Mechanical Technology August 2015

⎪ Proactive maintenance, lubrication and contamination management ⎪

Andrew Yorke, operations director, at Metric Automotive Engineering, talks about this companies ability to cost effectively remanufacture diesel engines to world class standards. Investment in latest diagnostic equipment

M etric Automotive Engineering is positioning itself as a “world class remanufacturing centre” says Andrew Yorke, operations director, at Metric Au- tomotive Engineering. “Some companies believe that diesel engine component repair or remanufacture can only be done properly in Europe or America. This is not true. We have facilities and competencies that are comparable to anywhere in the world. In addition, it is far more cost effective to carry out such repairs or remanufacture locally due to the exchange rate,” he explains. The company is South Africa’s most comprehensively equipped diesel engine component remanufacturer. Established as a family business in 1969, Metric Automotive Engineering has an operating philosophy of investing in the latest technol- ogy and quality equipment. Yorke says that it is critical to stay abreast of changes in industry – such as the move towards much larger heavy diesel engines. “Larger engines mean larger components and two of our most recent investments in new equipment are the largest crankshaft grinding machine in Africa and a state-of-the-art new generation three axis CNC machine,” Yorke says. The crankshaft grinding machine is capable of grinding shafts of up to 4.7 m long and with weights of up to 5.0 t. It will allow the grinding of crankshafts from industrial compressors right through to the V16 locomotive diesel engine. Improved grinding

The largest crankshaft grinding machine in Africa is hard at work at Metric Automotive Engineering. tolerances will be achieved as the machine is paired with set of compensators, which will help to eliminate ‘ovality’ and taper.

The CNC machining centres is the only machine of its kind in Africa. This machine is capable of line boring, surfacing and blue-printing blocks up to 6.0 m in length, and has boosted Metric Automotive Engineering capacity to handle the huge engine blocks that are found in the railways, marine and heavy equipment sectors. Metric Automotive Engineering has an established reputation for the quality remanufacture of diesel engine compo- nents and offers services which include cylinder head remanufacture, cylinder block line boring, milling, honing and boring, camshaft grinding, crankshaft grinding, engine assembly and dyna- mometer testing. On the fuel injection side, Yorke says that the technological focus is on fuel economy and emissions levels. “There have been huge advancements with this technology and it is important that companies offering services in this field stay up to date with the latest interna- tional trends. South Africa has a distinct advantage

Metric Automotive Engineering invested in a new state-of-the-art CNC machining centre.

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Mechanical Technology — August 2015