SALCHAIN (Pty)Ltd
A Baughan Group Company
For nearly 50 years Salchain has supplied a range of conveyor and elevator chain products to customers throughout the world. Salchain is the leading South African manufacturer of conveyor and elevator chain for industrial applications. The company currently serves a diverse range of markets, including sugar mills, coal mining, process industries such as steel, fertilizer and cement, timber, pulp and paper, small independent earthmoving contractors, as well as the bottling industries.
Processes
Every length of steel and every plate received is quarantined until spectrometer tested for chemical composition. This has ensured that material mixes cannot occur. In accordance with a recognised British standard, samples of all purchased castings and forgings are checked by spectrometer. Components which were previously sawn to length, profile cut, drilled etc. are now being manufactured on more accurate CNC machines. Press and other tooling is prepared in advance by qualified artisans thus speeding up manufacturing operations and reducing lead-times. Heat treatment specifications have been narrowed into the best possible tolerances of temperature and time through use of Salchain’s well equipped laboratory which includes hardness test, impact test, microscope and other equipment.
Chain development capabilities
Ongoing research and chain development to meet specific customer needs is given high priority. Extensive use of in-house CAD facilities contributes to Salchain’s ability to supply products perfectly matched to suit the client’s applications. The engineering design team is well supported by a modem factory capable of meeting the strict dimensional and mechanical tolerances required by today’s heavy-duty conveyor chains. Installed equipment includes a range of presses, CNC machines, profile cutting equipment and heat treatment facilities. Existing designs are constantly being improved and modified to meet the changing needs of a dynamic market. A modem coinprehensive Toolroom provides Salchain with the support of quality tooling, manufactured using CAD/CAM, CNC, and spark erosion equipment. Not only are Salchain’s engineers and metallurgist’s university and college trained but have many years of chain design experience with the company.