WearCheck’s newest laboratory is officially open in southern Namibia, bringing to 16 the number of laboratories that we operate in nine countries around Africa and beyond.

Situated at Skorpion Zinc mine near Rosh Pinah, the new lab is strategically placed to answer a growing call for world class condition monitoring services in the region, particularly in the burgeoning mining and construction industries.

The lab is open to any industry requiring used oil analysis and other reliability solutions services.  It is fully equipped with the latest instruments and technology and is backed by its own uninterrupted power supply. To enable maintenance managers to make quick decisions, the lab offers 24-hour sample turnaround time.

A second Namibian WearCheck laboratory has provided condition monitoring services to the Husab Uranium Project since 2016.  Swakop Uranium, owners of the mining operation, awarded WearCheck a contract to supply and operate an on-site laboratory.

WearCheck MD Neil Robinson is determined to make world class condition monitoring services as accessible as possible to industrial operations on the African continent. ‘The learning curve for equipping and operating a remote laboratory has been a steep one, however every project is a learning experience and with each new laboratory, the implementation process is bettered.

‘As industry needs evolve, we are constantly redesigning our labs to present reliability solutions in areas which previously seemed almost impossible to imagine having a world-class laboratory present.’

Offering a wide range of condition monitoring services for the mining sector - including used oil analysis - WearCheck Namibia is available for use by other industries, such as quarrying, industrial, transport, power generation and shipping operations.

In addition to two in Namibia, WearCheck’s labs can be found in South Africa (six), Zambia (two) and one each in Zimbabwe, DRC, Mozambique, Ghana, Dubai and India.

WearCheck Namibia is situated at Skorpion Zinc mine site, about 25km north of the town of Rosh Pinah and can be contacted via email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone +264 81 229-6926.

WearCheck Namibia is open for business! Laboratory manager Leandra Smith is standing by to process used oil samples and other condition monitoring services for industrial operations in the southern Namibia region.

The instruments for WearCheck’s newest laboratory are carefully packed and secured before transportation from Durban to Namibia. Diagnostic manager John Evans (left) and laboratory manager Meshach Govender conduct a final inspection before the boxes left Durban.

Dennis Swanepoel of WearCheck’s reliability solutions division in Johannesburg was invited to present two papers to delegates in Antwerp, Belgium, who were attending the latest IMVAC (International Machine Vibration Analysis and Condition Monitoring Conference) this month.

WearCheck MD Neil Robinson says the company is proud of Dennis. ‘When our technicians gain international recognition in professional circles, it reinforces our position as global leaders in the condition monitoring arena.  It is a real honour for Dennis to have been invited to present at IMVAC – well done Dennis!’

Dennis’s first paper, titled ‘Tried and Tested Tube Mill Monitoring’, focused on tube mills used for coal milling in the power generation industry.

In a mill, the drive train typically consists of a motor (>2MW), a gearbox (>8ton) and a girth gear(>7meter), all driving a tube mill with a >70ton ball load. Power generation losses typically amount to 135MW if the mill is shut down unexpectedly.

With more than 10 years of experience in the field of tube milling applications, Dennis was able to discuss various special methods in the fields of oil analysis, vibration analysis, advanced signal processing, operational deflection shape analysis, thermal analysis and operational visual inspections.

Paper two was called ‘Is Video Amplification Real?’ The analysis of two case studies was discussed, where video amplification was used, and this data was then compared to traditional operational deflection shape analysis.

Examining the two cases, a correlation between the two technologies was evident, and the different merits of each technology was discussed.

Dennis elaborates, ‘I shared all my experience obtained during the data collection processes, to help other aspiring condition monitoring technicians know what to expect, and how to make an informed choice of technology to address specific condition monitoring problems. ‘

Caption: Dennis Swanepoel of WearCheck’s reliability solutions division was invited to present two papers to delegates at IMVAC in Belgium last week.

Customers in many corners of Africa have signed up for WearCheck training recently, to enhance their investment in their condition monitoring programme.

Technical manager Steven Lumley conducted training for engine manufacturer Cummins recently.

The training for Cummins, which took place at the Cummins South Africa training facility in Johannesburg, was customised especially for the customer.  Topics included an introduction to oils, additives, application storage, the tests performed and the relevance of each one, and well as the interpretation of test results.

Cummins develops engines for specialist applications such as on highway, off highway and marine. Engaging the best possible methods for keeping the engines running at optimum output is of great value, therefore WearCheck training is an important part of the maintenance strategy.

A team from engine manufacturers Cummins recently underwent condition monitoring training by WearCheck’s technical manager Steven Lumley (third from left)

You talk…we listen! WearCheck’s annual customer survey closes 31 August. We truly value your feedback - your answers and suggestions are used to improve our service offering to ensure we are meeting our customers’ needs.

This year the survey is very fast - it only takes two minutes to complete. All respondents will be entered into a lucky draw for a cash prize.*

The questionnaire is available at https://online.wearcheck.co.za/PRODUCTION/anon/survey.aspx/

*Terms and conditions apply. No WearCheck staff or their families may enter the competition. Only current WearCheck customers may win the prize. The judges’ decision is final. Winners will be notified during the first week of September 2018 after the survey closes.