Mechanical Technology August 2015

⎪ Materials handling and minerals processing ⎪

Demag project engineer and technical sales representative, Niki Mizen, talks about the company’s Demag mono-rail system (DMS), already successful in the South African automotive industry and now attracting interest from as far as Egypt. Mono-rail system for the local automotive industry

F or the past decade, the Port Elizabeth branch of Demag, a specialist crane and component manufacture, has supplied its unique Demag mono-rail system (DMS) to the South African automotive industry – which has specific needs for robust and heavy-duty linear overhead materials- handling solutions. DMS has been developed specifically as a modular solution to meet such cus- tomer requirements. “When we designed the system initially we were looking to cater for increased throughput in terms of cycle times, while taking safe working loads into account,” Demag project en- gineer and technical sales representative Niki Mizen begins. “Our success with the system over the past decade has marked our long involvement with many of the major automotive OEMs in South Africa,” Mizen says. “This success has largely been attributable to our focus on being innovative and flexible.” DMS is complementary to its KBK light crane system, which consists of sus- pension monorails for overhead materials handling requirements. The main features of DMS are: • Ease of installation due to light alu- minium construction. • Silent and smooth operation from polyurethane wheels running on alu- minium (no metal flaking). • High transfer speeds. • Accuracy of positioning. • Low maintenance and running costs. • Locally manufactured to European standards. Low maintenance requirements are due to the fact that there is no metal-to-metal contact on any moving parts. This, in turn, enhances the robustness of the entire system. “Our aluminium system uses polyurethane tyres to prevent metal- on-metal flaking, which makes it ideal for applications such as automotive body shops and paint shops,” Mizen explains, adding that the system developed by

Demag Port Elizabeth has been sup- plied worldwide for many years. “The quality of the system has gener- ated invaluable global exposure for us. This is a total solution for the automotive industry that has stood the test of time,” Mizen adds. Another feature of DMS is that it can be fully or partially automated. “We can supply a total solution for what- ever components need to be picked up, for any end-products that need to be transported or assembled. DMS is fully customisable to utilise specific branded components required by the end-user, such as switchgear and PLCs. Industrial wireless communication allows for seam- less integration between the hoist and the main control panel.” The fact that this is a modular system means it is flexible enough to cater for a range of parameters. Such modularity also allows for easy transportation or shipping via 12 m shipping containers. “This is a solution-orientated system that can be designed to fit any factory layout,” Mizen continues. “Our considerable success in this regard has been due to the fact that we

The DMS uses polyurethane tyres to prevent metal-on-metal flaking. not only supply the best solution for our customers, but that we are able to offer a total turnkey system, including all the conveyors and accompanying storage retrieval machines.” Demag Port Elizabeth’s first major in- ternational customer was General Motors Egypt. “When the General Motors global operation heard what we had achieved in South Africa, it immediately directed an enquiry for a specific solution from the Middle East to us. “This not only entrenches our repu- tation for quality technology, but also consolidates our presence as a major international player. The fact that we can carry out complete turnkey projects means that Demag Port Elizabeth is in the unique position of being a one-stop shop,” he concludes. q

The Demag mono-rail system (DMS) is ideal for robust and heavy-duty linear overhead materials-handling requirements at manufacturing facilities such as automotive assembly plants.

Mechanical Technology — August 2015

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