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Andreas Hecht, product manager for
MOH-9 Armour Ceramics. |
MOH 9 Enters International Vehicle Armour Tile Market
With an increasing demand worldwide
for military vehicles which are armour protected,
there has been a concomitant increase in the number
of vehicle armour tiles needed. This demand led to
MOH-9 (a company within the BEE-compliant Multotec
Group of companies) commissioning a specialised
press from Europe during the third quarter of last
year. MOH 9 supplies products to companies who do
armour installation.
“Vehicle armoured tiles, 50 x 50 mm, 100 x 100 mm or
engineered tiles, are assembled in panels. The
tolerances of the tile dimensions are very important
as there can be no more than a 0.2 to 0.3 mm gap
between the tiles,” Andreas Hecht, product manager
for MOH-9 Armour Ceramics, tells Engineering News.
Hecht says this high precision, multi-million-Rand
press is one of the latest generation units
available and is designed to achieve the tight
tolerances and accuracy required, resulting in
superior levels of quality. |
“MOH-9 has had an established reputation as a body armour
manufacturer for more than 27 years and while vehicle armour
tiles have been produced in a limited manner for the local
market as required, last year we made the decision to
aggressively tackle this market,” Hecht says.
“While this is a new sector of the armour market for us we
have the advantage of drawing on our vast experience in the
formulation and engineering of high alumina ceramic armour
products. We also have an extensive reference base of body
armour within numerous countries globally,” Hecht adds.
In addition to supplying local manufacturers with vehicle
armour tiles this product is now also supplied to the
international market as a result of demand from that sector.
“A major project, which proved our ability to cater to this
market, was the manufacture of armoured tiles for the four
navy Corvettes which were commissioned a few years ago.
Currently another of the alumina ceramic armour projects in
development at MOH-9 is for the Hoefyster,” Hecht says.
In addition to the investment in increased production
capacity, the company has also invested in new research and
development equipment. “This includes laboratory equipment
to ensure that the quality standards are met and that we can
meet new demands with the introduction of innovative
technology and engineering,” Hecht says. Testing of new
materials is a crucial part of the development process and
this is undertaken at MOH-9’s test facility to ensure that
the product meets the necessary ballistic requirements.
Hecht says that the production of female body armour has
been a huge success with orders flowing in from various
local armed forces. The new designed ceramic plate, together
with the new soft armour, offers more comfort and movement
for the wearer.
“As anticipated, the demand will remain high locally as
within the SAPS there is a large contingent of females on
active duty. This continuous requirement from the SAPS has,
in fact, resulted in a third large order for this unique
female body armour.
“In addition, the development of the side and shoulder body
armour has also been completed and this product has found
favour within the international market with orders already
having been received,” Hecht adds.
MOH-9 is in the process of manufacturing anatomical plates
which are designed to provide optimum protection for vital
organs for an international customer. While this is a
limited market, MOH-9 has the necessary expertise and
flexibility to be able to produce special shaped body amour.
Hecht concludes that the major differentiating factor for
MOH-9 when compared to its international competitors is that
the company uses most of the different forming processes
available including dry pressing, isostatic pressing, slip
casting and extrusion. “In addition, we have also become one
of the largest manufacturers of alumina oxide ceramics in
the world.” |
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