Avmin Alloys (Avalloy), a division of African Rainbow Minerals (ex: Avmin), has awarded a contract for the automation of its new alloy plant to Altech Informatics, a wholly owned subsidiary of the multibillion-rand JSE-listed Altech group.
Located at the Necsa facilities at the Pelindaba site near Hartebeespoort dam, the Avalloy plant will cost an estimated R110 million to build and will produce its first high-performance alloys, known as superalloys, in the second half of this year. Construction of the facility started at the beginning of 2004 and, depending on market conditions, full capacity may be reached within a three-year period.
Altech Informatics will be actively involved in the total plant automation process to supply a comprehensive solution, from sensor to boardroom implementation.
The design/documentation phase that is currently in progress will be followed by configuration, development and implementation of the Supply Chain Execution (SCE) systems. The target date for completion of the development phase is 1 August 2004 when commissioning and accreditation is scheduled to commence. Finalisation of the project will be achieved by the implementation and facilitation of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
The superalloys to be produced by the plant in cast `stick` form are largely nickel-based and retain their strength at high temperatures, making them ideal for jet engines. Avalloy plans to enter the cast `stick` market and, once successful, produce alloy in wrought form which is not only used in aerospace engines, but also in a variety of other industrial and electrical applications.
Project Manager of Altech Informatics, Schalk Claassen, said: "Avalloy will be SA`s first major producer of superalloys and we are proud to play a part in an undertaking of this magnitude. We will combine our in-depth knowledge of industrial processes with the intelligent deployment of information technology to ensure that we deliver high returns, yet low risk on this important project."
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