Mechanical Technology June 2015

⎪ June 2015 contents ⎪

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ON THE COVER

Features Special report 8 Unilever’s SA capacity transformation project

Unilever’s R1.4-billion Khanyisa Home Care factory in Boksburg was opened on June 2, 2015. The following day, the company’s Indonsa factory expansion was opened in Durban, a R511-million investment. Pump systems pipes valves and seals 10 Best-fit fluid handling for Africa MechTech talks to Set Point’s Letaba pumping division heads, Bernd Irle, Brubin’s general manager and Ian Duke, general manager of Letaba Industrial. 13 The Pump Guy: When is a pump problem not a pump problem? 14 Weir Minerals Africa adapts to meet mining challenges

17 Pump rental: reap benefits while reducing costs 18 Mag drive exports buoy local pump manufacturer Sustainable energy and energy management 20 Renewable energy: a business case approach 22 Servicing Africa’s genset manufacturing sector 25 Solar installation reduces grid reliance by 40% 26 Solar modules study reveals better energy recovery 27 Large, modern gensets now available in Africa Robotics, automation and mechatronics 28 Automatic wet batching for quality concrete

MechTech talks to Dave Smith, the newly appointed managing director of Jasco Renewable Energy about balancing technology and financial sense in this challenging emerging sector.

Handling flexibility and ‘out-of-the-box’ automation With the launch of its specialised applica- tion Maxolution and the new Variolution concept with its library of configured end- user solutions for the automotive, food and beverage and logistics applications, SEW Eurodrive has established a new and more flexible approach to factory automation and production line handling. MechTech talks to Ute Schoeman, the company’s South African MD.

Ready-mix wet batch plants – with capacities ranging from 30 m 3 to over 240 m 3 per hour – are a more cost-effective alternative to the traditional dry ‘Karoo’ batch plants that currently dominate the local market. 29 IT automation unlocks innovation 31 Port of Ngqura’s automated mooring system

Modern transport and vehicle solution 32 UD Trucks launches Quester range

For more information contact: SEW-Eurodrive Rene Rose, GM Communications

UD Trucks Southern Africa launched its new Quester extra heavy truck range earlier this year, which includes 13 derivatives in its line-up. This article summarises its modern features. 35 Container handling expansion for Durban harbour Innovative engineering 36 Tech4RED, hydrogen fuel cells and development partnerships On June 12, Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor launched the Technology for Rural Education and Development Project (Tech4RED). Peter Middleton attends and reports. Regulars 1 Comment 4 On the cover: Handling flexibility and ‘out-of-the-box’ automation 6 Industry forum 38 Products and services 40 Nota bene

+27 11 248 7131 +27 84 657 4636 rrose@sew.co.za| www.sew.co.za

Mechanical Technology — June 2015

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