With nearly 30 years of involvement in the industrial cutting systems industry there is not much that Paul Botha does not know about the industry.
“My first experience with the industry was about 30 years ago when I was sent on a training course to Bystronic in Switzerland to learn to operate and service a Bystronic laser that was to be imported into South Africa. This set me on the track to a working career in the laser, plasma, oxy-fuel and welding industry and eventually opening up my own company, Torch Tech, in 2005. Prior to going to Bystronic I had trained as an instrument maker at the CSIR so my precision skills, as well as manufacturing skills while working for Amscor manufacturing components for the arms industry at the time, were already instilled in me,” explained Botha, owner of Torch Tech.
“After nearly 10 years in the industry I decided to open my own business and this is when I met Thermacut, a Czech Republic manufacturer of laser, plasma, oxy-fuel and MIG/MAG/TIG welding products, and decided to represent them in South Africa. Their products are internationally known and compatible with all the known brands of equipment manufacturers for the metal cutting industry and weld industry.”
Torch Tech have been associated with Thermacut for 15 years and have supplied many consumables for all brands of OEMs that are being used in South Africa, as well as the plasma cutting systems
“For the last 30 years Thermacut’s core business has been the direct replacement of spare parts, consumables, torch heads and lead sets for plasma cutting/welding, oxy-fuel cutting consumables with additional product offerings for MIG/MAG and TIG/WIG manual welding and sold under the Advanced Consumable slogan since 2005.”
“In 2012 the Thermacut Group purchased Holma AG, a manufacturer of laser consumables that can be used on OEM brands such as Amada, Bystronic, Trumpf and others and relocated the production of these consumables to their Czech Republic facility.”
“The company would evolve into manufacturing its own plasma systems and in 2013 launched its first range. The initial introduction featured a 105amp and a 125amp system but this has now grown to a range from 30amps to 100amps. This change marked a major commitment to the industry and thrust Thermacut into the ranks of a full line plasma OEM manufacturer, including all the consumables.”
Large stock holding of consumables
“The consumables include bellows, filters, ceramics, insulating rings, lenses, mirrors and cavity optics, nozzles, nozzle bodies, nozzle holders, nuts, protection windows, pins, screws, shields, electrodes and many other related accessories and spares.”
“We believe that a company should not wait for a consumable to be supplied, which could lead to production on the machine or even the production line being stopped. This is costly. So we carry a large stock holding of consumables, many millions of rands, and this allows us to supply the consumable within 24-hours, depending where the client is. We also guarantee stock for our customers, within reason.”
More recently Thermacut has released its Ex‑Trabeam PRO, a solid-state laser cutting head with autofocus function for better piercing process. With the new Ex-Trabeam PRO, Thermacut offers users of modern laser cutting machines an optimised laser cutting head with autofocus function, which then improves penetration into the material
“The Thermacut Group sells more than 5 700 replacement torch systems around the world every year, as well as more than 1 400 000 consumables sets (electrodes and nozzles) to cutting users. Never has a single torch or even a power source been damaged from use of Thermacut products.”
Products
“Thermacut offers over 160 different models of plasma torch heads and a full line of both mechanised and manual consumables that are produced in the Czech Republic (Thermacut s.r.o) factory. We also provide a full line of manual MIG and TIG replacement consumables.”
Ex-Trabeam PRO laser cutting head
“More recently Thermacut has released its Ex‑Trabeam PRO, a solid-state laser cutting head with autofocus function for better piercing process. With the new Ex-Trabeam PRO, Thermacut offers users of modern laser cutting machines an optimised laser cutting head with autofocus function, which improves penetration into the material.”
Ex-Trafire plasma cutting system
The Ex‑Trafire portfolio of single-phase plasma cutting power supplies from Thermacut includes the Ex-Trafire 30H and the Ex-Trafire 40SD. The 30H system is for handheld applications, while the 40SD system is designed for use with manual or machine torches in lengths of 4, 5, 7.5 and 15 metres.
“Thermacut are constantly looking to bring fresh ideas into plasma cutting technology and has stood for high-quality wear parts for many years. With the new Ex-Trafire 45SD, Thermacut presents a powerful plasma cutting system for manual use and mechanised applications. This is ideal for professionals and demanding beginners. With a maximum cutting current of 45A and a cutting power of 6.5kW, it cuts sheet metal up to 25mm.”
“Thermacut are currently working on preparations for the release of three-phase machine plasma cutting systems.”
Ex-Track CNC portable CNC cutting system
“All you need for cutting in one compact CNC machine. Ex-Track CNC is a portable CNC cutting system that can be easily transported and assembled where you need it. Precision dual side linear guide rails offer stability and outstanding accuracy in oxy‑fuel or plasma cutting.”
Ex-Traflame PRO oxy fuel torches
“Thermacut launched their PRO series of Oxyfuel torches that cuts faster due to the new design. We can cut up to 300mm on this torch.”
Ex-Flame Pro Flame cutting torches
“Flame cutting machine torches and consumables for Messer and Harris torches. Our newly designed Pro torch uses technology that will increase your cutting speeds due to our new design.”
The Ex‑Trafire portfolio of single-phase plasma cutting power supplies from Thermacut includes the Ex-Trafire 30H and the Ex-Trafire 40SD. The 30H system is for handheld applications, while the 40SD system is designed for use with manual or machine torches in lengths of 4, 5, 7.5 and 15 metres. The power supplies range from 30amp to 100amp
“We have been associated with Thermacut for 15 years now and have supplied many consumables for all brands of OEMs that are being used in South Africa, as well as the plasma cutting systems.”
“We have recently opened a branch in Cape Town and appointed distributors in Port Elizabeth and East London and are looking for distributors throughout South Africa.”
Machine building
“Another development within the company is that we also import gantry type plasma machines from Steel Tailor and equip them with our range of Ex-Trafire 30/40/55/75/100 plasma sources. We are only doing certain sizes, but we will be able to market them at less than the imports from China. We also offer our machines with a full service and backup service which is not available from our opposition. We will not sell any machine without service backup.”
“We also have our machine demo centre where you can see our machines in action. We did this to help you making the right decision because we found that a lot of customers are not getting to see the machines in action. Bring your part and program and see which machine will do the job.”
For further details contact Torch Tech on TEL: 010 007 0476 or visit www.torchtech.co.za
