African Fusion November-December 2024

Contents

Nov-Dec 2024

FEATURES 6 SAIW recommits to accessible, quality training for a sustainable future Under the theme ‘SAIW: The Backbone of the Welding Industry’ the SAIW’s 2024 awards highlighted the industry’s essential contributions and SAIW’s commitment to sustainability through accessible, quality training. 8 Kelvion: SA’s integrated Heat Exchanger Specialist The SAIW member profile for this issue comes from Kelvion Services, an OEM that fabricates and services a comprehensive range of heat exchangers and coolers. 12 The role of aid agencies in raising welding education, training and skills levels Chris Smallbone and John Tarboton highlight the role of not for-profit organisations such as the SAIW in working directly alongside global aid/donor agencies to improve the quality of life in developing countries. 16 New Age celebrates 21 years in SA AF talks to New Age Engineering Solutions’ Founder and CEO, Joseph Zinyana, about some of the highlights of the company’s 21-year journey. 18 Renttech Welding opens customer-focused ATC Solidifying the company’s credentials as a multi-brand welding provider of welding solutions for South African industry at all levels, Renttech Welding has opened a new Applications Technology Centre (ATC) at its Wadeville premises. 20 AWC launches total-solutions welding offering African Welding Company (AWC) has been relaunched as the channel to market for all Afrox’s welding and hard goods products and services. 22 ESAB’s mechanised cutting, gas-equipment and PPE offering AF talks to Willie Burger, ESAB’s new product manager for mechanised cutting, PPE and gas equipment, about ESAB’s Swift Cut plasma cutting system; Thermal Dynamics plasma cutters and the globally renowned gas equipment brands, Victor, GCE and ESAB. 24 Robotics: opening doors for SMEs Andrew Crackett of Yaskawa Southern Africa highlights the value for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of adopting robotic automation solutions and how Yaskawa is addressing barriers to adoption. 26 MD Steel grows cutting capability through Cosmo Michael Jacobs of MD Steel Services and Petrus Pretorius of Cosmo Group talk about their relationship, which now includes the supply of state-of-the-art laser cutting systems from ACME-Laser. 28 B.E.D. tailors welding range for local and pan-African applications AF meets Mike Giltrow and Craig Bister of Bolt and Engineering Distributors (B.E.D.) to find out about the company’s expanding welding offering for the South African and African markets. 30 Fronius SA: from AR training to better structural integrity AF visits Fronius South Africa’s stand at Electra Mining Africa and talks to Edric van der Walt about the extended welding offering available to welder training centres and fabricators facing limited cash flows. 33 Advanced sub-arc welding from Steinmüller Steinmüller Africa’s, Friedrich Schwim, outlines his company’s submerged-arc welding (SAW) capabilities, which set the benchmark for excellence in this process. REGULARS 3 Message from the president 4 Front cover story: Böhler Seamless-cored wires that reduce manganese exposure 11 SAIW Bulletin board: Welding Challenge 2024 34 Welding and cutting forum: The new Thermamax Vulcan 1200A Dual 36 Today’s technology: Brutally effective Kemppi X3

Published three times a year and mailed out together with MechChem Africa by: Crown Publications (Pty) Ltd Crown House Cnr Theunis and Sovereign Streets Bedford Gardens 2007 PO Box 140

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Bedfordview 2008 Tel: (011) 622 4770 Fax: (011) 615 6108

Editor: Peter Middleton E-mail: peterm@crown.co.za Advertising: Peter Middleton E-mail: peterm@crown.co.za Publisher: Karen Grant

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Deputy publisher: Wilhelm du Plessis Production & layout: Darryl James Circulation: Brenda Grossmann Printed by: Tandym Print, Cape

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In trials comparing voestalpine Böhler Welding’s new diamondspark GUARD 420 MC metal-cored welding wire with the standard diamond spark MC wire, operator exposure to airborne Mn was significantly reduced, helping fabricators to meet recently revised exposure limits.

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November-December 2024

AFRICAN FUSION