Mechanical Technology October 2016

⎪ October 2016 contents ⎪

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ON THE COVER

FEATURES SPECIAL REPORT 8 First Cut celebrates 60 years In late September 2016 at its Benrose facility in Johannesburg, First Cut celebrated 60 years of industry experience in South Africa. MechTech attends and reports. POWER TRANSMISSION, BEARINGS, BUSHES AND SEALS 10 The future starts now innovations launched With several product launches announced at Electra Mining Africa, 2016, SEW-Eurodrive continues to set innovative benchmarks for local industry. This articles looks at the X-series agitator; the DRN motor series and the company’s new Eco HVAC drive. 13 BMG showcases electro-mechanical range 14 Reducers, gear units and applications engineering COMPUTER-AIDED ENGINEERING 16 Topology optimisation improves rail component When Alstom in Spain wanted to improve the design of an existing cast rail component, the company employed HyperWorks as well as solidThinking Inspire ® and Evolve ® for design optimisation. The company then turned its attention to exploring additive manufacturing as an alternative manufacturing technique. 19 Implicit modelling for the mining sector HYDRAULIC AND PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS: POWER PACKS, COMPRESSORS AND VALVES 20 Direct hydraulic drives: flexible, simple and reliable Hägglunds Drives South Africa, a Bosch Rexroth company, specialises in direct drive hydraulic motors and control systems that offer variable speed with high torque. MechTech talks to the company’s MD, Leif Duwel, and sales manager, Kay Govinder. 23 New product selection tool for optimum results STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING MATERIALS, METALS AND NON-METALS 24 Heavy bay foundry geared for growth Grant Ramsden, operations director at Weir Minerals Africa, talks about the company’s up- graded Heavy Bay Foundry (HBF) that serves the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ). 26 Materials engineering in practice: Quo vadis titanium? 27 Green Dot Tiles alert to replacement needs 28 New research data set to stimulate stainless growth INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING 30 East London to PE: the C350e experience On 19 September in East London, Mercedes-Benz South Africa hosted a media launch for its new plug-in-hybrid range of vehicles, including the new C-Class C350e, which is to be built in the East London factory for local and export markets. Peter Middleton attends, drives the car and reports. REGULARS 1 Comment 4 On the cover: Customer-centric manufacturing: The SMC way 6 Industry forum 34 Products and services 36 Nota bene

Customer-centric manufacturing: The SMC way SMC Pneumatics South Africa has in- vested over R18-million into its local production facilities with some machin- ery being the first of its kind on African soil. MechTech visits the newly opened premises and talks to head of manufac- turing, Peter Austin, who brings 20 years of SMC experience from the company’s UK facility in Milton Keynes.

For more information contact: SMC Pneumatics South Africa Midrand Central Business Park 1019 Morkels Close, Midrand +27 11 100 5866 sales@smcpneumatics.co.za/ www.smcpneumatics.co.za

Mechanical Technology — October 2016

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