Guestro open day
In the July NFTN newsletter I reported back on the American and German trip with an overwhelming feeling that our foundries will have to run very fast to catch up with our competitors in the international arena. However after my visit to the Guestro open day I am confident that we have the capability and ability to compete in the global market.
On 6 and 7 September Guestro declared that they are ready and able to take on new challenges and requests from their existing and new clients. The presentation and walk through the plant clearly showed the thinking that has gone into streamlining their business and to make each employee part of this new process. The Guestro team had identified several constraints in different areas in the foundry and found innovative ways to address these. A graphical costing illustration was used to ensure that all staff understands at what point it is profitable for them to quote on a job. This graph also showed management in which kinds of castings they are not able to be price competitive. Innovative processes will allow them to compete in both price and quality with any other foundries internationally.
During the factory tour operational staff at the different work areas presented their work and their recent improvements. The sense of pride encountered in the different process areas in the foundry clearly shows that the morale of their staff has been built and everyone is on board to move into a different dimension of delivery. The attitude of management can be compared with that what we have seen in America and Germany, and the willingness of everyone to work together in new ways has resulted in many improvements. I was inspired by the way Guestro shared their ideas, experiences and improvements with their customers, suppliers and competitors alike in an open day format. Essentially any of their competitors could come and visit them, meaning that the only way to stay competitive is to keep on making small improvements in different areas in the foundry which reminded me of the motto called SQS…”Status Quo Sucks” that we learnt of in America stating that tomorrow’s operations should be better than today’s.
Continuously raising the bar like this is what we will have to do more often to make South African foundries more competitive in the global market. So the challenge from Guestro to the sector is to take a careful look at the different bottlenecks in the foundry, and then carefully design new or improved ways of doing things without protecting sacred cows. I would like to challenge other foundries to follow suite.
REMINDER: Quality and Energy efficiency improvement workshops;
Morris Murray (MMAA global) is in South Africa in November
Who should attend? All foundries (ferrous and non-ferrous) are welcome to attend since the presentation will be relevant to all.
The current workshop topics being considered are:
- Quality improvements through knowing the real cost of porosity and how to reduce porosity rejects, metal melt quality improvements
- Energy usage reduction and energy efficiency improvements in foundries.
NFTN will be launching the practical Energy Management Booklet, for day to day energy efficient advice in the plant (Author: Carl Reinhard, editor: Morris Murray). Participants attending the workshop will receive a free copy of this booklet, the booklet will be available from NFTN after the workshop at a minimal cost.
The organisers would like to arrange workshops in the three main foundry provinces of South Africa. We are currently looking at the following dates:
- Register: 8 November – Gauteng Workshop at Reading Golf Club
- Register: 9 November – EC Workshop, venue still to be determined
- Register: 17 November – KZN workshop, venue still to be determined
Workshops shall only be held if sufficient interest have been shown from foundries. To get an indication of your interest, please take a few minutes to respond by selecting the date and region above and completing your response on the web page.
Feedback from our stakeholder on the website
Could you please add me to your mailing list – a very informative site! – Mitak
… I just stopped by to say well done for work done so far…. I was part of the dti when we first came about with the NFTN initiative. We had long discussion and memo’s in getting it off the ground. This was hard work and dedication contributed by all the Steer comm members. Please pass my greetings to the Steercom and let them know that I think we are all proud of how far NFTN has come and I hope our paths will cross again – BHP Billiton
NFTN welcomes its new Project Administrator onboard
Wendy Manamela has joined us from SABS where she worked as a Project Administrator for Mining and Biofuels standards for almost 6 years. She holds a Certificate in Project Management. Her strengths lie in organising, communication skills, minute taking and her willingness to learn.
I would like to welcome her on board. I know that together we will make a stronger team being able to answer to the needs of our stakeholders.
Please take note of Wendy’s contact details:
Ms Wendy T. Manamela
Project Administrator
NFTN
admin@nftn.co.za
Tel: 012 8414429
Cell: 0724127397
PANEL OF EXPERTS: Update on Johan Prinsloo
Johan Prinsloo is a professional member of the Western Cape Foundry Institute with extensive international experience, ranging from work done at Perkins and Eaton Gearbox (UK), MAN and Daimler Chrysler (Germany), the SsanYong Motor Company (Korea) and Detroit Diesel (USA). During his Quality Career he was responsible for yearly certification of Quality Standard TS16949 process control, assurance, systems, customers satisfaction ,ISIR’s PPAP’s, APQP’s, Control plans, FMEA’s, work instructions, continuous improvement /product and approving of new vendors /materials.
During his production career he was responsible for Production targets, Lean manufacturing, Total Preventative Maintenance and Quality of product. He was responsible for the development of inspection methods related to problems as well as daily process auditing in high risk areas. His versatility includes experience in moulding, shot blasting ,welding electrical as well as gas and preparation of defect and post treatment of cast iron products. He has been involved in on-the-job training for pre control inspection, inspection and auditing methods as well as work instructions.
For more information visit his Expert profile click here
SAIF sand and moulding course
Commencement date: 1st October 2011
All learners interested in attending this course must kindly register by no later than Friday, 23rd September 2011
The Course will be presented by Mr. Didier Kasongo Nyembwe (Prof. Eng.), a specialist in this field. Didier is the Head of Department of Engineering Metallurgy at the University of Johannesburg. He has extensive knowledge and experience in this subject.
The Sand Moulding Course consists of the following Sections
- Section 1 – Moulding Sands
- Section 2 – Basic Tests for Greensand
- Section 3 -Special Tests for Greensand
- Section 4 -Principles of Moulding
- Section 5 -Mould Shake – Out Systems
- Section 6 -Sand Storage and Handling
- Section 7 -The Influence of the Pattern on Moulding
The course is directed at 1st Line Supervisors, Operators and Maintenance Personnel in Foundries.
The course will take place on Saturday Mornings for 4 & half hours starting on the 1st October 2011. The course will run over 8 to 10 weeks and will finish on Saturday,
the 19th November 2011
Venue: University of Johannesburg
John Orr Building
Metal Castings Technology Station – Room 6101
Corner Siemert & Belt Street
Doornfontein
Cost Per Student: R 750.00 for the entire course. Payment is required on registration of each student.
Kindly send confirmation of payment to 011 559-6526 or email mbiljon@uj.ac.za
Banking Details: SA Institute of Foundrymen
First National Bank
Wadeville Branch
Account Number – 50523653357
Branch Code – 251542
On registration
Download: SAIF Course Registration Form Sand & Moulding , students will be required to present a certified copy of their ID document as well as a certified supporting documentation of the most recent or highest level of qualification obtained (e.g. Class 10 or Standard 9, Matriculation Certificate or N2 Certificate)
Kindly confirm your attendance by no later than 23rd September 2011 – Limited Seats Available.
Contact:
Marina De Goede Biljon
Executive Secretary
Tel: +27 (11) 559 6455
Fax:+27 (11) 559 6526
Fax to email : 086 509 7045
email: saif@icon.co.za / mbiljon@uj.ac.za
www.foundries.org.za
UJ Foundry Colloquium
The third UJ MCTS foundry colloquium will take place on 27 – 28 October. This event is well worth blocking out in your calendar. Download the banner and programme for your information. For more information click here.
DST – CPUT International Scholarship Programme in Foundry Technology
RIFT (Research and Innovation in Foundry Technology) is an initiative of the Faculty of Engineering at CPUT, supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), aimed at developing high-end expertise to support the technology and innovation
capabilities of the SA Foundry Industry.
In partnership with the Foundry Institute at RWTH Aachen University of Technology and the Laboratory for Aerospace Materials at Rzeszow University of Technology, RIFT is offering five scholarships for study towards a Master’s degree in Metallurgical or Materials Science.
The programme will commence in January
2012 with a preparatory semester in South Africa at
CPUT and its local partners:
- The National Casting Technology Centre at the
University of Johannesburg - Rapid Product Development Laboratory at the
University of Stellenbosch.
Thereafter, students will follow a two-year course, based
in Aachen for the first year and either Aachen or
Rzeszow for the final six months
Candidates must:
- have completed a BSc Eng or BTech in Mechanical
or Metallurgical Engineering, with Mathematics as a
major - be a South African citizen aged between 20 – 29
years - be interested in Foundry Technology.
For more information, and to apply, visit our website
www.engweb.co.za
Closing date: 31 August 2011
BRICS foundry forum held in Brazil
The block of BRICS countries is a reality in the today’s world. We have similar characteristics that justify its existence. Following the foundry market evolution of the BRIC countries the BRICS foundry forum was initiated to promote the technological information exchange among the countries of this economic block. The main objective of this forum is to improve the professional development and education of the BRICS countries foundry industry.
The first BRICS foundry forum shall be held in Sao Paulo city, Sao Paulo state, BRAZIL, on 5-6 October 2011, with a Foundry Fair that will take place over 4-7 October 2011.
Please visit the website to get further information: www.bricsfoundryforum.org
SAIF Golf day
Please diarise the day in your calendar
Date: 10 November 2011
Venue: Redding Golf Club
For further information, please contact Marina
Marina De Goede Biljon
Executive Secretary
Tel: +27 (11) 559 6455
Fax:+27 (11) 559 6526
Fax to email : 086 509 7045
email: saif@icon.co.za / mbiljon@uj.ac.za
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