Industrial equipment and solutions supplier Bolt and Engineering Distributors (B.E.D.) and welding products manufacturer Fronius South Africa will showcase their advanced welding technologies at the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction’s (SAISC’s) industry breakfast next month.

Fronius welding specialist Edric van der Walt notes that the event is a key gathering for the South African steel industry, attracting leading industry figures across construction and fabrication.

B.E.D. welding and cutting specialist Marcel Pretorius adds that while some industries, such as the automotive sector have embraced digitalisation, others - such as construction and mining - still rely on outdated technologies.

The SAISC event presents an opportunity to introduce more efficient, modern welding solutions which improve weld quality, reduce energy consumption and provide data insights, ultimately cutting costs and boosting productivity.

Fronius and B.E.D. will showcase several innovations at the breakfast, including automatic weld documentation which captures key parameters and energy use, enabling streamlined record-keeping.

“We will also demonstrate battery-powered welding systems, which are ideal for mining and construction sites, and eliminate the need for long extension cords,” Pretorius says.

Additionally, the showcase will include pulse welding technology and the Fronius WeldCube Navigator, which supports weld sequencing by guiding the welder step-by-step through pre-set parameters defined by the welding operator, he elaborates.
     
Digital Welding
“The transition from transformer-based to digitally controlled machines, especially those using pulse welding, is well under way,” Pretorius says.

Pretorius explains that these technologies offer lower heat input, less spatter and improved weld quality, aiding industries in remaining competitive and sustainable.

Fronius’ digital welding systems mark a major leap in both hardware and software, says Van der Walt.

Inverter-based hardware allows precise arc control and stability. On the digital front, the systems enable real-time tracking of performance and procedural compliance, with tools such as the Fronius Navigator and Pathfinder supporting workflow optimisation and offline programming.

Van der Walt explains that digital welding offers enhanced control over the weld arc, data integration and automation.

In contrast, traditional transformer-based systems have limited control and traceability. Digital systems allow for quicker set-up, consistent weld quality, process optimisation and traceability.

“Digital systems allow for fine adjustments to weld arc characteristics, penetration depth and seam quality resulting in higher-quality welds,” Van der Walt says.

Real-time data collection improves quality control, helps predict output and minimises downtime. In high-demand sectors such as mining and infrastructure development, this enables smarter resource allocation and faster project delivery. Less experienced welders can also achieve high-quality results with pre-set parameters, reducing training time and material waste.

“Smart or digital welding reduces the learning curve and enables faster project delivery, by improving accuracy and reducing errors,” Pretorius elaborates.

Smart welding also supports occupational safety by limiting operator fatigue and reducing exposure to hazardous conditions, says Van der Walt. Further, it supports environmental compliance by reducing energy consumption and material waste.

Partnership
Despite the challenges facing the South African steel industry, Van der Walt asserts that practical solutions are readily available. Through B.E.D.’s nationwide branch network, Fronius and B.E.D. provide advanced welding technologies to help the sector modernise and improve efficiency.

Through their partnership, established over 15 years ago, B.E.D. serves as Fronius’ exclusive distributor, representative and technical adviser across eight provinces.

Customers can visit Fronius’ dedicated technology centre to evaluate the latest innovations and assess solutions for their specific welding applications, Pretorius concludes.