Welding & Cutting

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Welding & Cutting News

Industry bodies determined to maintain standards

10th June 2016 The Installation and Fabrication Plastics Pipe Association (IFPA), a subsidiary of the local representative body of the plastics pipe industry South African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (Sappma), together with umbrella body for the local plastics industry Plastics SA, has implemented a... →

International exposure key for South African fabricators

By: Robyn Wilkinson 10th June 2016 There is a tendency among local and international original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to underestimate the capabilities of South African sheet metal fabricators. This makes industry collaboration crucial to increase the exposure of local fabricators and prevent the loss of orders to... →

ANDRÉ VISSER Fabrinox MD (left) says South African fabricators should capitalise on partnerships with international original-equipment manufacturers in full

Aligning welding training with international standards

By: Robyn Wilkinson 10th June 2016 Welding industry association Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) is working with government organisations, such as the South African Qualifications Authority and the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations, to further develop its courses so that they are aligned with local... →

SEAN BLAKE The implementation of international welding standards is key for the South African industry

Need for greater focus on local welding skills

By: Robyn Wilkinson 10th June 2016 The lack of good quality artisanal skills in South Africa, specifically welding skills, calls for a bigger focus on the development of training schools, says specialised stainless steel products supplier Plasma Cut technical director Manny da Silva. →

WELDING FACILITY
Plasma Cut aims to be a solutions driven welding company

Plasma Cut’s Kanyisa Limekaya and Manny da Silva discuss the macroeconomic environment’s effect on the South African welding and cutting industry and the company’s innovations

Alloy supplier introduces new welding consumables offering

27th May 2016 Leading supplier of nickel alloys, stainless steel and titanium Multi Alloys has strategically extended its portfolio and entered the welding consumables market with a new range of products. Through a partnership secured with electrical product supplier Lincoln Electric Company late last year,... →

ONE STOP SOLUTION Multi Alloys says Metrode’s range of consumables will enable it to assist customers

Reality programme used for welding training at AIDC

By: Simon Sonnekus 19th February 2016 Students who want to work in the production sector of the automotive industry can submit their curriculum vitae to the Automotive Industry Development Centre’s (AIDC’s) Gauteng Automotive Learning Centre to participate in an augmented-reality welding programme. Eight Soldamatic welding simulators... →

SOLDAMATIC WELDING SIMULATOR
Trainees will be able to practise more than 93 different welding lessons on the simulators

Photo by Simon Sonnekus
SOLDAMATIC WELDING SIMULATOR Trainees will be able to practise more than 93 different welding lessons on the simulators

First batch of artisans from R60-million training facility near graduation

By: Donna Slater 20th November 2015 About 900 potential artisans, representing the first intake at project services corporation Hydra-Arc’s Secunda-based artisan training facility, Mshiniwami Training Academy, are well on their way to completing their training. →

UPSKILLING INDUSTRY The Mshiniwami facility can cater for up to 1 200 students, based on workplace-learning rotation schedules

PPE manufacturer employs facial recognition technology

By: Nadine James 2nd October 2015 Personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturer and distributor Black Ginger 48 has implemented facial recognition technology at two of its clients’ on-site stores to counter identity fraud and reduce theft. Black Ginger 48 GM Jevan Malan tells Engineering News that the motivation for the... →

Photo by Bloomberg
DUAL BIOMETRICS SCANNER Black Ginger 48 has introduced biometric scanners at its on-site stores

Industrial elements manufacturer upgrades technology

By: Dylan Stewart 18th September 2015 Benoni-based industrial elements manufacturer Independent Elements is adopting a number of new technologies that will enhance the reliability of the company’s product range, says Independent Elements chairperson Harry Flowers. →

HARRY FLOWERS For the past 50 years, only small tweaks to improve production efficiency and product cosmetics have been made in the elements industry

Independent Elements chairperson Harry Flowers discusses the company’s operations amid a trying economy

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

Locally manufactured vacuums offer cost-effective solution

By: Pimani Baloyi 10th July 2015 Steam-powered and high-pressure water-powered ejectors do not require maintenance and regular replacement, compared with regular vacuum pumps and, therefore, save clients time and money that could have been lost as downtime, says local vacuums manufacturer Applied Vacuum MD Geoff Levy. He tells... →

MINIMAL MAINTENANCE REQUIRED Applied Vacuum recently sold spare parts to an edible-oil distillery for the first time since the company bought the ejector 12 years ago

Global steel company launches new high-strength product

10th July 2015 Specialised global steel company SSAB’s new brand of steel, Strenx, is a high strength structural steel in the 600 to 1300 MPa range. Strenx performance steel combines the best properties of the three brands it replaces – Optim, Weldox and Domex – from SSAB and metal-based components and... →

IMPRESSIVE RESULTS Strenx steel is delivered with a set of guarantees that ensure trouble-free production consistently

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... →

YUGAN MOODLEY We want to operate in-country and become part of every African country’s culture

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... →

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

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... →

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

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... →

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

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... →

GAME CHANGER
PipeWorx offers advanced gas metal arc welding control options, such as the regulated metal deposition welding and open-arc pulsed solution the ProPulse

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... →

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

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. →

IMPROVED SAFETY
The embedded design of Smoothflo leads to fewer instances of safety valve-removal or tampering by unauthorised personnel

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.

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