Tooling manufacturer S&D Precision Toolmakers last month activated its backup power supply system, the Gildermeister CellCube, which uses vanadium redox technology to store and discharge energy. Gildermeister Energy Solutions sales manager Andreas Feichtinger says that, in addition to mitigating production losses because of unexpected powercuts and load-shedding, the CellCube helps manage load and production peaks, ensuring that companies can buy electricity when it is cheaper – such as during off-peak times – and discharge the energy when electricity costs are high.
Energy storage system introduced
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Hydra Arc Group
Established in 1987, project services corporation Hydra Arc Group comprises associated companies that operate primarily in the petrochemicals, construction, mining and power generation industries. The companies that constitute Hydra Arc specialise in the fabrication of pressure vessels and piping, construction, refinery maintenance, specialised labour and training, and the supply of tooling and equipment.
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Tooling manufacturer celebrates 50 years
Since its established 50 years ago, tooling manufacturer Gedore South Africa (SA) has been hot forging and manufacturing quality hand tools, which come with a lifetime guarantee, having introduced hot forged, German-engineered hand tools into the South African market, thereby “revolutionising the industry”, says marketing manager Bruce Hodgkinson. He says Gedore SA’s products have become the tools of choice for professionals and tradesman because of their unrivalled quality and value for money.
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Government initiative boosts specialised tooling maker’s growth
Cape Town–based cutting tools manufacturer Renlaw in August announced a yearly growth increase of 35%, owing to the reinvestment of funds granted under the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI’s) Manufacturing Competiveness Enhancement Programme (MCEP), emphasising the potential for expansion in what is known to be an import-dominated sector. “In 2013, the DTI approved a grant to us which was pumped, along with our own funds, into the development of a highly specialised computer numerically controlled knife-processing machine, the S1G1,” says Renlaw director Mikko Brunner, who also designed the S1G1. “This machine has given us an enormous advantage over our competitors locally and abroad.”
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Precision tool supplier expands milling cutter range
Machine tools solutions provider Mapal has expanded its milling cutter product range to address the industry’s trending preference for lightweight construction. This has resulted in the development of new materials, which have, in turn, created new machining demands. Mapal aerospace and composites business unit manager Dr Peter Müller-Hummel compiled a report regarding the increased use of lightweight materials and the implications thereof.
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Machine tools trade exhibition returns
Exhibition organiser Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery last month announced the official launch of Machine Tools Africa 2017, an upcoming trade conference and exhibition that is expected to be the biggest Africa-based trade expo of its kind. The exhibition will be held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, in Nasrec, from May 9 to 12, 2017 in Halls 6 and 7, with the potential of expanding into additional halls.
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Opportunities for machine tools sector, despite decreased demand
Despite the first couple of months of 2015 showing steady order intakes across the industry, recent months have shown a notable decline in demand for machine tools, reports Machine Tool Merchants Association (MTMA) chairperson Hans-Peter Neth. He believes that this can be attributed to fewer large projects in the pipeline, in addition to the recent devaluation of the rand.
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New cutting tools released onto the S African market
Construction company Wirtgen South Africa (SA) launched two new cutting tools for cold recyclers and soil stabilisers to the South African market last month.
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New tool series launched at IMTS 2016
Supplier of production-grade additive manufacturing systems for three-dimensional (3D) printed metals Optomec launched a new tool series that enables low-cost, high-value metal additive manufacturing at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2016 last month.
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Manufacturer celebrates 60 years of service
South African manufacturer and distributor of cutting consumables and distributor of capital equipment First Cut, is celebrating 60 years of supplying cutting solutions to the South African industry.
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Increased interest in machine tools trade exhibition
With the machine tools market having grown significantly over the past few years, exhibition specialists Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery plans to expand Machine Tools Africa by extending it from one hall at the Nasrec exhibition centre, in Johannesburg, to two halls in 2017.
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New machines increase manufacturers’ product quality
Computer numerical control machine tool manufacturer Okuma’s new MU-4000V is excellent for 5-axis multi-sided machining and is well suited for the aerospace and die and mold industries.
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Machines produce components for isotope facility
Machine component manufacturer Precision Separators bought six computer numerical control (CNC) machines from machine industry company Hurco to manufacture and produce components for private company Klydon’s medical isotope facility MoF6.
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Distributor emphasises lubricant’s cost benefits
Southern Africa-focused bearings and power transmission products distributor Bearings International (BI) recently conducted a product focus designed to educate staff on the benefits of using reaming, tapping and drilling lubricant RTD, to strengthen its long-standing supplier-distributor relationship. The product from UK-based industrial lubricants manufacturer Rocol is distributed by BI from all its branches in South Africa.
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Expo to showcase latest developments in machine tools industry
This year’s Machine Tools Africa (MTA) is set to showcase the latest technology developments, machinery, products, services and solutions, says event management company Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery portfolio director Charlene Hefer.
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New tandem horizontal boring to be fully operational in July
Installation of the new tandem horizontal boring mill – which can perform multiple tasks simultaneously – will be complete and fully operational by July, enthuses project services corporation Hydra Arc.
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Control and instrumentation play rugged role in industry
The uptake of new information technology (IT) in industrial automation has traditionally been at a slower rate compared with that of the broader information, communications and technology (ICT) sector, says the Society for Automation Instrumentation, Measurements and Control (SAIMC) professional services portfolio head Petrus Klopper.
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Robotic solution for machine tools industry
When it comes to the automated feeding of machine tools, the choice of the right robot set-up and manipulator is a key element in the planning process, says Japanese robotics company Yaskawa.
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Laser machine in full production at fabrication company
Machine tool supplier Puma Machine Tools completed the supply of its high-end laser profile JinFangYuan (JFY) 4020 machine to a Wadeville metals fabrication company last month. The machine, with a Trumpf TruDisk 3001 laser source, will be used to cut processing plates for the manufacturing of transformer casings. Technicians on site have completed the installation of the JFY 4020, and the test cuts and final commissioning have also been completed, says Puma Machine Tools director Mike Lee.
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Small machines with big capabilities
Global machine tool supplier Hurco’s BX40i double-column, bridge-type machine, originally launched in 2016, has been upgraded to service a variety of trades, from general manufacturing to highly specialised industries such as the aerospace sector. The stability of the double-column design and the overall weight (9 100 kg) of the BX40i provides accuracy and high-quality surface-finish capabilities. While designed specifically for the mould-making market and aerospace industries, the BX40i meets the needs of any high-speed machining application that requires higher tolerances, while enabling the machine to operate at optimum spindle speeds.
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