The international exposure of South African pumps manufacturers to international contractors is inspiring local pumps companies to supply products that comply with international specifications and criteria, says foundry group specialist Steloy Castings.

Steloy Castings CEO Danie Slabbert says understanding the factors that play a role in the performance of a pump is key to ensuring that the manufactured product meets the requirements and standards of a particular country’s pumps industry.

He says the local pumps industry is well equipped and highly professional, and adds that several South African companies produce pumps in accordance with international standards.

Slabbert maintains that one of the factors that play an important role in ensuring that pumps meet international standards is the quality of castings.

He highlights that the quality of a casting is determined by surface finish, dimensional accuracy, volumetric integrity and well-formed hydraulic chambers, among other factors.

Slabbert says foundries supplying the pumps industry are being compelled to supply pumps manufacturers with castings that not only ensure and enhance the performance of pumps but also highlight the aesthetic appearance of the products.

The foundry technologies used to ensure a pleasing aesthetic appearance include core making, moulding, painting and feeding technologies, he adds.

“For 30 years, Steloy Castings has been at the forefront of core-making and moulding technologies, as well as metallurgy and materials engineering. We also specialise in feeding with Magmasoft simulation, as well as finishing and polishing.”

Slabbert tells Engineering News that Steloy’s status as a leader in the foundry industry is complemented by its ISO: 9001 accreditation, which it has retained since 1991.

Further, Steloy Castings is the only South Africa-based foundry to have European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) 97/23/EC accreditation, ratified by technical safety provider TÜV Rheinland. This places Steloy Castings in an ideal position to operate in the European market.

“More recently, we have been audited for ISO 18 000 to ensure that we meet occupational health and safety management system standards and for ISO 14000 to ensure that we comply with environmental management system standards. We expect to be listed for both accreditations within a month,” says Slabbert.

Steloy Castings’ training and systems approach supports the world-class service that the company provides pumps manufacturers with, he concludes.