Max Power Services builds capacity with the addition of a DN Solutions DNM 5700 CNC milling machine | Metalworking News

Nov 01, 2024

Leading precision mining equipment manufacturer Max Power Services’ latest investment in a new DN Solutions’ DNM 3-axis vertical machining center is indicative of the company’s recently-introduced continuous improvement programme, designed to help the company grow, strengthen its position within existing customers’ supply chains, diversify its operations to attract new customers and perfectly illustrates its future growth plans and ambitions.

The machine, the popular DN Solutions DNM 5700 milling machine, is equipped with the latest Fanuc 0iM control, a directly-driven, Big Plus (BT 40) 18.5kW/12 000rpm spindle, a 30-position ATC and a 1 300mm x 570mm worktable, a 510mm Z-axis with a 1 000kg table load. The machine was supplied by Puma Machine Tools. The decision to invest in the new DNM 5700 was made to help the company increase its machining capacity and capabilities.

A three-deck aluminium man cage that Max Power Services have manufactured

A two-deck man cage that Max Power Services have manufactured

“One of the main reasons we purchased this machine is capacity. We want to get a better-quality machined component to our clients and our fabrication shop quicker, and to get the lead times down without compromising quality,” said Herman De Koker of Max Power Services, who is the third generation to join the family-owned business.

“The second big motivation is expansion in tougher economic times, to showcase to our clients we are still committed to bettering service and staying with new technologies.”

Max Power Services was founded in 1980 on the foundation of service delivery and to focus on quality. Since then, the company has expanded into several new operations and currently have three boiler shops, a CNC machine shop, a fitter shop as well as a plasma shop.

“My father Pierre De Koker is the current CEO having taken over from his father Herman De Koker, who established the company in 1981.”

“We specialise in supplying product and components to the mining houses, mines and privately owned companies involved in the mining industry. Amongst our clients are Northam, Shutterlock, Anglo Platinum, Implats, Royal Bafokeng Platinum, Murray & Roberts, Worley, HPE and Silbanye Stillwater.”

A measuring flask chute manufactured by Max Power Services

“Currently we have 15 CNC machines on the floor (eight CNC lathes and seven CNC milling machines). We also have a 260 AMP Hypertherm plasma cutter with a table size of 10 000mm by 3 000mm, that cuts up to 40mm mild steel. The latest addition is a DN Solutions DNM 5700 milling machine supplied by Puma Machine Tools.”

“A big part of this product mix is conveyance fabrication and chute fabrication. We recently started machining safety critical items such as drawbars and chocks. These items are installed in the top section of the man cage or skip and bridle and connect to the humble hook that is directly connected to the winder rope. These parts are extremely important, we’ve made quite a few this year with some more on the way.”

“In our fabrication shop we are constantly assembling conveyance equipment such as man cages that range from one deck to three decks that can load between 200 and 250 people at a time, two deck inspection and underslung man cages, skips ranging from 4.5 ton up to 18 tons, hoppers and chutes.”

“We use our CNC machine shop to precision machine all machine components required for the manufacturing of safety critical products. Components such as drawbars and chocks, rope sockets, sheave wheels, manifolds and other general CNC machined components are also made for customers that use them in their operations/products.”

“Currently we have 15 CNC machines on the floor (eight CNC lathes and seven CNC milling machines). We also have a 260 AMP Hypertherm plasma cutter with a table size of 10 000mm by 3 000mm, that cuts up to 40mm mild steel.”

A 12 ton incline hopper destined for a mine

A 30 ton draw bar and chock

“We have 3 000 square metres under roof of workshop space and 1 665 square metres for our fabrication shop They are equipped with two Morris 20 ton cranes and two Raytoko 10 ton cranes. Additionally, we do in-house sandblasting and we have our own paint shop. We have three coded welders as well as a sub-arc welding machine and we only use pulse welding machines for fabrication.”

“Our fabrication shop mainly processes S355 AR+JR, mild steel and aluminium. We also have ample experience with 304/316 stainless steel.”

“In the machine shop we process metals such as mild steel, EN8, EN9, EN19T, EN24T, EN36B, 150M19, bronze (PB1/LG2), nylon, Vesconite, aluminium, UHMPWE and stainless steel (316, 304 & 431).”

“We currently have 46 staff members, a combined 4 000 square metres under roof and we are 26% black women owned company.”

For further details contact Max Power Services on TEL: 011 693 2229 or visit www.maxpower.co.za