first year of business

The Abrasive Flow Solutions (AFS) team celebrated the company’s first year of business

AFS, which specialises in the design and manufacture of slurry-related valves, was established by the Engineering Solutions Group (ESG) of Invicta Holdings Limited, as part of the Group’s strategy to expand its fluid technology services in Africa.

“The AFS team works closely with our sister company BMG, to extend specialist services, through the design, distribution, supply and support of a broad range of slurryrelated valves, including Klep diaphragm and wedge gate valves,” says Donald Morrison, General Manager, AFS. “Our specialists successfully achieved their first challenge, which they set for themselves when the company was established - to improve the quality of diaphragm valves, by extending service life and reducing the maintenance requirements of this range. This goal was achieved through hard work and the implementation of advanced design technologies, materials and coatings and is a great tribute to our team.

“Important milestones over the last year include the establishment of a new rubber lining facility, with the installation of autoclaves that have capacities of up to 10 m in length. In the rubber industry, autoclaves are used to vulcanise rubber products, which are not yet stable dimensionally, by elevating heat and pressure. An autoclave is similar to a huge oven, with extremely high temperature and pressure ratings, that make rubber parts stable and solid in size and shape. “Another advancement is a new pinch valve sleeve manufacturing facility within our new rubber lining and sleeve manufacturing facility. “We are now able to manufacture all pinch sleeves, including high pressure and pneumatic sleeves. AFS pinch sleeves are manufactured from the highest quality rubber products, that are supplied by Rema Tip Top. We have also made a significant investment to extend our hydraulic pressing facility and through our new design and process, we are able to manufacture high-pressure diaphragms