Page 13 - Energize Issue 1 2023

NEWS

A short while into using his new tool, he learned its added work order to have the part fixed.
value. While making his rounds at the plant and checking on “This tool was very helpful in assessing the situation
another job, he came across a somewhat noisy pump, which and determining the cause of a potential problem,” he said,
also seemed to be a bit hot. “because we just noticed that something was wrong due to the
noise level.” The engineer also notes that his 568 Ex is accurate
Fluke 568 Ex spots problem pump and easy to use. “It really did come in handy there,” he said.
He dashed off to his truck, grabbed the Fluke 568 Ex, and was Without such a troubleshooting tool the pump may well
able to quickly shoot a temperature profile on the pump’s have failed and required more extensive – and expensive –
mechanical seal, a part that is continuously flushed with liquid repair work, or even replacement.
to cool the equipment, increasing its reliability and usable “It would have been very hard for us to pinpoint it,” he said.
lifespan. “You could have had a mechanical failure because there was
“It was very hot, 138° C,” he said. “We shot it real quick and no flushing. Eventually the pump would have stopped pumping
did a quick profile and determined that something was wrong.” because the seal would have failed.”
Specs on the seal showed that normal operating temperature
was 82° C or less, removing any doubt that there was a Contact Comtest, Phone 010 595 1821, sales@comtest.co.za,
problem. www.comtest.co.za
A short time later, an inspection of the seal showed that Facebook: bit.ly/3iuk4cg
a 20 mm stainless steel pipe that carries cooling fluid from YouTube: bit.ly/2V4nc6j
the seal pot to the seal had become disconnected. Thus, the LinkedIn: bit.ly/3rpTu86
pump wasn’t receiving proper lubrication or coolant and was Product: bit.ly/3abkbpj
overheating. The engineer was able to then quickly fill out a Hashtags: #Comtest #Fluke #IntrinsicallySafe #safety

New year ushers in new leadership appointments

osch Rexroth South Africa
has announced two senior
Bappointments, effective from
January 2023.
Mike Harrison, currently Bosch
Rexroth’s regional director for East Africa,
and General Manager of Hytec South
Africa, has been appointed to the role of
Chief Operating Officer at Bosch Rexroth
South Africa, reporting to Chris Riley,
Group CEO.
Harrison will be succeeded by Freddie
Kühn as the new General Manager of
Hytec SA.
Harrison will retain responsibility for Mike Harrison Freddie Kühn
Bosch Rexroth’s Africa Development,
Mozambique and Namibia, while successful merger between Bosch Rexroth and the previously known Hytec Group.
assuming responsibility for Group Prior to this announcement, Freddie Kühn was the sales director at Hytec SA,
strategy. He has been at the helm of having assumed responsibility for sales in the organisation three years ago as a part
Hytec SA for more than a decade, with of the Group’s succession plan. He has contributed to the success of Hytec SA for
the more recent extension of his role and more than 25 years and will now take responsibility for the rest of the functions
responsibility to East Africa. Through his within Hytec SA. Kühn has worked closely with Harrison before and has made
leadership, the company has experienced significant contributions to Hytec SA.
significant geographic expansion, both
locally and at a regional level. He also Contact Gillian Allin, Bosch Rexroth South Africa Group of Companies,
played an instrumental role in the Phone 011 979-4630, Gillian.Allin@boschrexroth.co.za, www.boschrexroth.africa

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