It is hardly surprising that South Africa has one of the highest rates of solar panel theft in the world. This is due to several factors, including the high cost of electricity, inflation, high crime rates and a lack of security measures. African residents with solar power systems are now forced to insure and protect their equipment adding extra costs to an already overloaded budget.

In February 2023, security giant Fidelity ADT warned that incidents of solar panel theft were on the rise.

High value installations such as solar systems, boreholes and irrigation systems or any other remote equipment installation are vulnerable to theft. i-Theft fastener design from i-Fab Pty Ltd. have developed a fool proof security system.

I-Fab utilises the latest metal additive manufacturing systems to manufacture the i-Theft (anti-theft and tamper proof) bolting system.

The onslaught of additive manufacturing has opened the door for both manufacturers and consumers alike to gain greater access to personalised components like never before, and at even more competitive prices than just a few years ago.

I-Fab’s system comprises of a bolt and nut with a unique head design and serial number that are both customised per customer. The system comes with custom bolt and nut drivers that fit standard socket tools and or electric screwdrivers. The bolt and nut are completely tamper proof and can only be fastened or loosened with the customised tool driver. Once installation is complete, the customised driver tools are given to the customer. Each driver and bolt system are issued with a certificate. If the drivers should be lost, they can then be replaced by sending a certified copy of the certificate to I-Fab.

Roscher van Tonder, Founder/CEO of i-Fab says: “The idea comes from the ability to create individual designs at a fraction of the cost of traditional manufacturing and due to the increase in solar panel theft in South Africa it was the logical add on to your solar roof bracket range. So we developed the prototype, and here we are.”

The bolt and nut head features a round head design so it can’t be loosened or tightened with a pair of pliers or other tools. As there are no sharp edges on the head design, this eliminates the possibility of using a hammer in conjunction with a sharp object to turn the bolt or nut.

The system is manufactured in high grade 17/4 stainless steel that is anti-corrosive and features high tensile strength and material hardness (38 MPA Rockwell C).

Due to the additive manufacturing technique used, bolts and nuts can be manufactured in large or small quantities in any size and specification as required by the customer.

i-Fab is an additive manufacturing company and manufacture in metal and engineering plastics. They offer a P.M.O.D. (part manufacture on demand) service and serve the aerospace, mining, marine, oil & gas, product manufacturing, engineering, automotive, agriculture, energy, rail, retail, food & beverage, and medical and dentistry industries, amongst others.

For further details contact i-Fab Pty Ltd. on TEL: 072 937 6236 or visit www.i-fab.biz