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Quality Assurance News

Vendor certification for resellers emphasised

By: Kimberley Smuts 9th September 2016 In the security industry, it is essential for resellers to undergo training and obtain certification from vendors to ensure that a security solution or product is correctly specified and installed, maintained and operated, says mobile and remote closed-circuit television specialist Graphic Images... →

Importance of nondestructive testing emphasised

By: Kimberley Smuts 9th September 2016 Regular testing and certification of equipment used in the engineering industry remains important to ensure that degradation of equipment is minimal, comments inspection and testing solutions provider Non-destructive Testing and Inspection Solutions (NIS). NIS spokesperson Jannie de Beer details... →

CERTIFICATION REMAINS CRUCIAL All pressure equipment has to be inspected by a competent person every three years

Early leak detection equipment installed at power plants

By: Kimberley Smuts 9th September 2016 Local engineering company RTS Africa Engineering is currently focused on the commissioning of manufacturing company Procon's boiler tube leak detection equipment, which tests and inspects the sound of leaking steam tubes within the boiler, at both the Medupi and Kusile power stations, owned by... →

IAN FRASER Early leak detection is essential as it prevents expensive secondary damage

Greater awareness of SA gas installation regulations needed

26th August 2016 Similar to an electrical equivalent, gas installations need to be regulated in order to ensure optimum safety practices are adhered to. As gas usage increases in South African homes and businesses, awareness needs to be drawn to the safe practice of working with, installing and storing gas. As an... →

SAFETY FIRST Anyone that works with gas installations needs to be a registered gas practitioner with the South African Qualification and Certification Committee for Gas

Cybersecurity against whaling attacks depends on vigilance, controls

By: Schalk Burger 12th August 2016 Defending senior managers and executives – the so-called whales of enterprises – against targeted cyberattacks requires that they and their support staff be aware of potential attacks and query any suspicious activities, says cybersecurity consultancy and auditing firm Galix MD Simeon Tassev. The... →

SIMEON TASSEV The best way to protect against these types of social engineering cyberattacks is to verify the information

From elevated inspections to stock analysis, drones begin making business impact

By: Dylan Slater 5th August 2016 Remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPASs) have the potential to significantly change the way many industrial, engineering and mining operations are conducted, with the ability to reach difficult to access areas and remove people from hazardous situations. →

Inspection device to provide safety in rail operations

By: Simon Sonnekus 29th July 2016 The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed a prototype survey and inspection device (SID) to survey and inspect South Africa’s railway lines, which is intended to improve safety and operations. Along with reporting on the condition of the rail infrastructure, the SID... →

DEBUT The CSIR's survey and inspection device (SID) was debuted at Africa Rail 2016

Specialised bushings used for tyre testing rig

By: Nadine James 22nd July 2016 Self-lubricating polymer bearings and bushes manufacturer Vesconite Bearings – a division of VescoPlastics – has supplied specialised thermoplastic Vesconite bushings for a tyre test rig at the University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) Vehicle Dynamics Group (VDG). The test rig, manufactured and assembled... →

TYRE TEST RIG The rig forms part of a master’s degree project by University of Pretoria students

The real business value of pursuing best practice data governance

By: Schalk Burger 22nd July 2016 The progressive application of data governance to priority areas of data business provides immediate benefits while companies work towards the end-goal of automated data governance systems, says business intelligence firm PBT Group Strategic BI manager Yolanda Smit. Ascribing the accountability... →

YOLANDA SMIT Data governance underpins the holistic transformation of the business

Possible change in NDT training

By: Simon Sonnekus 15th July 2016 The harmonisation of second and third part assessment certification schemes found in the South African non-destructive testing (NDT) industry could result in continuous skills development and enhanced personnel competence, with companies and employees also retaining a stronger development... →

NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING South Africa and many other African countries have sustainable market capacity for only one NDT industrial sector

Institute moves to raise awareness of importance of nondestructive testing

By: Mia Breytenbach 15th July 2016 With nondestructive testing (NDT) considered as an unknown, or “Cinderella science”, a key driver of the South African Institute for Nondestructive Testing (Saint) is to drive awareness of this process of testing, inspecting and evaluation of materials or components, says Saint president Keith... →

INSTRUMENTAL FOCUS The South African Institute for Nondestructive Testing aims to be instrumental in producing highly qualified NDT personnel for the national and global markets

Procurement management pay-as-you-use solution launched

By: Schalk Burger 1st July 2016 Master data quality company Pilog has developed a content-as-a-service (CaaS) offering for procurement management using its detailed item description repository and international standards-based methods developed over 20 years. This will enable companies and departments to quickly and easily... →

THEO PRINSLOO Companies can use the system to meet the changing demands of their market with high accuracy, increasing agility and reducing waste

New US products showcased at Africa Rail

By: Victor Moolman 24th June 2016 New material testing equipment from US-based company MTS that can determine the strength and durability of rail infrastructure will be showcased at the Africa Rail 2016 conference and exhibition by laboratory equipment and services suppliers IMP Scientific & Precision. →

Photo by Duane Daws
WELD TEST Testing equipment provided by IMP test the strength of welds

New imaging technology to potentially disrupt optical industry

By: Henry Lazenby 13th June 2016 Former Vancouver-based rare earths explorer Elissa Resources has in February rebranded as NexOptic Technology and turned its attention to developing cutting-edge imaging technology in cooperation with Calgary-based acquisition target Spectrum Optix. NexOptic CEO Paul McKenzie explained to... →

Photo by NexOpticTechnology
A rendering of a comparison of a traditional telescope and the NexOptic telescope prototype

Tricky hydro scheme checks completed

By: Simon Sonnekus 27th May 2016 Difficult-to-complete inspections, high up at a water-storage scheme, in KwaZulu-Natal, were easily completed within the allotted time using rope access. Rope access solutions provider Skyriders marketing manager Mike Zinn notes that the operation – which took place after the conclusion of one... →

ROPE ACCESS The shafts inspected at a KZN hydro scheme were over 700 m long, 6 m in diameter and with 25˚ slopes

Amid rising importer angst, NRCS to pilot new product authorisation system

By: Terence Creamer 17th May 2016 The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) confirmed on Tuesday that it would, from July, begin piloting a new system for the issuance of Letters of Authority (LoAs) to importers requiring proof that their products meet South Africa’s compulsory specifications. CEO Asogan Moodley... →

Pipes manufacturers take on SABS over unfulfilled mandate

By: Samantha Herbst 6th May 2016 The Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (Sappma) has taken legal action against the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) to address the standards body’s alleged failure to perform in terms of its mandate and to meet its obligations, as prescribed in the Standards Act.... →

Locally manufactured hardness tester offers more, costs less

By: Dylan Slater 29th April 2016 Centurion-based testing-device manufacturer Anjo Hardness Testers launched its portable hardness tester the Kompakt Brinell Portable last month. It is cheaper than and offers several advancements, compared with competitor products (all of which are imported) offered locally. →

PORTABLE HARDNESS TESTER The Kompakt Brinell Portable offers hassle-free operation, with improved accuracy and faster cycles

Good data governance gives firms an edge over competitors, US academic avers

By: Schalk Burger 15th April 2016 Good governance practices and management of data regarding customer information and interactions to improve customer experience are increasingly being seen as a competitive advantage, says University of Arkansas Little Rock department of information science Professor John R. Talburt. The use of... →

New primer powder enhances tiling solution

By: Nadine James 8th April 2016 Tile and construction adhesive specialists TAL enhanced its tiling solutions offering by launching the cementitious powder primer Keymix in February. Keymix is used to prepare the surface and enhance the bond of the adhesive onto the surface substrate. The primer forms part of a tile adhesive... →

SURFACE PREPARATION TAL's Keymix and Keycoat slurry prepares the surface and enhances the bond of the adhesive

Treasury could adopt Korean public-sector data quality model

By: Schalk Burger 18th March 2016 South African National Treasury chief director Schalk Human visited the Korean National Information Agency (NIA) in November to learn about and possibly adopt its public-sector data quality framework. The South Korean government aims to apply the framework to between 20 and 30 government... →

Printing solution ensures traceability for industry

11th March 2016 In January, product identification solutions specialist Pyrotec’s machinery division PackMark introduced the 9450 continuous inkjet printer for all manufacturers, regardless of the industry sector in which they fall, as well as the 9540 S, an inkjet printer for the beverage industry that meets... →

9450 CONTINUOUS INKJET PRINTER Prints barcodes and logos of any size or resolution for all manufacturers

Steel industry faces toughest year

By: Dylan Slater 26th February 2016 As local steel demand stagnates and exports decrease, various steel industry role-players and industry analysts have predicted this year will be the toughest one for local steel manufacturers, as companies have been forced to mothball or sell plants, cut jobs and even close operations. →

SURVIVAL The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction says the local steel construction industry will survive the current challenging environment owing to years of resilience

Interactive lighting solution attracts interest from various projects

By: Kimberley Smuts 19th February 2016 Since the launch of its Shuffle one-pole lighting column in October, luminaires manufacturer Beka Schréder has received a number of enquiries for various projects at universities, playgrounds and fitness parks. Beka Schréder marketing manager Sibusiso Skosana tells Engineering News that the... →

SHUFFLE LIGHTING COLUMN The different features that the Shuffle incorporates is aimed at connecting people to their social environments

Ford achieves highest sales increase, focuses on quality testing

By: Mia Breytenbach 5th February 2016 Automotive producer Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) says it has “wrapped up an exceptional 2015”, with December sales of 6 345 vehicles bringing the total units sold to 78 471 for the year – the highest to date for the brand in South Africa. Despite the overall vehicle market sales... →

MARKET INTEREST The Ford Ranger emerged as the best-selling vehicle in December with sales of 2 914 vehicles for the month

Manufacturer partners with industry bodies to improve standardisation

By: Malusi Mkhize 15th January 2016 Most of the South African national standards for plastic pipe manufacturing are considerably outdated, which is why plastic pipes manufacturer Marley Pipe Systems has decided to partner with key organisations in South Africa to assist in formulating the manufacturing standards specific to the... →

QUALITY PIPING Marley Pipes is playing an integral role in trying to improve manufacturing standards in the plastic pipe industry

Microfiltration key in equipment maintenance in African conditions

By: Malusi Mkhize 27th November 2015 Africa’s extreme environment calls for more effective microfiltration applications to remove wear particles and dirt contamination from lubricants says microfine filtration solutions and vacuum automated and dehydration systems provider Filter Focus, COO Craig FitzGerald. “When new oil that has... →

FILTERING TO THE LAST PARTICLE Microfine filtering extends equipment life span and components by up to ten times

Regular inspections, monitoring a must to improve turbine efficiency

By: Nadine James 27th November 2015 Systematic independent technical inspections and independent real-time, around-the-clock condition monitoring of wind turbines, which are rarely done in South Africa, will improve their operational efficiency, maintenance and life span, advocates Cape Town-based renewable-energy consultant... →

SMOOTH OPERATION Independent inspections ensure that wind turbines operate efficiently

University completes bogie certification tests

By: Dylan Slater 6th November 2015 In conjunction with the University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) Centre for Asset Integrity Management (C-AIM), UP’s business division, Business Enterprises, which is situated at UP, has completed a series of static and fatigue tests on a locally manufactured locomotive bogie as part of State-owned... →

TEST RIG The test involved a large-scale application of wire strain gauges, with simultaneous data logging of over 100 channels

Large-scale data integration a key challenge

By: Schalk Burger 6th November 2015 Traditional approaches to data management in organisations will have to change to deal with the challenges of big data and using distributed processing as part of companies’ information technology systems, says University of Arkansas at Little Rock master data management specialist professor John... →

High-quality data key to business decisions – US prof

By: Schalk Burger 30th October 2015 Quality data is critical to produce reliable and accurate information that will improve business and industry decisions, says University of Arkansas at Little Rock master data management specialist professor John Talburt. More companies realise that much of their competitive advantages lie in... →

ECSA to consider bridge-collapse report at Oct 29 meeting

By: Terence Creamer 19th October 2015 The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) has confirmed that two professional engineers in the civil-engineering discipline have conducted an inspection and preliminary investigation following the deadly collapse of the M1 bridge support structure on October 14. The two ECSA-registered... →

Tyre brands awarded top spots in auto magazine tests

2nd October 2015 Three of tyre manufacturer Goodyear’s tyres, namely the Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar, the EfficientGrip SUV tyre and the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2, were all awarded first place in their respective categories in recent motoring magazine tests. “Tested against several other brands, all three tyres came... →

TOP SPOT Goodyear’s premium EfficientGrip SUV tyre came out top across 15 wet and dry disciplines

Brake reduces vehicle stopping distance by up to 40%

2nd October 2015 Sweden-based automotive safety systems manufacturer Autoliv is showcasing a new vacuum braking system – the Torricelli brake – developed to significantly reduce the stopping distance for autonomous emergency braking (AEB) in vehicles. The Torricelli brake is a vacuum-induced plate below a... →

FUTURE INNOVATION The brake’s patented solution uses a 0.3 m2 vacuum plate below the vehicle, which activates in 0.1 seconds and produces a downforce of 15 000 N

German skyscraper includes maglev prototype

By: Schalk Burger 25th September 2015 German industrial company division ThyssenKrupp Elevator’s participation in Richtfest skyscraper being built, in Rottweil, will enable it to use the building as an innovation centre for new elevator technologies, such as its prototype MULTI system magnetic levitation (maglev) elevators, in... →

RICHTFEST TESTTURM The tower, which will be clad once completed to fit in with the town’s spires, will function as a technology testing facility for ThyssenKrupp and the surrounding universities

Quality-control testing at PV project due for 2016 completion

By: Bruce Montiea 18th September 2015 Renewable-energy consulting and engineering firm Enertis is conducting factory inspections and independent quality-control tests at the Mulilo Sonnedix Prieska photovoltaic (PV) project, in the Northern Cape. The company tells Engineering News that the testing started in May and will be... →

QUALITY PRODUCT It is beneficial for local manufacturers of PV modules to formally test their products, as this leads to improved quality

OHSA amendments ensure regular testing

By: Bruce Montiea 11th September 2015 The new amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) passed earlier this year require all lifting machines to be performance-tested at intervals not exceeding 12 months to ensure that unsafe lifting machines are not used, says lifting equipment specialist quality and safety service... →

OPTIMAL OPERATION Lifting machines must be performance-tested to operate safely

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