AFRICA news
Sew-Eurodrive South Africa ’ s Port Elizabeth branch — which services the entire Eastern Cape region — has relocated to Unit 4 , Aldo Business Park , Old Cape Road in Greenbushes , reflecting both the growth of the branch and the importance of the Eastern Cape region , according to branch manager Francois Sieberhangen . Initially a serviceand-repair branch with minimal assembly , the branch has grown significantly , necessitating its move from the original 300m 2 premises to the new 800m 2 building . The move was completed in a couple of days . The new premises allows Sew-Eurodrive to employ additional staff , including a mechatronics engineer to improve technical support and field service .
Multotec has been using 3-D printing for two years to produce fast , cost-effective prototypes for customers , according to Multotec Manufacturing technology manager , Chris Oldewage , and can now produce a prototype within 24 hours . Full-sized prototypes can be tested on the company ’ s testing rigs to prove their practical application before advancing to the relatively costly tooling stage , while reprinting can incorporate fine-tuning and minor adjustments . The printed parts are used as the pattern to produce silicon moulds for products such as screen panels , which are used to make prototype panels from polyurethane . “ These 3-D models are also valuable tools to employ during our training sessions , to ensure better visual understanding among staff and customers ,” says Oldewage .
Actom Turbo Machines installed 150MW turbo gensets for a new large open-pit copper mine in Panama ’ s Donoso District . This is the company ’ s first international contract , secured against tough international competition . Actom Turbo Machines was contracted for the mechanical installation of two Skoda Doosan ( Czech Republic ) 150MW turbo gensets , each comprising an integrated high- and intermediate-pressure turbine , a low-pressure turbine , a Siemens generator , a radial condenser , and auxiliaries . As the OEM only supplied an Installation Quality Controller , ACTOM Turbo Machines ’ installation crew installed the centreline of the turbo generator sets , starting with the inspection of the civil works , followed by the systematic assembly of the turbo generators in the form of transportable components and sub-assemblies .
Johnson Crane Hire
Johnson Crane Hire lifts in Lesotho
Johnson Crane Hire has provided a 35-tonne mobile all-terrain crane to a Lesotho mine site . Despite the extreme weather , remote location , and high-altitude mountainous terrain , the crane operates 12-hour shifts , seven
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2 days a week . Its duties focus on maintenance activities , particularly necessary in the harsh climate .
According to Vanderbijlpark branch manager Dean Wepener , the team has fine-tuned its operation in the Mountain
Kingdom to ensure that the customer can run operations efficiently and can rest easy in the knowledge that safe lifting services are taken care of . “ Our main task is to keep the on-site crane operating in top condition and compliant in terms of our own operational policies , national regulations , and customer requirements ,” says Wepener .
The company ’ s service offering to the mine aims to minimise downtime , and includes a permanent on-site operator , rotating with a standby operator ; regular site visits by a maintenance mechanic ; quarterly site visits by a certified lifting machine inspector ( LMI ) to conduct the required compliance checks ; and a site foreman responsible for on-site inspections of both machine and operator . Wepener also visits the site regularly to conduct his own assessment of the crane ’ s condition and general operations .
Johnson Crane Hire also makes other , larger cranes available to the mine for specific short-term jobs , including the 275-tonne mobile crane required for a recent contract . This required transport arrangements for the crane and support vehicles to mobilise the crane ’ s extensive components , including counterweights , hookblocks , and outrigger pads , to make the 400km journey to site . Apart from stringent and onerous paperwork relating to the crane and trucks crossing the SA – Lesotho border , the convoy has to negotiate the narrow , twisting mountain road with the help of escorts and traffic authorities .
“ These challenges are all in a day ’ s work for us ,” says Wepener , “ but we are sure to collaborate with top-class partners and service providers who support the delivery of our brand promise — SMART — to our customers .” SMART equals safety , maintenance , availability , reliability , and total cost effectiveness .
Johnson Crane Hire
1 . The mountainous terrain in Lesotho has not prevented Johnson Crane Hire from delivering a safe and reliable service .
2 . Johnson Crane Hire undertaking a lift on a mine site in Lesotho .
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SEPTEMBER 2017