MechChem Africa April 2017

⎪ Power transmission, bearings, bushes and seals ⎪

SEW-Eurodrive is continuing its involvement at a major diamond mine in Lesotho by supplying three complete power packs for use on the tailings side of the operation. X-Series IG units for Lesotho diamond mine

A n initial order for supply of 20 power packs for tailings opera- tion at a diamond in Lesotho was received in December 2014, with technical clarification in 2015 and delivery in February 2016. The latest order, for three additional power packs, was received in May 2016andfulfilledinSeptember2016.Despite the differing lead times, SEW-Eurodrive’s local stockholding and value-added service offering meant that the requirements of the two ordersweremet comfortably, comments head of projects Rudi Swanepoel. Each power pack consists of an X-Series Industrial Gearbox with high- and low-speed couplings, motor and base plate. These pre- assembled units represent significant cost- savings and reduced downtime, as the power pack is suppliedwith the input-coupling shaft

with thealignment already carriedout. Combined with the above-mentioned shaft alignment, in general there are only two interfaces that need to be fitted. “If all the civils are done correctly, this is amajor benefit for the client,” Swanepoel comments. The X-Series of versatile and powerful IG units from SEW-Eurodrive provides an ideal solution for conveyor belt drives, with a torque range from 6.8 kNm to 475 kNm. The range also features a large number of accessories to allow for maximum flexibility and awide range of gear ratios for helical and bevel-helical gear units. Nearly any mounting position or shaft arrangement on a driven machine can be implemented. A reversible gear unit housing also facilitates variable installation. The ro- bust housing, low-noise gearing and cooling

systemboost safety andeaseofmaintenance. The Lesotho contract represents a sig- nificant extension of the OEM’s footprint in the Southern African mining industry, points out Mario Sicchiero, head of exports at SEW-Eurodrive. “The downturn in the min- ing industry globally has meant a reduction in the number of Greenfield projects, which has resulted in us nurturing those key client relationships in order to maintain our ongo- ing success in securing new work,” Sicchiero stresses. “However, the general consensus is that commodity prices have bottomed out, which means that major mining houses will start to invest again once these green shoots become visible,” he adds. q

Unidrive and Central Edible Oils celebrate 30-year relationship Credible and quality management, inte- grated with trust and impeccable safety standards are some of the basic require- ments needed to maintain a 30-year sup- ply and service contract between Central Edible Oils, known as CEOCO and Unidrive ElectricMotors Company. This relationship which has been beneficial for both parties, continues its prosperity as a new partner- ship contract has been concluded, whichwill result inUnidrive continuing tobe a supplier of choice for new electric motor sales and maintenance. from the UNILEVER plant in Boksburg, and also supplies UNILEVER with crude oil to produce Flora and Rama margarine. Berowsky adds that electric motors sourced fromUnidrive are crucial in ensur- ing that the operations are functioning at all times on a 24-hours, 7-days-a-week cycle. The motors control all conveyor belts, taps, toasters and extractor drives throughout the Boksburg plant.

Unidrive motors are flame-proof and meet all the required safety certificates to be utilised in all CEOCO plants. “This is a very dangerous plant as the solvent we use is called Hexane which is very explosive. All the electrical equipment andmotorswe use in the plant must be flame-proof and must be registered,” says Berowsky. He says Unidrive is also reliable on the supply of newmotors. “When I phone them requiring a new electric motor, they have quick turnaround in delivering that. You can call them anytime of the day or week requiring a service or supply of a newmotor and you are definitely going to get a positive response,” TheoMashego, UnidriveElectricMotors’ managing director says their partner- ship with CEOCO has been growing from

“Unidrivehas beenour supplier of choice for as long as I have been working here in 1989, and that is because of their ability to constantly deliver on our requirements. Unidrive also adheres to and meets all our safety standards which is important for us as we expect all our suppliers to meet certain standards to be able to operate or supply our facilities,” saysCoenieBerowsky, CEOCO maintenance manager at the Boksburg plant. CEOCOproduceshighqualitycrude sun- floweroilforuseinthemanufactureofcook- ingoils,margarine,andotheredibleproducts andsunflowerseedscakewhichisusedinthe productionof animal feed. CEOCOoperates

strength to strength through the years be- cause of close relations between the teams on both side. “After some many years of maintaining and supplying new equipment to CEOCO, we are like part of their family and have taken it upon ourselves to ensure that the company’s operations experience minimum disruption. Our close working relationship which ensures that enquiries and service requests are attended to almost immediately upon receipt,” he concludes. q Unidrive MD Theo Mashego, CEOCO maintenance manager, Coenie Berowsky and Unidrive sales executive, Alfred Bibbey

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