The new machine is being supplied by Italian manufacturer Sacma and will be operational by May 2010.

We decided to purchase this particular machine because it will compliment our existing equipment, which includes state of the art binding and a packing line, but more importantly it will put us in a position where we will be able to offer clients a service that has not been available so far. The machine has a bed width of 1950 mm and can slit material from 1.2 mm up to 13.7 mm thick and can operate at 100 metres per minute. On 6 mm gauge the machine can produce an astonishing 16 slits. But the big advantage for us now is that we are capable of slitting thicker gauge material.

We are also confident that a whole new industry could evolve around this slitter. For example cold rolled beams and heavy structural tubing in rounds, squares and rectangles, new capabilities that we have not been able to offer before. The machine is fully automatic and besides the normal inline strip tensioning and leveling features, it is equipped with a 35 ton decoiler and recoiler so we can deliver full outer dimension slits for our customers that require it, therefore improving their productivity with less loading of slits.

The machine is the first of its kind to be shipped to Africa. Once it is up and running we believe that we will be one of the most advanced service centres in the country. Steelrode is based in Alrode, Gauteng and supplies medium to smaller merchants and service centres, as well as end users, with coils, slit strip, flat steel, steel pressings, standard sheets and cut-to-length blanks. The company also trades in bulk coils.

Steelrode has just purchased a new slitter and the foundation and civils contract has been awarded to Dekro projects which involves very technical piling and foundations.

The machine is a 1950 wide by 13.7 mm slitter, the range on the machine is very unique in that we can go down to a 1.2 mm and up to 13 .7 mm. On 6 mm the machine can produce an astonishing 16 slits.

It will be the biggest of its kind on the continent and we are confident that a whole new industry could evolve around this slitter for example, cold rolled beams and heavy structural tubing in rounds squares and rectangles.

We have been receiving some very interesting enquiries regarding the machine and look forward to its commissioning in April. We hope to have a first full month of production starting 1 May.

The machine can operate at 100 metres per minute and along with our state of the art binding and packing line can deliver a product that is worlds apart from the local market.

The machine has a 35ton decoiler and recoiler so we can deliver full outer dimension slits  for our  customers that require it therefore  improving there productivity with less loading of slits

"The Stretcher"

Steelrode has recently finished commissioning their new plate line. One of its advantages is its ability to roll form bended or damaged as well as bowed or badly tensioned material into near perfect flat plate.

Rolled form into a near perfect flat plate!