4th Quarter 2012Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Another year is slowly coming to an end. It is mid-October as I write this letter and already I see Christmas decorations for sale in the shops.
It will be interesting to see what happens this festive season with all the fall-out from the wildcat strikes. Big firms are sitting on their profits in case of hard times, while capital expenditure and even maintenance budgets are being frozen. This we can all feel on our bottom lines. Even banks have been cutting back on staff. Let us see what the retailers can pull off this year, but I am not going to hold my breath. An industry that seems to feel the opposite effect is chocolate manufacturers. Apparently their sales increase when times are tough so there must be something to comfort eating.
On the plus side, we as South Africans have something to look forward to. Our most recent SAFPA technical talk was on the Bloodhound SSC (Super Sonic Car), due to drive across South Africa’s Hakskeen Pan in the Northern Cape. This is just an amazing project with the ultimate aim of reaching 1610 kmph in a car – a car being described as having at least four wheels in contact with the ground at all times and being in the full control of its driver. To put it in perspective, the speed of sound is 1236 kmph, and the speed of the Eurofighter Typhoon, the world’s most advanced fighter plane, is 2472 kmph. To put it in another way, it has the power of more than 150 Formula 1 cars.
SAFPA feedback is as follows:
Marketing
With our recent push for membership, accompanied by an industry specific questionnaire, a lot of insight has been gained. Firstly we have increased our membership by a good margin, and secondly we are learning what exactly the industry expects from the SAFPA council. Without a shadow of doubt, education and what can SAFPA do in this regard are the top concerns.
Education sub-committee
With this in mind, we have established an education sub-committee to deal with this subject specifically. Having been down the MERSETA route, we feel it is now prudent to try and establish a SAFPA standard for hydraulic and pneumatic training against which individuals can be assessed.
Safety training course on hose assemblies
With over 50 people having already attended this course, and courses regularly becoming over-subscribed, it is clear that industry is beginning to see the merits in this safety orientated training. Keep an eye on our website for proposed dates in the near future.
Hydraulic Handbook
The Hydraulic Handbook is available for purchase at R75. It has come out very well, with good feedback from those who have taken the time to read it. It is a great year-end gift for customers and you have the council’s permission to place a ‘With Compliments’ logo inside the front cover.
SAFPA: From the President’s desk SA Fluid Power Association (SAFPA)
SAFPA
The SAFPA council met in February to carry on with the implementation of various new tasks.
Read more...PC-based control for additive machine tools Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
IRPD is a specialist in additive machine tools. Development is heavily focused on high system throughput and consistently high process quality. This goal was achieved with the help of PC- and EtherCAT-based control and drive technology from Beckhoff.
Read more...Major software release for Parker PSD servo drives Parker Hannifin - Sales Company South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Parker Hannifin has released its PSD servo drive family delivering new control modes, advanced synchronisation functions and performance optimisations designed to improve throughput, accuracy and system efficiency in demanding industrial applications.
Read more...Beckhoff expands economy drive system Beckhoff Automation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Beckhoff’s new AM1000 servomotor joins the company’s economy drive system. The compact, powerful motor and the AX1000 servo drive provide users with a perfectly coordinated, cost-optimised drive system.
Read more...Moving next-generation monopiles
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Wind turbine sizes are increasing at an unprecedented rate. The bigger the turbine, the more power it can generate and the fewer are needed per wind farm. Mammoet has been ahead of the curve in coming up with ways to make the movement of even XXL monopiles faster and more cost-effectively.
Read more...PC-based control for flat wire motors for electric vehicles Beckhoff Automation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Special machine manufacturer, ruhlamat Huarui Automation Technologies has unveiled the second generation of its mass production line for flexible stators with bar winding (pins). This enables an extremely short production cycle and line changeover times, supported by PC- and EtherCAT-based control technology from Beckhoff.
Read more...New generation surface drill rig
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Epiroc South Africa is launching a new and improved PowerROC T45. This new generation surface drill rig offers increased fuel efficiency and high availability, and is a welcome addition to the PowerROC family.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version