MechChem Africa January 2018

New ‘Fluid Power Fitter’ qualification

The Hytec Group has become SouthAfrica’s first company to receive full accreditation as a training provider to qualify ‘Fluid Power Fitters’.

available in flow ranges between 3.7 and 5.4m³/min andworking pressures between 7 and 12 bar. For added versatility, the compressors can be fitted with Atlas Copco’s innova- tive PACE (Pressure Adjustment through Cognitive Electronics) system. This enables users to precisely adjust the airflow and pressure of the compressor to match their specific application needs. It is also possible to turn the compressor into amulti-function machine that delivers both air and power by equipping it with an optional generator. Furthermore, an extra fuel tank is available for endusers requiringa two-shift operation without refuelling. Simplicity of servicewas clearly factored into the design of the range. Each model is easy to access via wide doors and requires an oil service just once every two years. In addition, all consumables within the com- pressor can be replaced in under an hour. q The importance of the certification can- not be underestimated, according to Van Gent, who admits to there being numerous mechanical fitters with hydraulics industry experience. “It is the formal recognition of the specific training that’s important,” he points out. “Essentially, the scope of train- ing that we are accredited to provide en- compasses every aspect that a ‘fluid power fitter’ needs to know in order to conduct his day-to-day activities within the fluid power industry,” he says. q training manager and the driver behind the successful reinstatement of the fluid power qualification, thecompany’s accreditationand the programme approval. There are currently four learners un- dergoing training at Hytec for the National Certificate: Mechanical Engineering: Fitting (Fluid Power) who, once qualified, will be the first Certified ‘Fluid Power Fitters’ in South Africa trainedby a SouthAfrican training pro- vider. “This is an achievement that the South Africanfluidpower industry has been striving to achieve since 2009 when the qualification was originally registered with SAQA,” Van Gent asserts. The National Certificate Mechanical Engineering Level 2 is the first in a learning path of three consecutive qualifications, which culminate in a Further Education and TrainingCertificate:Mechanical engineering, NQF Level 4, within the context of a tradi- tional designated trade specialisation.

T he Hytec Group, a hydraulics, pneu- matics and automation specialist company, has received full accredita- tion with programme approval from the industry sector education and training authority – merSETA – to provide theo- retical and practical training for the National Certificate Mechanical Engineering: Fitting (Fluid Power); and the National Certificate Mechanical Engineering: Fitting (Manufactur- ing, Engineering andRelated Industries), both at NQF level II. Registeredwith SAQA– the SouthAfrican Qualifications Authority – the two qualifica-

tions comprise 49 individual unit standards (short courses) each with theoretical and practicalcomponentsclusteredintoalearner- ship, which has a one-year duration per NQF level. As the unit standards are dedicated to specific learning areas, learners may opt to qualify by following the full learnership route or undergo training for selected unit standards only. “This provides the flexibility for learners to complete the qualification in a unit stan- dards’ format over a longer period if they are unable tocompletea continuous learningpro- gramme,” says Allen van Gent, Hytec Group

The four learners currently undergoing training will be the first in South Africa to be certified fluid power fitters trained by a South African training provider. From left are: Juan Hartzenberg, Daiyaan Naidoo, Group training manager, Allen van Gent, Innocent Mthanti and Sydney Scrooby.

Compact, lightweight, mobile compressors launched Atlas Copco has launched a new range of lightweight and versatile air compressors for secure integration into utility trucks and other OEM applications. The space-saving 8 Series Utility range has a footprint that is 10% smaller, on average, than comparable compressors. In addition, all models weigh below 750 kg, including those with the op- tion of a built-in generator. “The term ‘utility’ is defined as the state of being useful, profitable or beneficial. This is summed up perfectly by the compres- sors in our 8 Series Utility range, which combine all three benefits inside a light- weight and compact package,” saysHendrik Timmermans, vice-president, marketing for Atlas Copco’s Portable Energy division. “Due to their small size and light weight, the

8 Series now fits into more vehicle types and can be used in applica- tions including highway works and crash barrier repair.” All compressors in the 8 Series Utility range feature a robust, corrosion-resistant C3 rated can- opy. Reliable, high-performance engines are fitted as standard, which deliver industry-leading fuel efficiency savings of up to 8% against comparablemachines. The range consists of four compressors

The space-saving 8 Series Utility range has a footprint that is 10% smaller, on average, than comparable compressors.

18 ¦ MechChem Africa • January 2018