MechChem Africa July-August 2025

⎪ Maintenance and asset management ⎪

AC synchronous generator in the DRC, a very remote and isolated location. “The stator’s internal diameter was over 5.0 m, so we had to repair it on site. Further complicating the work, the stator was lap wound, which required a high level of ex pertise. We have the necessary equipment and skills to carry out such onsite repairs ef fectively, however, including in the DRC and elsewhere in Africa,” Chamberlain assures. On the service side, he says that M&C has held several long-standing maintenance contracts for independent power stations, including a hydro power station with 4×45 MW Siemens generators, and gas turbine-generator plants for electricity gen eration in the Western Cape, units that play a vital role in regulating maximum demand and meeting the city’s supply targets. The reverse engineering approach M&C’s design team, led by Rob Melaia, is considered to be the top motor design team in Africa. “They check the winding design of every motor/generator we rewind, looking for ways to improve reliability and performance. Our engineering teams have the experience and ability to apply practical insights gained from years of repairing and analysing motors across various industries. “They can make winding design improve ments, utilising the latest technology and modern insulation materials, which enables motors to run cooler, more efficiently and potentially with increased output in terms of speed, torque or power. “Most importantly, though, this reverse engineering approach enables us to engi neer out known failure points of the rotating equipment entrusted to us, with a key focus on reducing heat generation and minimising the risks of insulation breakdown, which are the primary enemies of motor performance and longevity,” says Chamberlain. M&C also designs and manufactures specialised motors as and when required by customers. In 2012, ACTOM (Pty) Ltd acquired Marthinusen and Coutts. ACTOM is an in dustry leader and the largest manufacturer, solution provider, repairer and distributor of electro-mechanical equipment in Africa, and Marthinusen and Coutts is an independently run division of ACTOM (Pty) Ltd. “While a substantial amount of our work is for clients in South and sub-Saharan Africa, we do projects, installations and refurbishments from Indonesia to Panama. We attract cus tomers because of our engineering capability and our proven track record for reliable deliv ery, value for money and the high skills levels routinely demonstrated by our workshop and onsite staff,” concludes Chamberlain. www.mandc.co.za

For very large machines, the Benoni facility includes a 140 t Wagner lathe that can accommodate a 40 t, 11 m workpiece with a swing of 3.2 m.

Final assembly of a remanufactured motor.

M&C offers full load testing of HV, LV and DC equipment, and onsite diagnostics.

July-August 2025 • MechChem Africa ¦ 7