MechTech May 2016 Final

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38 Mechanical Technology — May 2016
⎪ Products and services ⎪
In trying times Afrox acknowledges that
farmers are more cost conscious. To
this end the theme of Afrox’s display at
the 2016 NAMPO Harvest Day exhibi-
tion was ‘Total Solutions Partner’. Afrox
demonstrated complete solutions focus-
ing on in-house fabrication, repair and
maintenance, as well as hardfacing for
SKF Maintenance Products division can
now offer full Android support for its
shaft alignment tools. After the success-
ful launch of the SKF shaft alignment
tool TKSA 51 with Apple iOS apps, SKF
have now launched the Android apps for
Versatile winches for vehicle and hydraulic applications
WARN, through its sole Southern African
distributor Torre Parts and Components, has
a range of 12 V, 24 V and hydraulic winches,
with load capacities ranging from 4 082 kgf
(9 000 lb), to 13 600 kgf (30 000 lb).
“We have had significant successes with
the 8 165 kg (18 000 lb) 24 V winch due
to its price point, versatility and compact
size. It is used in various applications in-
cluding military vehicles in SA and around
the world,” says Leonard Chester, product
manager, vehicle accessories, Torre Parts
and Components.
“WARN’s success is based on its product
range, service levels and ability to customise
winches with features such as the Over Load
Interrupter, which is an available accessory to
prevent the motor from burning out,” he adds.
WARN’s Series 18 is an 18 000 lb, 24 V
tow truck and industrial dc electric winch. It
offers heavy single line pulling power of up
to 18 000 lbf and has a dependable high-
torque, series-wound 24 V dc electric mo-
tor. It comes with a weatherproof industrial
contactor control pack and a rugged 10 m
industrial remote control.
The disc brake is designed for extended
power-out use and includes a thermal
overload switch that protects the motor
from overheating. It uses a wire rope with
a roller fairlead.
The lower-end WARN Series 9 hydraulic
winch is suitable for tow trucks and industrial
hydraulic applications with 9 000 lbf of pull-
ing power. This is suited to tow, utility and
trailer applications.
A hardened steel, two-stage planetary
geartrain provides faster line speeds and a
heavy-duty automatic disc brake provides
reliable operation. It also includes a wire
rope with roller fairlead.
The Series 9 is available in two motor
sizes: 4.9 and 3.0 in3 and meets SAE J706
and CE standards.
Repair solutions for South African agriculture
At the 2016 NAMPO Harvest Day exhibition, Afrox
focused on repair and maintenance during trying drought
and economic conditions facing the South African agricul-
tural sector.
all farming welding applications, aimed
at assisting famers reduce their costs in
light of the current economic conditions
and the severe drought crisis gripping
South Africa.
Afrox’s do-it-yourself approach to
this year’s exhibition was not only an
acknowledgement of the support Afrox
has received from the agricultural industry
over the last 89 years, but also a gesture
of assistance, with an emphasis on fabri-
cation and products that can be used for
repairing implements rather than adopt-
ing the more costly replacement option.
“We wanted to show famers how to
repair equipment themselves so that
there is no need to outsource or unneces-
sarily replace existing machinery,” says
Johann Pieterse, Afrox Manufacturing
Industries business manager. “Experts
from our manufacturing division were at
the stand to physically demonstrate some
of these applications,” he adds.
A live manufacturing display was
an exciting and interactive highlight at
the Afrox stand this year where, among
other things, there was be a step-by-step
demonstration on how to build your own
trailer. “It’s all about hands-on practical
advice this year,” comments Pieterse.
“For example, with our trailer build dem-
onstration, we will be giving a detailed
explanation and practical display of how
to build your own trailer as well as pro-
viding particulars on the basic products
required for this project,” he says.
The Afrox range of gases, welding and
cutting equipment, together with associ-
ated consumables, is available through
co-ops, certain local distributors and
Afrox retail outlets in the region. Agrigas
is exclusively available via approved
co-ops.
Android apps for TKSA 51 introduced
the TKSA 51.
The TKSA 51
apps ‘Shaft Align­
ment for TKSA 51’
and ‘Soft Foot for
TKSA 51 ’ a r e
now available for
Android devices
from the Google Play Store. The apps are
virtually identical to the iOS versions and
both platforms will be supported with the
same software updates.
The support of Android and iOS de-
vices allows customers a wider choice of
devices to better meet their operational
needs. Android devices are typically
less expensive than similar iOS devices,
making this alignment system more
affordable.
Also, in many regions around the
world, such as Latin America or Asia,
Android devices have a significantly
higher market presence than iOS devices.
Since users are mostly experienced with
Android devices, the new app facilitates
the market entrance and penetration.
Apple devices are also more difficult
to source in some regions and the new
Android app will give customers the
choice of the most suitable, locally avail-
able device.
By fulfilling customer needs for
Android support, SKF is striving for
greater customer satisfaction and higher
attractiveness for new customers.