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Astro Aluminium
Astro Aluminium specialises in the supply of an extensive range of extruded and rolled aluminium products to customers in the Automotive, Medical, Signage, Kitchen & Joinery and Decorative industries as well as for DIY applications. We offer this aluminium as mill finish (raw) or surface finished.
Astro Anodising
Astro Anodising offers superior anodising services to manufacturers using aluminium in the production of their end products. Our customers are spread over a broad range of different industries including those in the automotive and architectural sectors.
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Understanding SABS Standards for Mobility Devices
Understanding SABS Standards
South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) standards encompass safety, quality, performance, and durability parameters that mobility devices must adhere to. These standards set comprehensive guidelines to ensure user safety, maintain optimal quality through material choices and construction, enhance device performance for user comfort and independence, and establish benchmarks for long-lasting durability.
Using the official SABS mark on products implies that they have been officially tested, certified, and meet the required standards set by the SABS. It signifies that products have undergone rigorous evaluation and comply with specific benchmarks.
In-house Testing Facility
At Astro Quip, we take immense pride in our commitment to quality and adherence to industry standards. To uphold this standard we established an in-house testing facility. This facility allows us to rigorously assess our range of crutches at every stage of production, ensuring they align with SABS standards for safety, quality, and performance. While we maintain the capabilities to verify our products’ compliance with SABS standards, we do not utilise the SABS mark on our products.
Our intention is to uphold transparency and ensure that our customers have full confidence in our quality assurance process. We remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering mobility solutions that consistently meet the high standards we set, promoting safety and excellence at every step.
Our crutches are manufactured to meet or exceed the requirements stipulated in the SABS specification document CKS 112:1972 as well as ISO 11334-1. We have also implemented and apply a quality management system which is in compliance with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015.
Our Testing Capability
- Static Loading Test Bench: The Static Loading Test Bench is a destructive test that determines the degree of downward force that the crutch will withstand before failing. The SABS specification requires that the product be able to withstand downward force of 125kg.
- Handgrip Separation Test Bench: The Handgrip Separation Test Bench is the apparatus that determines that the Soft Grip covering the handle will withstand a specified amount of force without detaching from the plastic base material.
- Forearm Withdrawal Test Bench: The Forearm Withdrawal Test Bench determines the force required to allow the forearm of an individual to move through the cuff of a crutch.
Off-line Testing
We perform our own off-line quality testing on all products in the Astro Quip range of crutches. The following test benches have been installed: Weight Bearing Test Bench, Cuff Release Test Bench, Soft Grip Release Test Bench, Ferrule/Foot Slippage Test Bench and finally, we test the Shore Hardness of all our plastics, and specifically the Ferrule/Feet and Soft Grips.
Please contact your Astro Quip Sales Representative to discuss your requirements by calling 011 452 9748 or email info@astrogroup.co.za. You can also submit an enquiry online.