MechChem Africa March 2018

⎪ Local manufacturing, beneficiation and food processing ⎪

Robor’s world-class pipe mill installed in Elandsfontein

In conjunction with some of the leading equipment builders worldwide, Robor has recently designed and built a world class, fully automated new steel mill, which is complemented by extensive value-add project and fabrication operations. Remaining at the forefront of technol- ogyandproduct development isparamount for any company that considers itself amar- ket leader. Over the past five years Robor’s capital expenditure has been extensive; the most recently approved is the biggest Capex in the history of the company, being for the replacement of twoof its older steel millswith a newsteel mill of the latest tech- nology. This mill was designed in conjunc- tion with some of the leading equipment builders from around the globe. This fully automated, ‘state of the art’ mill, which is themost advanced ∅ 219mm pipe line in the world, is capable of chang- ing rolls in 30 minutes, and, with the aid of a fully automated robotic tool changing system, the first of its kind on the African continent. This world-class mill has now been fully commissioned and takes pride of place at Robor’s 250 000m 2 Elandsfontein site in Gauteng, South Africa. The mill is complemented by extensive value-add project and fabrication opera- tions with the capability of handling a full range of customer requirements in the light and medium fabrication range. Robor undertakes the estimating and turnkey supply to site (excluding installation) of complex and demanding water reticula- tion and structural steel projects. Multiple projects are managed concurrently, with

a fully integrated supply chain ensuring very good turnaround times for estimating, procurement, manufacturing and logistics to meet project deliverables. Robor has developed a fully integrated steel processing facility of world-class standards. The company is the largest sup- plier of longitudinally welded steel tube and pipe in Southern Africa. Its range of value added services includes, but is not limited to: hot dip galvanizing for corrosion protection, pipe and tube cutting (2d and 3d), punching, drilling, coatings and linings, pressure testing, welding (robotic, stickand submergedarc),cutting,wrapping,painting, packing, fabrication of certain components and ultrasonic testing. The Tricom Structures business affords Robor the opportunity to supply various telecommunication andpower distribution systems and the company has also aug- mented its pipe structures capabilitieswith traditionalsteels.In2017,asanequalshare- holder ofMineSupportProducts (MSP), the manufacturer of the tube Rocprop product range for undergroundmine roof supports, Robor purchased the50%balanceof shares fromDCDDorbyltobecomethesoleowner ofMSP. 2017alsosawRobor entering intoa joint venturewithAegion–UnitedPipeline Systems,amultinationalAmericancompany that provides pipeline solutions. Through the various business acquisi- tions, Robor has grown from a commodity steel and pipe company by expanding its offeringandbyitsteamscontinuingtowork hard to deliver on the company’s vision of a solutions-driven company. q

Bystronic’s Mobile Bending Cell was recognised with an award for innovative solutions in the field of sheet metal processing at the Blechexpo 2017 exhibition.

allowsuserstomonitorallreal-timeprocesses in the press brake. The systemcan also supply live streams of process data tomobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops. It is with good reason that this automated press brake combinationhas been referred to as the ‘Swiss Army knife’ of bending. In devel- oping theMobileBendingCell, Bystronic took customers’ feedback into account regarding their requirement for compact ergonomics, speed and productivity – not to mention energy and cost-savings. With its ‘plug-and-bend’ principle of operation, the compact Mobile Bending Cell can quickly be set up and activated in any manufacturing environment. The Mobile BendingCell’s ease of deployment and exten- sive range of applications will be a significant value-add inany fabricationormanufacturing environment. The Xpert 40/Mobile Bending Cell com- bination offers a fast, versatile and cost- effective alternative to larger press brakes. As such, for a busy steel fabricator, this compact press brake systemoffers unmatched return- on-investment and profitability. q

Robor’s new pipe mill is capable of changing rolls in 30 minutes and, with the aid of a fully automated robotic tool changing system, is the first of its kind on the African continent.

March 2018 • MechChem Africa ¦ 19