Ceratizit acquires Komet Group

Explains Komet Group chief Dr. Christof Bönsch: “The disruptive changes in the market environment pose enormous challenges for Komet. The acquisition by Ceratizit now opens up new opportunities for sustainable growth. The takeover sees the emergence of a new global player with superior technology expertise and broad market access.”

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OrderFox.com helps shops compete in an online marketplace

The speed and complexity of the CNC business is growing with the progression of digitisation and Industry 4.0. All business processes, horizontal and vertical, are becoming more efficient. For CNC manufacturers and buyers alike, digital networking is becoming an indispensable platform for keeping up within the competitive landscape.

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SLM Solutions expands dealer network in Africa

Metal Heart Additive Technology Africa will distribute the company’s Selective Laser Melting (SLM) platforms across the country and provide advice and support as and when required. The South African outfit has been working intensively with SLM technology since 2014, and will now add the offerings of SLM Solutions to its portfolio.

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Salvagnini opens Robotica plant

Incorporates centre of excellence for press brake bending. Salvagnini Robotica, Salvagnini’s new robotic applications project, has opened a modern plant in Brendola, Italy, which is also the centre of excellence for press brake bending. Salvagnini Robotica is the Group’s new division for the development and manufacture of press brakes and associated robotic applications.

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Siemens and FFG partner for digitalisation strategy

Long-term partnership to integrate enterprise technologies and an open-access, cloud-based IoT operating system for Fair Friend Group’s 90 brands. Siemens and Fair Friend Enterprise Co. Ltd. Taiwan (FFG) have signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding with the intention of strengthening their long-standing business relationship.

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Nissan licenses energy-efficient engine technology to Heller

“Rather than limiting the use of our own technologies like NMRP within the company, Nissan is contributing to the technological advancement of the industry by making them widely available,” said Catherine Perez, corporate vice president of corporate strategy, partnerships and business development at Nissan.

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Schweissen & Schneiden 2017

25 to 29 September 2017 – Dusseldorf, Germany. Together with Messe Essen GmbH, the organiser of Schweissen & Schneiden and a longstanding partner of the society, DVS is looking forward to the forthcoming premier global fair. This will take place in Düsseldorf from September 25 to 29, 2017 since the fair site in Essen is being modernised for the next Schweissen & Schneiden.

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Hypertherm at Schweissen & Schneiden 2017

Hypertherm, a manufacturer of plasma, laser and waterjet cutting systems, is pleased to announce its participation at the upcoming Schweissen und Schneiden 2017 (25-29 September 2017) in Dusseldorf, Germany. Visitors will meet the new plasma, a revolution in industrial cutting, see impressive demonstrations and get introduced to an amazing new concept at the company’s stand.

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Building excitement for engineering at school level

Altair South Africa once again hosted a group of potential engineering students as part of their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) initiative to expose them to the opportunities available in the engineering field. “The main criteria to attend the day was obviously an interest in studying engineering. The project has grown exponentially since we started three years ago, with over 60 learners joining us this year,” explains Gronum Smith.

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CIMdata publishes Global CAM Market Analysis Report

CAM market grew 6.9% in 2016. According to Stan Przybylinski, CIMdata’s VP of Research, “The CAM results were solid in 2016, with few of the currency effects that impacted the results CIMdata reported last year. Even in the face of slower machine tool consumption, companies still continue to invest in new CAM software.”

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Mazak adds another plant to its smart network

Machine tool builder expands IoT-connected factory concept to Japanese manufacturing plant. Mazak has passed another milestone in its drive to expand “smart manufacturing”, announcing full digitisation of its manufacturing plant at Oguchi, Japan. The manufacturer emphasises data analysis and machine connectivity in its designs, specifically using the MTConnect® open communications protocol and customised data-collection technology.

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Toyota SA investigating manufacturing other models

Toyota SA wants to add another vehicle to its local production line-up to absorb spare capacity created by diminishing demand for its Corolla car range. “We are investigating another vehicle to make use of the capacity no longer used by Corolla at our Prospection, Durban plant,” said CEO Andrew Kirby. He would not identify candidates and did not say whether Toyota SA would continue to build Corollas indefinitely.

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Mercedes-Benz Trucks has taken 3D printing to the next level

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has taken 3D printing to the next level. The first printed spare part made of metal, a thermostat cover for truck and Unimog models from older model series, has passed all the stages of the stringent quality assurance process at Mercedes-Benz smoothly, and is now celebrating its premiere. This means that Mercedes-Benz Trucks is now the technological leader in the challenging segment of cutting-edge 3D printing.

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100x faster, 10x cheaper: 3D metal printing is about to go mainstream

The company closed a US $115 million round of venture funding to deliver its first batch of machines to customers within the U.S., founder and CEO Ric Fulop announced recently. The series D investment brings Desktop Metal’s total capital raised to US $212 million. The deal values the company at more than US $1 billion, sources familiar with the deal confirmed.

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Aveng ends talks to sell Trident Steel

South African construction group Aveng has announced it has ended talks on the sale of its Aveng Trident Steel business due to a failure to reach an agreement on price. Work for South Africa’s construction industry has slowed sharply as government contracts stall and weak commodity prices hit demand from the mining industry. Companies have had to employ new strategies to survive in a sector stunted by an economy that is not expected to grow at all.

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BSI Steel cuts B-BBEE transaction

BSI shareholders have been advised that JSE listed BSI and its wholly owned subsidiary Isilo Steel have now entered into a series of transactions to give effect to the B-BBEE transaction. In terms of the transaction Isilo Investments (held 51% as to Tutuni Investments 14 (Proprietary) Limited and 49% as to Thuthuka Trust) will acquire an effective 51.12% in Isilo Steel. This will result in Isilo Steel being 51% Black Owned and 30% Black Women owned.

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Argent not happy with state help for ArcelorMittal

Metal products maker Argent Industrial has criticised the government for granting ArcelorMittal SA import tariff protection, saying South Africa’s largest steel producer is “hell-bent” on creating an inefficient primary steel supply monopoly, while killing off downstream steel processing through higher input costs, according to a Business Day report. Argent said in its recent results statement for the year to March that General Motors’ departure from South Africa meant that Argent would close its automotive plant.

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Altair acquires highly rated Carriots IoT platform

Altair has acquired Carriots S.L, an Internet of Things (IoT) technology company from Madrid, Spain that was founded in 2011. The company is the developer of Carriots®, a complete IoT application enablement platform (AEP) to rapidly connect and manage devices, collect and analyse data, and build intelligent applications together with enterprise business systems. “Combining Altair’s software suites with Carriots’ solutions for the IoT will provide our customers with the complete stack of technology they need.”

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South African car industry economic transformation plan revealed

South Africa’s vehicle manufacturers are to create a transformation fund that would allocate funds to develop black ownership in the supply chain and vehicle dealership network. The industry has also developed a vision and master plan to 2035. Details of the transformation fund and the master plan were disclosed at a media briefing recently that was addressed by ANC treasurer-general Zweli Mkhize and several industry executives.

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Denel to deliver another 21 Casspirs to African client

Another consignment of 21 Casspir mine-protected vehicles is ready for handover and shipment to an African client. This forms part of a total order of 45 vehicles of which Denel has already delivered 24 during December 2016. The total fleet is based on the Denel New Generation Casspir NG2000 Series, a cutting-edge product derived from the well-known and battle-proven Casspir MPV of which more than 3 000 units were manufactured.

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First locally-made Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC makes its debut in East London

Excitement was at an all time high as the first locally manufactured Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC rolled off the production line in East London, Eastern Cape. Since its official launch earlier in the year, the AMG brand promise: Driving Performance and the associated typical character traits can now be experienced by an even broader target group.

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Europe to the rescue of South African vehicle manufacturers

Exports have become the lifeblood of South African vehicle manufacturers. Despite precarious domestic demand, assembly plants are working at close to capacity, according to a FM report. A spike in demand for South African-built vehicles in Europe and Asia has mitigated the fallout from plunging local sales and a collapse in markets across Africa.

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AMRC invents hybrid 3D printing process ‘game-changer’

The Design and Prototyping Group of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing has developed a unique hybrid 3D printing process that allows electrical, optical and structural elements to be introduced throughout an additively manufactured component during the build process.

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Zuse Holding GmbH acquires Hüller Hille

The new company Zuse Hüller Hille Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH is to relocate to Mosbach, Germany, where the Diedesheim plant is located, and will establish its first development and manufacturing centre in Europe there. Diedesheim’s plant, its 185 employees, 15 apprentices and infrastructure will be retained.

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Aerospace materials market to be worth $25.80 billion by 2022

According to “Aerospace Materials Market by Type (Aluminium Alloys, Steel Alloys, Titanium Alloys, Super Alloys, and Composite Materials), Aircraft Type (Commercial Aircraft, Business & General Aviation, Helicopters), and Region—Global Forecast to 2022,” published by MarketsandMarkets™, the market is projected to reach $25.80 billion by 2022.

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Global aluminium scrap recycling market to grow 8 per cent through 2021

London-based Technavio has released a report that projects growth in the global aluminium scrap recycling market to 32.12 million metric tons by 2021, at a CAGR of nearly 8 per cent. The report divides the market into secondary smelting and downstream segments, covering the APAC, Americas and EMEA regions.

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Harley-Davidson’s decision to build plant in Thailand raises eyebrows

Harley said the Thai plant will not result in American job losses, arguing instead it will enable them to grow their business using American-built parts. Harley-Davidson, the iconic motorcycle brand hailed by President Donald Trump for keeping jobs in America, is building a plant in Thailand, the company confirmed on May 25, as it seeks new buyers in Asia, and lower tariffs.

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TaeguTec partners with MachiningCloud

As part of this partnership, which utilises the convenience of cloud-based technology, end users will be able to quickly optimise the way they gather information for their manufacturing operations by effortlessly searching for the proper cutting tool that best fits their cutting conditions, the firms say.

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Turkey: The engine driving its international competitiveness in the automotive industry

Turkey is a transcontinental country bordering South-eastern Europe and South-western Asia with the majority of the country located in the latter. It has a population of 79.4 million people. Turkey’s economy is the 17th largest economy in the world, with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $799.54 billion.

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EU slaps China with new steel anti-dumping duties

The European Union imposed new anti-dumping duties on steel products from China on June 9, as it broadens its campaign to protect struggling steel manufacturers in Europe. The EU took the latest action against China, which makes more than half the worlds steel, for allegedly flooding global markets in violation of international trade agreements.

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Has Sandvik just turned turning on its head?

In March 2017, Sandvik celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of its Coromant brand at the company’s facilities in Sandviken, Sweden, complete with cake and all. There was even a special present. It was, however, not one that Sandvik received, but one it presented to manufacturers that rely on turning operations, writes James D. Sawyer, Editor in Chief at SME.

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Mclaren-Honda extends exclusive machine tool partnership with Mazak

McLaren-Honda has further extended its contract with Yamazaki Mazak, ensuring the manufacturer continues in its role as the sole official supplier of CNC machine tools to the McLaren-Honda Formula One team. Mazak has supplied the team for 18 years, and currently has a total of 33 machines installed at the McLaren Technology Centre in Surrey.

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Fermel mining vehicle chosen as finalist for Swedish Steel Prize 2017

One of the finalists chosen is a mining vehicle manufactured by South African company Fermel. Fermel has developed a unique range of multi-purpose vehicles for safe transportation in mines. The vehicles meet new, more stringent safety legislation and are intended to replace the re-built standard vehicles currently used.

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Bell wants to start plant in US

Listed manufacturer of heavy equipment for the construction and mining sectors Bell Equipment is considering establishing a manufacturing plant in the US, according to a newspaper report. However, chief executive Gary Bell said the opening of the plant in the US would not have much impact on jobs in the company’s South African operations.

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Red Bud Industries to host coil processing seminar in Johannesburg

Red Bud Industries will be hosting a coil processing seminar at the Southern Sun O.R. Tambo International Airport Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 21 June 2017. Attendees will learn about blanking, multi-blanking, leveling, slitting, and a new process (EPS®) for hot roll black material along with learning how to apply new technology, improve tolerances, produce optimum flatness in material, and maximise overall efficiency.

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Scaw Metals upgrades McKinnon Chain factory

Large diameter chains are used in various industries for lifting applications, while the masterlink and subassemblies are sold mostly into the international offshore oil and gas sector. Specialising in high-grade chains, McKinnon produces all grades of welded chain including lifting, transportation tie down chains, several types of hardware chain, coal conveyor chain, kibble and mining chain.

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Paramount Group unveils new version of Mwari aircraft

Paramount Group, the African-based global defence and aerospace company has announced the launch of Mwari, a military variant of its Advanced High Performance Light Aircraft (AHRLAC) that comes with a South African designed, developed and tested advanced mission system – a high-wing, two-seat aircraft.

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DTI enthusiastic about R4 billion titanium beneficiation project

The launch of a new R4 billion titanium beneficiation project for manufacturing titanium pigment at the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) is a significant and commendable milestone in South Africa’s mineral beneficiation and industrialisation paths,” said Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies.

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VWSA to ramp up new Polo production

Production of the first confirmation models have already started. Most of the major installations were completed over the Christmas shutdown, with the last work due to have taken place over the Easter period in April. The Uitenhage plant will also produce a second new model, and possibly a third.

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Auto Industrial Machining named South African Kaizen champion

In the presence of manufacturers across sectors and international manufacturing experts, the Johannesburg based company, involved in the machining and assembly of chassis and drive train components to clients including OEMs, claimed the top award for their winning Kaizen, “change for the better”.

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Management buyout enables majority stake in Rely IntraCast and Walro Flex

Rely IntraCast’s current Managing Director Mark Hughes and the current Managing Director of Walro Flex, Carlos Palinhos, have completed a MBO (management buyout) to become majority shareholders in the respective companies that will in future fall under a recently established industrial holding company Intakobusi Holdings (Pty) Ltd.

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Concorde completes final journey to new £19 million home

The last Concorde ever to fly has safely completed her journey to Aerospace Bristol, a new £19 million museum in Filton, to the north of Bristol, UK. The new museum has been supported with a £180 000 donation from global engineering technologies company Renishaw, which was created by two former Rolls-Royce employees to commercialise an innovation that solved a measurement problem faced in the manufacture of the Olympus engine that powered Concorde.

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Adira unveils world’s first tiled laser melting metal 3D printer with biggest ever build volume

Big things are happening in the metal 3D printing industry, where hardware is rapidly becoming ready for large volume production. For years, metal 3D printing technology has been seen as ‘not quite there yet’, in part thanks to material, size and build volume restrictions. But these limitations are systematically being dealt with.

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CO2 out; fiber in, says Bystronic

It has been reported that David Larcombe, managing director of Bystronic UK, has revealed that since August 2015 the company has not sold a single CO2 laser cutting machine in Britain or Ireland. It has, however, sold 14 fiber laser models during November and December last year alone.

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Boeing plans first manufacturing plant in Europe

The parts are described as actuation devices on the trailing edge of aircraft wings. Trailing edge actuation systems are responsible for extending and retracting wing flaps during different phases of flight. The flaps add lift that allow take-off and landing at lower speeds, and provide drag to help slow the aircraft.

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IPG exceeds $1 billion in annual sales

IPG Photonics has reported annual sales exceeding $1 billion in 2016, an increase of 12 per cent year-over-year. The company’s fourth quarter sales, driven by the materials processing markets, increased by 25 per cent to $280.1 million year-over-year. The company reported strong growth in China, Europe, Russia and Japan, while sales in North America were slightly up from Q4 2015.

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Yaskawa invests in European manufacturing centre

Japanese motion control and robotics specialist Yaskawa is intensifying its presence in Europe, with the aim of becoming one of the two leading manufacturers of industrial robots in strategic target markets. The company will expand its production capacities and open a new robot manufacturing plant and a new European robotics development centre in Slovenia.

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EMO heading for record registrations

Just under a year before the world’s largest machine tool exhibition begins, the figures for official registration at EMO 2017 are looking rather impressive. More than 1 700 firms from 40 different countries have already registered, booking a stand area totalling 152 000m² for the show, which takes place 18 to 23 September 2017 in Hannover, Germany.

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Sandvik Coromant to partner DMG MORI

Sandvik Coromant has signed an agreement to become a “premium partner” of DMG MORI. The deal, which makes Sandvik Coromant the only tooling manufacturer to be named as a DMG MORI premium partner, will further strengthen the relationship between the companies on a global scale.

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Bystronic partners with Lantek for management software systems

Sheet metal processing systems and services provider Bystronic has entered a technology partnership and strategic global alliance with Lantek, developers of software solutions for the optimised production of sheet metal, tube and profile parts. Under the terms of the agreement, Lantek will provide Bystronic with manufacturing management software systems and consultancy expertise.

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Italian machine tool builders profit from tax changes

Italian manufacturers reportedly are benefiting from a new tax provision that allows them to claim credits up to 250% of the value of their capital investments in high-technology products. The so-called Industry 4.0 tax incentive was promoted and implemented by the now ousted government of former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

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GE buys Germany’s Concept Laser after SLM bid fails

US conglomerate General Electric has agreed to buy privately held German 3D printing firm Concept Laser for 549 million euros, it said after its bid for rival SLM Solutions failed. GE and its competitors have begun to invest seriously in 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, which produces parts with less work than traditional production methods, generates less scrap material and expands design possibilities.

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600 Group buys Kondia machine tool business

600 Group Plc has acquired the entire manual machine tools business of Kondia, for a total consideration of 50 000 euros. Kondia, formerly Spain’s largest manufacturer of milling machines, was placed into administration in 2015. The acquisition means the 600 Group now owns the Kondia name, all IP and a large inventory of spare parts worth in excess of the acquisition costs.

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GF Machining Solutions set to acquire Microlution Inc

US firm Microlution was founded in 2005 by three engineers from the Chicago area. The company specialises in 5-axis milling and femto-second laser machining for hole drilling and micro-cutting applications for a wide range of industries, including aerospace, medical and automotive. The 30-employee operation generated $10 million in sales in 2015.

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Solidworks 2017: An expanding platform for innovation

In September 2016 Mecad Systems gathered together over 425 clients and users in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg for the launch of Solidworks 2017. The event highlighted the continued evolution of the Solidworks portfolio to support developing smart, connected products.

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New era for DMG MORI – aims to be number 1 in the world

“The goal of “Global One“ is to combine DMG MORI Company Limited and DMG MORI Aktiengesellschaft into a globally integrated machine tool company. More than 12,000 associates in our production facilities around the world and our 164 international Technology Centers and service locations are currently working hard at making us number 1 in the world…”

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Siemens releases Solid Edge ST9 to South African audience

Jeff Walker, the Director of Solid Edge Products at Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Digital Factory Division, with more than 25 years of experience in the mechanical CAD industry and began his work in the Solid Edge product design group in 1995, included South Africa in his calendar to present the latest release of Solid Edge.

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Electra Mining Africa 2016

More than 850 local and international exhibitors from the mining, industrial, electrical and power industries showcased their products and services across a 38 000m² indoor and outdoor exhibition area of Electra Mining Africa 2016 held in September at the Expo Centre, in Johannesburg.

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Manufacturing competitiveness enhancement programme reopened

It has been reported that Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies has announced the partial reopening of the popular Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (MCEP), the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI’s) flagship cross-industry incentive scheme, which has been suspended since October 2015, owing to insufficient funds.

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Denel unveils its conceptual Africa Truck at Africa Aerospace & Defence (AAD)

Denel Vehicle Systems has developed a 6×6 truck based on its RG31 series of mine-resistant ambushed protected (MRAP) vehicles. Denel’s Africa Truck is designed from the “ground-up” as a purpose-built military truck, with the company pointing out that every aspect and component of the vehicle has been designed with military applications and the African climate in mind.

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Paramount Group shows family of highly advanced infantry combat vehicles at AAD 2016

Unveiled in Africa for the first time, the Mbombe 8 is the newest and ‘big brother’ of the Mbombe family. The major advantage of the Mbombe family is the 80% commonality that exists between the technologies and components used in the three vehicles.

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Local production begins for expanded Ford Everest range in South Africa

The production of the first Everest model commenced at the plant in October and signalled the start of a new era for the vehicle manufacturer because the plant will now become a two-vehicle assembly facility that also produces the Ranger for export to 148 markets in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

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Murray & Roberts to offload Genrec

Construction and engineering group Murray & Roberts (M&R) has announced its intention to sell its infrastructure and building units, as well as manufacturing business Genrec as part of ongoing moves to focus on the global natural resources markets of oil and gas, metals and minerals and power and water.

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Olli, an electric minibus

Local Motors, well known for the crowd sourced Rally Fighter off-road coupe and 3D printing a car, the Straiti, on their stand at IMTS 2014, has been diversifying lately. After starting some 3D-printed projects, it has gone in yet another direction, announcing the Olli, an electric minibus that looks like a large phone booth that’s been tipped on its side. And it’s autonomous.

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FFG’s Jimmy Chu comments on acquisitions strategy

While some North Americans may be unfamiliar with the company, Chu has acquired his way to building FFG into one of the world’s leading machine tool concerns. With last year’s acquisition of MAG IAS (Germany), the Taiwan-based FFG now ranks third globally, Chu says, and he’s by no means done yet.

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“From the machine to an intelligent process”

We have largely got used to using smartphones and digital applications in our everyday life. With Industry 4.0, there is now an increasing trend towards digitalisation in industrial environments. In a recent interview Bystronic’s Head of Development (CTO) Dr. Jürgen Hohnhaus talks about the benefits and the vision behind this development.

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SEIFSA concerned about continuing pressures in the metals and engineering sector

The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) says it is concerned about persistently lower confidence and production levels, which could lead to possible further job losses in the metals and engineering sector as indicated by analysis of recent data.

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NAACAM appoints new boss

The National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) has announced the appointment of Renai Moothilal as its new Executive Director as of September 2016. The association has been without a full time leader since last year. Roger Pitot has been advising in a part-time capacity.

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Trumpf expands solid-state laser development and production facilities with 30 million euro investment

German sheet metalworking machine tool and laser maker Trumpf has invested nearly 30 million euro in new solid-state laser development and production facilities in Schramberg, Germany, where Trumpf Laser GmbH is already located. “The trend towards using solid-state lasers in industrial production shows no signs of stopping.”

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Your car has been studying you, and everyone wants the data

The connected car will be an incredible convenience or an intrusive nightmare, depending on your tolerance. For automakers, it could be a gold mine. As you might have suspected, your car is spying on you. Fire up a new model and it updates more than 100,000 data points, including rather personal details like the front-seat passenger’s weight. The navigation system tracks every mile and remembers your route to work.

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China’s Midea Group targets Kuka

Kuka is the biggest German industrial technology company to be targeted by a Chinese buyer in a wave of deals over recent months and its announcement of its planned bid caused a furor among German politicians. China’s home appliance manufacturer Midea said it would allow German industrial robot maker Kuka to operate independently and help it expand in China as it formally launched a 4.5 billion euro ($5.1 billion) offer.

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World demand for material handling equipment to reach $176 billion by 2020

The “World Material Handling Equipment” study from the Freedonia Group, Cleveland, indicates that global demand for the equipment is forecast to rise 5.3 percent per annum through 2020 to $176 billion. Advances at the global level will be driven largely by market growth in China and other industrialising nations.

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Trends impacting global machine tools market

The German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW) and the British economic research institute Oxford Economics expect in their latest forecast (status: April 2016) a growth of global consumption by only 1.9% to reach € 68.6 billion. As in the previous years, the autumn forecast (2015: +4.1%) was significantly corrected downward, currently, this year by 2.2 percentage points.

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Gibela appoints 32 local suppliers for R51 billion PRASA contract

Makes progress towards meeting local content target and reinforces company’s commitment to economic development. The first 32 South African suppliers in the R51 billion contract to provide local content for 600 new passenger trains being built by Gibela for the Passenger Rail Authority of South Africa (PRASA) have been appointed.

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Electra Mining Africa 2016

The South African mining industry is facing another challenging year with slower than expected economic growth, a prolonged and continuing downswing in commodity prices, an increase in short-term volatility, increased pressure on operating models, and regulatory uncertainty. Adding to these challenges is the increased difficulty in raising capital due to a loss of confidence by investors.

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GE reveals the world’s hugest jet engine that is wider than a 737’s fuselage

The world’s largest commercial aircraft engine has been started up for the first time at GE Aviation’s Peebles Test Operation in Ohio. According to GE, ground testing of the GE9X development engine will enable data to be gathered on the engine’s overall and aerodynamic performance, mechanical verification, and aero-thermal system validation leading up to flight testing and certification before entering service at the end the decade.

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Volkswagen South Africa rated as the top plant in the global Volkswagen production network

The Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) plant in Uitenhage has been recognised as the top manufacturing plant in the global Volkswagen production network in 2015. VWSA achieved the highest index score of 113.2% amongst the 13 Volkswagen plants around the world. This was the first time that Uitenhage was rated as the top manufacturing plant since the Beetle production started in August 1951.

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9% global growth for laser cutting machine market: Report

The company forecasts the market will experience close to a 9 per cent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) between 2016 and 2020. The report highlights three factors contributing to the growth of the global laser cutting machine market: a need for automation; a growing demand from end-user industries; and the increasing need to develop high quality products.

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Airbus introduces 3D-printed mini aircraft

Windowless, weighing in at just 46 pounds and measuring less than 13 feet long, the drone Thor, short for “Test of High-tech Objectives in Reality,” resembles a large, white model airplane. Yet to the European aerospace giant Airbus, the small pilotless propeller aircraft is a pioneer that offers a taste of things to come — an aviation future when 3D-printing technology promises to save time, fuel and money.

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Boeing, Paramount Group to collaborate on light multirole aircraft

Aerospace group Boeing and South African privately owned defence and aerospace firm Paramount Group have expanded their 2014 agreement to cooperate on an advanced mission system for a variant of the Advanced, High Performance, Reconnaissance, Light Aircraft (Ahrlac).

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Conzzeta to acquire DNE Laser of Shenzen, China

Complements the sheet metal processing business of Bystronic. Conzzeta has announced the signing of a binding agreement to acquire DNE Laser, Shenzen, China. The closing of the transaction is planned by mid-year 2016, subject to regulatory approval. Conzzeta will acquire a stake of 51% with a long-term option to increase the position.

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MBK Partners acquires Doosan Machine Tools

MBK Partners and a private equity arm of Standard Chartered were among three parties that submitted a binding bid for Doosan Infracore Co Ltd’s machine tools business, all bidding around 1 trillion won ($849 million). The third bidder was a state-run corporation from Hebei, China, the Korea Economic Daily reported, citing unnamed investment banking sources.

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Ford invests R2.5 billion ($170 million) in South Africa to build Everest SUVs

Ford Motor Company is investing R2.5 billion ($170 million U.S. dollars) to expand operations in South Africa at its Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, to produce the all-new Ford Everest, along with the new Ford Ranger that was launched at the end of last year.

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Prima Power develops own fibre laser source

The 3 kW CF3000 was developed through an intensive development activity over the last few years and has been operating at pilot customers’ plants for more than six months, the announcement states. The new laser will be produced at group plants in Chicopee (Massachusetts, USA), Barone Canavese (Turin, Italy) and Suzhou (China). A 4 kW unit, the CF4000, will also be introduced during the year.

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Engel presents Liquidmetal injection moulding machine

Both hard and elastic – Liquidmetal stands for a class of material with completely new characteristics. The zirconium alloys have an amorphous structure that makes Liquidmetal components extremely hard and at the same time very elastic. A hardness of 53 HRC is achieved even without any thermal treatment.

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3D printing industry expanded 25.9% in 2015, topping $5 billion

The global additive manufacturing (or 3D printing) industry expanded by 25.9% in 2015 (consolidated annual growth rate, CAGR) to a value estimated at $5.165 billion, according to an annual study of the AM/3D printing market by Wohlers Associates Inc. It was the second consecutive year the industry grew in value by more than $1 billion.

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30th Edition of the “Bible of the Metalworking Industries” – Machinery’s Handbook – now published

Having celebrated 100 years of continuously updated publications in 2014, Machinery’s Handbook is now in its 30th edition, just released in March 2016. This new edition has grown by nearly 100 pages to 2,896 pages. It offers major revisions of existing content as well as new material on a variety of topics.

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Richards Bay IDZ looks at aluminium hub

With the increasing contribution of the aluminium industry to the South African economy, particularly in the automotive field, the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) is seriously considering the establishment of an aluminium metals hub. Richards Bay has the benefit of being the home to South 32’s Hillside smelter, the largest aluminium smelter in the Southern Hemisphere.

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Steel mill construction hinges on feasibility study, says Patel

A final investment decision to establish a new steel mill will depend on the outcome of a prefeasibility study under way and a later feasibility study, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel insists, according to a report in Business Day. China’s Hebei Iron and Steel Group and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) agreed in September 2014 to undertake the prefeasibility study into the creation of a new low-cost steel plant.

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Coega in talks with vehicle manufacturers

Three motor manufacturers are in discussions with the Coega Development Corporation about the possibility of establishing completely knocked-down (CKD) manufacturing facilities in the industrial development zone (IDZ). Gustav Meyer, the senior manager of international markets for the transport industry at the corporation, confirmed this and identified the companies as one Chinese and two European motor manufacturers.

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New website for generic tool format information

NTB Interstate University of Technology Buchs, an institute that specialises in engineering informatics, has launched a new website, gtc-tools.com, which provides information to the public on the Generic Tool Catalog (GTC) cutting tool data exchange format. The GTC data exchange format was developed through collaboration between Siemens PLM Software, Sandvik Coromant, Iscar and Kennametal.

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International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) September 12 – 17, 2016

IMTS 2016 is the 31st edition of the manufacturing technology show in North America. More than 2,000 exhibiting companies will occupy 1.3 million net square feet of exhibit space at the McCormick Place complex in Chicago, Illinois. IMTS is held every even-numbered year in Chicago and attracts more than 114,000 buyers and sellers from over 112 countries.

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Why Mercedes is halting robots’ reign on the production line

With customisation key to wooing modern consumers, the flexibility and dexterity of human workers is reclaiming space on Mercedes’s assembly lines. That bucks a trend that has given machines the upper hand over manpower since legendary US railroad worker John Henry died trying to beat a motorised hammer more than a century ago.

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BIEMH’16 grows and confirms the recovery of the sector

Three months before its doors open, the floorspace figures for the last three editions have already been bettered. With three months still to go before it opens its doors, BIEMH, International Machine tool Exhibition, has already exceeded the figure for floorspace attained at its previous editions, with 1 183 exhibiting firms having reserved space in five halls at the exhibition centre.

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Cut steel output EU tells China

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem has urged China to scale back rampant overproduction in its steel industry that is punishing European companies through low prices, according to a letter seen by AFP on February 5. European manufacturers are reeling from a global glut in steel supply with Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal on February 5 blaming China for a colossal $8 billion loss for 2015, with thousands of job cuts announced throughout the industry.

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SA Festival of Motoring replaces Johannesburg International Motor Show

New event for South African motoring fans to be held at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in future. South African motoring fans will have to permanently bid farewell to the Johannesburg International Motor Show. Originally scheduled to take place in October 2015, the biennial event was cancelled in May 2015, owing to rising costs.

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GE’s “most African” locomotive in production

GE has commenced production of its “most African” locomotives. Once completed, the 233 GE Evolution Series locomotives will have 55% local content, making them the “most African” locomotives of their kind. In March 2014, Transnet announced an agreement to purchase 1,064 locomotives from four original equipment manufacturers, including GE. GE was awarded a contract to build 233 diesel locomotives as part of this agreement.

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The right moves will draw investors says Davies

That South Africa has become an investment destination of choice to the world’s biggest companies is not by mere chance. We have consistently remained on the radar of international big business due to deliberate action on the part of government that can be traced to interventions such as the New Growth Path and the Industrial Policy Action Plan, writes Rob Davies* in a newspaper report.

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Paramount enters R1 billion deal with the Kazakhstan government

South Africa needed to create financing institutions with capacity to fund the defence industry as it was an important feeder of jobs into the hi-tech environment, Paramount Group executive chairman Ivor Ichikowitz said recently. The Paramount Group has announced that it has entered into a R1 billion partnership with the Kazakhstan government for the manufacture of armoured vehicles in that country.

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Hexagon Metrology becomes Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence

In a move to reflect its growing expertise and solutions for integrated industrial manufacturing, Hexagon Metrology has rebranded to become Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence. The change also aligns the business more closely with Hexagon’s overall strategy to offer software-centric information technology solutions that improve quality and productivity across entire industry workflows.

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Kennametal completes sale of seven businesses

Kennametal Inc. has moved forward with plans to reduce its manufacturing footprint by up to 25 percent. The Latrobe-based company said it has completed the sale of seven noncore businesses to Chicago based holding company Madison Industries. These are related to certain castings, steel plate fabrication and deburring operations, Kennametal said.

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Luigi Galdabini becomes President of the European Association of the Machine Tool Industries (CECIMO)

During its meeting held on 3 December 2015 in Brussels, the CECIMO General Assembly elected Luigi Galdabini as President of CECIMO for a period of two years. Succeeding in this role Jean-Camille Uring, Executive Board Member of Fives and President of Symop, Mr. Galdabini…

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Trumpf unveils new systems for additive manufacturing of metal parts

Laser manufacturer Trumpf has established a broad base in the field of additive manufacturing. The company has launched new 3D printing machines for metal parts, including laser metal fusion (LMF) and laser metal deposition (LMD) machines. To achieve this, the company has established a new division at the headquarters site in Ditzingen.

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UCIMU: 2015 recovery of the Italian machine tool industry

The Italian machine tool industry, one of the largest in the world, finished 2015 with “double-figure increases” in production volume, total sales, and exports, according to the year-end summary issued by UCIMU-Sistemi per Produrre. The trade group also predicted that continued strong results for 2016 are expected.

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Tiso Blackstar seeks London and JSE main board listing

Tiso Blackstar announced that it was planning to move its AIM listing in London to the London Stock Exchange (LSE) to improve the company’s visibility and share liquidity. Tiso Blackstar said if the London listing transfer was successful then the company’s shares would be simultaneously admitted to the main board of the JSE.

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History made as SEIFSA appoints its first woman president

For the very first time in its 72-year history, the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) has elected a woman as its President and Chairperson of its Board of Directors. Transman founder and Chief Executive Officer Ms Angela Dick made history when she was elected President of SEIFSA at the organisation’s annual general meeting in Johannesburg on Friday, 9 October 2015.

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BMW plans for new model at Rosslyn plant

Planning by premium vehicle manufacturer BMW is far advanced for the manufacture of a new model at its Rosslyn plant near Pretoria, when the current 3-Series reaches the end of its lifecycle. The current 3-Series was launched in 2012. Most cars have a lifecycle of about seven years before being replaced.

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Sodick takes machines downtown in Tokyo

In addition to offering an ideal space in which to display Sodick products, the Tokyo showroom has also been designed to provide a city centre location in which the company can hold customer seminars and other events at which to demonstrate its latest technology.

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CIMdata publishes global NC market analysis report

CIMdata, Inc., the leading global PLM strategic management consulting and research firm announced the release of the 2015 CIMdata NC Market Analysis Report (MAR), the twenty-fourth annual study of the global Numerical Control (NC) market. CIMdata estimates that based on end-user payments, the worldwide NC software and related services market grew by 7.3% in the calendar year 2014.

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Gleason celebrates 150 years

The name Gleason is practically synonymous with gear manufacturing. Since the company was founded in 1865, the technology of gear manufacturing has been its focus, its core and its competitive advantage. Staying true to that focus has been one of the keys to the company’s longevity, according to Chairman James S. Gleason.

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Quality certification helps Swasap to access international markets

Swasap, the only African railway axle manufacturer, has been able to qualify its manufacturing technology to an EN13261 certification, hence increasing its global footprint to be able to supply any European railway operator, as well as securing significant orders from top European passenger rail coach manufacturers.

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Tiso buys control of Robor

Tiso says in a statement it is increasing its stake from 19.4% to 51% because Robor is “well positioned for growth and expansion”. It will pay for the offer through the issue of 1.7 million new shares. The dual-listed company aims to invest in business with underlying themes of strategic market positions and strong cash flows, with a particular focus on businesses within Sub-Saharan Africa. It focuses on principal areas of media, industrial and Kagiso Tiso Holdings.

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Gibela to build R1 billion commuter train factory

South Africa’s 40-odd year gap when it comes to train-building technology is about to close as the Gibela Rail Transport Consortium (Gibela) gears up to start the construction of its R1 billion, 85 000m² factory complex at Dunnottar in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. Construction is scheduled to start in the third quarter of this year.

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Cable thieves could face long jail terms

Think again before stealing that steel manhole cover, those phone lines or electricity cables – tough new minimum sentences of three to 25 years in jail are on the way. The changes are in the Criminal Matters Amendment Bill 2015, which the Justice and Correctional Services Ministry intends tabling in Parliament soon. The bill creates a new offence.

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United Grinding Group establishes joint venture for additive processes with inspire AG

The United Grinding Group, holding company for the machine tools business area in the Körber international technology group, is establishing a joint venture named Irpd AG with the university-affiliated inspire AG. IRPD specialises in additive manufacturing processes such as laser-based processes and 3D printing.

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Gleason celebrates 150 years

The name Gleason is practically synonymous with gear manufacturing. Since the company was founded in 1865, the technology of gear manufacturing has been its focus, its core and its competitive advantage. Staying true to that focus has been one of the keys to the company’s longevity, according to Chairman James S. Gleason.

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Ingersoll event highlights market challenges, solutions

In April Ingersoll Cutting Tools celebrated its 125th anniversary with its Gold Rush event at the Cleveland Public Auditorium in the USA. More than 800 people were on hand for a day full of entertainment and product introductions. Jacob Harpaz, President and CEO of IMC Group, Ingersoll’s parent company, provided the product introductions, as well as his perspective on the changing manufacturing landscape.

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Waterjet machine market growing

This latest report highlighted the growing need for cost reduction in the waterjet machining market. Continuous R&D innovations by waterjet machine vendors have resulted in advanced machines that are capable of working with a variety of materials, which has expanded the customer base well beyond traditional end users. Furthermore, the report emphasised the need for machining microscale products, as more manufacturers move towards micro products.

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Partners in THINC welcome newest member, CGTech and their product Vericut®

Okuma, a world leader in CNC machine tools, is pleased to announce that CGTech, a leading developer of CNC software specialising in simulations, verification, optimisation and analysis technology for the manufacturing industry has joined Partners in THINC. Members of Partners in THINC provide technologies that are integrated with Okuma’s CNC machines and controls to deliver advanced manufacturing system solutions.

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Sandvik Coromant debuts its business and technology magazine online

First published in 2004, the print version has been available to readers three times a year. The new online version will take the experience from the printed pages and allow the reader access to more regular news and features on any desktop or mobile devices. The reader will continue to find the same high quality content with in-depth technical articles and inspiring stories from around the world.

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Leadwell is recognised with the “Award of Eminence” at TIMTOS 2015 for their TM 1500 Turn/Mill machine

The 12th Awards Ceremony of the Taiwan Machine Tool Industry Awards for Excellence in Research and Innovation or “Award of Eminence” was presented to Leadwell CNC Machines MFG., Corp. for their CNC Lathe TM 1500. This is a multi-tasking machine that will mill, turn or do both simultaneously, and can achieve heavy cutting for the production job shop as well as curved surface milling used in the Aerospace industry.

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Hazleton Pumps, Scaw come out top in Seifsa Awards

South African pump manufacturer Hazleton Pumps International took top honours in the Most Innovative Company and Customer Service of the Year categories of the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa’s (Seifsa’s) Awards for Excellence.

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Major project announced to boost entrepreneurship in aluminium sector

The local aluminium industry and USB Executive Development (USB-ED), the public executive development and training company of the University of Stellenbosch Business School, has joined forces in a major project to boost entrepreneurship in the aluminium sector. The project, branded as the Aluminium Beneficiation Initiative (Aluminium BI), aims to inspire and support local entrepreneurs to produce leading-edge aluminium products.

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solidThinking announces the first channel partner in South Africa

Parent company of solidThinking, Altair acquired EM Software & Systems SA (EMSS), the developer of the FEKO electromagnetics analysis suite, in June 2014. Today, FEKO is now part of Altair’s HyperWorks® simulation suite, and Stellenbosch has become the centre of operations for Altair to support clients in South Africa with applying technologies like HyperWorks and solidThinking Inspire.

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Paramount Group ramps up production capacity by acquiring industrial assets of DCD Protected Mobility

John Craig, CEO of Paramount Industrial Holdings said: “It has always been Paramount Group’s vision to develop equipment that can be produced in customer countries, while maintaining high value jobs in design, research & development and production in South Africa. In anticipation of significant growth in our order book, we have been investigating the prospects of greatly increasing our production capability in South Africa.”

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Increased production of Airbus A320 signals good news for local partners

Airbus has decided to further increase the production rate for its very successful A320 Family to 50 aircraft per month from Q1 2017, matching market demand. Additionally, Airbus is adjusting the A330 production rate to six a month from Q1 2016 as it transitions towards the A330neo.

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New Executive Director appointed at Southern African Institute of Welding

Sean Blake, the current Operations Manager at the Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) has been appointed SAIW Executive Director as of April 2015. Blake takes over from Jim Guild, who has been Executive Director since December 2000. The SAIW is a non-profit technical organisation dedicated to furthering standards in welding-fabrication and related technologies. Established in 1948, it is a founder member of the International Institute of Welding (IIW).

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Denel Technical Academy grows into national hub for artisan training

“Artisan training provided by Denel SOC at its campus in Ekurhuleni is helping to meet South Africa’s huge demand for skilled human resources in technical fields”, says the Chief Executive of Denel Aviation, Mike Kgobe. Kgobe was speaking at an event to celebrate the achievements of students who were trained at the Denel Technical Academy (DTA).

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Yaskawa celebrates 100 Years

Yaskawa Electric Corporation headquartered in Kitakyushu, Japan commemorates their 100th anniversary during 2015 across all global locations in 28 countries. In addition to the centenary celebration, the company will renew its corporate logo and identity as a symbol of evolution and future growth.

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3D printer pricing now publicly available in Senvol Database

The Senvol Database, which is the first and most comprehensive 3D printing database for industrial additive manufacturing machines and materials, has expanded to include machine pricing information. In addition to being able to search by machine build size, material type, or material tensile strength, for example, users can now search by machine price as well.

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New 3D printing technique

The new technique, called continuous liquid interface production (Clip), features a moving platform that lifts printed objects gently out of a reservoir of liquid resin. The technique combines pulses of light, which solidify the resin, and oxygen, which prevents it from solidifying, to craft intricate three-dimensional objects. Crucially, it works continually, unlike current printers that construct objects by building layer upon layer.

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Fair Friend Group opens flagship facility

The Fair Friend Group (FFG) Machine Tools Division has set a goal of producing 30,000 sets of machine tools per year by 2022. As a step toward reaching this goal, FFG has opened a flagship factory in Taichung, Taiwan. Construction began on the building in 2013 and was completed this past March. With 22,560 square meters of production space, the facility can produce as many as 150 sets of CNC machines per month, the company says.

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Auto components crucial for aluminium industry

South Africa’s automotive sector is currently one of the key drivers of aluminium demand in the country, which stakeholders attribute to the global trend of manufacturers using an increasing amount of aluminium for vehicle components, particularly for passenger vehicles. As a result, aluminium foundries are starting to pursue advanced technologies and techniques in their processes.

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In high gear with Mitre Engineering

For many manufacturers productivity is measured by the volume of parts cranked out in an hour or day, and keeping costs down for customers, which means chipping away at setup and machining times while maintaining tolerances. On the other side of the coin, there are shops filling small orders for large-diameter, high quality gears, which often take days or weeks to machine and cost thousands of rands.

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Size doesn’t matter

Tucked away in a relatively small 350m² facility in Centurion, Gauteng is a company that thrives on the pressure of supplying a demanding industry. The company is a contract machining operation that specialises in producing complex, high-precision parts for the avionics and electronics industry that have applications in air, land, security, marine systems and defence markets.

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Robot orders set new record in 2014

The automotive industry was the primary driver of growth in 2014, with robot orders increasing 45% year over year. Factories in the U.S. and around the world are adding robots to their workforce at a faster pace. That pace is expected to pick up even more over the next decade. A study from the Boston Consulting Group estimates among the world’s 25 biggest export nations, robot use will grow by 10% a year at manufacturing and industrial companies through to 2025.

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Haas Automation tops $1 billion mark in 2014 – best year ever

Haas Automation, Inc., Oxnard, California, reports that its annual revenues exceeded $1 billion for the first time in company history in 2014 – an increase of more than 11 percent over 2013 – making it the best year ever for America’s leading machine tool builder. The company also built more than 14,000 units in 2014, a 22 percent increase over 2013 and an all-time record.

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DMG Mori Seiki Co aims to take over DMG Mori Seiki AG

Machine tool maker DMG Mori Seiki Co of Japan is to make a voluntary public takeover offer for the outstanding shares of fellow machine tool maker and partner DMG Mori Seiki AG of Germany. The offer was set to begin 11 February, 2015 and run through to 11 March, 2015, according to press reports, with DMG Mori Seiki Co expecting to make an announcement by June.

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Workers down tools at Giflo Engineering

Machine tool maker DMG Mori Seiki Co of Japan is to make a voluntary public takeover offer for the outstanding shares of fellow machine tool maker and partner DMG Mori Seiki AG of Germany. The offer was set to begin 11 February, 2015 and run through to 11 March, 2015, according to press reports, with DMG Mori Seiki Co expecting to make an announcement by June.

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Union tension rises with new rival to Numsa

The arrival of a new metal, engineering and car sector union, the Liberated Metalworkers Union of SA (Limusa), is likely to add strain to an already fragile labour environment and heighten the battle for members in the sector, according to newspaper reports. Union rivalry in the country has resulted in intimidation, prolonged and violent strikes and unrealistic wage demands as new unions push to impress potential members so as to grow their membership.

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Motor industry forum for Gauteng

An automotive industry business forum is to be established to put in place specific projects that grow and develop the industry, particularly in Gauteng, it has been reported. This follows the engagement between automotive industry leaders and representatives from the Gauteng provincial government, including Gauteng Premier David Makhura.

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South African fabricators visit Voortman

A group of 14 South African fabricators, covering a broad range of businesses, recently visited Voortman, a leading Dutch manufacturer of machinery for the steel construction and steel processing. Dubbed the Voortman South Africa Event, local distributor First Cut organised the occasion which was held over three days.

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Hulamin purchases significant portion of BHP Billiton’s SA casthouse

South African aluminium products manufacturer Hulamin has announced that it is part of a group which had signed a deal to buy a casthouse from BHP Billiton. BHP, the world’s biggest mining company, has sold its Richards Bay, Bayside casthouse to Isizinda Aluminium, which is 40 percent owned by Hulamin and 60 percent held by black investment group Bingelela Capital. The deal value was not disclosed.

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New all-wheel-drive Jaguar F-TYPE R boosts Bloodhound SSC record bid

The new all-wheel-drive Jaguar F-TYPE R Coupé has ensured that the Bloodhound SSC World Land Speed Record programme has passed a significant high-speed testing milestone. The test marks the start of a major technical partnership between Jaguar and The Bloodhound Project, with the ultimate aim of raising the world land speed record above 1 610km/h and to assist in inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers, which is the overall objective of the project.

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CSR and Transnet to set up manufacturing facilities in South Africa

South African freight and logistics company Transnet has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese locomotive manufacturer CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive (CSR) to build manufacturing facilities in South Africa. The new manufacturing plants will carry out the production and maintenance of electric locomotives, as well as core rail equipment and components for African markets. The agreement was signed in the wake of the official visit of South African President Jacob Zuma to China.

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SigmaTEK names Danie Jacobs Vice President of Sales

SigmaTEK Systems LLC, one of the world’s leading authorities on CAD/CAM nesting, material optimisation and manufacturing process automation has announced the appointment of Danie Jacobs as Vice President of Sales. Danie (or Dan, as he is referred to in the USA) Jacobs assumes responsibility for growing the company’s sales organisation and community of users throughout North America and Latin America.

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First bodyshell ready for new South African EMUs

Alstom’s Lapa manufacturing plant in Brazil has manufactured the first complete body-shell of the twenty X’Trapolis Mega commuter trains currently under production in the site as part of its 600 trains contract with Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA). Seven months after the financial close of the €4 billion contract between Alstom and PRASA, the project is well under way, with the manufacturing proceeding smoothly with the Gibela consortium…

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Eskom benefits from tool management and traceability system

Do you know who has what tools and equipment in your warehouse? Can you account for all tools and equipment issued, and do you have measures in place to identify tool and equipment losses? You may be able to answer this question positively, but can you say for certain that you have a record of when these tools or equipment were last maintained, and when their next service is due?

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The 16th KZN Industrial Technology Exhibition focuses on “Innovation through technology”

Exhibition space is in high demand for the KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition (KITE) which will be held at the Durban Exhibition Centre from 9 to 12 June 2015. The biennial event is the province’s leading industrial showcase offering exhibitors a unique marketing opportunity. Established in 1984, KITE has become a key component in the industry’s exhibition calendar, and the 16th installment promises another opportunity for local and international businesses to showcase their products and services.

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10 questions you should ask before buying a professional 3D printer

The 3D printing market is roughly divided into four different segments. The desktop 3D printers are for home users and range from kits that require a lot of work by the user, to systems that work straight out of the box. The prices of these printers range from $300 to $5,000. Examples of these systems are the Ultimaker and Printrbot.

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Pressure Die Casting awarded Nedbank sponsored PCB Business of The Year for 2014

Specialist die caster Pressure Die Casting (PDC), based in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal, has been rewarded for the company’s achievements on a number of fronts with the award of the Nedbank sponsored Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business (PCB) Business of The Year for 2014, in the manufacturing sector.

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BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa launches new armoured vehicle

BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa (LSSA) has launched the latest addition to its RG series of mine protected vehicles, the RG21. The new RG21 combines the battle proven protection of the RG series — in service in many theatres around the world — with the maturity of a commercially available host vehicle driveline, running gear, and electronics.

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Marking solutions help to reduce pump part counterfeiting

The instability in the mining industry over the past few years has led to an increase in the theft of tools, minerals and assets, which poses problems for pump manufacturers supplying the mines with equipment and accessories. In addition, there has also been a marked increase in the theft and counterfeiting of related quality parts.

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MJH Machine Tools opens Gauteng branch

After years of operating ‘long’ distance New Germany, KwaZulu Natal machine tool sales company MJH Machine Tools has decided to open a branch office in the Gauteng area. “Our client base is stretched throughout South Africa, with agents representing us in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.

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Denel announces launch of indigenous South African regional aircraft SARA

Denel Aerostructures’ CEO Ismail Dockrat has unveiled a model of the company’s SARA (South African Regional Aircraft) project at the recent AAD 2014. SARA has been initiated to provide an aircraft that can be used on short, low-density routes, in particular to link destinations in areas where the road and rail infrastructure is poor.

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UK wants African SMEs to bid for UK defence work

South Africans could see a boost to opportunities to sell to the UK defence industry, and UK small and medium size businesses are also being encouraged to look to Africa, according to the regional director of the UK’s Trade & Investment department, (UKTI).

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New scrap metals policy criticised

Fresh amendments to the policy on scrap metals will not remedy long-standing viability issues in the sector since the Department of Economic Development introduced measures a year ago to curb the exports of waste metal, according to a report in Business Day. This is the view of industry players commenting on new amendments published in September.

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What’s in a (brand) name?

I came across a thread on an American forum, where a well-known factory manager, from a well-known company was asking advice on which mid-range machine tool he should buy. He had narrowed the list down to six machines. When I read the list I was surprised at the brand names he considered mid-range.

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AHRLAC takes to the skies

The first public flight of its Advanced High-Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft (AHRLAC), at the Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria took place recently. AHRLAC is the first military fixed wing aircraft to be fully designed, tested and developed in Africa.

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Western Cape metals and engineering cluster well-positioned

The Western Cape metals and engineering cluster is well-positioned as a hub to fuel growth and attract foreign direct investment into South Africa and across the African continent. The Western Cape has the capacity to increase its current exports and supply a wide range of metals and engineering solutions to Europe, the US, as well as the relatively untapped African market.

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Boeing and Paramount Group to collaborate on defence and security opportunities

The agreement, signed during the bi-annual Farnborough Airshow, will allow Boeing and Paramount to apply their complementary strengths in providing aircraft and land systems solutions for customers in Africa and other major markets that face a range of security challenges.

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Toolquip & Allied now offers a complete line of large milling, turning and grinding equipment

Toolquip & Allied, one of South Africa’s largest importers and distributors of specialised industrial equipment and engineering consumables is now able offer a complete line of large CNC milling, turning and grinding equipment. The range will compliment Toolquip & Allied’s existing range of CNC metal removal equipment.

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Global robotics industry: Record beats record

The European market increased by 5% to more than 43,000 units almost reaching the all-time-high of 2011. Robot supplies to the Americas continued to increase by 8% to more than 30,000 units. More than 700 industrial robots were sold in Africa, 87% more than in 2012.

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Hexagon acquires Vero Software

Vero Software is a UK-based software company with a strong brand and proven customer satisfaction track record. Their software aids the design and manufacturing process with solutions for programming and controlling machine tools, addressing the rising challenge of achieving manufacturing efficiencies with high-quality output.

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CIMdata publishes global NC market analysis report

CIMdata, Inc., the global PLM strategic management consulting and research firm has announced the release of the 2014 CIMdata NC Market Analysis Report (MAR), the twenty-third annual study of the global Numerical Control (NC) market. CIMdata estimates that based on end-user payments, the worldwide NC software and related services market grew by 5.4% in calendar year 2013.

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Local manufacturer of Badger to start within 24 months

Operational testing and evaluation of Denel’s Badger infantry combat vehicle are continuing apace with serial local manufacturing expected to start within the next 24 months. Prototypes were currently being tested at various testing grounds in the Northern Cape such as at Armscor’s Alkantpan facility and the South African Army’s combat training centre at Lohatla.

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Denel awarded another multi-million rand tender for Airbus A400M

The company will, in future, manufacture ISO locks – a combination of aluminium rails and cross tracks – to be fitted into the cargo hold of each of the giant aircraft that are to be delivered to international clients over the next six years. The contract is valued at over R260 million.

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Dates announced for the 2015 Johannesburg International Motor Show

The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) are pleased to announce the dates of the 2015 Johannesburg International Motor Show taking place from 14 – 25 October 2015 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec. A number of exciting innovations are in the pipeline and planning stages.

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Air Quality Amendment Act (2014) signed – high fines introduced for failure to obtain compliance

The AQA Act, which aims to improve the management of air pollution, has also introduced the streamlining of applications for environmental consents. Persons who proceed without the required atmospheric emissions licences (“AELs”) will now be required to apply for retrospective authorisation.

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Afrox gears up to support industry’s automated plasma requirements

Afrox has beefed up its automated plasma equipment offering to meet the latest requirements of local industry. This extended offering, supported by OEM partners Victor Thermal Dynamics and Pierce Profile Cutting, is suitable for both small and heavy industrial requirements.

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Trumpf begins joint venture for 3D printing

The technology could potentially replace some milling and casting practices in the future. The joint venture with Italy’s biggest laser manufacturer Sisma is aimed at developing a robust and productive 3D printer for mass production of metal components.

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South Africa must learn from Australia’s auto industry implosion

National Association of Automotive Components and Allied Manufacturers of South Africa (NAACAM) Executive Director, Robert Houdet said the Australian industry’s collapse, which could trigger the loss of over 30 000 jobs would provide valuable insight for South African auto companies.

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Edgecam wins 2015 certification from Autodesk Inventor

Edgecam Solid Machinist has gained 2015 certification from Autodesk Inventor. Using the Edgecam add-in for Autodesk Inventor sees the CAD model sent to Edgecam Solid Machinist for feature finding and CAM application processes.

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JIMTOF 2014 – Fusion of craftsmanship and advanced technology “Mono-Zukuri DNA” – connects to the future and the world

Over fifty years of JIMTOF: Manufacturing tradition, manufacturing innovation. 30 October to 4 November 2014. This year’s Japanese machine tool exhibition, JIMTOF 2014, is the 27th time that the exhibition takes place and marks the 50th anniversary of the inaugural event, which was first held in Osaka in 1962.

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Jaguar partners with Team Sky and Pinarello to engineer new Tour De France racing bike

Jaguar has deepened its partnership with Team Sky, one of the world’s leading professional road cycling teams, and built a new relationship with Pinarello, the highly regarded Italian bike manufacturer, by helping them develop the team’s latest race bike.

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Google to build prototype car controlled by computers, not driver, without steering wheel

Google plans to build and launch onto city streets a small fleet of subcompact cars that could operate without a person at the wheel. Actually, the cars wouldn’t even have a wheel. Or gas and brake pedals. The company says the vehicles will use sensors and computing power, with no human needed.

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Steel industry related app launched

Steel, tube and pipe manufacturer Robor has announced the launch of an industry-related mobile phone application (app) that provides users with information regarding the group’s product range as well as providing access to other resources applicable to steel products and services, including steel calculations, steel specifications and “smart tools”.

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Mercedes-Benz South Africa C-Class fuels supply sector growth

Significant investment by motor manufacturing giant, Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA), into the production of the new C-Class will not only benefit the economy of South Africa, but has also resulted in 10 new component sector suppliers setting up shop in the country – three of these will carry out sequencing operations.

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New AGV line installed at VWSA

Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) has installed an automated guided vehicle (AGV) line to replace the traditional roller conveyor used on the VW250 engine line. An AGV is a mobile robot that follows markers or cabling in the floor, or uses vision or lasers to follow a preset route.

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Trinitas on prowl for acquisitions

Trinitas Private Equity, an independent private equity fund, says it is looking to invest R200 to R300 million on acquiring stakes in about three mid-sized companies in the short to medium term. A successful deployment of funds towards these acquisitions would put Trinitas closer to a position of fundraising for a second fund.

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Dorbyl: Naledi offers to buy minorities

Engineering group Dorbyl, whose shares were suspended on the JSE in November 2012, has announced that it had received a firm intention letter from Naledi Foundry to make an offer for all of the shares held by shareholders other than African Dune.

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Import duties increased on screws, nuts and bolts

Engineering group Dorbyl, whose shares were suspended on the JSE in November 2012, has announced that it had received a firm intention letter from Naledi Foundry to make an offer for all of the shares held by shareholders other than African Dune.

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Murray & Roberts disposes of pipe, pilings and structural steel business

Murray and Roberts has disposed of its Hall Longmore pipe, pilings and structural steel business to the Barnes Group. Hall Longmore sold to privately owned Barnes Group following a successful conclusion to negotiations and final approval by the Competition Commission.

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Pangborn Group signs representative agreement with Mondeco Solutions

Pangborn, a global leader in surface preparation products has appointed Gauteng-based Mondeco Solutions as its authorised representative for Southern Africa. Mondeco Solutions, a company that has established itself as a fast growing independent equipment supply and service company.

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Transnet awards contracts for 1 064 new trains

The R50 billion contract is hailed as South Africa’s biggest single corporate infrastructure investment. Transnet is in the midst of a seven-year plan to expand the railways, ports and pipelines that move commodities for export by 2019. The total order of 1 064 locomotives was worth R50 billion, Transnet said in a statement.

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South African mining industry in the spotlight at Electra Mining Africa

The South African Mining industry employs over half a million people, is the biggest earner of foreign exchange in the country, and contributes about R20 billion directly to tax revenue. Mining also makes a far larger contribution – as a buyer of goods and services and as a supplier of inputs to other sectors of our economy and other economies around the globe.

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Agni fires up furnaces to start production at steel mill

Jubilation was palpable on site at Agni Steels SA as the company fired up its Inductotherm furnaces to start production at its R400 million, state-of-the-art steel mill in the Coega industrial development zone (IDZ). Agni Steels’ venture is the first ever black-owned steel mill in the country and is a testament to the value of the Minerals Beneficiation Bill passed in 2011.

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DMG Mori presents an additive manufacturing breakthrough

This was the technology highlight this year at the company’s Open House exhibition held in February in Germany, while further global expansion plans were revealed. DMG Mori is the combined sales and service operation for the currently separate firms of DMG Mori Seiki Co, Japan (formerly Mori Seiki Co) and DMG Mori Seiki AG, Germany (formerly Gildemeister AG).

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Mick Jagger laser cut steel statue revealed

Right in time for his band’s headline show at the UK’s legendary Glastonbury festival, Rolling Stone Mick Jagger has been honoured by his hometown of Dartford where a steel sculpture of the singer has been revealed. Part of one of the biggest ever public arts projects in the UK, the statue was manufactured by Midlands based laser-cutting specialists Laser Process Ltd.

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BAE certifies ’3D Printed’ part on BAe 146 jetliner

BAE Systems said that it has produced and certified a replacement part for the BAe 146 regional jet for the first time using additive manufacturing, or “3-D printing” technology. Now the company is exploring using 3-D printing to supply replacement parts for other commercial aircraft types.

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A year-long celebration for Maserati’s Centennial has begun

December 2013 saw Maserati officially enter the 100th year of its history. It does so in a period of unprecedented health and unparalleled growth. More than 23,000 orders worldwide to date are propelling Maserati into a new dimension. Today Maserati is amongst the fastest growing brands in the United States and a concrete reality in nearly 70 markets in the world.

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Haas expands parts, service and resources online

Haas Automation has CNC machines installed in shops and manufacturing plants worldwide and that base is supported by 170 factory outlets in over 60 countries, with delivery services, on-site consigned inventories, and trained service technicians.

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Toyota invests R1 billion in Prospecton manufacturing facility

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has started local volume production of the new Toyota Corolla – the 11th generation of the world’s best-selling car. To mark the occasion an opening ceremony was held at its Prospecton manufacturing facility that was attended by the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Edward Senzo Mchunu, the mayor of the Ethekwini, James Nxumalo and…

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SolidWorks 2014 seminar

Mecad Systems, the South African resellers of SolidWorks, held a series of seminars around the country in February to introduce users to the new features of SolidWorks 2014. The SolidWorks 2014 events rolled out with great feedback from users saying this version sees the most common requests being added. Almost all of the new features (below) incorporated are from user requests and feedback.

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Gleason completes acquisition of IMS Koepfer Cutting Tools GMBH

Gleason Corporation has announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire IMS Koepfer Cutting Tools GmbH of Eisenbach, Germany from IMS Gear GmbH and Koepfer Verzahnungsmaschinen GmbH. IMS Koepfer Cutting Tools is a producer of high-quality gear cutting tools and related products and services.

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Machine tools to be showcased alongside Electra Mining Africa 2014

Machine Tools Showcase takes place once every four years and it gives an opportunity to metalworking equipment, tooling and related equipment suppliers and manufacturers to showcase their machines, products and services. The show takes place at the Expo Centre, NASREC, Johannesburg, from 15 – 19 September 2014.

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Sandvik Coromant offers E-Learning program

Sandvik Coromant offers an interactive Metal Cutting Technology (MCT) e-learning program developed by the Sandvik Coromant Academy. The 75-course curriculum is designed for engineers, programmers, operators and students, and uses video, animation, narration and other media to convey information.

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Trumpf buys Italian panel bending machine maker Codatto

“With this acquisition, we are once again expanding our product range by adding an important bending technology. It will appeal to new groups of customers and will offer new options to existing clients,” said Dr Mathias Kammüller, head of the Trumpf Machine Tool Division.

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EuroBLECH 2014 – 21 – 25 October 2014 at the Hannover Exhibition Grounds in Germany

The next EuroBLECH, the world’s leading sheet metal working technology exhibition, will take place from 21 – 25 October 2014 at the Hannover Exhibition Grounds in Germany. With just over a year to go the organisers have started to hype the pre publicity including the introduction of a new website.

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Decade of the artisan programme launched

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has launched its Decade of the Artisan campaign at the Ekurhuleni East technical and vocational education and training (TVET) college in Kwa Thema, near Springs.

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More acquisitions made by Fair Friend Group

In the second half of 2013 the Fair Friend Group (FFG) acquired MAG’s Industrial Equipment business, comprising the five brands Hüller Hille, Hessapp, Modul, VDF Boehringer and Witzig & Frank. This sale effectively ends MAG’s involvement in the CNC machine tool business.

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Transnet launches new automotive rail wagons

Transnet has unveiled a new fleet of rail automotive wagons that are expected to boost freight logistics in the Eastern Cape region. The launch of the company’s newly designed rail wagons for vehicle manufacturers, as the State-owned company accelerates its efforts to boost South African manufacturing and advance its multimodal road-to-rail freight strategy.

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Okuma’s new factory in Oguchi, Japan – DS – is referred to as Dream Site 1

Japanese machine tool company Okuma Corporation has opened a new, more efficient factory in Japan to maintain its competitive edge and to underpin the continuation of its Japan-based manufacturing policy, with further investment predicted.

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Trumpf buys Chinese CNC machine builder

Trumpf, a family-owned manufacturer of CNC sheet metal processing machines and laser systems is buying a majority stake in Jiangsu Jinfangyuan CNC Machine Company Ltd. (JFY), a Chinese company with a similar range of capabilities. The value of the acquisition is unknown, but Trumpf indicated its holding will be about 72%.

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Organised business supports high energy users in litigation against NERSA and the NMBM

The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has been extensively involved with the six of the thirteen companies that make up the High Energy User group through meetings, debates, correspondence and engagements with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).

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New milestone for Toyota SA Motors

One millionth Corolla manufactured at the Prospecton Plant in Durban. Team members at Toyota South Africa Motors late last year celebrated as the one millionth proudly South African manufactured Corolla rolled off the production line at the company’s Prospecton Plant in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

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Mercedes-Benz to invest $302 million in South African car production

German carmaker Mercedes-Benz is set to invest R3 billion ($302 million) in its South African operations to increase local output to 100,000 units annually.

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2013/14 South African Aluminium Industry Directory and buyers guide of aluminium suppliers and manufacturers now published.

The new and improved directory and buyers guide of aluminium industry related companies has been published and a free copy is available from the Aluminium Federation of South Africa (AFSA).

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The EMO metal working trade show’s organisation confirmed until 2027

EMO Milano 2015 will be followed by EMO Hannover 2017 and 2019. The European Association of the Machine Tool Industry (CECIMO), owner of the brand EMO, signed an agreement with the German machine tool builders’ association (VDW) and Fondazione UCIMU.

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DMG/Mori Seiki reveals EMO 2013 secrets – taking over Hall 2

At EMO 2013 in Hall 2, North Entrance, DMG Mori Seiki unveiled a new uniform design that demonstrates the company‘s consistently high quality standards.

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Multitrade Distributors celebrates 30th anniversary

The path to success usually starts off in a small environment and gradually through hard work and dedication over the years, achievement can be seen in the success of the pursuit. This can certainly be said of Johny Hansen and Multitrade Distributors, who celebrated their 30th year in business recently.

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Foundry industry’s vision of a training centre comes to fruition

SAIF instrumental in setting up the Gauteng Foundry Training Centre. In an era of corporate reorganisation, mergers, and globalisation, metalcasting is one of several critical industries that require a well-educated workforce in order to remain profitable and competitive.

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Stepping into the void

A deep thinking job shop will specialise in gun drilling up to 50mm diameter
and 2 metres long. Drilling of deep holes is increasingly in demand for numerous precision applications these days. In most cases it is not long production runs that are required but rather small to medium batches of 10 to 100 parts.

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Portable coordinate measuring arm calibration service now available in South Africa

Retecon (Pty) Ltd now offers a scheduled and rapid turnaround service. Portable measuring arms are becoming commonplace in today’s manufacturing facility. It’s true that they bestow many benefits on the users, but there are pitfalls to overcome when utilising this highly effective and sophisticated tool.

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