Construction World May 2016

>

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

QUALITY-ENHANCING ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGY

Improved productivity, environ- mental efficiency, flexibility and enhanced manufacture quality are some of the massive benefits associated with Corobrik’s new robotic technology at its Lawley Factory. Following the introduction of this unique robotics’ system at its Rietvlei factory, Corobrik installed the uniquely manu- factured setting system at its Lawley Factory in October last year. “This robotics’ system had to be specially designed for the Lawley factory because of its distinctive manufacturing specifics, making this one-of-a-kind setting technology in the industry,” explained David Matlou, Corobrik manufacturing director. “By installing this innovative technology, Corobrik will achieve incremental reductions in energy consumption, thereby lowering greenhouse gases, while also giving our customers even better products.” He said that the improvements made by the robotics serve to build on the clay bricks’ already energy efficient nature. Burnt clay bricks have a very low embodied energy and the new system further decreases energy demand in the production of each brick. Clay brick walls, which >

are particularly effective in South Africa’s extreme climate, absorb heat during the day and slowly release it during the night thereby delaying heat transfer and reducing the need for artificial climate control. The robotics will allow flexibility in produc- tion as it can run out of Eskom peak tariff hours, lowering the demand on the energy grid. Further to this the consistent gaps in the setting pattern achieved by the robotics allow for easy access of heat during the drying and firing processes which optimises the amount of energy required for the brick production. Matlou explained that the product quality is significantly improved owing to the precision handling of 'green' products by the robots which eliminates handling damage resulting from manual setting. “This sophisticated technology minimises defects which means fewer rejects and a better quality, uniform, end product for our customers,” he said. The engineering team, led by Daniele Torri- celli, as well as the factory management team led by Andreas Ntseki, delivered the project on time and within the R22-million budget. The robotics’ highly technical system demands an extremely high level of skill to ensure a smooth operation. To this end, Corobrik selected six existing staff members who then underwent extensive training, allowing them to run the machine.

new product from a.b.e. is also solvent free, and offers excellent chemical and stain resistance. It also resists hot tyre pick-up marks and does not scratch or scuff easily. Peter Jones, a.b.e.'s product manager: flooring, says: “Ryan Nel should be commended for not only supplying a winning combination for the refurbishment of existing Car Service City floors as well as new floors of the Group, but also for providing extensive and invaluable technical input to the contractors involved in such projects – for example, he visited the Brakpan Car Service City outlet daily during the construction of the floors,” Jones added. a.b.e. Construction Chemicals subsequently also supplied the same product combination for the refurbishment of the 600 square metres concrete floors of the Car Service City outlet at Northmead, Benoni. “Because this is essentially a one-of-a-kind model, we had to ensure the staff operating the system knew it from end-to-end,” said Matlou. “Their training has certainly paid off and the system has been operating successfully from the start.” He added that, because Corobrik is dedi- cated to promoting its staff and creating an environment of sustainablity, the robotics’ system had meant no job losses as all staff have been redeployed to other positions within Lawley factory.

56

TOUGH FLOORING PRODUCTS A special epoxy coating system, with exceptionally strong chemical resistance, was supplied by a.b.e. Construction Chemicals to protect the floors of a new branch of the major car maintenance and repair group, Car Service City, that opened recently at the Carnival Mall in Brakpan.

Ryan Nel, technical sales consultant of a.b.e. in Boksburg, says the company supplied two products for the painting of the 350 square metres floor by subcontractor, Spec-Floors, who has extensive experience in industrial flooring and has for many years been an approved a.b.e. applicator. “There was a need for a flooring coating that would withstand the effects of the brake fluid, oil and other liquids that are inevitably spilled in a motor vehicle workshop. Consequently, the main contractors, Anastasi Construction, decided that the solution would be abecote SF 217, a solvent-free (SF), high chemical-resistant clear resin system, preceeded by a priming coat of a.b.e.'s Tough Epoxy Paint. “Spec-Floors prepared the floor with a three- phase diamond grinder, and then applied two priming coats of abecote Tough Epoxy Paint: the first with a 10% water dilution, followed by an undiluted second coating. The paint - which is also solvent free and therefore equally environmentally-friendly – is a water-dispersed polyamide-cured paint. It is widely-used as protective, decorative and >

oil-resistant coating for cementitious, masonry and asphalt surfaces. Spec-Floors then applied two coats of abecote SF 217, a clear resin system for sealing, laminating, screening and grouting applications. This product offers high chemical resistance not possible with standard epoxies,” Nel explains. Finally, the workshop's demarcation lines were applied, using a.b.e.'s Tough Polyurethane Paint in Golden Yellow colour. This relatively

The floors of Carnival Mall’s Car Service City received a trio of robust a.b.e. flooring products.

CONSTRUCTION WORLD MAY 2016