drinking water purification and dispensing machines. Together, the two companies will improve local access to water purification solutions that process almost any source of water – greywater, rainwater and borehole – into drinkable water. Formed in 2015 by husband and wife team James and Kate Steere, I-Drop uses nanopurification water filtration technology and a GSM-enabled platform to empower grocery store owners to purify and sell safe, affordable drinking water to their customers. Shoppers refill multi-use containers and pay by the litre for the drinking water they need, an innovative approach that saw the couple

win the 2017 All Africa Business Leader Award Innovator of the Year, hosted by CNBC Africa and Forbes Africa. “Thanks to I-Drop Water more people can afford safe drinking water, less plastic waste is produced and local economies benefit by supporting their local grocery stores,” said I-Drop co-founder, James Steere. He added the partnership with Bluewater aligns perfectly with I-Drop’s business vision and mission and will enable I-Drop to accelerate its rollout and ongoing contribution to job creation in both the water and service sector as well as help spur further technology innovation in South Africa and beyond. “Bluewater’s unique patented second-generation reverse osmosis water purifiers for home, commercial and public dispensers are the ideal complement to our product offering. Thanks to Bluewater’s stated mission to bring access to clean water to everyone everywhere and contribute to ending the single-use plastics

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question of should a business use social media or not, it is now more about how a business uses social media to better serve its customers. Multi-brand franchisees – More franchisees are starting to jump into the bandwagon of having several franchisees on their belt not just having one, doing this helps to improve cash flow as well as the protection of the ups and downs in business. Health and education – According to FASA, these two sectors are rapidly growing, because more people are starting to become health conscious, while on the other hand education is a priority for South Africa. As a result, there is a strong demand for these sectors. Increased customisation – Consumers have gained control of what they want; it is no longer about what do you have on the menu, it is now about how your product or service can be tailor made to what a customer really wants. For example, Brian Altriche, Founder of RocoMamas with 61 franchise outlets is of the view that, his business model clearly responds to the essence of this trend by allowing consumers to create their own burgers as they want. On-demand products/ services – In this fast-paced environment customers control their experiences by wanting products or services that speak to this need.

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Enquiry No: 4

Beware of fly-by-night PC refurbishers

Top franchising trends to look out for in 2018

HE franchising industry has shown adaptability to the tough economy by growing the sector 3,6% over the past four years – from contributing an estimated 9,7% to the country’s GDP in 2014 to its recent figure of 13,3%. Morne Cronje, Head of Franchising at FNB Business believes this trend is expected to continue in the same trajectory in the shortterm and could possibly improve should SA see better economic growth. “2017 has been a very tough year for businesses and consumers. However, the sector continues to perform well gradually year in and year out. This is testament that franchising is robust and holds a key for employment and economic growth.” Cronje cited a survey conducted by the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) which showed that 78% of franchisors were optimistic about future growth in their businesses. Although this translates to positive sentiments, franchising, like other businesses, remains vulnerable to economic headwinds, he said. As a result, franchisors need to keep abreast of their operating environment. He shared some key trends to look out for in 2018: • The significance of online and social media - Traditional marketing is no longer the magic bullet as more people are starting to use social media to interact with brands, whether to express anger, inquire or to show appreciation. It is no longer about the

scourge, we are uniquely positioned jointly to tackle two of Africa’s biggest challenges - clean drinking water availability and plastic waste,” Kate Steere said. Jacobson said Bluewater was on a mission to transform clean drinking water generation, delivery and availability, both in Africa and globally. He said the I-Drop investment underscores Bluewater’s journey to create an ecosystem of like-minded businesses committed to delivering clean water and ending throwaway plastics pollution. “Our ambition is to identify, invest in, partner with and potentially acquire businesses on an international scale that align with our ambitions to create a healthier planet and living environment for all who live on it,” said Jacobson. He described the partnership between Bluewater and I-Drop as a ‘made-in-heaven relationship’ bringing together superior water purifying and GSM remote monitoring and control technologies under one company umbrella and providing the opportunity to mutually leverage individual brand core strengths in retail, home, commercial and event channels. “The market position of our two brands, with Bluewater competing in the premium segment and I-Drop in the low-to-middle-income categories, creates a truly unique chance to deliver human ingenuity-driven solutions to consumers, businesses and municipalities,” said Jacobson.

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IKE many other industries, IT has its own share of unethical businesses that will try to exploit uneducated buyers. Xperien has warned against fly-by-night uncertified computer refurbishers that are taking advantage of unsuspecting customers. Ongoing financial pressure has helped boost the refurbishing industry as businesses streamline their IT budgets and become more innovative in their purchasing decisions. Xperien managing director Alvin Peacock said refurbished electronics was fast becoming the preferred alternative. “Refurbished products can be purchased at a portion of the new price, but provide a far better price versus value specification when compared to buying new. “However, consumers need to ensure refur-

Franchisors who want to expand their business should start exploring this trend. “2018 will no doubt bring its challenges, however for every challenge there is a window

bished products are refurbished and certified by a trusted and accredited refurbishing factory that offers adequate warranties and return policies,” he said. Xperien has introduced an industry standard called Certified Refurbished System (CRS) to ensure refurbished systems are ISO certified and audited. The CRS trademark offers a stamp of assurance and a promise to deliver quality, value for money and integrity in every product sold. With the increased demand, Peacock cautioned consumers to beware of uncertified refurbishers that are popping up everywhere. “We have introduced these standards and will gladly certify refurbishers who are interested in becoming compliant.” CRS products that have been through factory grade processes are certified and audited by ISO 14001:2015, ISO9001:2015. They also offer a 12 to 24-month warranty on electronics. Enquiry No: 5

of opportunity to explore. We are advising franchisors to scrutinise these trends carefully. Doing so could definitely give Enquiry No: 6 them a boost for 2018.”


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Air charter to the rescue in mega rubber shipment

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ACHSER South Africa recently helped a client who needed to rapidly move nearly 400 tons of rubber from Germany to South Africa. Due to the urgency of the consignment, sea freight was not an option, so Dachser chartered three airplanes to move the bales of rubber. “By its nature, air cargo can reach its destination in a matter of days rather than the weeks that are typical of sea freight.,” Dachser SA Managing Director Detlev Duve said. “Because of this, air charters are particularly attractive for manufacturing and JIT clients that are ultimately looking to reduce manufacturing down time and maintain profits.” However, said Duve, while air charters provide a good solution for urgent cargo, the time factor is

immensely critical in order to meet a client’s often-rigorous supply chain timeframes. “There is very little room for procedural delay or error. The logistics partner must have specialist teams in place who are able to seamlessly manage the process before the cargo has even been loaded, right up to final destination.” For time-critical solutions, it is imperative to build accurate time frames into the logistics plan, which must be clearly communicated upfront to the client. Duve said that while this might seem obvious, there are many areas where third parties, such as customs and airports, can create variable pockets of time that should be accounted for. “For example, the rubber cargo coming from Germany had to be cleared prior to loading, a process

which we knew could take a couple of days. This means that the clock already begins ticking before the cargo is physically loaded onto trucks at origin. If clients are not informed upfront about factors such as these, this could have a negative impact on their own timeframes and ultimately on their operations.” Another important third party is the airport where time slots must be negotiated and flight approvals obtained in order for the charter to be added to the flight plan. Duve said having a robust network with local representation is paramount. “Dachser’s teams on the ground work closely with their regional airports and customs offices. In addition to this, local teams are connected to the greater Dachser network, a process that we term as ‘interlocking’ to ensure seamless logistics.” When the client’s bales of rubber arrived at the destination airport it was critical that everything was in place in advance due to the costs incurred by standing time. “Any delay of any sort can be extremely costly. We also ensured that we had sufficient personnel available and on standby to offload the bales. Likewise, directly following customs clearance and release our trucks were on standby for loading.” Duve said that an optimal logistics process can add to efficiency gains and save clients significant amounts of money. “Airfreight can add real value to JIT and manufacturing clients, helping them manage their supply chains, control costs and Enquiry No: 7 reduce inventory.”

Alternative building solutions

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S part of its support for the Naledi Village, settled at the Rustlers Valley Farm in Ficksburg, Eastern Free State, the Earthrise Trust acquired a Hydraform blockmaking machine to help the community self-build much-needed houses. The Trust’s Gino Govender said the 273-hectare Rustler’s Valley Farm, which has since been purchased by the trust, has a rich social history. “The farm was destroyed by a fire in 2007, and the major shareholder also passed on in 2008. We purchased the farm, initially looking to build our conference centre at a countryside venue. “However, there is a community, called Naledi Village, which resides at the farm which we have since undertaken to help as part of our initiative to address the structural inequality, poverty and marginalisation.” Govender said the trust had since undertaken to work with local residents to build a sustainable, rural

community at Rustlers Valley Farm. As a result, Earthrise has established Rustlers Valley Farm as a sustainable, cooperative, commercially-viable, precision farming initiative which involves elements of communal and large-scale commercial farming, both at Naledi and Rustlers Valley Farm respectively. While eco-farming was deemed to form the economic base of the community, proper housing was also a necessity. “Through engagement with government officials, we heard about Hydraform’s alternative building solutions and we eventually consulted with them in June 2016,” said Govender. After an extensive consultation process, both Earthrise and the Naledi Village community were not only thrilled by Hydraform’s tech-

nology, but most importantly the company’s understanding that the machines were sought for a good cause, which was to set a rural community on a self-reliant sustainable economic and social path. “Hydraform understood that this was not just about Earthrise, but it was more about the Naledi Village, and they therefore went out of their way to negotiate a very good price,” said Anton Chaka, the Naledi Village Enquiry No: 8 Chair.

Pictured with the group at the Port of Ngqura are (front, from left) senior student Nick Zaia, the academy’s South African-born Dr Portia Ndlovu and Transnet representative Ntshantsha Buyambo

US students learn from SA maritime sector

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ARITIME business students from the United States visited Nelson Mandela Bay recently week as part of a South African tour to explore the cultural complexity of the global maritime industry. Hosted by the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI), which is headquartered in the Bay, the 19 top-performing students from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy enjoyed a welcome lecture at Nelson Mandela University by local marine tourism expert Peter Myles and a tour of the deepwater Port of Ngqura. Also on their itinerary was a visit to Siyaloba Training Academy to experience the role of a social enterprise in skills training for the maritime sector – teaching sea survival skills to local fishermen. In addition, the group got a firsthand view of the Eastern Cape’s key fishing industry – squid fishing and processing – before moving on to Cape Town, where they will spend a further two weeks visiting major maritime industry businesses and education and training providers. The academy’s South African-born international maritime business lecturer, Dr Portia Ndlovu, said part of the reason for the students’ visit to South Africa was the need to be part of the “global respect train”. While the sector and its education and training facilities were adapting to rapid technological advances spawned by the fourth industrial revolution, Ndlovu said students also needed to acquire the interpersonal communication skills required to work in the global shipping industry. “As such, students at the academy are not only exposed to experiential training, but also to the different cultures they are likely to encounter along their career path,” she said. “The global maritime family is expanding all the time, and it is vitally important to understand the different cultures that they may encounter.” SAIMI spokesperson Samantha Venter said effective cultural exchange was crucial in facilitating

the transfer of global best practices and in finding solutions that work for each environment and customer. “SAIMI plays a much-needed linking role between industry and roleplayers in maritime research, education and training, and we also help to facilitate international and continental cooperation. So, being able to support professional development and share our advances with international visitors is a big part of putting the African maritime sector on the global map.” Venter said the focus of the tour for both parties was to learn from each other and to explore the possibility of further exchanges of expertise in the future. One of the Massachusetts-based academy’s senior students and tour leaders, Nick Zaia, said the maritime sector opened up a world of opportunities but that it required discipline and a sense of responsibility to succeed. “Our training also incorporates a military aspect,” he said. “While not everyone will pursue a shipping career in the military – as a coastguard for example – it is still vital that everyone in the industry has a strong sense of leadership and discipline. “Eventually, whichever line you follow, lives will be in your hands. It is up to us to accept that massive responsibility at an early age.” During their visit to the Port of Ngqura, which was facilitated by Transnet, the students were introduced to the state-of-the art automated mooring system at the harbour. A first in South Africa, the system was specifically developed for the port, allowing repair and maintenance work on ships to continue even in extremely windy conditions. They were also shown environmental successes, such as a pier specifically built to play the role of Mother Nature, ensuring that sand continues to follow the movement pattern that it would have done before the harbour was built. Enquiry No: 9

anuary// F February ebruary 2018 2018 JJanuary

EC IIndustrIal ndustrial & &B BusInEss usiness n NEws ews EC

COMPANY PROFILE: Rs COMPONENTs

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The Home of Engineering

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S Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the global distributor for engineers, recently celebrated 80 years since opening its first business operations in London, UK. Founded as Radiospares, in 1937, the company started as a supplier of parts to the burgeoning radio market, and has evolved to become a global distribution enterprise, with operations in Europe, North America, Africa and Asia, offering a diverse portfolio of more than 500,000 industrial and electronic components

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across 2500 global brands. RS is globally renown as one of the first distributors to successfully transition into an e-commerce business within the B2B space and continues to win awards for innovation and supplier development. RS South Africa opened its doors in 1996, the flagship operation in Africa, celebrating 21 years of distributing products and components to engineers around the continent. Brian Andrew, General Manager of RS South Africa commented: “How things have changed. In 2009 we took the decision to print our last

paper catalogue. It was a big risk to take in a market where e-commerce was just taking off and where the industry was still quite traditional with engineers requesting our 3000-page catalogue to physically search for their favourite parts. We started off with just 5% of sales coming through the website in 2009 and this has steadily grown to 65% of all sales coming through the website. The catalogue is now available on our website with over 500 000 products for customers to choose from, and a further 5000 new products being added monthly. The shift has been

CPUT Engineering Labs turn Pro

S Components recently partnered with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology to kit out their new engineering labs in Bellville, Cape Town. RS Sponsored equipment to the value of R250 000 to be used in the project labs which are run by the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering (DEECE). The four project labs will be used by over 450 students annually, to learn about electronics, mechanical and electrical engineering. The students will get the opportunity to learn about and work with actual engineering equipment by doing various assignments and projects according to their course curriculum. The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) is the only university of technology in the

Western Cape and is the largest higher education institution in the region. The equipment supplied to the labs is from RS’s private label range, called RS Pro – short for ‘professional’. The RS Pro range offers an ever-expanding series of

more than 50,000 quality-tested and exceptional-value products engineered for manufacturing and industrial environments, including automation, electronics, tools, test and measurement, lighting and electrical installation. All RS Pro products are produced to a high industrial-quality standard, undergo rigorous testing in the RS lab, and are backed by the RS Seal of Approval. “RS Components has always been engaged in developing and supporting engineers and in recent years our involvement with education has grown in line with the demand for young people with STEM skills in South Africa,”

said Brian Andrew, GM of RS Components South Africa. “Being the global distributor for engineers and technical professionals, it made sense to partner with the CPUT as they are developing the next generation of technicians and technologists who are going to be required to be multi-skilled across engineering disciplines. We wanted the students to have access to the necessary tools and equipment so that they could practically put the theory they are studying into practice and have a taste of what the professionals use. Our RS Pro range matched the requirements of the labs by having great quality and performance while being affordable. We are extremely excited to see what these young students will be cooking up in the labs.”

Comprehensive range of RS Pro toolkits for maintenance engineers, technicians and electricians

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S Components has introduced a comprehensive series of RS Pro toolkits to support a wide range of requirements in markets and applications, such as maintenance, machine safety, transportation and utilities, as well as robotics, motion control and industrial IoT projects. The new RS Pro toolkit series includes kits and sets for general

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phenomenal with unbelievable efficiencies gained through the use of technology.” RS has operations across 32 countries whilst serving a further 80 markets through third-party distributors and a global network of distribution centres worldwide, that ship more than 44,000 parcels daily. Locally held stock is delivered to customers within 24 hours, and products that need to be ordered from other global distribution centres, are delivered within 4-6 working days to customers in South Africa.

electronics applications and kits for maintenance engineers, technicians, mechanics and electricians. It also includes specialist kits such as those for automotive applications, along with VDE kits for high-voltage electrical applications, as well as sets of precision pliers.

Designed to help enable the reduction of working time and improved efficiency, the application-specific toolkits are designed to be an excellent starting point for engineers or technicians with all the basic tools for a particular industry application, or even as a replacement toolkit for experienced users. The extensive range of RS Pro kits includes: • 13- and 32-piece electronics toolkits; • 28-, 29-, 32- and 36-piece kits for electricians;

• 41- and 82-piece kits for mechanics; • 25- and 81-piece kits for technicians; • 15- and 85-piece field-service kits; • 95-piece automotive toolkit; • 13-piece maintenance toolkit; • Two-piece general-purpose measuring set; • Two four-piece sets of pliers, including a premium precision set. For more information on RS Pro go to www.rspro.co.za.

Plant maintenance products and solutions

HE company recently announced a range of plant maintenance products and solutions designed to help companies with planned and emergency maintenance requirements at manufacturing or processing facilities, to equip themselves to maintain operations and extend system life for as long as economically viable. Key product areas for plant maintenance include tools, consumables, chemicals, cables and cable management, test and measurement, HVAC systems, lighting and a range of automation and control products including sensors and machine guarding. One important area is enabling engineers to find and deal with electrical problems safely and quickly in hard to reach places

inside panels, cabinets or equipment. Key product solutions include wireless inspection and thermal imaging cameras, such as the FLIR CM174 all-in-one clamp meter with built-in thermal imager, power measurement tools from Fluke, lamps from Osram, RS Pro safety lockouts, tools for working at height from Facom, and other electrical devices including cables and sockets. It is essential that production line systems be continuously maintained, as having an early indication of when a unit is operating outside of normal parameters can help avoid equipment failure and reduce downtime. RS offers solutions designed for production line maintenance, covering areas such as process control using sensors, relays and

beacons, plus a large range of products for predictive maintenance. Important for predicting failure is the integration of sensors into existing systems or equipment, such as the SKF CMSS 200 vibration sensor, which can be placed on machinery to measure vibration above a pre-set limit and trigger an alarm condition. RS also provides information on a range of essential workshop

products, such as adhesives, tapes, tools, personal protection equipment and labels. For the general identification of items such as bins, beams, and drawers, a standard industrialstrength label can be used, but other applications require more specific types of labels. The Dymo XTL range of labelling products is an example system that makes it easy to create customised labels simply and quickly. Finally, RS also offers a large range of key RS Pro products targeting plant maintenance applications including heavy-duty cabinets and tool modules, lead-acid batteries, LED lamps, extension reels, cable ties and fastener kits.

DesignSpark.com

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ESIGNSPARK.COM is an online community for engineers that share the latest product and technology trends and ‘how to’ information on engineering challenges. The site also offers free software downloads for PCB, Electrical and Mechanical design projects making it easier to bring an engineer’s designs to life. Recently the company supported by Schmersal and 3M, global leaders in safety products for industry, launched DesignSpark Safety, the latest tool in the fast-expanding DesignSpark portfolio of free-for-download software for product designers and engineers. DesignSpark Safety is a new and intuitive risk-assessment tool that enables companies to embed safety into their end-to-end product design process for the development of machinery. DesignSpark Safety is an embedded software solution that comes with associated support materials, and provides designers with a risk score for their planned product development. The tool can aid the provision of CE Mark documentation, as well as helping in the reduction of potential hazards and ensuring compliance with the global ISO 12100 safety-standard, which specifies basic terminology, principles and a methodology for achieving safety in the design of machinery. Therefore, key target users expected to find significant value in the tool are industrial machinery designers and integrators, along with industrial engineers tasked with improving safety standards on existing machinery. Failing to comply with relevant safety standards and producing unsafe machines can create the risk of injury or even death. The new tool enables companies and designers of machinery to meet all the relevant regulations, standards and directives, and minimise the risk of injury to those employed in industries such as manufacturing and processing, among many others. “DesignSpark Safety is the first powerful and free risk-assessment tool to be made available in the industry,” said Mike Bray, Vice President of DesignSpark at RS. “In addition to expanding the DesignSpark portfolio, the software delivers exceptionally easy access to a professional solution for all engineers by removing the barriers of cost and complexity. Embedding safety into their product development enables the streamlining of designs and the avoidance of costly retrofit solutions.” DesignSpark Safety is available globally, and accessible via www.designspark.com, along with articles, tools and many other product design and development resources.

For more information contact Rs Components sA, +27 (0) 11 691 9300, [email protected], www.rsonline.co.za

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Innovation, blockchain tech top agenda at energy indaba

EADING figures within the African energy scene will convene at the 10th Annual Africa Energy Indaba, the World Energy Council’s annual African regional meeting, to discuss the importance of innovation and regional integration. It comes at a time when the energy sector is undergoing a major transition. The World Energy Council will be holding a high-level Energy Leaders’ Dialogue as part of the Indaba in Johannesburg between 19 and 21 February. Discussions will focus on energy sector innovations in Africa, exploring near and long-term prospects for technological advancements such as blockchain, where decentralisation and digitalisation plays a more prominent role within the continent. Additional discussions will

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explore the role the private sector can play in supporting policies that drive innovation and financing of energy systems in Africa. Christoph Frei, Secretary General, World Energy Council said: “In Africa, energy is at the forefront of the political and business agenda. There is a triple energy transition under way world-wide and impacting the African energy system, driven by decarbonisation, innovation and new business models, as well as new risks and resilience approaches. “Achieving a robust energy future in a context of the triple transition requires different approaches guided by innovative policies. Digitally enabled and distributed energy sources point strongly to a future energy landscape where decentralised approaches create entirely new opportunities for rural Africa and

beyond. This is an opportune time for energy leaders to exchange views and discuss critical issues impacting the energy sector.” Speakers at the Indaba and Africa Leader’s Dialogue will include: Kornelia Shilunga, Deputy Minister of Energy, Namibia; Amadou Hott, Head of Energy, the African Development Bank Group; Dr Elham Ibrahim, Vice-Chair for Africa, World Energy Council; Viktor Polikarpov, Regional Vice-President, Africa, Rosatom; Leon Viljoen, CEO, ABB South Africa; Paddy Padmanathan, ACWA Power; CEO of Bboxx, Mansoor Hamayun. Many more energy luminaries will be present. Liz Hart, Managing Director, Africa Energy Indaba, commented: “The African continent has endless potential for solar, wind, hydropower and geothermal energy resources. The

Davos limelight for SA charity

RACEY Chambers, CEO of one of South Africa’s most impactful social entrepreneurship programmes, The Clothing Bank, recently attended the 48th World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos as a guest of the Schwab Foundation. In 2016 the organisation’s co-founders, Chambers and Tracey Gilmore, were awarded the Schwab Social Entrepreneur of the year award in recognition of the work they do to develop unemployed mothers into viable small business owners in the retail sector. The Clothing Bank assists 800 unemployed mothers every year journey out of poverty by training them to become informal clothing retailers. Its two-year programme puts beneficiaries through intensive business, computer, life skills and personal finance workshops, training them to successfully operate their own business and make positive life choices that benefit themselves and their children. The business model works thanks to strategic partnerships with most of SA’s clothing retailers who donate their excess stock to the organisation. Beneficiaries buy this merchandise from The Clothing Bank and sell it in their own informal businesses. Within two weeks of starting on The Clothing

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Bank programme the beneficiaries are running their own businesses. By the time the women leave they have established other sources of product to sell, or even other businesses like crèches, laundries or transport services, and they are financially independent, confident women, earning on average R4000/ month. This is above the minimum wage with the added benefit of flexi-time as most of the women have children. The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship is a not-for-profit, independent and neutral organisation that advances social entrepreneurship and fosters social entrepreneurs globally. The foundation highlights leading models of sustainable social innovation, like The Clothing Bank, at a global level, such as at events like the WEF. The aim of the Foundation is to identify

a select community of social entrepreneurs and engage it in shaping global, regional and industry agendas that improve the state of the world. As Schwab awardees, Chambers has been selected as one of 40 social entrepreneurs to attend WEF. She said: “It is particularly important that the voice of social entrepreneurs, who have - through years of trial and error - found sustainable solutions to complex social problems, are heard by industry and government leaders. “Social entrepreneurs who are running projects that are really working and creating meaningful change to people’s lives can bring new perspectives to global leaders. If successful social projects can be scaled they could bring about systems change, which can significantly transform the lives of millions of people living in devastating poverty.” The theme of this year’s WEF conference was Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World, aiming to deal with the divisive narrative in the global context. At Davos, Chambers had the opportunity to meet, network and share The Clothing Bank’s success with captains of industry, CEO’s, senior government ministers, academics, celebrities and heads of foundations. Enquiry No: 11

scope for Africa and all its respective countries to unlock its energy potential is immense – both conventional and renewable. The World Energy Council will also be hosting its Africa Regional Meeting as well as a workshop focussing on its World Energy Scenarios work, which envisions scenarios to 2060. Led by Angela Wilkinson, Senior Director, Scenarios and Business Insights. The workshop will aim to capture the reality of the energy world from a Sub-Saharan African perspective. The interactive workshop will provide an opportunity for strategic knowledge sharing on the long-term energy outlook. It will provide an up-to-date regional African perspective and reflect on plausible, alternative scenarios, as Enquiry No: 10 well as new shared visions.

20th anniversary conference for SA private equity industry

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HE Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) will be commemorating 20 years as the region’s industry body and public policy advocate at its annual conference on 21 and 22 February in Stellenbosch. This year’s theme is “20/20: Hindsight. Insight. Foresight” and celebrates the past two decades of SAVCA’s existence, while interrogating the current state of the private equity industry - and looking forward to what sector players should consider when structuring for success over the next 20 years. “This event showcases our industry’s agility and adaptability in the face of increasing market dynamism, as we explore past lessons learnt and assess future opportunities,” said SAVCA CEO, Tanya van Lill. “There is no doubt that private equity activity is expected to increase over the next 12 months, with primary investment focus being on the food and beverage, financial services, healthcare and agriculture sectors, amongst others. We also expect to see a continued pipeline of good exits, given investments made post 2008 financial crisis that are maturing. “The growth in private equity funds under management from R158.8 billion in 2015 to R171.8 billion in 2016 is reflective of a growing industry and an increased interest from investors to invest in the asset class in Southern Africa,” she said. The speaker line-up includes Dion Chang, trends analyst and CEO and Founder of Flux Trends, who will deliver the keynote address According to Lill, this will provide delegates with critical insights for the formulation of ongoing business strategies as they endeavour to identify new ways to navigate the increasingly disrupted business landscape. Penny Heyns, Olympic gold medallist and director at Omnishare Holdings; Daryl Impey, professional cyclist; and Chester Williams, rugby icon and head coach of UWC’s varsity rugby team, will share their views on attaining success during a panel session moderated by Andile Khumalo, Managing Director of POWER 98.7.Industry speakers include Simon Freemantle, Senior Political Economist Enquiry No: 12 at Standard Bank.

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automation & robotics

Redefining ‘open access’ for fibre networks E veryone wants high speed fibre connectivity and providers are jostling to get fibre into the ground and to the door of businesses and residential customers. The fastest route to a return on these fibre investments is to allow open access, enabling multiple ISPs and telecoms providers to use it to provide services, however, it has become messy. That’s according to Greg Wilson, CEO of IT, Carrier Solutions at networking and telephony provider Reflex Solutions. A Jasco company, Reflex Solutions offers an advanced virtual access model. “With fibre provision riding a growing demand curve in South Africa, the models used to connect end users to services are proving a differentiator,” said Wilson. “The original model, which accommodates all comers and leaves technical aspects (such as plugging into the network) up to each ISP, is proving less than efficient. Our model, which relies on solid infrastructure, automation, aggregation and networking expertise, is changing the definition of ‘open access’.” Reflex Solutions’ open access interconnect model simplifies infrastructure management by aggregating the fibre networks and ISPs. This virtualises service management for ISPs and

fibre operators alike. “It is not only being adopted by all the leading fibre providers—we count Vumatel, Maboneng Broadband and Evotel as our clients — it’s being applauded by ISPs. It also offers end users considerable cost, service provider choice and service level advantages,” said Wilson. The old ‘open access’ model

Why is the all-comer access model not working? “When every ISP that offers a service on a specific fibre network has to connect into that network with its own equipment, light the fibre up and install on-premises equipment at the client to deliver the service - things can get really complex,” Wilson said. “It makes services costly and often unreliable as the cost to deploy all the belts and braces becomes inhibitive, and is a big headache for the fibre owner who has to manage multiple ISP interconnects.” Using the all-comer model, getting connected becomes a costly investment for ISPs requiring networking and technology expertise, as well as feet on the ground to service the

Cyberattacks a growing concern for industry

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F the industrial companies that participated in the IT Security Risks Survey, every fourth company has faced a variety of cyberattacks. Worryingly, one of the fastest growing types of threats, among the multitude targeting industrial organisations in 2017, was targeted attacks. To make factory floors more secure in 2018, it’s critical to eliminate targeted attacks from cybersecurity blind spots, warns Kaspersky Lab. Due to the steady increase in complexity, and number of attacks on the industrial market, the consequences of ignoring cybersecurity issues could now be disastrous. 28% of the 962 industrial companies surveyed globally have faced targeted attacks in the last 12 months. That’s eight percentage points more than last year, when only 20% of the industrial market experienced targeted attacks. “This confirms the predictions of Kaspersky ICS CERT experts about the emergence of specific malware targeting vulnerabilities in industrial automation components in 2018. The fact that the most dangerous incident type has grown by more than a third, strongly suggests that cybercriminal groups are paying much closer attention to the industrial sector,” the global cyber-security company said in a statement. It added that 48% of industrial businesses state that there’s insufficient insight into the threats specifically faced by their business. Faced with a lack of network visibility, 87% of industrial players responded affirmatively when asked if any of the IT/OT security events they experienced over the previous year were complex. “This is a strong indicator of the increasingly complex nature of security incidents affecting both IT and OT infrastructures, and it comes as little surprise that industrial organi-

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sations spend, on average, from several days (34%) to several weeks (20%) detecting a security event. “These findings indicate that, for enterprises with critical infrastructures, it has become essential to use dedicated security solutions capable of dealing with a multitude of threats – from commodity malware to attacks designed to exploit vulnerabilities in industrial automation system components.” It said industrial organisations were fully aware of the need for high-quality protection against cyberthreats. 62% of employees at industrial companies firmly believe it’s necessary to use more sophisticated IT security software. However, software alone is not enough: almost half (49%) of industrial company respondents blame staff for not properly following IT security policies, which is 6% more than respondents in other sectors. Cybersecurity awareness training is a ‘must’ when it comes to cybersecurity in industrial organisations, given that any employee, from the administration side to the factory floor, plays a key role in the safety of an enterprise and maintaining operational continuity. “Cyberattacks on industrial control systems have become the indisputable number-one concern. The good news is that the majority of industrial market players know which threats are coming to the fore today and will be relevant in the near future,” said Andrey Suvorov, Head of Critical Infrastructure Protection Business Development, Kaspersky Lab. “That’s why it’s crucially important to implement a complex security solution that’s specifically designed to protect automated industrial environments, is highly flexible and configured in accordance with the technological processEnquiry No: 14 es of each organisation."

Ultra-compact magnetic sensor for machine construction

nstrotech is offering Siko MSC500, the latest stage of development in ultra-compact magnetic sensors for industry as well as machine and plant construction. Common applications include linear actuators, stop adjustment for saws, and even measurement of the tracking of solar plants. The sensor measures paths, angles or rotational speeds – contactless and wear-free – in conjunction with the associated magnetic tapes or magnetic rings. The sensor reads the magnetic code of the magnetic tape or magnetic ring incrementally. This information is converted into digital square-wave signals and sent to the downstream electronics. According to the company, the new sensor constitutes a significant development over previous MagLine magnetic sensors in terms of their performance and integrated technology. It includes a clever, multicoloured

status LED that aids in both commissioning and standard operation. The correct distance between the magnetic band or magnetic ring is can be monitored visually. If the reading distance between sensor and magnetic tape / magnetic ring is excessive, it will be indicated by the blue LED. A green LED indicates an intact power supply, while a yellow LED indicates that the encoded path information is being read correctly from the magnetic tape or the magnetic ring. Another new feature is the plug connection right on the sensor. The combination of a pluggable version and the status LED along with its unique compact design allows installation even where space is limited. This enables quick and accurate installation of the system and saves installation costs. The new robust and resistant plastic housing can be a drop in replacement for existing designs of Enquiry No: 16 MagLine magnetic sensors.

client. That cost is passed on to the customer. The process is time consuming and time to deliver the service can be excessive. In addition, depending on the capabilities of the ISP, service levels can vary. “For facility owners e.g., of a residential or business park- and for users, an all-comer open access model often means that in addition to costly and erratic service, service offerings are likely to be limited. ISPs often find the investment needed to connect into the network too high, especially when there are limited end users that can be served and a number of ISPs are already servicing them. “Our more advanced open access model removes many of these challenges by providing a single ‘doorway’ and high-level infrastructure management services.” Automation – the next wave

The next wave in the industry is for ISP’s to automate their processes by integrating their systems into the fibre operators’ systems. The workload with all the varied systems out there is immense and something single ISP’s will

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battle to tackle alone. Through our API platform we provide a single point of integration for all parties. This, said Wilson, will speed up integration and integration will mean faster connecting up of subscribers with less faults. He said open access is only open access if: • It gives subscribers a wide choice of service providers on an equal footing. • It is more cost effective than an ad-hoc service delivered by the service provider directly to the end user. • Is pre-installed and delivers fast lead times to end users. • Interconnect point is at a carrier neutral data centre where the majority of service providers already have a presence. • There must be a published service rate card and services must be available day one (no empty promises). “In essence, our open access model provides an intermediate layer of infrastructure control that allows ISPs and service providers to simply plug into the network and do what they do best - provide services,” says Wilson. “We provide the technical capability, installing our equipment to light the fibre up and providing backhaul and interconnect services.” Enquiry No: 13

Miniature sensor with maximum precision

HE powerful new O8 sensor from IFM is – according to the company - an optimum choice for applications where space is at a premium such as assembly and robotics. “It might be small, but the sensor achieves very long ranges. Moreover the background suppression is extremely reliable and precise even for the detection of very small, flat or reflective objects. The O8 reliably copes even

with constantly changing backgrounds, e.g. on robot arms,” the company said in a statement. IO-Link allows simple setting of the ranges and sensitivity, with the range adjustable to the nearest millimetre. A complex adjustment of the distance from the sensor to the object is not needed. The new sensors are also available with pre-set ranges. Enquiry No: 15


AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS

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Industrial IoT company of the year named

MERSON, a global automation technology and software company, has been named the Industrial IoT Company of the Year by IoT Breakthrough.

The award recognizes Emerson’s extensive innovation and leadership in driving Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and strategies for customers

Achieve flexible production with integrated robotics solutions

in manufacturing industries, including oil and gas, food and beverage, chemical, life sciences and others. “As technology continues to evolve, customers are increasingly turning to us for help navigating the Industrial Internet of Things,” said Mike Train, executive president of Emerson Automation Solutions. “Industrial IoT holds a lot of promise for manufacturers, but many struggle to identify the right strategies for adoption within their operations. Our job is to act as a trusted partner, helping customers develop the right business case, then implement scalable solu-

tions that deliver measurable returns.” A recent IndustryWeek survey sponsored by Emerson revealed that 60% of industrial companies are exploring or investing in Industrial IoT pilot projects, but only 5% are investing against a clear business case for how to best implement the technology. To meet this need, Emerson’s Plantweb digital ecosystem includes consulting services to help customers build the best business case, backed by a broad portfolio of Pervasive Sensing technologies, an extensive suite of analytical software tools, secure and robust data infrastructure,

and expert services. The IoT Breakthrough Awards, which received more than 3,000 nominations in 2017, recognize innovators, leaders and visionaries from around the globe in a range of IoT categories, including Industrial, Smart City technology, Connected Home and others. Selections are made by a judging panel comprised of IoT professionals and experts with hands-on experience within the Internet of Things market, including journalists, analysts and professionals from top startups and Fortune 100 companies. Enquiry No: 17

Improved agility in implementing control system projects

Y Delta Parallel robot Quattro and Hornet

Articulated robot Viper

SCARA robot eCobra

OKOGAWA Electric Corporation recently announced the development of an N-IO standard field enclosure and a control system virtualization platform. The enclosure is a weatherproof remote IO cabinet that stores IO devices used by the Centum VP integrated production control system and the ProSafe-RS safety instrumented system. The virtualisation platform enables the control of multiple virtual

Mobile robot LD Series

The new Omron Robotic Automation enhances the most demanding manufacturing lines. Realize faster line start-up & change-over, implement easier to use technology & vertical line integration, and facilitate faster data capture & analysis to increase your in-line efficiency.

devices on a single server. “By reducing the amount of time and effort to engineer a new system, these solutions help to both speed up project execution and reduce total cost of ownership,” the company said in a statement. The enclosure is scheduled to be released in February 2018, and the virtualisation platform will be released in May.

Robot-assisted packaging line works more efficiently, reduces failures

Our industrial robotics range from articulated, SCARA, and DELTA to collaborative (mobile) robots that optimize the handling of varying lot sizes and diverse products, formats and qualities. Achieve flexible production with integrated robotics solutions that give you a competitive edge!

Discover how to improve your flexible production, contact us: +27 (0)11 579 2600 [email protected] industrial.omron.co.za

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Enquiry No: 18

20-07-17

OMBILO in Waddinxveen, the Netherlands, specialises in the import, export, packing, storage, shipment, and distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables. With the help of a vision system and delta robots supplied by Omron, EasyPack Technologies has automated how Combilo’s bell peppers are picked up 12:50 and positioned. The result, according to the company, is a process that is more efficient and less prone to failures. Combilo Production Manager Marcel Villerius said, “We are constantly looking for ways to improve our efficiency and are attempting to automate our operations as much as possible”. Since 2015, the hall has hosted a robot that is part of a packaging line for “traffic lights”; packets that each contain one red, one yellow, and one green bell pepper. Combilo decided to purchase a robot-assisted line to make packaging the triple-packs of bell peppers more efficient.

“The automated line essentially does the same thing as a traditional line,” said Jeroen Bugter, Director of EasyPack Technologies, the company that developed the robot-assisted line. “An employee fills the trays with bell peppers of each colour, before three robots assume the role of the employees who place the bell peppers on the belt. “The robots pick up the bell peppers and correctly position them on the belt in the correct colour order, before they are sent through the flow packer. The process following the packaging machine stage remains the same.” Although the role of the robots may seem limited when viewed in isolation, the robots’ control mechanism is underpinned by an intelligent concept. “Picking up items by hand results in packages that are too heavy and contain too much product or packages that are too light and have to be rejected,” said Villerius. But that is not all. After the

bell peppers are weighed, the vision system — comprising three cameras — relays the position, the location of the bell peppers and the shape of the stem to the system. This then allows the system to calculate precisely how the bell pepper should be packaged and turned so that it can be placed in the correct position on the belt. According to Villerius, working with bell peppers is especially difficult because their shape varies so much. And their stems are also rigid, so they have to face inwards to prevent the packaging from ripping. Two companies were involved in developing the automated packaging line. The contractor for the project was EasyPack Technologies; a young company that develops and builds packaging machines for the food industry. EasyPack worked closely with Rons Electronics Supplies; a regular partner that handled the electronics and controls. Enquiry No: 19

New scalable analytics platform for industrial IoT applications

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A Joint Venture with Bosch Rexroth

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S connectivity and computing power continues to spread throughout industrial enterprises, the availability of data has revolutionised how companies solve issues and adapt to changes. But producers continue to be challenged by the complexity of making data useful at the right place and time. They also lack in-house expertise for data management from the device through the cloud. Rockwell Automation has a stated goal of enabling advanced analytics for manufacturing. Project Scio is the next step along that continuum. To make decisions when and where they matter most, a Project Scio platform reduces hurdles to unleashing information.

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The platform opens access to ad-hoc analytics and performs advanced analysis

by pulling structured and unstructured data from virtually any existing source in the enterprise. It can also intelligently fuse related data, delivering analytics in intuitive dashboards – called storyboards – that users can share and view. “Providing analytics at all levels of the enterprise – on the edge, on-premis-

es or in the cloud – helps users have the ability to gain insights not possible before,” said Christo Buys, Business Manager – Control Systems, Sub-Saharan Africa, Rockwell Automation. “When users gain the ability to fuse multiple data sources and add machine learning, their systems could become more predictive and intelligent. Scio puts analytics to work for everyone. The scalable and open platform gives users secure, persona-based access to all data sources, structured or unstructured. And a configurable, easy-touse interface means that all users can become self-serving data scientists to solve problems and drive tangible business outcomes.” Enquiry No: 20


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green industries & renewable energy

Green building trend stirred by growing social consciousness

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By Greg Rice

USINESSES and citizens – as the primarily targeted tenants of industrial and commercial spaces – are growing increasingly conscious to the importance of resilience and the need to safeguard and manage critical resources in a more sustainable fashion. For example, when the country experienced load shedding in 2008, this increased social awareness on the importance of secure power, sparked interest among developers to investigate solar power rooftop or onsite solutions that could self-power their buildings in the event of grid power interruptions. Likewise, the water shortages – and water restrictions as a result – that many areas across the country have faced in the last 18-months have created a sense of urgency across the country to look at more efficient water management solutions within buildings. This has opened up opportunities to capture and use rainwater, or to safely recycle and reuse grey water, to meet their essential opera-

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water consumption solutions and waste to landfill considerations for the construction and operational phases of the building. Previously it was thought to be more expensive to make the upfront capital investments to go green, however, volatility in both the cost and availability of power and water resource, for example, is influencing a mind-set change. Added to this, if we look at the whole life-cycle design of a building; architects, consulting engineers and sustainability consultant teams are constantly coming up with alternative and environmentally suitable building designs to offset the impact of the building on its immediate environment. Therefore, in the long-term, not only are green building design adoptions financially beneficial due to reduced energy consumption, but the use of renewable and more sustainable energy resources also has the propensity

to reduce the carbon emissions associated to these buildings and provide increased resilience to uncertain service delivery. These are all significant value adds to the customer/tenant – and what benefits the customer also benefits the developer/owner. Also, savvier customers – including, government departments, corporates and citizens, alike are realising the benefits of being more “green” and offsetting as much of their energy and water consumption as possible given the many benefits of doing so. The rising social consciousness agenda is therefore having a significant influence on the economic case for developments to be built for sustainability, which can assist in increasing their marketability. What is then key is for smart developers to aspire to incorporate climate responsiveness and “designing within constraint” concepts when developing buildings - to keep up with the growing trend and the rising social consciousness.

Greg Rice, is a Sustainability Consultant at WSP Africa. Enquiry No: 21

Off-grid solar set to boom in Africa

HE role of off-grid and mini-grid in rural electrification in Africa, will be a key discussion session during the 10th Africa Energy Indaba Conference on 20-21st February 2018 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburgrica, supporting the immense growth potential of solar. Solar is making a major impact in Africa; the amount of power from solar grew by more than 50%, and has officially increased energy output globally at a faster rate than any other fuel. Solar is currently leading the race in renewables and for the first time solar PV additions surpassed all other fuels including coal. The International Energy Agency (IEA) released their latest report relating to solar in 2017 whereby the agency estimated a continued strong solar PV growth through to 2022, with renewable electricity capacity forecast to expand by over 920 GW, an increase of 43%. It is estimated that for the next five years, solar PV will represent the largest annual capacity additions for renewables, surpassing wind and hydro. Recently, the IEA tracked off-grid solar PV applications in Asia and Sub Saharan Africa, and it is estimated that offgrid capacity is set to triple reaching over 3 000 MW in 2022, this resulting from industrial applications, solar home systems (SHS), and mini-grids driven by government electrification programmes, and private sector investments. The socio-economic impact will be very significant, whereby solar home systems, this being the most dynamic sector in the off-grid segment, is estimated to bring basic electricity services to millions of households in SubSaharan Africa. The growth in solar PV is set to bridge the electrification gap in Africa; a case in point is Lumos, a company offering off-grid solar services in Africa called Y’ello Box and in partnership with MTN in Nigeria, is offering a device that transforms the sun’s energy into

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tional and living needs. It’s no surprise then, that this rising social consciousness, coupled with continuous and growing pressure being placed on the ‘built’ space to address inadequate energy resources, carbon reduction targets and, tightening building energy efficiency standards, continues to drive green building trends in South Africa. In fact, “building green” or building for sustainability and climate change mitigation has become integral in the design and construction of buildings in South Africa, and over the last six years or so there has been significant uptake of green buildings in the country. The green design elements may be vast, and vary between buildings, but will most certainly, at the very least, include things like; the materials used in the building construction, energy efficiency – use of natural light balanced with efficient light fittings, and efficiencies built into the mechanical system – as well as efficient

affordable, clean and reliable electricity and is paid for by using the mobile phone. This type of initiative, the IEA envisages over the next five years will encourage Africa’s entrepreneurs and innovative payment solutions, enabling access to electricity services by 2022 for millions of low-income additional consumers in Africa. According to the IEA report, this solar renewable trend is so dynamic that the off-grid SHS capacity in Africa is set to reach around 1,000 MW by 2022. To date, East Africa has been a main initiator in off-grid solar systems, for example, in Rwanda a solar powered mobile kiosk charges phones and connects communities. Currently, the Tanzanian national grid supplies electricity to less than 20% of the population and in other areas of the country mini-grids are connected to oil-burning or hydroelectric plants. This amounts to only a quarter of Tanzanians having access to power, while only another 8%

of majority rural dwellers receive continuous power from solar systems linked to lithium-ion batteries. These above-mentioned private sector innovations supported by Power Africa and funded by OPIC (Overseas Private Investment Corporation) are enabling people to access power in increasingly shorter periods of time through off-grid energy solutions. Populations who are not yet connected to the grid no longer have to wait months, years, or decades to have access to electricity for their homes and businesses. These innovative solutions are having an immediate and practical impact whereby millions of people in Africa will benefit by switching from kerosene and diesel fuels to solar energy, reducing their expenditures on energy while concomitantly and significantly reducing CO2 emissions. Africa is the sunniest region on earth and with its abundant natural resources the positive socio-economic spin-off potential is enormous. The lengthy, extremely expensive and arduous task of connecting to the main grid currently remains a focus of African governments and international development institutions, but clearly this needs to shift in order to accommodate the millions that could have affordable, reliable and clean electricity in their homes and businesses in the very near future. Various Rural Electrification Agency CEOs and decision-makers from African countries, such as Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Sudan and Mozambique, will be hosted by the South African Electrotechnical Export Council (SAEEC) in partnership with the South African Department of Trade & Industry to participate and attend the Africa Energy Indaba. Key meetings will be hosted with these Agency CEOs to expose them to new off-grid and mini-grid technologies during the exhibition component of the Africa Energy Indaba.

No power? No problem

AGNET is now distributing the new portable Mobiya solar LED lanterns, which have been designed by Schneider Electric as a convenient, safe and reliable source of energy efficient lighting. Mobiya TS 170S off-grid portable solar LED lanterns consist of a solar panel and an integrated mobile phone charging facility, with a USB cable with 5 adaptors. “This compact, user friendly lighting system is particularly well suited for use in off-grid households, small shops and for street vendors. Mobiya solar lanterns are also effective in power outages, emergency situations, vehicle or machine breakdowns, as well as for outdoor activities, like camping, fishing and entertaining,” said Brian Howarth, managing director, the Magnet Group. “Apart from the convenience of having uniform lighting available exactly where and when its needed, these lamps are equipped with a handy mobile phone charger, with USB ports, enabling users to charge mobile phones any time, at no cost. “These environmentally friendly lanterns do

not generate noise or emissions and can be hand carried, even by children. Robust Mobiya lanterns are drop impact resistant from a height of 1.5m and water resistant up to 0.5m for 1 hour,” Howarth said. The Mobiya LED TS170S lantern has three level settings which provide 48 hours of light at 20 Lumens output, 12 hours of light at 85 Lumens and six hours of light at maximum170 Lumens. An advanced Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, with a 1 500 cycle, three-year life span, is charged efficiently through the solar panel, with micro-controller based charge control to prevent over charge and deep discharge. Smart electronics for battery monitoring shows indications for battery charging, the battery charge level remaining and the need for re-charging when drained. For added convenience, a Phosphorescent switch enables the

The latest renewable energy projects that are up for tender will be an added feature and discussion throughout the event, which provides ample opportunity for business development for technology companies, EPC contractors, financiers, etc. In addition, the exhibition and conference will feature Hosted Buyers from property development companies, municipalities, retail centres, manufacturers, etc. interested in solar rooftop installations and solar solutions. Enquiry No: 22

I just don’t see any downside. With SolarDrive technology such as this, everyone benefits, including the environment.

25% more power

user to locate the lamp in darkness. Magnet - specialists in the supply and support of electrical equipment, industrial instrumentation and automation - has distributed Schneider Electric’s range of energy management systems for nearly 35 years. Enquiry No: 23

CO² EMISSION FREE 25% CHARGE AND DRIVE EXPONENTIAL COST SAVINGS less weight EXTENDS BATTERY LIFE LOW MAINTENANCE

 Modular construction with universal fittings  Effects up to 500 Watts power  Improved impact resistance  Tempered glass or Teflon/Polymer lamination  Mono– or poly-crystalline solar cells  Controller key switch up to 72v MPPT CHARGE CONTROLLER LCD display with LED lights constantly displaying solar power charging rate to keep the driver regularly informed.


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ENGINEERING & ALLIED SUPPLIES

Structural glazing sealants for mall project D

Measure voltage without test leads

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OMTEST is offering the latest Fluke T6 600 and 1000 electrical testers that lets users test where it used to be impossible, like crowded junction boxes and conductors with inaccessible end points. And all of this without test leads, no exposed conductors and no metallic contact, delivering reliable voltage and current measurements. According to the company, the T6’s promise huge time savings and fewer chances for something to go wrong. They measure voltage up to 1000 V ac through the open fork, without test lead contact to live voltage, and without opening covers or removing wire nuts. Also, on wires of up to AWG 4/0 (120 mm²), carrying as much as 200 A, the new Fluke T6 is being billed as a “real-time Enquiry No: 24 game-changer”.

OW Corning 895 structural glazing sealants, supplied by ABE Construction Chemicals, was used to seal the expansive and spectacular skylights of the new Table Bay Mall in Table View, Cape Town. ABE is part of the Chryso Southern Africa Group and sole South African distributor for the Belgian-produced Dow Corning range of structural glazing sealants, insulating glass, and sealants for expansion joints on highways, airport aprons and bridges. Table Bay Mall is a Zenprop development, built by Group Five Construction, and designed by Vivid Architects. Grant Batty, National Manager: Silicones, Sealants and Adhesives for ABE, said Dow Corning 895 - which was specified for the Table Bay Mall skylights as well as the glazed façades around the shopping complex’s entrances - is a single component silicone sealant globally used for structural glazing. “The product provides excellent adhesion to a wide range of substrates, including anodised and powder-coated aluminium profiles; and stainless steel profiles. It meets stringent European standards for structural glazing, and is odourless with a non-corrosive curing system. The cured product has excellent weathering characteristics and is resistant to UV radiation, heat and humidity.” The applicator of the structural glazing sealant for the skylights was Cloud 9 Skylights, a

Dow Corning Quality Bond member. Cloud 9 Skylights also applied Dow Corning 813C as exterior weatherproofing sealant to the skylights. Dow Corning 813C is a one-part, neutral curing, low modulus sealant suitable for interior and exterior applications, such as weather seals, expansion joints, and perimeter joints in buildings and other types of structures. “It has a joint movement capability of + 50% as well as -50% and provides strong, unprimed adhesion to various substrates, including glazed surfaces, concrete, masonry, brick, wood, and some plastics,” Batty said. The application of the combination of Dow Corning 895 and 813C at Table Bay Mall’s entrances was done by another Dow Corning Quality Bond member, CGA Fenestrations, with which ABE has also had a long-established relationship. Batty said the reputation of Dow Corning sealants - already for many decades the top quality standard for structural glazing – was further enhanced by the DC Quality Bond applicator programme offered to specifiers and developers. “With inadequate application, even the finest sealants can fail. But now specifiers and developers are assured that Dow Corning sealants will only be applied by Quality Bond applicators who meet the company’s stringent rules of compliance. Quality Bond guarantees that the level of the workmanship and applica-

tion will meet the most demanding requirements for safety and d u r a b i l i t y. Quality Bond applicators, furthermore, have to be audited annu- The spectacular skylights of Table Bay Mall for which ally to have their certifica- ABE supplied Dow Corning structural sealants tion renewed,” Batty said. Dow Corning also markets and promotes the services of Quality Bond members among specifiers worldwide and offers its respected technical expertise to ensure that projects are carried out according to the company’s strict quality control system. Laboratory testing on substrates to check adhesion, compatibility and staining enable Dow Corning to make formal recommendations for the product selection and use. “The provision of blueprint reviews, design calculations for structural and weather-sealing joints, project audits, training and warranties all contribute to the total peace of mind package now offered to specifiers,” Batty added. Enquiry No: 25

Accelerated bearing delivery cements the deal

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HE SKF Explorer series of large size roller bearings presented the optimum solution for a vertical roller mill used in the production of cement. A long-standing SKF customer in the cement and concrete industry contacted them when a routine maintenance check determined that the bearings on one of their vertical roller mills needed replacement. Operating in an extremely demanding environment, the vertical roller mill is critical in the production process of this cement producing facility. “It was therefore crucial that the bearings are of superior quality to deliver reliable performance and maximise productivity for the customer,” said SKF Territory Sales Manager, Sean Weir.

EXELTOP

The SKF Explorer series bearings were proposed. “These bearings feature optimisation of the internal design, high performance materials and heat treatment. These properties result in a greater wear resistance, lower operating temperatures and longer service life even under contaminated or poor lubrication conditions. This translates to improved availability and productivity,” Weir said. “The best delivery time of six months from SKF Europe was not an option for the customer who considered the risk exposure too high. As one of our loyal key customers who use a wide range of SKF products we had to pull out all the stops in order to

come up with a better solution. “SKF South Africa solicited support from the SKF mining segment team and we were consequently able to reduce the delivery time from SKF Dalian factory in China by 1.5 months to the satisfaction of our customer.” Weir said the condition of the existing bearings was being closely monitored until the maintenance could be scheduled. Both the engineering company that overhauled the mill as well as the customer valued SKF knowledge and expertise. “In addition to strengthening their confidence in SKF as a partner, our ability to assist the customer has opened up many other opportunities for collaboration and engagement in other projects between the customer and our authorised distributor also.” Enquiry No: 26

TM

Trust in Performance

ENSURE SUPERIOR RESULTS EXELTOPTM combines the best of our experience and technologies into a advanced built-in regulator for shielding gas cylinders. Innovation is our focus at Air Liquide; we are driven to ease your work and assure your safety and earn more. Gas flow stability & accuracy for high performance gas operation • A quick and safe connection every time • Intuitive design, easy to use • Built to resist with strengthened guard

Air Liquide Southern Africa SUPER ELASTIC URETHANE = LOWEST ROLLING RESISTANCE AT THE HIGHEST CHARGE Charge (daN)

Tel: +27 87 288 1100, Rolf Schluep (Welding & Cutting Manager) +27 87 288 1332 Or contact us online at www.airliquide.co.za


ENGINEERING & ALLIED SUPPLIES


11

Bearings heavyweights ink new distribution agreement B

Front row from left : Robin Briggs, Managing Director, NSK South Africa and Gavin Pelser, Managing Director, BMG Back row from left :Werner de Bruyn, Business Unit Manager, Bearings, BMG, Chris Coetzee, Manager: Technical Sales and Operations, NSK South Africa and Keith van Wyk, BMG’s Distribution Director

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“NSK has been at the forefront of bearing design and development for many decades and BMG is proud to represent this prestigious brand. Through the strengthened agreement, BMG and NSK South Africa are consolidating services and working strategically together on increasing awareness of the NSK brand and identifying opportunities for growth in key market sectors within Africa and also abroad. “BMG will increase availability of stock out of NSK’s European distribution centre in Tilburg, Netherlands, and values engineering and marketing support from the NSK team in the UK and Germany. “Both companies have made a substantial investment in increased warehousing facilities for greater stock availability and improved lead times. Training facilities for staff and end user customers have also been upgraded.” BMG’s R400-million investment to

upgrade the existing Droste Park facilities into a leading edge distribution centre BMG World - centralises functional and support operations onto one site. This enables BMG to continue to provide high levels of operating efficiencies and delivery service, in line with continued growth of the business. BMG’s bearing division - the cornerstone of the business - has restructured its management structure : Werner de Bruyn is business unit manager and Rouff Essop is operations manager. BMG’s extensive product portfolio encompasses bearings, seals, power transmission components, drives, motors and materials handling components. Also in the range are hydraulics and pneumatics, fasteners and tools, as well as valves, filtration and lubrication systems. Enquiry No: 27

High-feed side milling cutters ideal for aerospace industry

O enhance milling performance on ISO S materials, cutting tool and tooling system specialist Sandvik Coromant is introducing a series of end mills featuring unique geometries and grades. According to the company, the CoroMill Plura HFS (High-Feed Side milling) ISO S cutters deliver reliable and productive results on workpieces made from titanium and nickelbased alloys, bringing benefits to both aerospace engine and frame applications. To help address the predicted growth in aerospace business in the coming years, the CoroMill Plura HFS range comprises two endmill families optimised for titanium alloys, and one for nickel alloys. As chip evacuation and heat are specific challenges when machining titanium, Sandvik Coromant has developed a solid version for

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MG and NSK have consolidated a long-standing partnership, with the recent signing of a new distribution agreement, that enhances the original contract and augers well for both companies, stakeholders and customers. BMG was appointed by NSK, Japan, in 1991 as exclusive distributors in South Africa, for NSK’s extensive range of bearings. Through the restructured agreement, all sales will now be channelled through NSK’s South African operation. “BMG’s NSK range - one of our leading bearings brands - extends from precision miniature bearings used in machine tools and electronics applications, to giant size bearings used in steel and mining industries. This portfolio encompasses miniature, ball, roller bearings, large bore and roll neck bearings, to name a few,” said Keith van Wyk, BMG’s distribution director.

normal chip evacuation conditions, and another featuring internal coolant and a new cooling booster (patent pending) for optimum swarf and temperature control. The end mills for titanium are available in GC1745 grade, which is based on a tough, fine-grained (submicron), cemented-carbide substrate with sharp, controlled edges for very tough milling operations. Furthermore, a new multilayer coating that contains silicon provides excellent wear resistance and low thermal conductivity. The geometry of the cutters is based on a six-flute concept with no centre cut and uneven tooth pitch. Additionally, the core dimension has been

optimised for higher stiffness in titanium alloys, while the corner radius, rake angle and relief are all designed specifically for machining these challenging materials. For nickel alloys, grade GC1710 is deployed, which also features sharp, controlled cutting edges. A hard, wear-resistant, fine-grained substrate is optimised to resist high working loads when machining hard, highly adhesive, work-hardened materials such as aged Inconel 718. Here, a new coating produced with innovative HIPIMS (high power impulse magnetron sputtering) technology also offers adhesion reducing properties to avoid the formation of BUE (built up edge) and increase tool life. “The new cutters are designed to offer highfeed side milling with large axial depths of cut

(ap) and low radial depths of cut (ae), along with a controlled maximum chip thickness, so that the cutting forces are managed and provide a smooth cutting action,” said Tiziana Pro, Global Product Manager Solid End Mills at Sandvik Coromant. “The result is two-fold: increased productivity provides higher output, while greater tool life and reliability reduces scrap rates in what are typically high-value components. Further customer benefits include reduced tool cost per component and greater safety levels.” Target aerospace components include titanium wings and pylon parts, as well as engine cases made from Inconel 718. Applications in sectors such as oil and gas, medical and motorsport, where titanium and nickel alloys are becoming increasingly prevalent, will also Enquiry No: 28 benefit.

New high-resolution ‘plug-andplay’ thermal transfer printer

HE high-resolution, ‘plug-and-play’ Cembre Markingenius MG3 thermal transfer printer can produce thousands of tags – using just three plates – for cables, pipes, and tubes. It is now available in South Africa through distributor ElectroMechanica (EM). Manufactured in Italy, the Markingenius MG3 is the first printer designed specifically for identification of conductors and electrical components. The printer can create terminal block markers and legends, as well as labels for all electrical panels, components, and equipment. “All Cembre MG media can be printed with monocolour Windows True Type fonts at high speed. Markingenius MG3 will also reproduce Clipart images, drawings, barcodes, and bitmaps down to very small sizes,” said

EM spokesperson Lizanne Scholtz. Compact, ergonomic, with a clean and quiet operation, the Markingenius MG3 is ideal for the office environment, like any other computer peripheral. Each monochrome ribbon can print more than 300 000 MG-TPMF 4 x 10 mm cable tags with full printable Measuring surface coverage. The printer’s carriage loading and unloading operations are rapid; support THE NEW LEICA templates can be interchanged ABSOLUTE TRACKER easily; and as the pigment deposited from the ribbon dries instantaneously, printed AT960/AT930 sheets are ready for immediate use. Scholtz said the Markingenius MG3 has QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY DRIVING INNOVATION FOR an easyONprinting requires no THE MOVE system, which OVER 25 YEARS maintenance, settings, or advanced technical The Leica Absolute Tracker AT960 from The Leica Absolute Tracker AT960 is the Hexagon Metrology is the first truly portable latest innovation in Leica laser trackers. skills, and offers the best resolution on the dynamic six degrees of freedom (6DoF) Drawing on mature technology from over laser present measurement system, market at at providing 300 ax 60025 years dpi.of research and development to robust, all-in-one solution to even the most challenging large-scale metrology requirements. With customers seeking better productivity while still demanding technical excellence, Hexagon Metrology offers pioneering solutions. The AT960 brings together the functionality of the hugely-successful Leica Absolute Tracker AT901 and T-Cam with the usability of the compact Leica Absolute Tracker AT402, creating an ultra-portable coordinate measuring machine that fits in a single box. Featuring optional battery operation and Wi-Fi as standard, the AT960’s revolutionary integrated-technology design makes lengthy setup a thing of the past. With built-in levelling equipment, IP54 protection and a system weight of less than 14 kg, the AT960 can be taken almost anywhere.

raise the bar once again, it offers the most 29 tracker advancedEnquiry and accurate No: Leica portable system ever to help customers measure their world in increasing detail.

When any old lubricant just isn’t good enough

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ubrication-related failures in machinery are generally preventable and can be avoided with the application of the correct lubricant, at the right time. That’s according to Marc Gravett, Business Unit Manager, Seals at BMG who added that while a general multipurpose grease was adequate in many applications, more arduous operating conditions demand the judicious selection of the correct lubricant and lubrication system. “In selecting the suitable lubricant for a specific application, cognisance must be taken of factors such as speed of relative movement, ambient and operating temperatures, loading, vibration and the environmental operating conditions,” Gravett said. “Although lubrication constitutes a small percentage of a company’s maintenance budget, the correct use of appropriate lubricants, results in minimal downtime, extended service life of components and significant operational cost savings.” He said that BMG’s extensive portfolio of

Leica has an unrivalled pedigree for laser tracker technology, having introduced the original shop-door tracker system to the market in 1990. Since then, Leica products have continued to revolutionise the technology, creating the frst absolute distance meters, 6DoF trackers, absolute interferometers and the PowerLock active vision system. This continuing desire for progress ensures the Leica name always stands for quality.

locally manufactured Spanjaard lubricants and allied chemical products had beenTARGET prin• AUTOMATIC LOCK • HIGH-SPEED DYNAMICof MEASUREMENT cipally formulated to improve performance • EASY TO USE CONTROLS equipment and machinery and to enhance maintenance in heavy-duty applications. Spanjaard industrial products include antiseize compounds and penetrants, assembly and disassembly products, chain lubricants, transmission oils, cleaners and degreasers, electrical maintenance products, plastic moulding and cutting compounds, as well as engineering and fabrication materials. Also available are a number of Spanjaard greasing solutions, including open gear lubricants and wire rope dressings; bearing and AND RELIABLE syntheticVERSATILE bearing greases, as well as other FOR ANYproducts. INDUSTRY general grease BMG’s technical resources team offers an oil analysis service, which consists of laboratory based sampling and analysis, as well as onsite analysis and filtration and flushing. Other services include technical applications consulting, product and system design, product qualEnquiry No: 30 ity control and assurance.

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12


INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY & DEVELOPMENT

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Award winning architectural student helps shape the future

E are in the midst of a fourth industrial revolution where architecture, like almost every profession, stands to be completely disrupted and transformed. That’s according to Mike Willard, Corobrik Area Sales Manager, speaking recently at the Port Elizabeth regional awards ceremony for the 31st Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Award. He added that winners such as Matthew Morris from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University would shape the future in a world that was already transforming. “In South Africa, the architects of tomorrow will be tasked with taking

an already challenging past into a mind-boggling future that many of us have not yet even begun to understand. They will be the pathfinders who map out a built environment that uses the sophisticated technologies of the future to address the challenges of today that have been compounded by the short comings of the past,” he said. In this annual competition, the country’s best architectural students from eight major universities are identified based on their final thesis and presented with awards throughout the year. The winners of each of the regional competitions then go on to compete for the national title and a prize of

R50 000 at the Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards which will be held in Johannesburg in May. Morris’s thesis, entitled “The design of a decentralised sewage treatment facility for a settlement within Bethelsdorp, Port Elizabeth,” focussed on a heavily polluted river valley system of Swartkops, Port Elizabeth, where the edges are settled by people and lack of adequate service infrastructure has led to high levels of pollution. The design works towards addressing settlement edge and its connection to the natural valley system, whilst building on the underutilized congregational points within

the community. In so doing, providing infrastructure for processing the pollution while concentrating and providing an appropriate place for community activities, making good people places and healthier happier environments. Morris received a cheque for R8 500 while Rust van der Merwe, Chelcie Akom and Simone Joubert shared the runner up places. A R4 500 prize for the best use of clay masonry was also presented to Ian Enquiry No: 31 Woolard. Matthew Morris is pictured with left Adri Oliphant and right Mike Willard of Corobrik

Commercial property ripe with investment opportunities

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HE property market in South Africa remains unfavourable for real estate agents and sellers following years of low

price growth and stagnant sales. However, this depressed market provides many opportunities for investors, provided that the properties are carefully chosen with thorough due diligence and a long-term investment plan in mind. This is according to Christo Botes, Executive Director at Business Partners Limited, who attributed the depressed property landscape to several factors, the most significant being the overall anaemic state of the South African economy. “With household spending under stress, businesses under pressure, an overall unemployment rate of 27.7% and GDP growth of below 2%, investors with large deposits and financiers eager to extend property loans are scarce – especially following the recent downgrade of South Africa’s long-term foreign currency debt to BB from BB+ by S&P Global,” Botes said. He added that real estate had also become a less desirable asset class following the 2008 global financial crash. “This is true among global and local investors. The net result is that a property buyer in South Africa today would find himself on a relatively open playing field, with lots of options from which to choose.” Botes says that prospective investors who were considering purchasing a property, should keep the following ten points in mind: 1. Location - Certain areas have been more affected by the economic downturn, which is why location is imperative. Property values in metropolitan areas are more favourable

as they are more resilient to economic fluctuations. 2. Affordability - One of the biggest mistakes that inexperienced property investors make is to fixate on the bond-repayment figure alone. Rates, levies, utilities, maintenance and security costs all have to be factored in. It is also very important to test various scenarios to see if the investment is still affordable when interest rates or other costs increase. Remember not to take the municipal rates that the previous owner has been paying as a given. The municipality will adjust the rates according to the sales price as you register the purchase of the property. 3. Deposit - The bigger the deposit, the lower bond repayments will be, however this can be a difficult calculation for business owners. They must consider the opportunity cost of taking the cash for the deposit out of the business – it may be more lucrative to keep the money in the business compared to the savings gained from having an increased deposit. 4. The cost and supply of utilities - Electricity and water, once a given in nearly all formal properties in South Africa, are no longer to be taken for granted. Conduct a careful study of the reliability of the supply, its costs, and the availability of backup systems. 5. The cost of maintenance - It is easy to underestimate the cost of maintenance, especially in old buildings that may be seen as a bargain. Be sure to do an accurate survey of the

‘Timber Roof Truss Designer’ awarded professional designation status

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

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imber Roof Truss Designer’, a working category of the Institute for Timber Construction South Africa (ITC-SA), has been registered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) as a professional designation on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). According to Amanda Obbes, National Coordinator of the ITC-SA, “Thanks to the newly-assigned professional status, professionals registered with the ITC-SA under the designation of Timber Roof Truss Designer will now receive due recognition in contracts documentation and will be recognised by statutory organisations as competent persons in their specific field of operation. “Members across all designations are to be confirmed as competent in the area of work for which they are registered. The Institute shall ensure that Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities are offered to these registered designations in a bid not only to drive and enhance competence in the sector, but to reduce consumer risk in enlisting the services of a registered professional.” She warned that members found to have brought the ITC-SA or the industry into disrepute would be dealt with in terms of the institute’s disciplinary procedure and may even be removed from the register of practicing professionals. “The registration of Timber Roof Truss Designer as an additional professional designation in the portfolio of professions overseen by the ITC-SA will be of great benefit.”

• 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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state of repair of the building. 6. The cost of security - The buyer may need to invest a large once-off installation such as an electric fence or add in the ongoing cost of around-the-clock security if the property is particularly vulnerable to crime. 7. Access - Ease of access can be key to making a property investment worthwhile. Consider issues such as road infrastructure, as well as parking, congestion, and the proximity of public transport. 8. Defects - Calculating the ongoing maintenance of a building is one thing but ensuring that there are no hidden defects in the property is another element that must not be neglected. Make a careful study of the water and electricity connections to the property, the state of the building itself, the infrastructure such as air conditioning, and nowadays, the fibre connections and cellphone coverage. 9. Approved building plans - Many investors have had the misfortune of buying a property, only to be slapped with a demolition order because the seller had built without the requisite approval. It is advisable to request the approved building plans of the property before it is bought. 10. Sectional title - If an investment is part of a sectional-title scheme, it adds another layer of due diligence. Make sure that the body corporate that runs the complex is well managed and healthy. It is also vital to view Enquiry No: 32 the financials.

www.linvar.co.za

Enquiry No: 33

2017/03/27 11:24 AM


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HEATING, COOLING & VENTILATION

Controlling dust, insects and heat means more hygienic conditions I NEFFECTIVE control of dust and insects, coupled with variances in temperature, continue to pose hygiene, and health and safety compliance problems for many companies, particularly food manufacturing facilities and retail stores with large volumes of pedestrian and vehicle traffic. That’s according to Wim Dessing, managing director of Apex Strip Curtains & Doors, who adds that high quality strip curtains offer an affordable and viable solution for a number of applications. “Our Balledge PVC strip curtains are equally at home in the food, pharmaceutical and heavy engineering industries as effective control mechanisms against various foreign elements,” Dessing said. Apex Strip Curtains are transparent allowing unimpaired visibility which eliminates accidental collisions between pedestrians and vehicles, yet at the same time the specially formulated PVC is durable for extended longevity. Six specific elements are controlled by using

Apex Strip Curtains: humidity; noise; temperature; hygiene; dust; insects; health and safety. In highly sensitive environments such as pharmaceutical or printing, control of the level of humidity is critical to ensure a high-quality level of finished product. Noisy machinery, especially in the printing and engineering environments, can be effectively enclosed with PVC strip curtains without obstructing the operator and hindering production. “Tests have, in fact, shown that noise levels can be reduced over a range from 7 to 15 decibels to improve working conditions,” he said. In food processing and handling facilities such as the dairy industry, keeping temperature at specific optimum levels can mean the difference between an acceptable product and one which has to be rejected due to spoiling. “Temperature control is crucial to the quality of valuable perishable cargoes destined for either export or domestic use. “In addition, it’s important to ensure hygiene

in such facilities and Apex Strip Curtains have been found to contribute towards attaining acceptably high levels of hygiene,” Dessing said. Temperature control is equally important in a number of instances including food preparation and storage, cold storage and freezer areas as well as in refrigerated trucks. Apex Strip Curtains have a patented reinforced edge, referred to as the Balledge, which ensures an overlapping secure seal whereby cold air is kept in and warm air is kept out to ensure maximum thermal control. In pharmaceutical and chemical plants PVC strip curtains are used to ensure dust free and hygienic manufacturing areas. The curtains are also used around pill packaging areas, in powder rooms, mixing rooms and warehouses. “Maintaining a dust free environment is also important in the handling and packaging areas

of manufacturing plants where clean surfaces are required to obtain adequate sealing of packaging material.” In the food processing sector, there was a definite need for strip curtains in wash areas, deboning sections, mixing rooms, vacuum packing facilities, holding and freezer rooms or delivery trucks. “It goes without saying that raw meat products are a big attractant for unwanted insects. Fortunately, the Apex Strip Curtains are able to control the presence of insects to ensure absolute hygiene,” Dessing said. Open areas at dust filtration and extraction units can be enclosed using PVC strips and other applications are found in mine hostels, kitchens, food preparation areas and workshops. Enquiry No: 34

Take the sweat out of condensation control

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HE extensive range of Fibertex geotextiles, which is designed for use in the construction sector, encompasses Absorex a non-woven material, that the company claims will enhances the value of a building and protects its contents by preventing condensation and limiting corrosion. “Absorex is designed to control condensation and corrosion problems on metal and steel roofs in all climate conditions, including

installations in harsh coastal environments,” said Lance Woolley, business development manager, Fibertex South Africa. “This durable material prevents water from dripping into buildings causing damage to furniture, equipment and stored goods. Absorex also protects against mould growth and reduces reflective noise from rain. “In addition to protecting the roof against corrosion and keeping the building’s contents dry, the polyester layer improves aesthetics of the ceiling.” When temperature and humidity conditions of the roof structure reach dew point, Absorex applied on the roof panels absorbs moisture and contains it until conditions are back above dew point. The moisture is then released back into the air as vapour. Absorex is designed for easy application directly on the roll forming line of the steel metal at the roof manufacturer, where it is cut into sheets. This material, which is resistant to tearing and cutting through, has a self-adhesive coating and a siliconised foil protection

layer which is removed before application. There are three different materials in this range, with various qualities for water absorption – Absorex 416 09,5 CF 95 g/mᶟ, Absorex 416 09, 11 CF 110 g/mᶟ and Absorex 416 09, 14 CF 140 g/mᶟ. This range is tested to stringent EN ISO 13501-1 specifications for fire retardancy, to meet new global standards for fire resistance,

smoke development and burning drops. All roof panels applied with Absorex can be classified B-s1, d0. Absorex is also fungus tested to EN 14199 method A2 as a guarantee against mould growth. Fibertex offers support to its extensive range of woven and non-woven geotextiles with a technical advisory and back up service Enquiry No: 35 throughout Africa.

Valves for high temperatures, compressive stress

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ANY applications in the semiconductor, foodstuff and pharmaceutical industries benefit from plastic diaphragm valves with a high pressure-temperature rating. They ensure safe operation not only at high temperatures but also under high pressures. According to leading valve manufacturer, Gemü, the diaphragm valves in the 677HP PurePlus series exhibit improved properties with regard to the relationship between pressure and temperature. “This makes them perfect for treating and distributing high-temperature ultra-pure water (hot deionized water) and means that they play a direct role in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of users’ production processes,” the company said in a statement. Users working in the semiconductor industry need a downstream cleaning process with ultra-pure water in the wet process section in order to remove the caustic agent. To minimize cleaning times, they use high-temperature ultra-pure water (between 60 °C and 90 °C). However, the chemically aggressive properties of high-temperature ultra-pure water pose a challenge for the process valves. All the valves that come into contact with hightemperature ultra-pure water must be able to guarantee resistant and low-maintenance

sealing at elevated and varying temperatures. This, according to Gemü, is where the reliable valve seat seal used in the diaphragm valves in the 677HP PurePlus series comes into its own, being capable of withstanding high loads. “The integrated sealing contour in the chemically resistant valve bodies made of Solef PVDF, combined with the precision-fit Gemü PTFE diaphragm, makes the diaphragm valve suitable for this demanding application.” The results of extensive qualification and fields tests – as well as feedback from long-standing customers – have gone into optimizing the valve seat seal. This means that the Gemü 677HP PurePlus valve can be reliably employed in an ultra-pure water treatment system even at media temperatures of between 60 °C and 80 °C, and at an operating pressure of 5.9 to 7.9 bar (depending on the media temperature). The valve body of the Gemü 677HP PurePlus is available both in a 2/2-way version and in a T-body configuration with a nominal size of DN 15 to DN 100. A lockable, low-maintenance bonnet ensures operational safety, and can be delivered with an integrated electrical position indicator upon request. Enquiry No: 36

Donkin Fans specializes in the design, manufacture & supply of pre-engineered fans & accessories. Domestic Ventilation | Commercial Building Ventilation | Industrial | Process | Petro-Chemical | Agriculture Mining & Associated Processes | Iron & Steel | Transportation JOHANNESBURG Cnr Mentz Street and Booysens Reserve Johannesburg P.O. Box 9501 Johannesburg 2000, Tel (S/Board): +27 (0)11 240 4350/4364, Fax: 088 011 240 4350 PORT ELIZABETH Libertas Road, Stuandale, P.O. Box 919, 6000, South Africa Tel: +27(0)41 409 1400, Fax: +27(0)41 456 3128 DURBAN - FAN SOLUTIONS 1 Summerhill Road, Escombe, Queensburgh P.O. Box 39079, 4070, South Africa, Tel: +27(0)31 464 6257, Fax: +27(0)31 464 6280 CAPE TOWN 18B Dawn Road, Montague Gardens, P.O. Box 36509, Chempet, 7442, South Africa Tel: +27(0)21 552 5015, Fax: +27(0)21 552 6745

www.donkin.co.za | Email: [email protected] | A Howden Group Company


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COMPANY & PRODUCT NEWS

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Transformation at centre of forestry group’s growth strategy

ORESTRY continues to be among South Africa’s large and consistent contributors to GDP, not to mention fuel the development of both rural and urban economies. As it rebounded towards growth in 2017, the sector is an important cog to help drive more momentum into the South African economy. It is this potential that excites the MTO Group, which has been driving an ambitious project since 2014 to lift all the parts of its value chain through empowerment, education and transformation. According to CEO, Lawrence Polkinghorne, the initiative is not about scoring points on equality ratings. “Transformation is not a choice. There are sector codes specifically governing broadbased empowerment. But at MTO transformation is a way of work, we have it in our DNA so while we strive to improve our BBBEE rating, this is not what drives us. We see it as a strategic imperative to embrace holistic transformation. We do what we do and the score is a consequence. It has been rewarding to see the impact of the programs undertaken over

the past two years,” Polkinghorne said. MTO believes that forestry as a whole has a lot of potential to modernise, as well as drive wider-scale growth across society. “Transformation in modern forestry is an exciting journey. It speaks to the overarching theme of transforming holistically, it touches

us everywhere, socially, economically, culturally and digitally, so we are completely subscribed to these dynamics. We love the change, becoming current and global. It fits with our culture of being inclusive, flexible, adaptable, urgent and energetic,” he said. To this end the group has embarked on significantly improving the prospects of its contractors, in particular black-owned businesses. MTO’s enterprise development unit has its own GM, as well as two business development managers and a compliance officer, all 100 percent focused on the beneficiation, improvement, development and increase of allocation towards black-owned businesses. Their arsenal includes funding programmes, training in matters such as tax, finances, health and safety, and compliance, as well as small business toolkits and an incubator program. These initiatives are targeted and scrutinised right up to the board level. “The MTO Contractor Development Programme wouldn’t work without the clear support of MTO’s board and CEO, exco and

local management,” said Parmas Chetty, who assisted MTO in developing the programme. “It is intended to bring benefits for MTO as well as its contractors, so it impacts both parties and requires buy in from both.” The programme is not altruistic. Polkinghorne described it is a strategic move that ultimately should benefit MTO. But this does not mean it aims to hem contractors into its supply chain. Quite the opposite: “We’ve got to give our suppliers and contractors the wings to fly. That’s the point. It may seem counter-intuitive, but not at all. Think about the risk mitigation, exposure and sustainability of their businesses to be able to spread their risks and have different income streams,” Polkinghorne said. “As an industry, we recently presented our programs and plans to the parliamentary portfolio committee. All the major players are doing great work in the sector, which we will continue to do, notwithstanding a difficult space where politics and individual’s agendas have somewhat skewed the positive impact.” Enquiry No: 37

Slamming the door on bird infestation

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HE rapid opening and closing action of high-speed doors help to keep birds out of facilities like factories and warehouses, consequently saving end-users substantial costs as well as reducing health risks and increasing productivity by promoting a safer and more comfortable working environment. That’s according to Maxiflex Managing Director Bram Janssen, who added that any large production, processing or storage facility normally has loading docks or large entry and exit points that provide the perfect portals for the escape of internally controlled hot or cold air and the admission of wind, dust, insects and birds. “Our high-speed doors form a barrier that separates the internal and external environment,” Janssen said. The problem of birds nesting inside large facilities presents a huge challenge for most industries and in particular food plant operators. Janssen warned that birds can cause a number of costly problems. “Bird droppings which harbour over 40 types of parasites fall from the rafters contaminating surfaces, equipment and foodstuffs being produced, processed and stored. Due to the acidic nature of bird droppings it can eat through soft metals, paint, and roofing materials. Bird feathers can also clog coolers compromising their effectiveness and bird nests can present a fire risk by blocking exhaust vents and chimneys. Employees are also at risk from slipping on bird droppings.” Since the outbreak of the highly

pathogenic avian influenza in poultry in South Africa in June 2017, the virus has been detected in Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Western Cape and according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, the outbreak is ongoing. Infected birds shed the virus in their droppings or their mucous and contact through inhalation or direct contact with mucous membranes may lead to infection. Infection in humans can present as mild, flu-like symptoms but more severe infections can lead to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and multi-organ failure. “While there are a number of humane bird control measures to assist large facilities in dealing with bird infestations, prevention is always better than cure,” said Janssen. “Our high-speed doors from the ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems stable of automated door

products offer an efficient and effective solution to bird infestation by helping to prevent birds from entering the facility.” According to Janssen, the secret lies in the operating speed of the doors. “The range of high-performance doors can open at speeds over 2,5m/s and, with an impressive opening speed of 1m/s, the latest high-speed addition to ASSA ABLOY Entrance System’s range of overhead sectional doors boasts an operational speed four times faster than standard counterparts. “In addition to reducing the risk of bird infestations these new highspeed sectional doors can reduce energy expenses by 12% compared to the standard panel sectional door as shown by independent tests.” Enquiry No: 38

Valve manufacturer receives PED certification

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he South African valve manufacturer AZ-Armaturen South Africa (Pty) Ltd has been successfully certified according to the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) 2014/68/EU - Module H. The company described this as a great achievement for the South African production plant. Valves manufactured by AZ-Armaturen South Africa which are in accordance with the PED requirements, can now be affixed with the internationally recognised “CE” mark. The Pressure Equipment Directive regulates the manufacturing of Pressure Equipment such as pressure vessels, piping, and valves within the European Union. Globally, PED has become the most recognised standard for pressure equipment. The certification to Module H refers to a Full Quality Assurance System including the design of the Valves under the scope. Enquiry No: 39




Bend energy costs with articulated forklifts

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NDER increasing pressure to trim warehousing costs and to achieve maximum efficiency, warehouse operators are recognising that the space-saving abilities of Bendi articulated trucks are also creating opportunities for very significant energy savings compared with premises in which counterbalance, standard Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) trucks or Reach Trucks operate. As a rule, warehouses designed for counterbalance or Reach trucks in conjunction with adjustable pallet racking and typical aisle widths from 2.8m to 4m+ are the least efficient. However, the aisle width is only part of the equation. Turning and loading/ unloading space at the ends of the aisles also accounts for ‘lost’ space. Many VNA machines achieve the same aisle widths as Bendis but require on average 30% of the warehouse to be dedicated to transfer aisles, P&D stations and marshalling areas. This wasted space costs money to build, heat, light, maintain, pay rent on etc. Lost storage space at the end of aisles can be greatly reduced when operating articulated trucks. This is

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not only because the trucks are more manoeuvrable, but also because there’s no requirement for other types of vehicle within the warehouse to load and unload alongside the warehouse trucks. Bendi articulated trucks - distributed in South Africa by Goscor Lift Truck Company (GLTC) - can stack and de-stack pallets and load or unload them to or from trucks in your yard, saving space and time. The outstanding stability and improved point loading characteristics of Bendi articulated trucks allow their immediate use in all warehouses, including those with standard floor finishes and built-in flatness grades commonly used with counterbalance trucks – even where racking up to 12m high exists. This eliminates the requirement for costly specialist flooring or grinding of existing floors. There is also no requirement for guidance rails or wires as is usually the case with VNA systems. Additionally, Bendi articulated trucks are designed to operate in external yards – even where the ground is uneven or broken.

Get wise about using variable speed drives

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A Bendi truck working in 1800mm aisles will, like a regular VNA truck, also store 7-high but only requires a transfer aisle of 2.7m, which, unlike narrow aisle layouts, can be bridged. This configuration achieves 50% more pallets than a warehouse design for High Reach Trucks can achieve and 25% more than the Narrow Aisle Truck – therefore offering significantly lower costs and a much smaller carbon footprint per pallet stored. In fact, the Bendi offers the same storage capacity as a warehouse operating Enquiry No: 40 counterbalance trucks.

Preventative maintenance: key to productivity and sustainability

PERATIONS within the mining, petrochemical, construction, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical industries that use compressed air equipment are confronted with numerous hazards daily, often resulting in varying degrees of injuries and in some cases fatalities. Although there are a number of underlying causes of these accidents - improper maintained air compressors is one of the common causes of equipment-related injuries. In light of this, proactive maintenance not only plays a significant part of the safety of operations that use compressors, but also an important role in the productivity and sustainability. That’s according to Craig Swart, Fleet Manager at Rand-Air, a leading portable compressed air and power generation rental company. He advised businesses to rent equipment as opposed to buying as this ensures a preventative maintenance approach

and eliminates the stress of reactively maintaining equipment when the need arises. “By appointing a reputable company with the required capability and skills to undertake complete responsibility for both the technical and safety issues of equipment rental, businesses are able to concentrate on their core business,” said Swart. “There are a number of reasons that we follow a scheduled, preventative approach on our air compressors but quality and safety remain the overriding influences.” One of the most significant aspects of proactive maintenance is that downtime can be scheduled accordingly. “Addressing compressor failures only when there is a need has the potential to stop production and can result in missed deadlines and project incompletion. Calling out a technician on such short notice is a costly exercise and can delay production even further if

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emergency parts need to be ordered.” A rental partner that has a full equipment solution package ensures best practice in terms of compressor maintenance which in the long run can save businesses money. “As a rental partner, we understand that we are not only responsible for being reliable – we are also responsible for making our customers reliable. Because our customers are our priority, the onus lies on us to prevent glitches or malfunctioning of equipment which in turn allows them to deliver their products, materials or service in a timely manner without any unnecessary postponements. This has a positive impact on their business reputation and customer satisfaction.” While there are many positive aspects of well-maintained air compressors, the ability to comply with rising environmental regulations also increases. Enquiry No: 41

HE benefits of variable speed drives (VSDs) are making this technology a popular choice among users of electric motors. But not all standard electric motors are suitable to be used with VSDs, cautions Fanie Steyn, manager rotating machines at Zest WEG Group. “The motor insulation systems are susceptible to insulation damage caused by the harsh switching frequencies and voltage peaks generated by VSDs.” Steyn explained that VSDs use power transistors – typically insulated-gate bipolar transistors or IGBTs – for the switching process. To achieve the high frequencies necessary for switching, the transistors have to turn ‘on’ and ‘off’ to conduct current repeatedly at high speeds. This results in voltage pulses with a high dV/dt, or rate of voltage change over time. “When squirrel cage electric motors are fed by these high frequencies, the voltage pulses – combined with the cable and motor impedances – may cause repetitive conditions of over voltage or voltage overshoots at the motor connection terminals. This may degrade the motor insulation system and reduce the motor’s useful lifespan,” he said. To ensure that this does not occur in WEG motors, the Wise insulation system has been developed through the use of enhanced materials in the production of the

motor insulation. These materials include VSD compatible wire, insulation film, impregnation material and suitable cables. WEG has also specially developed its LackTherm varnishes for the insulation systems of its electric motors, which are applied to the 99,9% pure copper wire during the enamelling process. These LackTherm varnishes have excellent dielectric strength, flexibility, hardness and chemical resistance, as well as strong adhesion properties. During the impregnation process, the stator coils receive layers of high solid resins and water based coatings which are environmentally friendly and free from harmful solvents – as required by the ISO 14000 guidelines. “This process allows any WEG motors to be used with VSDs, as the Wise insulation system ensures that the motor windings are protected against voltage peaks and voltage variations,” said Steyn. Enquiry No: 42

Upcoming features in March / April 2018 • • • • • •

Agriculture Food & Beverage Hydraulics & Pneumatics ICT in Industry Instrumentation, Measurement & Control Pumps, Valves, Pipes & Fittings For all editorial contributions contact Chantal Haines For advertising Cheryl Murphy Tel: 031 266 7511 Email: [email protected]

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Concrete technology in demand at new centre of excellence

ONCRETE admixture users have wasted no time in taking up the testing and advisory services of Chryso Southern Africa’s new Centre of Excellence, which provides a complementary role to specialist testing laboratories. Opened just six months ago by the leading admixture producer, the centre has seen growing demand from customers and has quadrupled its staff complement to keep up. “We face a very busy 2018,” said the company’s Laboratory Development Manager Ronette Smit. “The centre represents a substantial expansion of our laboratory testing facilities, which now boast ultra-modern equipment and tem-

Tumiso Makhubedo pictured doing micro concrete testing at the Centre of Excellence. Micro concrete, unlike a normal concrete mix design, is devoid of all larger particles. It is to simulate concrete workability retention as in Ready-Mixed Concrete applications

perature control systems to offer cement, concrete and construction systems technology as an addedvalue service to our customers.” Smit said the centre provides tailor-made solutions to match specific

applications, and can recommend the suitable cement additive – and dosage – to cost effectively boost concrete mix performance. “The Centre of Excellence also plays a key role in the Chryso Group’s new product formulations. While most are based on customer needs, some are the result of new technology developed either at

the Chryso Group’s head office in France or in-house in South Africa,” she said. The facility can test and modify new products from French headquarters, to ensure that these admixtures perform equally well in a concrete mix with South African aggregates. The difference between the sand used in South Africa and in Europe, for instance, needs to be taken into account. Local new developments are handled by Mpume Mlalazi, Chryso SA’s Research and Development (R&D) Manager. According to Sthembile Hlubi, Chryso SA’s Technical Manager, Cement, the Centre of Excellence includes five specific laboratories:

Cement; Concrete; separate R&D units for both Chryso and its subsidiary, A.B.E. Construction Chemicals’ products; and a Quality Control laboratory. While the centre currently focuses on wet concrete products, the service will soon encompass testing and recommendations on dry precast products such as concrete roof tiles. Brick and block making will also be added to the list of testing services, for which a special block press is to be installed. A further addition to the facility will be a cement ball mill to grind crushed materials, which Chryso SA expects to have fully operational by Enquiry No: 43 early 2018.

Avoid nasty underground surprises B OSCH Munitech’s specialised Underground Services Location (USL) facility encompasses advanced utility detection and mapping services, essential for providing accurate information on buried utility infrastructure layouts. “USL - which requires expert skills, using non-intrusive methods to locate the exact type, size, position and depth of buried utilities – is critical in reducing risk and ensuring efficiency and safety in every excavation or construction project,” said Chris Otto, divisional head: underground services and leak detection, Bosch Munitech, part of Bosch Holdings.

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“Before digging commences, it is vital that all buried utilities likely to be affected by excavation or construction, are located. Underground utilities unexpectedly encountered during excavation, could cause costly delays of the project, the disruption of essential services and the injury or death of workers. “Bosch Munitech uses advanced equipment, including electromagnetic locators, ground penetrating radar and sonde tracing, to locate buried services. These include water pipes, storm water and sewerage drains, as well as electrical, telecommunications

and fibre optic cables. These utilities are then surveyed by engineering surveyors and draughted onto AutoCAD 2D and 3D drawings.” He said Bosch Munitech’s services are custom designed to suit the specific USL requirements of consulting engineers, environmental specialists, construction and mining companies, municipalities, small civils and industrial plants. For example, the smaller contractor who needs to avoid buried services during excavation, only requires scanning of a small area for underground services, to indicate the position of existing services, without

Tractors sweeten production

ierra Citrus in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga recently took delivery of two Kubota M8540 open-station tractors from Rudamans Nelspruit, a leading supplier of forestry, gardening and agricultural equipment. According to Maurice Meyer of Sierra Citrus, when the need to acquire two tractors for spraying and pulling trailers at the orange farm arose, a number of key considerations informed the procurement process. Like any other capital equipment procurement decision, product reliability was among the central areas of attention, but for Sierra Citrus, aftermarket support, as well as a compact, but powerful tractor range, were of principal significance. Nearby farmers recommended Rudamans, the authorised distributor for Smith Power Equipment, the sole importer of the Kubota range of equipment in South Africa. To date, the tractors are working beyond Meyer’s expectations, having been deployed for spraying, plowing and heavy trailer applications. He added that the two units

having to identify the type of service. The company’s full USL facility - which is necessary for planning new pipe designs, utility diversions and new construction - involves the latest non-intrusive techniques to establish, not only the position and depth of buried utilities, but also the type, size and origin of underground services. By gaining access at points, like chambers and sub stations, the type and size of services can be identified. Individual routes of cables can then be traced by inducing target signals onto target lines. Key benefits of utility detection

between the vines and low enough to get under the limbs”. With an overall width of just 1 520 with standard tyres, the tractor is engineered specifically for work in vineyards, orchards or anywhere else that might require a narrow and compact tractor. “I am also thrilled with such high power for such a compact tractor,” said Meyer. It is powered by the Kubota V3800-DI-TE2, direct injection, water-cooled 4 cycle diesel engine which produces 63,1 kW (84,6 hp) of power. Enquiry No: 44

Enquiry No: 44

Sensors may help slash your lighting bill

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have significantly increased productivity by meeting timeliness of the farm operations and increase work output per unit time. “We have received great support from Rudamans and are also 100% very happy with the tractors we bought,” said Meyer. Apart from aftermarket support, another key consideration for Sierra Citrus was the need for a tractor specially designed for applications where space is at a premium. The Kubota M8540 open-station tractors rightly ticked this box because of their narrow enough design “to work

include accurate utility drawings for design purposes, less damage caused to essential services during excavation, reduction of costs caused by services damage, re-designs and interruptions and a safer working environment for field staff.

EGRAND’S lighting and motion management systems encompass a wide range of sensors designed to make buildings more energy efficient by automatically reducing the amount of time lighting is left on unnecessarily. According to Legrand, reduced lighting consumption not only lowers operating costs, but also reduces lamp replacement and maintenance requirements and helps decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Motion and lighting management sensors can operate in occupancy mode where lights are automatically switched on or off according to occupancy, or in vacancy mode for additional energy saving, where lights are manually switched on and automatically switched off when the person leaves the area. These sensors can also use passive infrared technology (PIR), ultrasonic or dual technologies.

Lighting management sensors are suitable for areas of a building with or without natural light, including passages, corridors, hallways, staircases and restrooms and also for offices, storage rooms and warehouses. These sensors are also available with advanced features for installation outdoors and in humid areas of domestic, commercial and industrial buildings. Legrand’s lighting management sensors for controlling a single circuit in outdoor and damp areas with natural light, have an IP55 index protection rating to guard against the ingress of dust and water. These sensors, with three wires and neutral, have an automatic switch on/off occupancy mode setting and switch off automatically when there is sufficient natural light in the area. There is an adjustable time delay between five seconds and 59 minutes, and a light level threshold from five to 1 275 lux. Enquiry No: 45