Metric Automotive Engineering has significantly boosted the quality and capacity of its rebuild service with the recent commissioning of an extra heavy duty multi-purpose CNC machining centre as well as what is claimed to be one of the largest crankshaft grinding machines put into service in the world.

In conjunction with its new machinery, Metric Automotive Engineering has also extended its scope by being able to accommodate the larger engine sizes associated with the diesel locomotive and marine markets, Andrew Yorke, operations director, says.

Heavy-duty equipment is becoming increasingly important in transportation, construction and mining applications. These larger engines are required to operate in some of the most demanding environments in the world.

“The major engine components are getting larger. We are talking about 5-m-long cylinder blocks,” Yorke says. Metric Automotive Engineering is doubling its floor space at its Germiston, Johannesburg facility in order to be able to accommodate its latest machinery.

The CNC machining centre features quick tooling changeover to maximise the versatility and flexibility of the machine, which allows for boring and surfacing in a single set-up. The machine allows for boring, surfacing, line boring and universal machining. Automatic cycle software and production tooling allow for complete block blanks to be machined without operator attendance.

“The increased capacity of our new machines has taken us from solely servicing our current heavy diesel OEM base into being able to offer our services to diesel locomotive engine rebuilders and marine engine rebuilders,” Yorke says.

Metric Automotive Engineering is South Africa’s most comprehensively equipped heavy diesel engine and component re-manufacturers. Established as a family business in 1969, the company has a strong ethos of investing in both quality equipment and expert personnel. This attitude towards customer service and constant product innovation has sustained the company since its inception.

Metric Automotive Engineering can refurbish large diesel engine components and offers services such as cylinder head remanufacture, cylinder block line boring, milling, honing and boring, camshaft grinding, crankshaft grinding, engine assembly and dynamometer testing. Subsidiary Reef Fuel Injection Services offers Bosch, Delphi and Denso approved fuel injection services and is acknowledged as the specialist in CAT fuel systems.