The number of different component workpieces your company produces on its CNC machines is probably sizable. In companies that produce products, this may be a finite and relatively stable number – the total of machined components comprising the company’s products. This number only changes when new products are added or old ones become obsolete. On the other hand, most companies that produce workpieces or tooling must regularly produce new and different components as new orders come in. In this case, the number of components being produced increases daily.
Central Cylinders is no different except that it has built its reputation on designing, manufacturing and repairing hydraulic cylinders and the related components required for the cylinders.
William (Bill) Kennedy the main member of Central Cylinders with his son Clifford, who has been with the company since 2011, on the left
“We do not have our own brand nor do we specialise in servicing any particular industry. We service a variety of industries, including mining, construction, municipalities, plastics and printing. Many of our customers are repeat clients and then they are also recommending us to their network,” said William (Bill) Kennedy the main member of the company.
“Although these companies tend to have the most diverse manufacturing environments, many produce similar products in different sizes or degrees of functionality. Consider a company that produces pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders. All components of the same kind (like cylinders, sleeves, pistons or end caps) have the same basic function. What changes most among them is their size. For this reason, most companies that produce products have at least some components that fall into part families.”
The most recent purchase was a Mazak Quickturn Smart 300, which was supplied by Hi-Tech Machine Tools. The machine has a turning length of 1 281mm, a turning diameter of 830mm and the Mazatrol controls
“Therefore we are able to keep stock items. But it is our ability to diversify that interests us. We don’t just rely on cylinder work. We even fabricate product for clients when we are requested to do so. For example, currently on the floor we are fabricating and assembling a universal type trolley that is used in the motor industry. These trolleys were previously being imported from China. We are certainly happy to get the order and this type of work.”
Central Cylinders still has the first Kia CNC lathe to be imported into South Africa. The machine is still turning out components for Central Cylinders. The company also purchased a second Kia machine, a Kia Super Turn 31, which has a turning length of 690mm. The name of the Korean OEM manufacturer has changed to Hyundai Wia and is represented in South Africa by Spectrum Machine Tools Africa
Kennedy was born in Scotland and is one of eight siblings. His home town is Motherwell, which is situated south-east of Glasgow. The average journey time by train between Motherwell and Glasgow Central is 28 minutes. The area used to be well-known for its heavy engineering and steelworks capabilities. Hence Kennedy’s father was an artisan and Kennedy qualified as a turner.
“Because I had a father that was reasonably well-known in the area, he organised that I did my training and apprenticeship time at three different companies. The first of these companies was with a company that was involved in heavy engineering and the last was with a company where my father worked – Smiths Clockworks.”
About nine years ago Central Cylinders purchased a Hurco TM8 CNC lathe that has a turning length of 483mm and then a year later they purchased a Hurco VMX42m machining center with WinMax controls and a table size of 1 270mm by 610mm. At the time Hurco South Africa supplied the machines but the servicing and supply of machines is now done by TH Machine Tools
“Working at Smiths gave me the opportunity to engage in precision engineering working with components that had to be measured under a microscope. I have never regretted having that experience.”
Move to South Africa
“However, back then in the late 1970s it was getting to be very messy in the UK in the engineering industry – strikes, closures, unions and the rest. I was also at an age when I wanted to explore and have some adventure. Fortunately I saw an advert in the local newspaper that was advertising for artisans to emigrate to South Africa. The South African government was sponsoring your travel and other expenses and your only requirement was that you had to work in South Africa for a minimum of two years otherwise you would have to pay back those costs.”
“Well 42 years later I have no intention of returning to Scotland – this country is now my home and it has been good to me and my family. Most of my siblings come out yearly to visit. That was until COVID-19.”
Central to the business of the company is its reputation for designing, manufacturing and repairing hydraulic cylinders and the related components required for the cylinders
“The first company I worked for was Ernest Lowe, an engineering company that specialises in the supply, repair and refurbishment of a range of leading brand pneumatic and hydraulic products and components from large to tiny. At the time they were based in Booysens, Johannesburg and my first accommodation was at the Booysens Hotel. As a machinist I gained plenty of experience on hydraulic cylinders while with them.”
“After a few years with Ernest Lowe I left them and then gained some experience working at a printing and a packaging company.”
“A colleague and myself then decided to open up our own business in 1990. We were based in Springs and we were a company that assembled hydraulic cylinders for clients. All our machining work was farmed out until it became too frustrating having to rely on outside companies that did not deliver as promised. We then started to purchase our own machines to do the machining.”
Central Cylinders also refurbishes heads
“I looked after the engineering side of the business and my colleague looked after the commercial side. Our partnership lasted 10 years before I decided to open my own business.”
Central Cylinders
“I established Central Cylinders in 2000 and I operated from a 120m² facility in Elandsfontein. I had no contracts or any orders. I soon realised that the commercial side of a business is also not that easy to establish and run. In my case I was the unknown figure because I was on the shop floor and most had not met me before. This did not distract me though. I knew that if I produced quality components and delivered on time this would win over clients and it did.”
“One of these clients was Bell Equipment and I dealt with them directly. Unfortunately I lost their work because I could not meet their strict operational criteria in terms of a facility audit, even though I was supplying them quality products and components. For a relatively new and small business it was a blow but, while they were customers, it did help to establish Central Cylinders and put us on a sure footing.”
A shaft that has been machined by Central Cylinders
“This blow also helped me to analyse my situation and make me put plans into operation that would be beneficial to the company.”
“Naturally expanding was part of this plan but to do this I had to find a bigger facility to operate from. Instead of renting I found this land and personally owner built my own factory, the one where are today. The 1 000m² factory in Martin Crescent, Greenhills Industrial Estate, Tunney Extension 6, Germiston, Gauteng is more than adequate for our needs.”
“We have been in the factory since 2004 and as we were the first to purchase land in the industrial estate and the developer was very accommodating.”
“The company has continued to specialise in hydraulic cylinder design, manufacture and repair, using CNC machining as our mode of equipment.”
Components machined by Central Cylinders
“There are two types of hydraulic cylinders. Single acting cylinders is where the head end port of these cylinders will operate in a single direction and in double acting cylinders, both the head and rod ends contain ports for pumping fluids.”
“Hydraulic cylinders are used in many applications. It’s important to know which hydraulic cylinder is going to work best for your application. Each type of cylinder uses a different design and mechanisms to function.”
“We may not design a cylinder from scratch but because of our years of experience in the industry we can advise on improvements to the product and they are engineered to match your application. Our repairs and refurbishment of hydraulic cylinders are also to the highest OEM standards.”
Central Cylinders is not limited to machining small to medium size components
“Our cylinders are manufactured using the latest technology, 3D modelling systems and computer aided design to ensure precisely engineered products. Our state-of-the-art cylinder manufacturing equipment is calibrated, as is our testing equipment.”
CNC equipment
“We have not been shy to use CNC machines to do our machining. When I started Central Cylinders, I took over the machining equipment and amongst that was the first Kia CNC lathe to be imported into South Africa. Seamus Thompson was instrumental in importing the machine from Korea. The name of the OEM manufacturer has changed to Hyundai Wia. This machine is still turning out components for us. We also purchased a second Kia machine, a Kia Super Turn 31, which has a turning length of 690mm.”
“For the record we also purchased the first Kia truck to be sold in South Africa as we were so happy with the Kia product.”
“Subsequently we did purchase a couple of Deckel Maho machines and a 4m Tos lathe.”
A gear machine by Central Cylinders
“About nine years ago we purchased a Hurco TM8 CNC lathe that has a turning length of 483mm and then a year later we purchased a Hurco VMX42m machining center with WinMax controls and a table size of 1 270mm by 610mm. At the time Hurco South Africa supplied the machines but the servicing and supply of machines is now done by TH Machine Tools.”
“The most recent purchase was a Mazak Quickturn Smart 300, which was supplied by Hi-Tech Machine Tools. The machine has a turning length of 1 281mm, a turning diameter of 830mm and the Mazatrol controls. The latest Mazak controls – Smooth – were not in the market place when we purchased this machine.”
“In total we have five CNC machines operating.”
Purchase of EdgeCam
“We have always regarded ourselves as a progressive company when it comes to technology but I have to admit we have been slow on the CAM software side. When my son Cliff joined the company in 2011 after he finished school the priority was to get him up to speed on the machining side and get operator experience. We have now reached a stage where software limitations at Central Cylinders were preventing the company from maximising its assets, from machines to personnel. In order for the company to grow, we have now purchased EdgeCam from Stillam CNC Programming Solutions. The software has created a more efficient manufacturing environment with an improved programming-to-machining ratio.”
Various components machined and fabricated by the company
“By encapsulating repetitive procedures and best practices into easy-to-execute routines, CAM software has enabled us to stay focused on value-added tasks, facilitate our production processes and contribute to improved productivity and profit margins.”
“Although 70% of our production or shop floor work is cylinder work we have been increasing other services and metalworking options. For example because of my previous connection with the printing and packaging industries we are now fabricating and repairing rollers for the industries.”
These components show the machining versatility and capabilities of the company
“We have also diversified in that we now manufacture a whole range of components and products for the printing industry. To name a few we manufacture gear sets, doctor blade holders, ink trays, lift cylinders, air shafts, print cylinders, nylon gears, register control couplings, breaking units, drive clutches, web guides modification as well as doing unwind and rewind repairs.”
“Other work that we do is fabrication in stainless steel, pipework, pressure vessels, hydraulic presses, wheel and axle and gearbox assemblies for the mining and locomotive industry and repair heavy-duty gearboxes for the drilling and mining industry.”
A shaft being machined on one of the company’s centre lathes
“The diversity and similarity of components, manufacturing processes and machine tools must be considered to optimise your production process. Companies that produce workpieces usually have great diversity in the range of components being produced because they provide workpieces for a variety of product-producing customers. While this complicates the CNC environment, many shops focus on just a limited number of different manufacturing processes. They may, for example, specialise in metal cutting processes and would not perform sheetmetal fabrication or EDM processes.”
“Though you should strive for consistency, the more diverse your CNC environment, the more you can offer your customers. After all it is very seldom that you can turn work away.”
For more information contact Central Cylinders: William Kennedy on 083 468 3595 or Clifford Kennedy on 083 410 4995.
