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Quality Assurance News

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... →

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

Reputation management ensured by good quality control

By: Bruce Montiea 11th September 2015 Optimising the quality and safety of products, processes and systems ensures good reputation management, which is a significant benefit for all companies, especially those in the manufacturing sector, says UK-based international testing, inspection and certification companies trade federation... →

Photo by Bloomberg
GLOBAL COMPLIANCE The IFIA offers testing services to international companies

South Africans must insist on quality, says institute

By: Bruce Montiea 11th September 2015 Observing quality will be the foundation of South Africa’s economic success and a better quality of life for its people, as the need for quality can be found in all spheres of manufacturing and service delivery, says national quality awareness organisation the South African Quality Institute... →

Photo by Bloomberg
QUALITY CONTROL The need for quality can be found in all spheres of manufacturing

Testing company provides services to Eskom power stations

11th September 2015 TÜV SÜD Pro-Tec, part of the global technical services provider TÜV SÜD, performs phased array testing, not only on large bore piping, but also on small tubes, at State-owned power utility Eskom power plants, where welds have been tested during scheduled outages. This technique can be used on... →

TEAMWORK TÜV SÜD South Africa provides dedicated service to clients

Agricultural laboratory awarded ISO accreditation

By: Bruce Montiea 11th September 2015 Having been awarded the ISO 17025 accreditation in December last year for its precision agriculture laboratory, testing services provider Intertek now considers itself to be at the forefront of soil testing in Africa, says sub-Saharan Africa agri services regional manager Charles Botha.    The... →

UNFAILING RESULTS The accreditation of Intertek Agricultural Services’ precision agriculture laboratory provides the guarantee of reliable testing services

Customs benefiting from trade facilitation and revenue protection solution

11th September 2015 To assist customs in their modernisation efforts and in enhancing their effectiveness, testing, inspection and certification company Cotecna offers an integrated platform of specifically designed technology based services named ValueQuest. Integrated within customs operations and operated by a... →

TECHNOLOGY BASED SERVICES Cotecna supports authorities in their efforts to secure customs revenue collection and combat fraud

Laboratory gases under the spotlight

By: Dylan Slater 28th August 2015 Monitoring, adjusting and evacuating different gases in sophisticated laboratories is becoming increasingly important to ensure that detailed experiments are conducted safely, says gas products company African Oxygen Limited (Afrox). →

GAS TIGHT The monitoring of gases in a dust-free laboratory is essential to ensure the safety and health of laboratory personnel and the outcomes of experiments

Airbus-approved supplier homes in on international contracts

By: Mia Breytenbach 28th August 2015 Having received direct approval in 2014 from aerospace major Airbus that it is a credible supplier, Cape Town-based machined components supplier Daliff Precision Engineering aims to secure machining contracts from international Airbus Tier 1 suppliers within the next year. “Daliff is able to... →

REPOSITIONED ENGINEERING Daliff re-engineered several machining processes and enhanced its quality-control systems

Advanced vision sensors check catalytic converters

By: Dylan Stewart 28th August 2015 Peter Jones Electronic Equipment, a division of the Actum group recently supplied two IV series vision sensors to the Port Elizabeth-based Mobile Emissions Catalyst division of Germany-based chemicals company BASF, says Actum technical sales manager Rob Howes, who notes that visual inspection... →

Implats sees off-gas cleaning system upgrade

By: Sashnee Moodley 28th August 2015 JSE-listed Altron subsidiary Powertech System Integrators (PTSI) is undertaking a R30-million wet electrostatic precipitator (Wesp) replacement project at platinum major Impala Platinum’s (Implats’) Rustenburg smelter, in the North West, which is expected to be commissioned by December. →

SECONDARY WESPS Implats' sulphuric acid plant is currently running on the secondary Wesps

Industry body sees uptake in registered gas practitioners

By: Dylan Slater 28th August 2015 There has been significant uptake in the registration of gas practitioners who want to ensure that their gas systems and connections are safe to use, perform according to regulated methods and adhere to a high quality of work and record-keeping, says gas authorisation organisation the South... →

Photo by SAQCC
REGISTERED GAS PRACTITIONERS There has been significant uptake in the registration of gas practitioners with the South African Qualification and Certification Committee Gas

High-quality coating materials essential for conveying packaged food

By: Kimberley Smuts 21st August 2015 It is critical in modern food processes that only high-quality coating materials, suitable for packaged food conveying and direct contact with foodstuffs, are used to ensure hygienic, safe processing and efficient logistics, says engineering solutions provider Bearing Man Group (BMG) light... →

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Ammeraal Beltech's Peak range of PTFE and Silicone coated belts were developed for the food sector

New mobile app simplifies fire extinguisher selection

21st August 2015 Fire suppression solutions provider Tyco Fire Protection Products (TFPP) has introduced a mobile application (app) that streamlines the process of selecting a portable fire extinguisher. The easy-to-use Ansul Red Line app offers a customised experience for a range of markets, including aviation,... →

500 t crane rehab project completed

By: Mia Breytenbach 14th August 2015 Global lifting solutions provider Konecranes has rehabilitated two 500 t Chinese portal cranes for the Angolan National Oil Company’s (Sonangol’s) Integrated Logistic Services’ (Sonils’) oil service centre, says Konecranes Southern Africa technical and training manager for sub-Saharan Africa... →

IN WORKING ORDER The cost to rehabilitate the two 500 t Chinese portal cranes for the Integrated Logistic Services’ oil service centre was more than R2-million

Screw splicing a reliable alternative to conventional belt repairs

By: Mia Breytenbach 14th August 2015 Engineering company Bearing Man Group’s (BMG’s) efficient belt fastener system – the Super-Screw splice – which was originally used as a temporary alternative to conventional hot and cold splicing, has proven to be significantly reliable as a permanent splice for certain conveyor belts. The... →

VERSATILE USE Super-Screw splices can be installed as temporary or permanent solutions regardless of the conveyor belt configuration, accessibility and the weather

Heavy-duty upright beams handle heavier loads at higher storage levels

By: Mia Breytenbach 14th August 2015 Steel racking, shelving and mezzanine flooring manufacturer, supplier and installer Universal Storage Systems expects to launch its new upright beams, which will support heavier material loads, by the end of November, Universal Storage Systems sales director Jan Breytenbach says. The company is... →

HEAVY DUTY Universal Storage Systems' new upright beams have been designed to accommodate loads of between 24 t and 30 t

Bitumen reactor to improve penetration grades

By: Mia Breytenbach 7th August 2015 A bitumen reactor – the first of its kind in Africa, and the second of its kind in the world – that can, among other things, modify and enhance bitumen penetration grades for the local roads industry, will be one of the key products highlighted at this year’s Conference on Asphalt Pavements for... →

MITIGATION ACTION The introduction of the bitumen reactor forms part of SprayPave’s measures to mitigate challenges such as the supply of different grades of bitumen

Unified construction measurement standards to be published next year

By: Sashnee Moodley 7th August 2015 The International Construction Measurement Standards (ICMS) coalition was launched at the International Monetary Fund headquarters in Washington DC, in the US, last month, following the gathering of more than 30 worldwide professional bodies. →

UNIFYING FOR PROGRESS The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors senior VP Amanda Clack signs the ICMS coalition declaration alongside representatives of other coalition organisations at the International Monetary Fund headquarters, in Washington DC

Technology to increase testing accuracy, enhance road quality

By: Mia Breytenbach 7th August 2015 To assist the civil engineering and roads industry in attaining accurate asphalt testing results to provide quality roads, Pretoria-based laboratory equipment supplier Reliance Laboratory Equipment aims to provide the latest technology in the testing of asphalt. “South Africa should be the... →

VERSATILE ABILITY The Corelok measures the gravity of asphalt

Tosas

7th August 2015 Established in 1972 as a joint venture between petrochemicals majors Sasol and Total, bituminous products manufacturer, supplier and applicator Tosas has been supplying high-quality bituminous products across Southern Africa for more than four decades. The company specialises in the modification... →

Quality expansion joints essential for efficiency

By: Dylan Slater 31st July 2015 The quality of materials used in fabric expansion joints cannot be compromised as they perform a critical role in the combustion process, says expansion joints manufacturer Flextra Engineered Products. →

DUVHA RETROFIT Flextra is retrofitting fabric expansion joints at Eskom’s Duvha power station on all its vertical-duct expansion joints

New-look industry body aims to improve electrical industry conformance

By: Schalk Burger 31st July 2015 The industry body Electrical Conformance Board (ECB), previously the Electrical Contracting Board, aims to use its electrical industry members to drive conformity of electrical components and services standards to ensure that the industry improves its compliance to regulations and laws.... →

Integrated NDT qualification, certification approach set for 2017

By: Mia Breytenbach 17th July 2015 To achieve international harmonisation in the qualification and certification of nondestructive testing (NDT) personnel, the national ISO 17024-accredited personnel certification body, the Southern African Institute of Welding - Certification (SAIW - Certification) is collaborating with national... →

CERTIFICATION HARMONISATION The qualification and certification process will also accommodate the American Society for Nondestructive Testing SNT-TC-1A requirements

VT course to meet industry requirements

By: Mia Breytenbach 17th July 2015 Nonprofit technical organisation the Southern African Institute of Welding’s (SAIW’s) nondestructive testing (NDT) department introduced an independent Visual Testing (VT) course as part of its training offering last month. VT was previously incorporated into SAIW’s welding inspectors course only... →

COURSE CONTENT Level 1 of the Visual Testing (VT) course focuses on general theory and application, while Level 2 enhances basic VT theory

New portable NDT equipment solutions suitable for welding inspections

By: Mia Breytenbach 17th July 2015 Vereeniging-based nondestructive testing (NDT) equipment provider GammaTec is currently introducing the latest portable, phased-array, ultrasonic testing (PA UT) equipment and new computed radiography (CR) digital systems and focuses on raising awareness of the advantages of this equipment. “The... →

NEW GENERATION The Zetec TOPAZ phased array system has a 10.4” 1 024 X 768 pixel screen that can display 64% more information than the 800 X 600 pixel screens

Signal-processing technique set for commercial testing

By: Mia Breytenbach 17th July 2015 Having developed a new signal-processing technique for the vibration monitoring and testing of turbomachinery, the University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) Centre for Asset Integrity Management (C-AIM) research facility aims to create industry partnerships to develop this technique to maturity and... →

Centre for Asset Integrity Management director Professor Stephan Heyns discusses the importance of the research conducted at the centre.

Data quality standards to have significant engineering applications

By: Schalk Burger 10th July 2015 Quality standards for data will provide significant benefits for engineering and technical disciplines, as reliable master data can then be sourced and transferred, which enables accurate management of engineering components and services, says data quality and management company Pilog Group... →

Italian electronics group says localisation of components makes business sense

By: Schalk Burger 26th June 2015 Italian electronic components subsidiary Microelettrica Scientifica South Africa is producing components and electrical equipment with local content of between 50% and 90% based on non-negotiable economic drivers. This approach has benefited the parent company Microelettrica Scientifica while... →

Photo by Schalk Burger
CIRCUIT BREAKER TEAM Malebo Kgamedi and her circuit breaker assembly team

Topics In These Articles

Automotive Business Engineering Fabrication Forklift Logistics Manufacturing Mining rail Service Steel Training Welding Automation Components Design Efficiency Environment Financial Industrial Innovation Power Resources Safety System Technology Tourism SECURITY Systems Waste ... more

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