southern AFRICA news
Multotec has been using 3-D printing for the past 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 3-D printed parts are used as the pattern to produce a mould for products such as screen panels . Silicon is cast around the pattern and removed when cured . The silicon mould is used to make prototype screen panels from polyurethane . Printing new mould parts makes it easy to validate design and functionality before making the actual steel parts . Multotec has also invested in an extruder , allowing it to extrude cords to the same specifications used in manufacturing .
Metso is investing in a second melting furnace at its Isithebe foundry in South Africa , increasing its manufacturing capacity for large crusher wear parts castings used in minerals processing . The EUR3.5-million investment will ensure the availability of Metso ’ s heavy crusher wear parts globally . The Isithebe plant is part of Metso ’ s global foundry network , and the renewed foundry will be built to follow Metso ’ s strict sustainability and quality principles , as well as international standards . The renewed foundry will be able to manufacture wear parts for the Nordberg MP2500 cone crusher , as well as for Metso and third-party primary gyratory wear parts , with full use of the latest manufacturing technologies . The first product deliveries from the new furnace are scheduled for May 2019 . During the renovation project , production of castings will continue as usual in the existing facilities .
High-performance concrete was in the spotlight at The Concrete Conference ( TCC ), held at the Misty Hills Conference Centre in Muldersdrift on 17 and 18 August 2017 , when experts from the concrete industry , including precast and readymix technologists , laid bare the latest innovations for the construction industry . TCC was the first time South Africa ’ s concrete organisations — the Concrete Society of South Africa ( CSSA ), The Concrete Institute ( TCI ), Concrete Manufacturers Association ( CMA ), and the Southern Africa Readymix Association ( Sarma ) — worked together to produce an industrybacked , expert-driven conference entirely focused on concrete in construction . Delegates were provided with a wealth of technical information , new technologies , as well as case studies that highlighted techniques used on award-winning projects across the country .
The Chamber of Mines and the Department of Mineral Resources ( DMR ) have reached a formal agreement at the High Court of Gauteng ( Pretoria ) that the DMR will not pursue the contemplated suspension of the processing of section 11 applications , new mining and prospecting rights applications , and renewals of existing rights . This follows the statement by the Minister of Mineral Resources that he does not intend to take any of the steps contemplated in the notice published in the Government Gazette of 19 July 2017 . Presiding Judge Monama remarked that the Minister ’ s approach , both in issuing the intended moratorium notice and in his failure to respond to the application , showed “ the utmost disrespect ” for the Constitution , the rule of law , and the courts . He further remarked that the Minister ’ s conduct serves to tarnish Brand South Africa , and called for the Minister to submit an affidavit within 14 days , explaining his failure to file an answering affidavit .
Komatsu has partnered with Investec Property , a division of Investec Limited , to consolidate its head office operations , warehouse and distribution centres , workshops , and remanufacturing facilities into one centralised 300 000m 2 property in Germiston . Phase 1 of the development , a state-of-the-art 22 000m 2 Parts Distribution Centre , was completed in just nine months , and construction on Phase 2 , which is expected to be fully operational by September 2018 , started in July 2017 . Final completion of the Komatsu Campus is scheduled for 2021 , to coincide with Komatsu ’ s 100th anniversary . “ Our long-term dream of consolidating into a single Komatsu Campus is fast becoming a reality . The first phase of construction has gone exceptionally well . Looking ahead , we will continue to consolidate our head office functions into the new campus . This will include the relocation of Isando Branch , as well as Reman and the head office ,” said Mike Blom , managing director of Komatsu Africa Holdings .
6 _ QUARRY SA | SEPTEMBER 2017