Mechanical Technology June 2015

17 / 44

⎪ Pump systems, pipes, valves and seals ⎪
Mechanical Technology — June 2015 15
Secunda’s second dedicated pump workshop
AESPUMP has opened a second
dedicated workshop at its Secunda
facility, this one to service Sundyne
machines and magnetic drive pumps from
subsidiaries HMD and Ansimag.
The new facility joins a dedicated flame-
proof pumps workshop supplementing the
main floor, where general pumps such as
end-suction and split-case machines are
serviced.
Both dedicated workshops approach
clean-room environmental standard, and
both are comprehensively equipped with
cranes, inspection tables and workbenches
fitted with rotatable clamps and vertical
motor stands for no-load run tests on gear-
boxes. In addition, the Sundyne workshop
has its own component parts washer.
AESPUMP is soon to upgrade its test
bay, currently equipped for end-suction
pumps and sump pumps, to also suit the
Sundyne range.
Formed in 2012 from the Secunda-
based rotating equipment repairs division
of sister company AESSEAL, AESPUMP
initially offered only minor servicing such as
the replacement of gears, bearings, packing
and gaskets, but increased demand quickly
led to expanded machining facilities and
the installation of lathes and a balancing
machine.
Besides Sundyne, the company is today
an approved service centre for KSB Pumps,
Hidrostal, Ecochem Pumps, Franklin
Electric, Netzsch, Helico and SS Pumps.
General procedure in all three work-
shops follows the same pattern. Incoming
pumps are first stripped, after which the
parts are cleaned of residual product by
trained crews wearing protective clothing,
and inspected and assessed for repair.
AESPUMP is classified as a Sundyne
Channel One partner, complying with strict
standards in sales, service and repairs.
Inspection teams from the parent company
regularly audit stock levels, training stan-
dards and business plans, and examine the
workshops for craneage, washing facilities,
workbenches, tools
and cleanliness.
I n t h e n e w
Sundyne workshop
and its sister flame-
proof pumps facil-
ity, cleanliness is
ensured by separa-
tion from the main
workshop with its
dust and metal
waste from drill-
ing, turning and
machining work.
All three work-
shops are periodi-
cally inspected by independent authorities
to ensure compliance with ISO 9001,
ISO 29001, ISO 14001, OSHAS 18001,
MASC (Mining and Surface Certification)
codes and the SANS 60079-01/1 (electric
apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres)
standards for flame proofing, including
OD 014 and OD 015.
AESPUMP augments its offering with
free gearbox run-tests on pumps serviced
outside the facility, with customers’ tech-
nicians in attendance to gain hands-on
training and experience.
Training of AESPUMP’s own service
technicians is ongoing, with rotational train-
ing programmes equipping them with the
skills needed for on-site problem diagnosis
as well as workshop service and repairs. q
AESPUMP’s new workshop for Sundyne, HMD and Ansimag machines.