SA Affordable Housing September - October 2019 // ISSUE: 78 | Page 41

PRODUCTS
Attracting a smart type of attention
Felo Germany has launched another Smart Kit in South Africa; its new Smart Engineer Magnetic Nut Driver set has powerful
rare earth magnets. The retracting magnet moves up to 47mm allowing the fastening or extracting of bolts and nuts in hard-
to-reach places and cavities. The innovative Felo Smart Handle is included in the kit, converting the unit from screwdriver to
T-handle with a push and click from your thumb.
Its smooth frictionless ball handle end is an ergonomically refined design for increased comfort. The ergonomic two-
component polypropylene and rubber constructed handle improves grip and comfort, and has a deep handle neck for
additional thumb support. Anti-roll handle flats keep the driver from rolling away.
The M-Tec hollow blades are made from chrome vanadium steel with powerful rare earth magnet and a 6mm hex fitting.
With high torque and high hardness precision, these standard screwdriver bits are supplied in a Felo strong box and have a 15-
year warranty. This 20-piece toolbox replaces 48 tools, and its blades are made from high-quality bit-steels.
Targeting a global network of more than 270 integrated
cement plants and grinding stations across more than 50
countries, LafargeHolcim has embarked on a four-year
programme that will see the utilisation of automation
technologies and robotics, artificial intelligence, predictive
maintenance and digital-twin technologies across their entire
cement production process.
The global ‘Plants of Tomorrow’ initiative aims to deliver
certified operational efficiency gain of 15-20% compared
with a conventional cement plant. LafargeHolcim is currently
working on more than 30 pilot projects covering all regions
where they are active. The company’s Siggenthal integrated
cement plant in Switzerland, will be the lighthouse where
the integration of all relevant modules will be tested for the
global ‘Plants of Tomorrow’ initiative.
Among the technologies being implemented are
predictive operations that can detect abnormal conditions
and process anomalies in real time, and the creation of
www.saaffordablehousing.co.za
LafargeHolcim launch
‘Plants of Tomorrow’
Traditional cement plants will become 10% to 15% more efficient.
digital twins of plants to optimise training opportunities.
Automation and robotics is another key element of the
strategy, with unmanned surveillance and drones being
used to increase the frequency of inspections in high-
exposure tasks while simultaneously reducing costs and
increasing safety for employees.
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