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Manufacturing News

Adoption of automation, robotics expected to accelerate

By: Schalk Burger 9th June 2020 Increasingly automated processes and the use of robotics are expected to support greater production and the provision of services safely in a contactless society, says robotics multinational Yaskawa Southern Africa chairperson Terry Rosenberg. He notes that many businesses are rapidly adopting... →

Unique Group develops Covid-19 pressure ventilator system for Africa

By: Irma Venter 9th June 2020 Cape Town-based subsea engineering expert, MMO, a Unique Group company, has completed beta-testing of its inhouse-designed Uni-Life 100, a non-invasive positive pressure ventilation system. Developed using the technical expertise and production support of Unique Group, the system has been... →

The Uni-Life 100

Coega SEZ faces juggling act amid Covid-19-impacted business environment

By: Donna Slater 9th June 2020 Special economic zone (SEZ) operator, the Coega Development Corporation (CDC), like many other SEZs, is facing an unprecedented operating environment with some of its zone’s investors being operational , while others are only partially operational and others not operating at all. Operator of the... →

Concrete batchers training in the works

By: Mamaili Mamaila 5th June 2020 The Concrete Institute’s (TCI’s) School of Concrete Technology is planning to offer a special one-day course for concrete batchers and batch plant staff in the second half of 2020. →

THE WHOLE BATCH Batching ensures high and uniform quality of readymix concrete for each batch produced by a batching plant

Concrete solutions for rural roads

5th June 2020 With poor rural gravel roads causing horrific accidents, technical service provider The Concrete Institute (TCI) MD Bryan Perrie says there is substantial scope for more low-volume concrete roads to increase road safety in South Africa. →

A LONG ROAD AHEAD Concrete roads have a relatively maintenance-free life of up to, and beyond, 30 years

Protection tech used at office building

By: Mamaili Mamaila 5th June 2020 Construction company Storm Waterproofing Systems’ specialists made use of the Spraylock concrete protection technology to successfully cure, increase the concrete durability of and waterproof the ground and first floors, as well as the roof of the new Deloitte head office in Waterfall City, in... →

ALL CONCRETE The Spraylock concrete protection technology was used to successfully cure, increase the concrete durability and waterproof the ground and first floor, as well as roof of the new Deloitte building

Worldsteel says demand will contract by 6.4% this year owing to Covid-19

By: Simone Liedtke 4th June 2020 The World Steel Association (worldsteel) expects global steel demand to contract by 6.4% this year, as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. In its Short Range Outlook (SRO) for 2020 and 2021, released on June 4, the industry body states that steel demand is, however, expected to increase by 3.8%... →

Rockwell releases industrial cybersecurity assessment app

By: Schalk Burger 2nd June 2020 Industrial technology multinational Rockwell Automation has released a new app to help operations managers, plant floor managers and information technology/operational technology (IT/OT) professionals gauge levels of operational risk within their connected infrastructures. The Assessment Hub app... →

Production capacity rises in May but to remain subdued until demand grows

By: Donna Slater 1st June 2020 Having plunged to an all-time low of 5.1 index points in April, financial services provider Absa’s Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) survey rose sharply to 43.2 index points in May, propelled by many factories returning to production in May when South Africa went into Alert Level 4, the bank... →

Nissan plant rolls out INTUboxes to hospitals

By: Irma Venter 1st June 2020 Local arm of Japanese vehicle maker Nissan and the University of Pretoria (UP) have partnered to create and manufacture INTUboxes. The INTUbox is a transparent vessel-box which protects health professionals who have to intubate and treat acutely ill Covid-19 patients. →

From field hospitals to ventilator prototypes, South Africa's state of readiness for Level 3 outlined

By: Terence Creamer 29th May 2020 Cabinet’s economic cluster sought to offer assurances on Friday that significant preparations had been made to facilitate a safe transition to a Level 3 lockdown from June 1, which opens the way for the return to work of eight-million more people. The easing of the lockdown is expected to... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Labour and Employment Minister Thulas Nxesi

Bell's full-year earnings fall

By: Simone Liedtke 29th May 2020 Local original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) Bell Equipment achieved headline earnings a share of 80c a share for the year ended December 31, while earnings a share were 79c. This compares with headline earnings a share of 278c and earnings a share of 283c reported for the prior financial year. →

Covid-19 pall hangs over Nampak’s recovery prospects

By: Terence Creamer 29th May 2020 Packaging group Nampak announced on Friday that impairments of R3-billion, which related to its Nigerian and Angolan operations, had contributed materially to a slump in its interim results for the period to March 31. The outlook for the business was also uncertain, with the Covid-19 pandemic... →

Nampak CEO Erik Smuts in conversation with Engineering News editor Terence Creamer on the group's interim results and its future strategy and prospects. Editing: Nicholas Boyd

This year's Electra Mining cancelled

By: Donna Slater 29th May 2020 Organisers of Southern Africa’s mining, manufacturing, automation, electrical and power trade exhibition Electra Mining Africa, Specialised Exhibitions, reports that the 2020 edition of the trade fair has been cancelled as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. This year’s show had been scheduled to... →

Sector’s GDP contribution not what it should be

By: Darren Parker 29th May 2020 For South Africa’s stage of economic development, manufacturing should be contributing at least double what it currently does to gross domestic product (GDP), states industry body Manufacturing Circle executive director Philippa Rodseth. Manufacturing has declined from 26% of South Africa’s GDP... →

MANUFACTURING SLOWDOWN Employment figures in the manufacturing sector are unlikely to turn around without a sustained improvement in demand to bolster industry activity

Global brushless dc motors market exhibits healthy growth

29th May 2020 Consumer demand for enhanced features in automotive products, such as motorised seats, is spurring demand for brushless direct current (DC) motors, says market researcher Fact.MR. Rising emphasis on fuel efficiency, adoption of new-energy alternatives, amid strict carbon emission regulations is... →

Company maintains drive tech support throughout lockdown

29th May 2020 Bearings supplier BMG’s commitment to ensuring industry continues to operate efficiently and safely, even during difficult lockdown conditions, encompasses the ongoing supply and support of a range of engineering components, including drive systems and frequency inverters. A critical part of... →

THE FULL RANGE BMG’s NORD drive systems and NORDAC frequency inverters are combined to offer a complete spectrum of fully flexible, modern frequency inverters

Drives designed to improve productivity

29th May 2020 Bearings supplier BMG’s VACON 100 alternating current (AC) drives have been designed to save energy, optimise process control and improve productivity in many sectors. Through VACON 100’s economical solutions, BMG is able to ensure a quick return on project investments for its customers, says BMG... →

COMPATIBLE AND EFFECTIVE VACON 100 AC drives allow its customers to use the most efficient motor for each application, with the ability to run new motor technologies

Company provides energy efficient solutions for customers

29th May 2020 Electric motors company Vert Energy – exclusive distributors in Southern Africa of electric motor manufacturer Leroy Somer – is committed to providing energy-saving solutions for its diverse customer base. Critical challenges facing industry include finding the most efficient ways to minimise... →

HIGH EFFICIENCY The Dyneo motor-drive unit ensures high efficiency levels over the whole operating speed range, especially at speeds below the synchronous speed

R&D on hold to keep doors open

By: Tracy Hancock 29th May 2020 Stainless steel cylinder manufacturer Jooste Cylinder & Pump Company has implemented various measures, such as delaying research and development (R&D) projects, to assist staff as much as possible and “keep the doors open” amid the Covid-19 crisis. “Jooste re-invests much of its income in new... →

Local tanks on track for delivery to Zim mine

29th May 2020 Ten large steel tanks for diversified miner RioZim’s Cam and Motor gold mine, in Zimbabwe, are on schedule to be installed by South African stainless steel fabrication and erection specialist Betterect, as part of the mine’s gold processing plant expansion. This is notwithstanding inherent... →

SIGNIFICANT SUPPLY Columbus Stainless supplied 250 t of grade 2304 duplex steel for the RioZim steel tank fabrication project being undertaken by Betterect

Lockdown further strains stainless steel recycling

By: Tracy Hancock 29th May 2020 Prior to the national lockdown, South Africa’s stainless steel recycling industry was under strain, facing a dramatic drop in available recycling material and increasing input costs, says Johannesburg-based stainless steel recycler Cronimet director Bernard Maguire. The stainless steel recycling... →

SIGNIFICANCE OF SCRAP The cost of recycled stainless steel is much less than that of virgin primary alloys

Expedited change in stainless steel industry expected

By: Tracy Hancock 29th May 2020 The Covid-19 pandemic will have long-term ramifications, including permanent change in the South African stainless steel industry, Southern African Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) acting executive director Michel Basson tells Engineering News. “The stainless steel industry could... →

ADDED STRESS The national lockdown has compounded the challenges faced by the already stressed stainless steel industry

Agility needed in sector transformation

By: Darren Parker 29th May 2020 The world is rapidly changing, with the onslaught of Covid-19 catalysing and concentrating the drivers behind this change. Consequently, manufacturers need to be agile in adapting their systems and processes, remain lean and use digital enablers in a digital transformation to remain relevant and... →

CONNECTING THE DOTS Digitalisation leads to connected plants and connected supply chains, which provides immediate benefits of reliability, stability, immediacy and agility

Manufacturers can use lockdown to fine-tune ERP

By: Darren Parker 29th May 2020 The priority for many manufacturers amid the Covid-19 lockdown involves “getting back to basics” in terms of enterprise resource planning (ERP) and supply chain management, says ERP systems provider Syspro professional services head Doug Hunter. “This includes ensuring visibility of what is... →

TAKING STOCK OF THE SITUATION The lockdown has provided a good opportunity for companies to check their ERP systems and ensure that they are being used properly and to their full potential

Manufacturer receives increased interest in face mask concept

By: Darren Parker 29th May 2020 Mine ventilation equipment and working-face consumables manufacturer Terramin has seen increased demand for its full-head precautionary respiratory protection solution named the Koplap as demand for face masks has increased on the back of the Covid-19 pandemic, Terramin CEO Martin van Schoor... →

AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION The Koplap comes in several iterations with the some versions including mesh eye pieces and a non-return valve over the mouth

Precast-concrete manufacturing complements construction sector

29th May 2020 The precast-concrete manufacturing sector is complementing conventional in-situ building methods by helping to accelerate strategic infrastructure projects and reducing construction costs. It is also augmenting the public sector’s drive to use infrastructure projects to create employment and... →

PRECAST PREFERENCE The elements are manufactured in a controlled factory environment and then transported to site where they are assembled

Reindustrialisation of manufacturing critical for growth

By: Darren Parker 29th May 2020 Measures to stimulate economic growth in South Africa after Covid-19 should include policies and interventions that will result in the reindustrialisation of the manufacturing sector, says industry body Manufacturing Circle executive director Philippa Rodseth. She tells Engineering News that... →

SPARKING SECTOR GROWTH It is critical to implement measures to stimulate the reindustrialisation of the manufacturing sector

Company invests in geared motors, employee training

By: Simone Liedtke 29th May 2020 A range of geared motors from Brazilian motor and controls manufacturer WEG will be available from the third quarter of 2020 to clients in South Africa and the rest of Africa from subsidiary Zest WEG. Dubbed the WG20 range, the geared motors – with benefits such as efficiency and reliability –... →

INTERCHANGEABLE SETTINGS WEG K geared units can also be equipped with a hollow shaft, output shaft, shrink disc, torque arm and mounting flange

Reopened Merc plant gears up for face-shield, breathing-aid production

By: Irma Venter 29th May 2020 Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) will manufacture three-dimensional- (3D-) printed recyclable plastic face shields for use in the mass screening for Covid-19, and for use at clinics and hospitals. In addition, and pending quality assurance regulatory approval, the local arm of the German auto... →

Auto components maker producing face shields for adults, children

By: Irma Venter 29th May 2020 Rosslyn Automotive Supplier Park (ASP) tenant PolyGen has joined a group of factories in the automotive sector that are modifying their production lines to manufacture goods that will assist in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The company previously produced plastic parts for automotive... →

Covid-19 an opportunity for better resource management

By: Darren Parker 29th May 2020 The national lockdown because of Covid-19 presents a good opportunity for manufacturing companies to improve their resource and utilities management, says government-funded programme National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA) KwaZulu-Natal regional manager Kevin Cilliers. There is... →

KEVIN CILLIERS It is important to have a good management practice in place for utility use while there is time and space to focus on it

Health and safety burden shifts onto firms as Level 3 opens way for big resumption of economic activity

By: Terence Creamer 28th May 2020 The nationwide transition from lockdown Level 4 to Level 3 on June 1 would facilitate the return-to-work of almost eight-million more South Africans than had hitherto been allowed to do so, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel said on Thursday. He cautioned, however, that the... →

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel

B4SA increasing PPE procurement from local suppliers, more funding needed

By: Schalk Burger 28th May 2020 Business solidarity coalition Business For South Africa (B4SA) on May 28 said the focus of its personal protective equipment (PPE) procurement platform over the past four weeks had been to pivot its procurement efforts to identify, capacitate and source from local manufacturers and black-owned... →

Engineering training hub supports undergraduates to develop community-focused solutions

By: Schalk Burger 28th May 2020 A community of enthusiastic hobbyists want to assist in creating solutions to help flatten the Covid-19 infection curve and the University of Johannesburg electrical and mechanical engineering training hub Resolution Circle is focusing on harnessing this and giving local hobbyists a platform to... →

Denel divisions finalise ventilator projects

By: Donna Slater 27th May 2020 Two divisions within State-owned defence company Denel have reached critical stages in the design and manufacture of medical ventilators needed to assist critically ill patients diagnosed with Covid-19. The projects both fall under Project Sabela, which is being coordinated by Denel, in... →

AMSA welcomes move to Level 3 in nationwide lockdown

By: Simone Liedtke 25th May 2020 Steel company ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) has welcomed the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa that the country will be moving to Level 3 in the risk-adjusted approach to the easing of the nationwide lockdown. At Level 3, AMSA will be able to operate with 100% of its workforce, but... →

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