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Welding & Cutting News

S Africa key to German tool manufacturer’s Africa growth

By: Pimani Baloyi 19th June 2015 South Africa remains an important market and source of revenue for Germany-headquartered machine tools manufacturer Robert Bosch Power Tools, says Southern Africa regional sales director Yugan Moodley. “South Africa contributed about 60% of Bosch’s Africa-based turnover in 2014 and we are... →

Project opportunities drive welding operations

By: Mia Breytenbach 12th June 2015 Despite the challenges currently facing the South African welding and cutting industry, including project delays, commodity price fluctuations and the lingering effects of last year’s local metals industry strikes, there are still significant opportunities for the industry to evolve and improve... →

Photo by Bloomberg
CERTIFICATION IMPERATIVE The welding industry should be EN 15085-certified to participate in the rail projects and subsequent manufacturing

Institute revives back to basics welding training

By: Mia Breytenbach 12th June 2015 Though there has been a reasonably large demand for nonprofit technical organisation the Southern African Institute of Welding’s (SAIW’s) high-end training and management programmes, as well as its consulting and industry support services, the institute is revitalising its basic welding skills... →

Photo by Bloomberg
SKILLS REVITALISATION The Southern African Institute of Welding has been successful in implementing the IIW International Welder training programme in several in-house training academies

Free State welding training facility upgraded, reopened to attract skills interest

By: Mia Breytenbach 12th June 2015 Bloemfontein-based Louis Botha Technical High School officially reopened its welding centre earlier this month, after the facility had undergone a complete overhaul and upgrade, which was funded by local gas and welding company Afrox. Louis Botha is the latest of 12 high schools over the past two... →

SKILLS DRIVE Afrox’s initiative aims to upgrade technical facilities at 25 schools nationwide to support and enhance economic and skills development in South Africa

Welding services specialist secures several petrochem contracts

By: Mia Breytenbach 12th June 2015 Following the completion of several local projects showcasing engineering and labour-broking services provider Fabricon Pipe & Labour Hire’s knowledge about welding processes and its swift project execution methods, the company has been awarded several new contracts in the local petrochemicals... →

DECIDING FACTOR Fabricon was awarded the new multiproduct pipeline and Vopak projects because of its project execution methods, adaptability and rapid delivery

Training academy boosts local skills complement

By: Mia Breytenbach 12th June 2015 Engineering company Steinmüller Africa’s technical training academy is rapidly introducing young blood into its welder, boilermaking, rigging and fitting teams to boost the company’s on-site maintenance welding and cutting teams. Steinmüller Africa’s welding operations manager Morne Kidson notes... →

ARTISAN CULTIVATION The training centres collectively specialise in welding, boilermaking, fitting and rigging and produce about 165 artisans over 24 to 48 months

Fabricator completes maintenance project at PetroSA refinery

By: Mia Breytenbach 12th June 2015 Engineering company Steinmüller Africa, a subsidiary of Germany-based international engineering and services group Bilfinger, completed a planned maintenance project in March for State-owned national oil company PetroSA’s Mossel Bay-based Gas-To-Liquids refinery, in the Western Cape. Steinmüller... →

Photo by Duane Daws
PLANNED MAINTENANCE Steinmüller Africa replaced the Synthol Reactor internal coil U section and structurally replaced and welded the pipe components at PetroSA's GTL refinery, in Mossel Bay

Welding supplier’s consolidation initiatives increase end-user benefits

By: Mia Breytenbach 12th June 2015 Welding products supplier Weldamax has embarked on several rightsizing and consolidation initiatives to mitigate the effects of a contracting local welding sector and the cost pressures that welding equipment end-users face. “Weldamax focused on premises rationalisation by consolidating the... →

MARKET EDGE Weldamax’s brand of Thermamax welding equipment and consumables sales and market share have increased in the past year

Motion-control specialist intensifies focus on linear motion solutions

By: Mia Breytenbach 12th June 2015 Motion-control solutions specialist DC Auto-Motion aims to increase local market awareness for the Japan-based THK linear-motion (LM) product range this year, emphasising the range’s suitability in welding and cutting machine applications. DC Auto-Motion started representing THK in 2012 and was... →

SEALING SOLUTION The LM block guide rail systems with the laminated contact scraper (laCS) system and sealing arrangement prevent potential seizures and failure

Young welder on track for world skills competition

12th June 2015 Nonprofit technical organisation the Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) says South Africa’s 2015 Young Welder of the Year (YWoY), Jacobus van Deventer, is on track in his preparations for this year’s WorldSkills international competition, which will take place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from... →

JACO VAN DEVENTER Van Deventer is Steinmuller Africa’s first apprentice to have been awarded the Young Welder of the Year Award

New welding technologies cultivate global competitiveness

By: Mia Breytenbach 12th June 2015 Adopting new welding technologies and processes that will improve productivity and assist with cost reduction is critical for the local welding and fabrication industry to be globally competitive in terms of price offering, and service and product delivery, says South Africa-based gas and welding... →

Afrox manufacturing industries business manager Johann Pieterse discusses how the PipeWorx Fieldpro meets industry's need for new technology

South African firms yet to fully embrace dual-system apprenticeship model

By: Leandi Kolver 1st May 2015 While results from the first year of the dual-system apprenticeship project (DSAP) pilot in South Africa have been positive, with a second intake of learners and additional pilot sites being planned, convincing employers to participate remains a challenge, representatives from the Department of... →

Digital educational tools empower teachers and super-charge study materials

By: Schalk Burger 24th April 2015 Electronic and digital education tools, including interactive whiteboards and student-response systems, are empowering teachers to spend significantly more time preparing lessons, work on identified difficult topics and help students who struggle. Various high-quality, colourful images, and... →

BEZ SANGARI Rich-media environments and content provide significant benefits for all subjects and improve learning and retention

Rope-access specialist continues with repair services for Sappi mills

By: Kimberley Smuts 27th March 2015 Rope access specialist Skyriders completed hard-to-reach inspection and repair work on time and within budget early last year for South African pulp and paper producer Sappi’s Ngodwana mill, in Mpumalanga, Skyriders marketing manager Mike Zinn tells Engineering News. Zinn explains that, rather... →

Skyriders technicians use ropes to abseil down into confined spaces as a means of moving from point A to point B.

Laser industry shifts to fibre laser-cutting systems

By: Mia Breytenbach 13th March 2015 The laser-cutting industry has transitioned in recent years from using carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers to fibre laser-cutting systems, notes Switzerland-based sheet metal cutting and bending equipment supplier Bystronic. The light source of a fibre-optic laser-cutting system, commonly known as fibre... →

Photo by Bloomberg
IMPROVED PROFICIENCY The speed of a fibre laser is several times higher than that of a CO2 laser

High-speed laser to produce first components in 2016

By: Mia Breytenbach 13th March 2015 South African research institute the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s (CSIR’s) National Laser Centre (NLC) has confirmed that its large-area high-speed selective laser melting (SLM) system, also known as the Aeroswift project, is on track to produce the system’s first industrial... →

Photo by Bloomberg
INDUSTRY PURSUIT Project Aeroswift will be able to produce components with various metals, including titanium and stainless steel alloys

Company delivers first order of new laser-cutting range

By: Mia Breytenbach 13th March 2015 Local machine tools distributor Retecon has received its first order for the high-powered 8 kW Trumpf TruLaser 5060 (TL 5060), which should be delivered to its Gauteng-based customer by the end of next month. Retecon is the official sole distributor for Germany-based laser manufacturer Trumpf,... →

PRODIGIOUS REQUIREMENT The manufacturing industry's need for increased laser power can be mitigated by the TL 5000 series

Local laser specialist launches enhanced product offering

By: Mia Breytenbach 13th March 2015 To provide end-users with state-of-the-art metal-cutting capabilities, local industrial laser-cutting machine designer, manufacturer, importer and distributor Beyond Laser South Africa (SA) will launch its new flatbed fibre-optic laser-cutting machines, manufactured by China-based laser power... →

MARKING ALTERNATIVE The Electrox Scorpion Rapide allows for complete control of the laser beam parameters to mark different materials

Pipes association calls for submission of sample HDPE pipes for quality testing

By: Zandile Mavuso 13th March 2015 As the requirements of reliability and the extended life span of plastic pipes across industry are increasing, the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers’ Association (Sappma) is inviting companies to submit high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe samples by April 30 for selective quality... →

Bringing US training technology to local market

21st November 2014 Cape Town-based educational and corporate technology solutions supplier Edit Microsystems says that it now distributes welding training technology, the GuideWeld Live to the Southern African market. The GuideWeld Live has been developed and manufactured by US-based experiential learning... →

Technological advances reduce costs

By: Bruce Montiea 21st November 2014 Keeping up with technological advances is enabling steel industry engineering services provider Steel Services & Allied Industries (SS & AI) to “cut overhead costs and reduce the handling of materials throughout the fabrication process”, says MD Lawrence Bartlett. SS & AI, which is a member of... →

FACTORY FLOOR Automation keeps Steel Services & Allied Industries at the forefront of technology and also makes it a leader in productivity

Built-in safety valve improves safety and reliability

By: Donna Slater 7th November 2014 Sales of the Smoothflo gas pressure regulator, that is equipped with a piston-embedded safety valve, from gas and welding company Afrox, exceeded expectations for the first year and, subsequently, helped to accelerate global demand. →

Afrox business manager Devandran Naicker tells Engineering News’ Dylan Slater about the future of the company’s new gas regulator.

Afrox, GDE fund skills development at technical schools

By: Ilan Solomons 27th October 2014 In partnership with the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), gases and welding company Afrox officially unveiled the upgraded Jabulani Welding Centre at the Jabulani Technical High School, in Soweto, on Friday. Afrox MD Brett Kimber highlighted that, as part of the company’s corporate social... →

Gauteng Department of education deputy-director general for educational support Vuyani Mpofu emphasises the importance of learners, teachers and the local community securing upgraded welding training centres. Editing: Shane Williams.

New coverall range launched for industry

By: Mia Breytenbach 17th October 2014 Local specialised protective-clothing manufacturer Charnaud introduced its new Aci-Flam and Metal-Safe ranges of protective clothing to industry last month. Charnaud supplies products and specialised footwear to industries dealing with, for example, hot-metal smelting, firefighting, shaft... →

INDUSTRY FIRST The Metal-Safe personal protective garments are made from Lenzing FR, antistatic, high-strength synthetic and other fibres

SAIW director appointed chair of global body

12th September 2014 Nonprofit technical organisation Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) executive director Jim Guild was appointed chairperson of the International Institute of Welding’s (IIW’s) International Authorisation Board (IAB) at the IIW’s sixty-seventh Annual Assembly, held in Seoul, South Korea,... →

JIM GUILD The first chairperson of the International Institute of Welding’s International Authorisation Board from outside of Europe or the US

Sugar producer and SAIW team up in Moz

12th September 2014 Agricultural and agroprocessing group Tongaat Hulett’s Mozambique-based sugar mill and sugar cane estates’ subsidiary Acucareira de Moçambique (Mafambisse) ran a nonprofit technical organisation the Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) training course for its staff at the company’s... →

MOZAMBIQUE COURSE TRAINEES Some of the participants in the Appreciation of Welders for Engineers course at Tongaat Hulett-Acucareira de Moçambique

Fabrication company achieves accreditation

12th September 2014 Local fabrication company ND Engineering, which has extensive experience in the manufacture of equipment for industrial processes using a variety of standard and exotic grades of materials, achieved ISO 3834:2005 compliance for the quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials... →

ISO 3834:2005 CERTIFICATION Receiving the certificates (Front row left to right) Mark Ackerman, Sean Blake, Elvis Green and John Creamer

Welder competition receives positive response

12th September 2014 Entries for the nonprofit technical organisation the Southern African Institute of Welding’s (SAIW’s) 2015 Young Welder of the Year (YWoY) competition opened last month and, to date, the SAIW says that the interest expressed in the competition throughout South Africa has been “unprecedented”. The... →

YOUNG WELDING WIZARD 2013 Young Welder of the Year winner Houston Isaacs with the Southern African Institute of Welding’s Etienne Nell and Frans Vorster

Institute assists State-owned freight and logistics group

By: Ilan Solomons 12th September 2014 State-owned freight and logistics group Transnet Engineering (TE) says its membership and association with nonprofit technical organisation the Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW), has ensured that all TE’s welding inspectors have been correctly trained and certified to provide a... →

Photo by Duane Daws
EDUCATION DRIVER Transnet Engineering is passionate about the learning and development of youth and is continuously investing in its technical skills pipeline

Emphasis placed on pressure vessel inspectors

12th September 2014 Pressure equipment that is not manufactured, repaired, modified, operated and maintained correctly can be extremely dangerous, particularly to a plant’s operating personnel and to the public, as the system failure of pressure equipment can result in significant bodily damage to those who are... →

PRESSURE TEST Manufacturers and users of pressure equipment have to ensure compliance with local pressure equipment regulations

David Brown

12th September 2014 Global leader in industrial gear system design, manufacture and service, David Brown has been delivering highly reliable gear systems to the mining industry for more than 150 years. From CX conveyor drives, large girth gears and mill drives to complete gearbox service, repair and upgrade, David... →

SAIW proceeds with Mpumalanga centre plan

By: Ilan Solomons 12th September 2014 The Mpumalanga provincial government and nonprofit technical organisation Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) aim to establish a R130-million training facility in Mpumalanga. SAIW executive director Jim Guild tells Engineering News that, in the past five years, the institute has made... →

South African Institute of Welding executive director Jim Guild discusses recent developments and initiatives under way at the institute

Regulatory improvement calls

By: Ilan Solomons 12th September 2014 The Thermal Spray Association of Southern Africa (TSASA), a subcommittee of nonprofit technical organisation the Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) aims to increase thermal spray use while improving standards in local industrial sectors. TSASA chairperson Adam Wintle tells Engineering... →

Thermal Spray Association of Southern Africa chairperson Adam Wintle discusses the state of the thermal spray industry in Southern Africa.

Aerosud restructured for greater growth

5th September 2014 Aerosud, South Africa’s leading aeromechanical parts manufacturer, has restructured its operations as part of a strategy aimed at ensuring continued strong growth. The restructure, put into effect in June, is directed at strategically positioning and financially beefing up Aerosud Aviation – the... →

New SA hydrogen and oxygen plant unveiled

By: Keith Campbell 31st July 2014 South African gas and welding products company Afrox, part of the German Linde group, publicly unveiled its new R14-million high-purity hydrogen and oxygen plant at Pelindaba, west of Pretoria, on Thursday. The new plant uses latest-generation electrolysis technology. "We had a hydrogen plant,... →

Effective training with welding simulator

By: Bruce Montiea 25th July 2014 Educational solutions supplier Sangari South Africa reports that the Soldamatic simulator, which it uses to assist in the training of apprentices, has won top honours at this year’s Worlddidac Awards, held in Berne, Switzerland, last month, for the most innovative educational product of 2014. The... →

WELDING PRECISION Theory must be accompanied by practical training to improve understanding

Merseta advocates practical trade experience to plug South Africa’s technical gaps

By: Schalk Burger 11th July 2014 The Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Merseta) advocates artisan training, coupled with workplace experience, as a way of developing technical skills that are in demand, which will create high-quality jobs and more technically qualified... →

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