November 2015
Retecon’s principles out in force at EMO Milano 2015
The representatives of leading machine tool, tooling, consumables, services and accessories supplier to the metalworking and related engineering industries, the Retecon Group, had their hands full this year while attending the EMO 2015 exhibition in Milan, Italy. Read more
Efficient Engineering diversifies into electrical design and purchases Trotech Engineering
“The company has gone from purely mechanical design and manufacture, to include electrical design and fully fitting out and testing of modular power control, electro houses and generator sets. As a result a new company – Efficient Power – was launched 18 months ago and has since turned over more than R100 million in this field.” Read more
EMO Milano 2015 – ‘Let’s build the future’ theme embraced by exhibitors
Italy, with more than 500 companies represented, led the ranking in the number of exhibitors, followed by Germany and Taiwan. With 120 000m² of net exhibition space booked and spread across 12 halls, EMO Milano 2015 has exceeded the threshold of 95 000m² of exhibition space occupied by the last edition of EMO Milano (2009). Read more
Ford increases capacity at its Port Elizabeth engine plant
Production of the new units sees installed capacity at the plant increase from 75 000 to 110 000 units on engine assembly, while machining capacity expands from 208 000 to 265 000 component sets, comprising a cylinder head, block and crankshaft, by 2016. Read more
Robor/Tricom Winner of the SAISC Overall & Tubular Steel Award for 2015
As the chosen fabricator of the back-up structure (BUS) of the antenna for the MeerKAT project, Robor/Tricom submitted a motivation for consideration for the SAISC (South African Institute of Steel Construction) Tubular Steel Award for 2015 and are proud to announce that Tricom Structures won the award. Read more
Nigerian can manufacturer takes on Nampak with South African factory
GZI agreed to a partnership with local packaging maker Golden Era Group and will build a plant in Johannesburg with annual capacity of 1.2 billion cans, the Agbara, Nigeria-based company said in a statement. The factory will start operations in the second quarter of next year and supply other southern African countries, it said. Read more
Resurrection of stand-alone machine tool and related industry exhibition confirmed
Nasrec, Johannesburg will be the venue for metalworking supplier and manufacturing companies to exhibit their products from 9 to 12 May 2017. The MTMA (Machine Tool Merchants Association of Southern Africa) has confirmed that they will endorse and run a stand-alone machine tool and related industry supplier exhibition that will take place on a three year cycle. Read more
China’s Hebei Steel confirms plans to build plant in South Africa in 2017
China’s second-biggest steel producer, Hebei Iron and Steel Group, has confirmed that it is planning to build a five-million ton per year steel plant in South Africa in 2017, an official said recently. “We are now choosing a location,” Zhang Hai, VP at Hebei Iron and Steel, told an industry conference. Read more
EuroBLECH 2016: Platform for smart sheet metal processing
“As the leading international trade exhibition for the sheet metal working industry, the coming show will be a platform for interlinked sheet metal working production. The Internet of Things, or Industry 4.0 as it is called when it refers to manufacturing production, poses big challenges for the sheet metal working industry and raises a multitude of questions.” Read more
Strong exhibitor interest for Wire and Tube 2016
Exhibitor registrations for wire 2016 – International Wire and Cable Trade Fair, and Tube 2016 – International Tube and Pipe Trade Fair, are going strong. To date, 920 exhibitors from 46 countries have reserved 58 600m² of exhibit space at wire 2016. The 741 companies from 41 nations at Tube 2016 occupy 48 000m². Read more
29th BIEMH 30th May-4th June 2016
The participation of the world’s leading machine-tool companies has made BIEMH one of Europe’s biggest trade shows in its field, so the event is dedicating its slogan this year – You Make it Big – to the real stars of the show: the exhibitors. The message is a direct reference to the strength of these firms, which offer specialised, technically innovative products with high added value. It also echoes the 2014 slogan “Think Big, Think BIEMH”. Read more
September 2015
Haas and Haas F1 Team at EMO 2015 Milano
Taking place in Milan, Italy on October 5th – 10th, the US-based company will use EMO to exhibit a number of high-performance, competitively priced CNC machine tools, as well as the Haas F1 car, which is on schedule to make its debut in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, in 2016. Read more
Tongtai acquires Anger Machining and Hellmerich
Taiwan-based Tongtai Machine & Tool Co., Ltd. has acquired a 76 per cent stake in Austria-based mbi-group Beteiligung GmbH, the holding company of Anger Machining, which is a machine manufacturer and auto components supplier, and Hellmerich, a manufacturer of precision components for the machine tool sector, for a more than Euro 20 million. Read more
Hurco Inc acquires two machine tool companies
Machine tool and CNC specialist Hurco Inc is to acquire US-based Milltronics Manufacturing Company and Taiwan’s Takumi Machinery Co. Founded in 1973, Milltronics designs and manufactures CNC knee mills, toolroom bed mills, vertical machining centres, combination lathes, slant-bed lathes, horizontal machining centres, and bed mills. Read more
Hypertherm expands robotic capabilities with purchase of Jabez Technologies, creators of Robotmaster Software
Jabez Technologies, creators of software to simplify complex robotic programming, is joining Hypertherm, manufacturer of plasma, waterjet, and laser cutting systems, to make it easier for companies to utilise robots for manufacturing applications. Simple offline programming is a key barrier to the wider utilisation of robotics in manufacturing. Read more
Warren’s Way celebrates 21 year milestone
The ‘coming of age’ is celebrated when an individual has their 21st birthday and they are handed the imaginary ‘key to the front door’. The symbolism is that you have officially reached adulthood and are now responsible enough to open the door to maturity. All over the world people still celebrate this tradition. Read more
Large orders necessitate investment at PTF Manufacturing
The future at PTF Manufacturing looks secure if the increase in orders and the multi-million Rand investment in CNC equipment over the last 18 months is anything to go by. Although PTF Manufacturing had zeroed in on machining components for the pump and valve industry as its primary business strategy, this has changed in recent years. Read more
South African innovation brings effortless, efficiency to slogging
Slogging International is a newly formed enterprise established by the Coetzee family known for their other business operations BC Tooling, BC Precision Engineering and RapX Precision Engineering. Slogging International has launched two unique tools: the Slogging Hammer and the patented Wheel Slogger. Read more
RAPDASA 15th Annual International Conference
The Rapid Product Development Association of South Africa (RAPDASA) will hold its 16th Annual International Conference from 4 to 6 November 2015. The conference will be hosted by Aerosud ITC and the CSIR, on behalf of RAPDASA. Additive Manufacturing (AM), better known as “3D Printing”, has matured from a prototyping technology into a fully-fledged manufacturing technology. Read more
Scaw plans to shed 1000 jobs
At least 1 000 metal workers at the Scaw Metals Group are being processed for retrenchment, the latest casualties of the impact of cheap steel imports into the country from China and India, as the group said it had over the past year been running with numerous cost-saving initiatives that included lay-offs and short time. Read more
July 2015
Rainbow of tools for all industries
TaeguTec cutting tools shape the future of a nation by helping to efficiently create quality products at a lower cost. The emerging economy of South Africa has developed a diversified manufacturing base that has shown a potential to compete on the global stage. To usher in the rainbow nation’s growth, TaeguTec offers a wide range of tools for any manufacturing industry working to significantly accelerate the country’s development. Read more
World’s top production engineering experts gather in Cape Town
DST funded ancillary workshops on important manufacturing and production topics such as design and modelling of production systems and processes and, techniques in cutting / chip forming to be presented and discussed during the 2015 CIRP General Assembly, which will be held from 23-29 August 2015. Read more
Hypertherm organises several plasma metal cutting seminars in South Africa in July
The plasma metal cutting industry is rapidly changing. Every day, new advancements and new technologies are introduced. As Hypertherm customers are always interested in finding out more about the latest developments in plasma metal cutting, Hypertherm and its partners are organizing seminar sessions to educate end users on plasma cutting technology. Read more
Allied Steelrode opens dedicated factory for stretcher levelling and cut-to-length line
In response to a growing demand for steel sheet that arrives flat and stays flat after laser, plasma or water-jet cutting, Allied Steelrode has invested R150 million in a new 9 000 m² facility, and a dedicated Red Bud Industries’ cut-to-length line with Suregrip® stretcher leveller technology incorporated. Read more
Resurrection of stand-alone machine tool exhibition confirmed
Nasrec, Johannesburg will be the venue for metalworking supplier and manufacturing companies to exhibit their products from 9 to 12 May 2017. The MTMA (Machine Tool Merchants Association of Southern Africa) has confirmed that they will endorse and run a stand-alone machine tool and related industry supplier exhibition that will take place on three year cycle. Read more
Mercedes-Benz journey moves from one to one million
Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) has added another milestone to its journey and proud heritage of almost seventy years in the country with the one millionth Mercedes-Benz passenger car produced at its East London plant. The one millionth Mercedes-Benz passenger car is a white right-hand drive C200 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Read more
Taiwan’s machine tool exports to rise 10%: TAMI
The production value of Taiwan’s machine tool industry is expected to increase by 10 percent to more than NT$1 trillion (US$31.7 billion) this year from last year on the back of growing demand from the US and steady demand in China, the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry said in a report in the Taipei Times after the TIMTOS 2015 exhibition. Read more
May 2015
SpiroGrooving™ – A new Sandvik revolutionary boring tool system solution for seal ring groove machining
SpiroGrooving™ is an innovative method for seal ring grooves developed by Sandvik Coromant that ensures high output of quality components and meets tough security demands. Used with the CoroBore® XL system, it utilises a spirograph tool path to create close-tolerance seal ring grooves in a very secure and productive way. Read more
G.U.D. Holdings unveils state-of-the-art 630 ton Schuler servo press
Local automotive component manufacturer will increase its product offering to the automotive sector following its R100 million investment in the transfer press and a new manufacturing site in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. Following the acquisition of Precision Press in 2014 G.U.D. Holdings has announced that it is increasing its presence in the automotive component supply market with the opening of a new manufacturing operation in Port Elizabeth. Read more
Wam Metals completes move to new facility in Benoni
Since its inception in 1984, management at Wam Metals has had the goal of manufacturing completed, fully assembled components for their customers, combining flexible manufacturing with volume production capabilities within its niche of brass, aluminium and copper components and assembled products. More recently the company has added plastic injection moulded components to its long list of component and product offerings. Read more
MTool to offer industrial robotic systems and solutions
“Industrial robotics systems are becoming increasingly important to shops of all sizes for their potential to help to do more with less. Automation enables businesses to perform unattended and lights-out operations, free personnel from repetitive tasks, and more. Everything from robotic arms to machine-tending systems to completely automated cells,” says Corrie Danielis of MTool. Read more
W.D. Hearn sign up with Japanese high end manufacturer Kitamura Machinery
Family owned and operated, Kitamura Machinery has been developing state-of-the-art machine tools since 1933. Machining centre manufacture became the company’s mainstay in 1971 as the company saw growth in this segment for future generations. Today, as a result of Kitamura’s original technologies and a reputation for high reliability, Kitamura has a full line of CNC vertical, horizontal and 5-Axis machining centres sold to a customer base in 52 countries worldwide. Read more
Additive manufacturing debuts at Emo Milano 2015, the world’s number one metalworking exhibition
EMO, a biennial travelling exhibition sponsored by CECIMO, the European Association of the Machine Tool Industries, is considered to be the most important occasion for the world’s manufacturing industry operators to familiarise themselves with the latest manufacturing technologies. Read more
Tongtai Group acquires French firm
The Tongtai Group, one of Taiwan’s leading machine tool makers has said that it has completed an acquisition of a 100-percent stake in French-based PCI-SCEMM as part of its efforts to boost its visibility in the global market. Before the acquisition, PCI-SCEMM served as a designer and manufacturer of machining systems under French automaker PSA Peugeot Citroen. Read more
Vehicle manufacturers forecast to invest another R7.5 billion in South Africa this year according to Naamsa report
Continued spending in South Africa by multinational motor companies shows that the global vehicle industry still sees South Africa as a safe investment destination, says the MD of BMW SA, Tim Abbott in a recent report. The government must stick to the principles of the 2013-20 Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP), to retain that confidence, he says. Read more
March 2015
New turning grades for heat resistant alloys
The machining of difficult to cut materials such as heat resistant alloys, titanium alloys and Inconel has now been simplified with the introduction of the new MP9005, MP9015 and MT9015 turning grades from Mitsubishi. The latest Miracle Sigma technology has been applied in the new (AlTi)N coated MP9005 and MP9015 series. Read more
MAN Diesel & Turbo South Africa invests and develops local organisation to service worldwide requirements for compressor and turbine blade manufacture
European multinational MAN Diesel & Turbo SE, based in Augsburg, Germany and one of the world’s leading providers of large-bore diesel engines and turbo-machinery for use in marine and power station applications. Read more
A model of cooperation wins international orders for local informal cluster
“The interaction between machine, control system, process, tool and workpiece in machining operations is vital for manufacturing a component, no matter if the component has tight tolerances or not. So why should this synergistic approach and cooperation not exist between designer, manufacturer and your freight forwarding and logistics service provider?” Read more
Yaskawa Motoman partners with automotive OEM
Nissan South Africa employs innovative robots for primer painting application for all body structures manufactured locally. There are now around 1.1 million working robots around the world, according to the International Federation of Robotics. They’re building cars, phones and other everyday products – and in some cases they’re doing it as well as, if not better than, their human counterparts. Read more
SolidWorks 2015 launch: Inspiring innovation for product creation
Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. (DS SolidWorks) has unveiled the SolidWorks® 2015 product line, delivering new ways to speed product design, deepen collaboration, and strengthen designers’ engagement with manufacturing. Read more
MJH Machine Tools appointed agents for Headman CNC equipment
South African machine tool sales company MJH Machine Tools has been appointed the distributors and sales and service agent for one of the largest manufacturers of CNC machine tools in China – Headman Machinery. Based in the eastern coastal Zhejiang Province, Headman Machinery Co., Ltd manufactures a large range of CNC lathes. Read more
First Cut take over BLM Group representation
Situated in the north of Italy on the outskirts of Lake Como, the BLM Group is a worldwide technological and market leader in the design, manufacture and sales of tube processing machines such as laser tube cutting systems for heavy beams and tubes up to 508 mm outside diameter, circular sawing machines for tube, bar and profile as well as tube and wire benders. Read more
Vardex and Pilot Tools seminar
Pilot Tools and Vardex hosted a seminar for customers, distributors and the local sales team in February 2015 at The Country Club Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Gauteng. William Jubran, Marketing and Business Manager of Vargus Israel, who has been with the company for 47 years, presented the seminar which covered Vardex thread turning and thread milling as well as showcasing the company’s latest product offerings. Read more
January 2015
Edgecam Workflow in 2015 R1
This month’s cover features Stillam CNC Programming Solutions, the Sub Saharan distributor for EdgeCAM, Alphacam, Cabinet Vision and Radan sheet metal CAD/CAM software. With the multiple setup support, Waveform for turning, engraving, direct picking of surfaces and wire EDM, there’s something for everyone in Edgecam 2015 R1. Read more
Expanding W.D. Hearn services portfolio reflects latest efforts, different thinking
Appointed distributor for Mitsubishi Electric EDM and WEDM. An established leader and an agile expanding partner. A leading provider of equipment and technology into metalworking and general engineering companies in both application and through the expertise of skilled technicians. Delivering solutions of real value. Read more
DRC copper mine installs Jet Edge 5-axis waterjet cutting system
Mine officials plan to double productivity with help from Jet Edge Waterjet. Waterjet manufacturer Jet Edge, Inc. and its Africa representative Jetstream Cutting Solutions CC, have announced that operators of a remote copper mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are planning to double the mine’s productivity with the help of a new Jet Edge Edge X-5™ 5-axis waterjet. Read more
Gantec increases capabilities for tool and die market
Success comes to shops that are attentive to the changing needs of their customers. Such shops are generally willing to make fundamental manufacturing changes and process additions, when appropriate, to best meet those demands. In a growing number of cases, a shop’s customer wants to receive more than just a component that has been accurately machined. Read more
Hypertherm adds support to South Africa
Hypertherm, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of plasma, laser, and waterjet cutting systems from the USA has announced that it has opened an office and decided to increase its presence in South Africa. In an interview with Hypertherm’s European Director Theo Cornielje at the recent EuroBlech 2014 Cornielje said “The South African market has always been extremely important to us and has become very active in recent years.” Read more
EuroBlech 2014 wows visitors
EuroBlech 2014, the 23rd International Sheet Metal Working Technology Exhibition, wrapped up on 25 October in Hannover, Germany, after five exhibition days. A total of 59 600 trade visitors attended the sheet metalworking show, viewing exhibits from 1 573 companies from 38 countries. This year 38 percent of the total attendance came from outside of Germany, compared to 34 percent at the 2012 event. Read more
JIMTOF – One of the world’s foremost machine tool tradeshows
JIMTOF – The Japan International Machine Tool Fair – usually does not disappoint in releasing product introductions and new technologies for the first time. The recent edition of the event ran from 30 October to November 4, 2014. It took place at Tokyo’s Big Sight exhibition and convention centre, which is conveniently linked to an efficient public transport system that will move you seamlessly to downtown Tokyo, and is close to a number of first-class accommodation choices. Read more
November 2014
Puma Machine Tools
Puma Machine Tools was established in 2001 when the company acquired the sole agency for the Machine Tool Division of Daewoo Heavy Industries & Machinery Ltd. Daewoo Heavy Industries & Machinery subsequently went through a name change to Doosan Infracore in 2005. Doosan Infracore is one of the leading manufacturers of CNC lathes, machining centers and horizontal boring (milling) machines including machines for tool rooms… Read more
Efficient Engineering awarded contract for MeerKAT antennas
The design for the MeerKAT antenna positioner was finalised after a year of technical collaboration between Stratosat Datacom (SD) / General Dynamics Satcom Technologies and SKA South Africa. The vendor selection process came to an end after months of intense vendor and fabricator vetting, which resulted in Stratosat Datacom issuing contracts to major subcontractors for the multitude of components. Read more
Celebrating the life of Mario Ostacchini
It is with great sadness that I have to report on the sudden and untimely passing of Mario Ostacchini on 24th September, a few days before Mario would have celebrated his 68th birthday. A larger than life character, Mario was one of the most well respected and liked personalities in the machine tool industry in South Africa, having worked in the industry for over 40 years. But more importantly he was a very proud man with a great sense of humour, a devoted husband and father to Gina and his stepchildren Kevin and Wanda. Read more
Aerosud Holdings and Industrial Development Corporation announce strategic alliance
Leading South African aerospace company Aerosud Holdings has announced that it has formed a strategic alliance with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), which sees the IDC take a 26% shareholding in Aerosud Holdings. The IDC was not previously a shareholder of Aerosud. It had previously only financed industrial development for the company since 1997. At the same time, Aerosud Holdings also announced that South African private-sector defence group Paramount had increased its shareholding in the aerospace company to 27%. Read more
Leaving inspired – Machine Tools Africa 2014
Local and international companies exhibited their products at Electra Mining 2014 and the popular Machine Tools Africa exhibitors showcased their products in Hall 9. Electra Mining Africa is ranked as the second largest mining show in the world and it offers both exhibitors and visitors the opportunity to make valuable business connections and a forum for discussing the latest developments, technologies, trends, products and services in the mining, construction, industrial and power generation industries. Read more
W.D. Hearn diversifies product line
Western Cape based machine tool and related equipment supplier has diversified their product line with the signing of a sole distributor agreement for the machine tool probe division of Renishaw PLC, at the recent Machine Tools Africa 2014 exhibition. “Our focus is on sharing ownership of the installation of equipment and technology into metalworking and general engineering companies in both application and through the expertise of our skilled technicians,” said WD Hearn MD Ray Cooper. Read more
Aerospace sector flying high – Denel Aerostructures and Aerosud sign agreement with Airbus
European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has signed a memorandum of understanding with the two South African firms in what was hailed as a boost for the local aviation industry. A day before the Africa Aerospace and Defence 2014 exhibition and show Denel Aerostructures and Aerosud signed a landmark collaborative agreement with Airbus that aims to strengthen the competitiveness of South Africa’s aerospace industry and allow it to bid for more work packages from global manufacturers. Read more
September 2014
New machines from Haas Automation
Haas has launched the new UMC-750SS universal machining center and the large through-bore ST-55 turning center that handles big jobs at the IMTS 2014 exhibition. The company has also announced that it has partnered with Scuderia Ferrari, the most successful team in the history of Formula One. Read more
The affects of the strike in the metals industry
The impact of the strike in the metals industry in South Africa could have far reaching implications and unions must accept that actions always have consequences. I have heard countless stories of wanton vandalism, assaults, intimidation and many other horrific stories relating to the strike. Read more
Denel agrees to proposed acquisition of BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa business
BAE Systems has announced it has reached an agreement for the sale of its BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa Proprietary Limited (LSSA) business to Denel (SOC) Limited (Denel), a South African government-owned defence manufacturer in the air and land domains. Read more
What online presence really means
As clichéd as it is, it seems like just the other day that Crawford Publications decided to take its first plunge into the vast sea of the world wide web that is the internet. It was something that we had been toying with for a few years, but at the beginning of 2014, we finally leapt off the diving board, and haven’t looked back since. Read more
Watch the Springboks vs. Scotland at Rugby World Cup 2015 and then visit EMO 2015 in Milano, Italy
Metalworking News and Trade Fair Travel are working on a package to include attending the Springboks versus Scotland rugby game in the Rugby World Cup 2015 before continuing on to EMO 2015, the world’s largest international exhibition for metalworking equipment and related accessories, which takes place in Milano, Italy. Read more
Traceability Solutions is leveraging technology for manufacturing traceability
Company is growing with the marking and authentication industry. New developments include barcodes that can be identified from any iOS or Android smartphone, and new technology to be introduced that will provide a variety of security solutions for preventing counterfeiting, brand protection, fraud and diversion. Read more
Talmac Machine Tools makes changes
Gauteng based metal forming and fabricating equipment supplier Talmac Machine Tools has recently made a number of changes to its operational and sales activities that will enable the company to enhance its presence in the sheet metal, plate and metal removal market. Read more
Amada Johannesburg marks 30 years
This year, the Johannesburg branch of Japanese metal working machinery manufacturer Amada Company Ltd. celebrates its 30th anniversary since establishing a fully-fledged branch in South Africa. From an original compliment of five staff, Amada Johannesburg now employs 28 staff and occupies its own 1 350 m² building in Meadowdale, Johannesburg. Read more
City’s incentive plan for Atlantis kicks off with wind tower factory
Construction of GRI Wind Steel South Africa’s new 12 000 m² wind tower mast production facility in the Green Technology Industrial Park in Atlantis has commenced. It is hoped that this facility will be completed in October 2014. Read more
The Dickinson Group Anchor Division takes delivery of new AFM 3D CNC wire bending machine to manufacture refractory anchor systems
The company, based in Vereeniging, Gauteng, manufactures and installs anchor systems for all types of monolithic, ceramic fibre and brick refractory linings. The company has been manufacturing these anchors for 30 years. Read more
Jetstream Cutting Solutions appointed Jet Edge Waterjet Systems distributor for Southern Africa
Jet Edge, Inc., a leading manufacturer of ultra-high pressure waterjets for precision cutting, coating removal and surface preparation, is pleased to announce that Jetstream Cutting Solutions CC of Johannesburg, South Africa, has been selected as its waterjet systems distributor for Southern Africa. Read more
MicroStep sets up subsidiary in South Africa
MicroStep, a European manufacturer of CNC cutting machines for plasma, laser, oxyfuel, waterjet and 3D milling since 1991, has decided to set up a subsidiary in South Africa. The subsidiary, MicroStep South Africa, opened an office in Jet Park, Gauteng in June 2014. Read more
July 2014
TaeguTec introduces inserts and holders to the RhinoRush family to optimise machining
Due to the huge success of the new RhinoRush family of tools that was released last year, TaeguTec has expanded the line with new insert designs and holders which cover a wider range of applications for various sectors. Read more
R & G Sheet Metal adds fiber laser cutting and increases machining capabilities
The decision has thrown the shop into new business opportunities including processing reflective materials such as stainless steel, copper, brass, aluminium and other exotic materials. Read more
Howden powers up its manufacturing facilities
Whether it is a power station, mine or a petrochemical, steel or cement plant, air and gas handling are key to efficient – and safe – operation. Howden, the international engineering company, supplies fans, rotary heat exchangers, compressors and gas cleaning equipment which help keep these environments operating effectively. Read more
Neway CNC Equipment appoints Machine Tool Promotions (MTP) as its South African distributor
The range of CNC machines will compliment the existing range of machines that MTP imports and sells. Vanderbijlpark based MTP has announced that it has been appointed the sole distributor in South Africa of Neway CNC Equipment. Read more
RAPDASA 15th Annual International Conference
The Rapid Product Development Association of South Africa (RAPDASA) will hold its 15th Annual International Conference from 5 to 7 November 2014 at the Stellenbosch University’s Center for Advanced Studies (STIAS) situated in the heart of the Winelands region, Western Cape. Read more
BAE unveils new RG35 MIV variant
BAE Land Systems South Africa has developed a new Motorised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) variant of its RG35 mine-protected vehicle family. The RG35 MIV is similar to the Reconnaissance, Patrol and Utility (RPU) variant that was offered to Canada for its Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle project. Read more
Sheet metal working industry keeps focus on international business
From 21-25 October 2014 the international sheet metal working industry will meet again for its leading industry fair EuroBLECH 2014 in Hanover, Germany. A total of 1,411 exhibitors from 41 countries have to-date booked their stands, covering 86,500 m2 of net floor space across eight halls of the Hanover Exhibition Centre. Read more
3D printing gives Isuzu KB engineers the edge
Rapid Prototyping, popularly known as 3D printing, is gaining popularity across a range of industries globally. At General Motors South Africa (GMSA), engineers have been working with this amazing technology since 2007 when the company acquired a 3D printing machine to develop new prototype parts. Read more
May 2014
Gear milling event
A first for Sandvik Coromant South Africa: Sandvik Coromant is to host a series of business seminars at its Productivity Centre in Jet Park, Gauteng. The first of these will take place from 18 to 19 June 2014. The first seminar will be a gear milling event entitled: Discover the capability of CoroMill®176. Read more
10 years on and Lasercraft continues to grow
2004 was a turning point in Paul Dreyer’s life, MD and owner of Lasercraft, a precision sheetmetal and plate engineering company based in Tunney, Germiston, Gauteng. Not satisfied with the business partnership he had been involved in for the previous 10 years, he decided to open his own business. Read more
Rheinmetall to modernise South Africa’s air defence capabilities, enabling protection of civilian assets and events
Rheinmetall AG of Düsseldorf has just booked another important order in the field of military air defence. The Republic of South Africa has decided to embark on a modernisation of its existing air defence systems. Read more
South Africa needs an innovative new approach to skills development to successfully stimulate economic growth and job creation
A new innovation-driven mindset about skills development in South Africa will be imperative to realise the goals of the National Development Plan. The NDP aims to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030. Read more
Hulamin seeks tariffs on aluminium sheet imports
While exports to Brazil attract a 12 percent duty, aluminium sheet imports from Novelis’ South American business to beverage can maker Nampak in South Africa are exempt, Richard Jacob, chief executive officer of Pietermaritzburg-based Hulamin, said in an interview. Read more
Metal and engineering unions seek increases of up to 20%, reject any multi-year deal
Unions in the metal and engineering industry would press for increases of between 15% and 20% during the 2014 wage negotiations, which formally kicked off on March 26, with a pre-bargaining conference. None of the unions were keen to pursue another multiyear wage deal and want the new agreement to be valid from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015. Read more
Strikes and port costs ‘threaten Ford SA’s expansion’
Labour instability is a potential handbrake to further investment by the Ford Motor Company in the expansion of its manufacturing capacity in South Africa as its seeks to take advantage of growth opportunities in Africa, according to local newspaper reports. Read more
Gene Haas granted Formula 1 entry for 2015 season
A team owned by NASCAR’s Gene Haas has been formally accepted to join the F1 grid for the 2015 season. NASCAR team owner Gene Haas is out to prove that an American-based team can succeed in the Formula One racing series. “I think we can beat the Europeans at their own game,” Haas said at a news conference. Read more
The 2014 World Machine Tool Output and Consumption Survey
The 2014 World Machine Tool Output and Consumption Survey shows that the US machine tool market has outpaced the rest of the world two of the last three years and is forecasted to grow faster in 2014. As an indicator of the health of manufacturing in a country, a growing market for machine tools is a positive sign. Read more
March 2014
Smart thinking leads to simple solutions
This month’s cover features Multitrade Distributors, a company that provides machining and production tooling requirements for the metalworking industry. In the cover story they describe the Mitsubishi Materials’ MVX – high performance indexable insert drill. Read more
Secant Engineering adds plasma, oxy-fuel cutting and robotic welding to services offered
Expand, don’t contract. It seems counterintuitive, but great companies expand during slowdowns; they don’t pull back. Despite the economic woes of the last couple of years Secant Engineering has been investing in its future as well as increasing capacity and capabilities to cope with demand. Read more
First metal 3D printed bicycle frame manufactured by Renishaw
Renishaw, the UK’s only manufacturer of a metal-based additive manufacturing machine that prints metal parts, has collaborated with a leading British bicycle design and manufacturing company to create the world’s first 3D printed metal bike frame. Read more
A tribute to Warwick James
Born in Carolina, Mpumalanga, 86 years ago, the founder of Allied Machinery Equipment Warwick James was one of five children. With a father as station master, the James family spent most of Warwick’s earlier years posted to one or other country outpost. Read more
Böhler Uddeholm Africa now offers mould sets through Mitco – a real local brand
Mould making shops, in many ways, are representative of the breadth of metalworking skills and operations. In most cases, they have one chance to get the job right and must work their magic under increasingly tough time constraints. Read more
Catalytic converter industry in stress
The Gauteng-based catalytic converter manufacturer Magneti Marelli was due to halt production at the end of February, and shut down finally at the end of April, according to local reports. The company employed 92 people. GM Claudio Di Martina told Engineering News Online that the company is “not competitive enough to receive any more export contracts from Europe”. Read more
Successful tests prepare way for production of Denel’s new seeker 400 UAV
Denel’s Seeker 400 unmanned aircraft system successfully completed its first round of flight tests after a three year development process. Tsepo Monaheng, the CEO of Denel Dynamics says he is confident that production of the Seeker 400 for clients will start in the second half of the year. Read more
Voestalpine continues its expansion with a new plant in South Africa
The Voestalpine Group is continuing its internationalisation strategy with the opening of its new Metal Forming Division site in East London, South Africa. The plant for high-quality automotive components is the latest step in the Group’s comprehensive globalisation strategy in the automotive sector. Read more
First Cut appointed agents for metal cutting and welding machine manufacturer Müller Opladen
First Cut has announced that they have joined forces with Müller Opladen to act as their sales and service agents in South Africa. Müller Opladen offers innovative and reliable CNC-controlled 3D pipe profile cutting machines and automated welding equipment. Read more
Samsung Machine Tools committed to moving forward
Founded in 1988, South Korean company Samsung Machine Tools Engineering Company has been manufacturing a range of CNC turning centers, vertical machining centers and tapping centers, as well as a range of CNC machines for Japanese builders, for over 25 years. Read more
New solutions for machining advanced composites
Lighter and stronger than ever, the new breed of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) and laminates are elevating performance levels in applications ranging from downhill skis and tennis rackets to military aircraft and automobiles. Read more
January 2014
Extraordinary time for the world land speed record
This month’s cover features Stillam CNC Programming Solutions, the Sub Saharan distributor for Edgecam (which has been used in machining components for Bloodhound SCC world land speed record attempt), Alphacam, Cabinet Vision and Radan sheet metal CAD/CAM software. Read more
Metalworking News launches its own website
The Metalworking News publication has been extended to the web with the launch of its own dedicated website where you will find many more exciting features. The website includes the latest issue and archives of the publication in both digital and PDF format to download, news, industry events, international and local exhibitions, and more. Read more
Rotary transfer machine designed, developed and built in South Africa
One of the first ever ‘South African built’ rotary transfer machines (RTM) has been developed and designed by a collaboration of three innovative companies based in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. Read more
DCD Rolling Stock invests in robotic technology to boost global competitiveness
A R240 million recapitalisation programme is set to bolster the group’s rail manufacturing capacities by up to 10 times. Johannesburg based DCD Rolling Stock, a division of international manufacturing and engineering company DCD Group, has launched the first R100 million phase of a R240 million recapitalisation programme… Read more
Pilot Tools nears 75 year milestone
Pilot Tools, which was established in 1939, has a proud heritage spanning nearly 75 years, a milestone that will be celebrated later this year. The privately owned company, based in Denver, Gauteng and operating out of a 7 200 m² industrial park, is the only South African manufacturer of tungsten carbide metal cutting inserts and mining buttons. Read more
First Cut enters metal shaping and cutting market
First Cut enters metal shaping and cutting market after being appointed Litz Hitech Machines agents for South Africa. Machining centres, lathes/turning centres, drilling and tapping equipment now part of their portfolio. Read more
Find A Machine Tool Online
A specialist website has been developed to help you buy a machine tool, whether it be new or second hand. Find A Machine Tool Online was established to bring buyers and sellers together, using an easy-to-navigate website. Read more
New badger to be combat ready in three years’ time
The billion rand contract to produce more than 200 of the new Badger infantry combat vehicles for Armscor and the SANDF would be a major boost for the country’s arms industry. That is according to the makers, Denel Land Systems, which has shown off the new vehicle to be delivered in October 2015. Read more
Aerosud and Airbus Military extend partnership with the signing of new contract
The contract will involve the manufacture of parts and assemblies for the Airbus A400M military transport aircraft. Airbus has formally contracted South African aerospace company Aerosud for the full production of the fuselage linings, cockpit linings, galleys and wing tips for the lifespan of the A400M programme, which will provide sustained work, jobs and export revenues for the company and South Africa. Read more
