Successful implementation doubles productivity
January 2006
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Elquip Solutions, a leading importer and distributor of high-end automation products and capital equipment in South Africa, recently installed a custom-built automation unit for Robor Pipe Solutions, a subsidiary of Barloworld Robor specialising in tube and pipe manufacture. "The automation equipment that Elquip Solutions supplied to Robor's TOSAline plant was designed, custom-built and then fine-tuned once it was installed," said Mike Cronin, managing director of Elquip Solutions.
TOSALine produces steel piping that is lined with a polyethylene layer, making it a key product for municipalities and industries with rural water, effluent and waste water management requirements.
"Our objective was to facilitate the requirement of a 50% increase in the plant's productivity within a month of the new automation equipment installation," says Cronin. "The TOSALine facility is the only plant in South Africa currently manufacturing ultra thin polyethylene lined piping. This meant that we had to work closely with Robor's engineering team to upgrade the existing automation solution, to fully realise and maximise efficiency on the production line."
Elquip Solutions supplied Robor Pipe with a Hitachi EH 150 PLC with analog modules; that was integrated with Eurotek Interface Relays and Hitachi SJ 200 variable speed drives, with full vector control. The equipment was housed in Zanardo panel enclosures. Elquip Solutions also designed and wrote the PLC programme. Elquip had a six week period to design and install the system; while working around ongoing production in the factory, in order to minimise downtime.
"The final physical installation took place during a two week shut-down and was completed well within the allocated time," points out Andre van Soelen, Robor Pipe Solutions' project manager and engineer on this installation.
"The production process is multistaged and quite complex. Accuracy is crucial as far as temperature control, timing, speed control and cooling is concerned. We were very impressed with the service from Elquip Solutions. They demonstrated their dedication to finding the best possible solutions for our requirements, they anticipated our needs and, most importantly, they met each of the deadlines that they had committed to."
Robor's technical director, Johan Scholtz, comments: "Elquip Solutions' expertise and tailored automation solution helped us to meet our goal of increasing production from the previous levels of 400 m per shift, to the current production of 600 m per shift. What is more, we know that the operators will become more familiar with the process and therefore, once we streamline the operations even further, we will significantly increase production in the future."
For more information contact Mike Cronin, MD, Elquip Solutions, 011 826 7117, [email protected]
Further reading:
Flotation system modernisation for a gold processing and mineral recovery plant.
Moore Process Controls
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Moore Process Controls has successfully modernised a gold processing plant's flotation control system, replacing obsolete I/O hardware with Schneider Electric's latest M580 X80 platform.
Read more...
Project and industry
Schneider Electric South Africa
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Transforming crushing plant operations through integrated automation.
Controlgear Instramac was engaged to deliver the electrical control and automation systems for a new crushing plant within the
...
Read more...
Project and industry
EXEL Electrical Engineering
System Integration & Control Systems Design
EXEL EE was contracted to deliver the complete electrical, control and instrumentation scope for the upgrade of a gold mine's water treatment facilities in Tanzania.
Read more...
Turning system integrators into trusted technology partners
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing System Integration & Control Systems Design
Schneider Electric’s Alliance Partner Programme is repositioning system integrators from hardware suppliers into lifecycle-value partners. Oriel Soupen explains the competency framework, certification model and real-world results that are already helping African system integrators win higher-value, longer-term engagements.
Read more...
When digital twins move from concept to critical tool
IT in Manufacturing System Integration & Control Systems Design Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Digital twins are moving out of the lab and onto the mine, the factory floor and the transport network where they predict failures before they happen. Amritesh Anand looks at where they earn their keep, the data and integration work behind them, and the security questions every organisation should ask before switching one on.
Read more...
Best practices for managing the MRO supply chain in Africa
RS South Africa
System Integration & Control Systems Design
RS South Africa outlines how strong data governance and digital tools can turn maintenance, repair and operations procurement into a strategic advantage across Africa.
Read more...
Containerised Solar Solution Accelerates Delivery of Riverside 3 MW Power Plant
Proconics
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Proconics was engaged by NewFields to deliver the electrical integration solution for the Riverside 3 MW Solar Power Plant in Zimbabwe. The project required a compact, modular approach that could simplify deployment, minimise site works, and support rapid commissioning in a remote location.
Read more...
Modern Energy Metering Solution Enhances Reliability and Reporting for Major Power Utility
SAM Systems Automation & Management
System Integration & Control Systems Design
This project involved the implementation of a modern energy metering system for a major power utility operating within the industrial automation and energy management sector. The objective was to improve the reliability, accessibility, and accuracy of energy data while simplifying infrastructure and reducing system complexity.
Read more...
PCS Global
PCS Global
System Integration & Control Systems Design
PCS Global led a digital infrastructure initiative in a southern African data centre setting, aiming to merge several essential operational systems into one cohesive platform. The objective was to break down silos, enable real-time decisions, and ensure seamless operation in a mission-critical environment.
Read more...
Seamless migration from ET 200M to ET 200SP HA for future-ready automation
Moore Process Controls
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Moore Process Controls undertook a modernisation initiative spanning the mining, petrochemical, and oil & gas sectors. This project involved upgrading legacy Siemens ET200M I/O systems to the advanced ET200SP HA platform.
Read more...
printer friendly version