MechChem Africa March-April 2021

⎪ Automation, process control, instrumentation and CAE ⎪

Tectra engineers world-first roof tile solution

In a world-first roof tiling solution, Tectra Automation, subcontracted by robot specialist, Yaskawa, has engineered a unique automated production system that incorporates Bosch Rexroth aluminium extruder profiles with Yaskawa robots.

Dianne Seymour has been appointedGroup Business IntelligenceManager for theBosch Rexroth South Africa Group of Companies. Her appointment follows a 15-year pe- riod of experience in enterprise resource management (ERM) consulting on Syspro ERP. Her focus was helping clients across the pharmaceutical, manufacturing, mining anddistribution industrieswith SysproERP. The corporate sector attracted Seymour with the offer of a position as a business T o implement mass production of a world-first roof tiling solution, Tectra Automation, subcontracted by Yaskawa Southern Africa, has engineered a unique automated production system that uses Bosch Rexroth aluminium extruder profiles, among other componentry, with Yaskawa robots. The systemwill facilitate the transfer and pressing of sheets froma 200 °Cmoltenmin- eral polymer blend; their cutting, packaging and palletising. Tectra Automation’s scope of work included all processes from when the product exits the double-story extruder through to the palletised end product. To address the issue of handling mol- ten material at high temperatures, Tectra Automationdesignedandbuilt apliable lifting system incorporating a soft needle piercing system. Custom-made needle grippers, each containing 1 138 needles, pierce the hot pli- able plastic sheets and, usingYaskawa robots, raise the sheets and transfer them to the press. At this point, the needles are retracted and form pressing and product begins. “Our working relationship with Yaskawa South Africa has proved that our two com- panies complement one another,” says Nico Davies, mechatronics engineer at Tectra Automation. “Our dual experience and long- standing relationship is what secured us this project, which would not have been possible without the specialised robotics supplied by Yaskawa.” Early stage project commissioning com- menced during July 2020, with the order having only been received in January. “The

COVID-19 disaster and associated lock- down did not impact project process in any way,” adds Davies. “The team worked remotelywithnodifference inoutput, keep- ing to all project timelines. We procured the required parts and all equipment was onsite by year-end and full commissioning is expected to be complete by the end of April 2021.” Davies explains that the inherent flexibil - ity in Bosch Rexroth’s products, especially its extruder aluminium profiles, allows for a degree of adaptability in the production process. “It gives us the leeway to make specific changes to the system as and when required,” he explains. “This is extremely

beneficial when the customer needs the system to be adapted to accommodate new processes, or even changes to the produc- tion process itself.” Automation offers several advantages such as 100% repeatability; the ability to run 24/7; and improving both production quality and speed. “We work closely with our suppliers to provide a customised, flexible solution that meets clients’ specific requirements,” Davies points out. “Working with Bosch Rexroth and Yaskawa, Tectra Automation is providing an individualised solution that is tailor-made toovercome the unique application requirements of this roof tile manufacturer,” he concludes. q

The system will facilitate the transfer and pressing of 200° C molten mineral polymer blend sheets, their cutting, packaging and palletising.

Bosch Rexroth appoints business intelligence manager

analyst in 2015, and after only two years she was promoted to Business Systems Manager. The position saw her managing and overseeing business software develop- ment, support, maintenance, acquisitions, consultants, budgets, software projects and junior personnel. Currently reading for her BCom degree in InformationandTechnologyManagement atMANCOSA, Seymour has also completed several courses that better equipher todeal

with the demands of the business intelli- gence environment. Courses include Syspro modules, Workflow (Syspro and Flowgear), Basics of Supply Chain Management (SAPICS), Project Management (UNISA), and Microsoft SQL up to MSCA level. “I love sharing my passion for technolo - gies thatmake life easier,” Seymour says. “So much can be achievedwith today’s technol- ogy, making it easier to work smarter, not harder.” q

March-April 2021 • MechChem Africa ¦ 33