Mechanical Technology

5 / 44

Mechanical Technology — July 2015 3
⎪ July 2015 contents ⎪
ON THE COVER
8
Compressor Technique embraces new
technology
Following Atlas Copco’s global acquisition
of vacuum products specialist, Edwards,
Atlas Copco Compressor Technique in
South Africa has access to a comprehen-
sive vacuum products range. In addition,
the company is introducing its patent
pending UD+ cartridge filter solution,
along with a re-engineered range of GA
compressors. MechTech talks to Pieter
van Wyk and Dean Adriaanse.
For more information contact:
Dean Adriaanse, product manager, In-
dustrial Air
+27 11 821 9310
+27 83 625 3757
22 26 36
Features
Special report
8 Mercedes-Benz: from one to one million
MBSA’s East London plant has now produced its millionth car, a fourth generation W205
C-Class Mercedes Benz. MechTech visits the multi-award winning manufacturing plant.
Power transmission, bearings, bushes and seals
12 SA drives company gears up for Africa
Hansen Transmissions South Africa’s market responsibilities have been extended beyond
the southern African region to also incorporate west, east and central Africa. In preparation,
the company has installed a “game-changing” modern regenerative load test bay for testing
industrial gearboxes of up to 300 kNm.
15 New bearing rating life model launched
16 Mill gear unit powers chrome mine output
17 Europe’s largest motors and drives power steel roughing mill
19 Split roller bearings enhance proactive maintenance
Computer-aided engineering
20 Pre-CAD solutions for advanced topology optimisation
MechTech visits the solidThinking stand at Indutec and talks to Gronum Smith, the Stellen-
bosch-based country manager for Altair South Africa, about solidThinking Inspire® software.
22 Automating plant and piping design processes
24 Analytics: A vital tool for competiveness
25 Smart data validation tool released
Hydraulic and pneumatic systems
26 Compressor investments, long-term efficiency and cost savings
Aerzen Airgas marketing co-ordinator Andreas Stubel talks about how rising electricity costs
and unreliable supply from the national grid are prompting industrial operations to seek more
energy-efficient blowers and compressors.
28 Cylinder castings quality improved
29 Super flexible high-pressure spiral hose
31 Successful pressure testing at Koeberg
Structural engineering materials, metals and non-metals
32 Hygiene and safety with stainless steel handrailing
Andrew Mentis’ marketing manager, Elaine van Rooyen, describes how two troublesome
issues, hygiene and safety, can be addressed by using stainless steel handrailing.
33 New generation steel roller introduced
35 Materials engineering in practice: Corrosion is everywhere
Innovative engineering
36 The consumerisation of manufacturing IT
“Smart devices are a consumer success story. Their portability and power are also helping
to ‘smartify’ the manufacturing industry – and this is just the start,” says Christoffer Malm,
head of the Connectivity Room at SKF.
Regulars
1 Comment
4 On the cover: Compressor Technique embraces new technology
6 Industry forum
38 Products and services
40 Nota bene