Celebrating 65 years: rebuilding and redefining its legacy November 2024, News Founded in 1959 by Neill Simpson, Axiom Hydraulics has grown into one of South Africa’s elite hydraulic companies. Over the past six and a half decades they’ve weathered many challenges, but none as devastating as the fire of 2023.
Young robotics team takes world title November 2024, igus , News In an inspiring demonstration of innovation and teamwork, Texpand, a young South African robotics team, recently made history by winning the 2024 FIRST Tech Challenge World Championships.
SAIMC: It’s not black and white November 2024, SAIMC, SAIMC Grey imports are a problem worldwide, not least in the automation industry in South Africa. The Supplier Advisory Council (SAC) operates under the umbrella of SAIMC, and is tackling this problem head-on.
Loop signature 25: Tuning part 3 - Results of tuning a particular simple self-regulating process by several different methods. October 2024, Michael Brown Control Engineering A couple of SWAG methods of tuning were given in the previous Loop Signature article. I have tuned a simple self-regulating process using those methods, and two other tuning methods, one of them being the sophisticated Protuner tuning package, which is the system I employ. The tests were performed on a very accurate and powerful simulation package, and the results are compared below.
PC-based control for advanced hydrogen storage technology October 2024, Beckhoff Automation, PLCs, DCSs & Controllers The proportion of renewable energies from solar, wind and water is rising continuously. However, sufficient storage options are of the essence to use these energies as efficiently as possible. GKN Hydrogen offers a particularly compact and safe option, low-pressure metal hydride hydrogen storage systems with PC-based control from Beckhoff.
Integrating HACCP management in manufacturing execution systems October 2024, TransLution Software HACCP is a systematic approach designed to identify, evaluate, and control hazards throughout the food production process, providing a robust framework for safeguarding public health across various food industries. Maintaining readily available, accurate and up-to-date records is crucial to prove the execution of monitoring HACCP activities and to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements.
Process control system for the entire plant lifecycle October 2024, Siemens South Africa, Fieldbus & Industrial Networking The automation of process plants has been characterised by IT silos for a long time. The high level of IT security required was achieved through strict isolation from the outside world. However, this made unlocking the opportunities for digitalisation very difficult. This is a compelling reason to opt for Simatic PCS neo – Siemens’s completely web-based process control system with state-of-the-art IT security concepts.
The time is now for systems integrators October 2024, System Integration & Control Systems Design Integrators combine sophistication regarding technology innovation with practical, hands-on experience. Collaborating with systems integrators is the means to significant productivity improvement, powered by the convergence of automation and information and operations technology.
Festo makes strides in establishing Fourth Industrial Revolution technical labs September 2024, Festo South Africa, News Festo has long been referred to as the leader in industrial automation and technical education, but the role that they keep playing in driving educational transformation proves that they have earned and deserve their title.
System integrators are a diverse market September 2024, System Integration & Control Systems Design System integrators (SIs) combine expertise on emergent technologies with real world experience. Working with SIs, it’s inevitable that at some point someone will say, “We’re not a typical SI.” And in many ways, it’s true. SIs come in all shapes and sizes.
Case history 194: Boiler level control problem. September 2024, Michael Brown Control Engineering, Fieldbus & Industrial Networking A boiler level control in a petrochemical refinery was causing problems, as the level was cycling badly and taking a long time to recover from sudden load changes. In addition, there were frequent high-level alarms.
Oil and gas industry shifts from fossil fuels to renewable energy September 2024, Parker Hannifin - Sales Company South Africa, Electrical Power & Protection The oil and gas industry is undergoing a paradigm shift as it grapples with the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables, and oil and gas companies are investing in renewable energy as part of their decarbonisation efforts.
Strategic approaches to legacy software in manufacturing September 2024, IT in Manufacturing One of the most critical and strategic roles of the CIO (or IT Manager) is to ensure that the business’ information systems and tools are well maintained and up to date. If a critical system fails, the business could come to a standstill, forcing people to scramble and revert to paper-based or backup systems. Even worse, production may stop, impacting the entire supply chain and all of your stakeholders.
Smart e-mobility solutions August 2024, Schneider Electric South Africa, Electrical Power & Protection While electric vehicles are gaining traction in many international markets, uptake of this green form of transport is still lagging somewhat in South Africa. Even so, local demand is growing, as more environmentally conscious motorists are seeking cleaner alternatives to internal combustion engines.
Pushing technological boundaries with Festo Electric Automation solutions August 2024, Festo South Africa In the ever-evolving landscape of Industrial Automation, Festo Electric Automation solutions are at the forefront of a revolution, fundamentally reshaping production paradigms. As a global leader in automation, Festo focuses on intelligent connectivity to reduce costs, save time, and increase efficiency and convenience for customers.
Loop signature 23: Tuning Part 2. August 2024, System Integration & Control Systems Design It is my opinion that most tuning methods are very crude. They do of course also offer a starting point for tuning if one is not fortunate enough to have a sophisticated tuning package like a Protuner around.
Top 10 emerging technologies August 2024, News The World Economic Forum (WEF) has identified ten technologies likely to make a significant positive impact in the next three to five years. These are detailed in the ‘Top 10 Emerging Technologies’ report, which explains each technology’s potential for addressing global challenges and the factors that will shape the future and revolutionise connectivity still further.
Hack-proof measurement technology August 2024, VEGA Controls SA, IT in Manufacturing Users in the process industry have not prioritised cyber security. This might be because they assume the IT department’s responsibility, or they don’t feel directly threatened. However, both attitudes are neglectful, and here’s why: IT security should always be a joint task between IT and OT.
Into the future with green hydrogen Technews Industry Guide: Sustainable Manufacturing 2024, Pepperl+Fuchs, Electrical Power & Protection German company, Pepperl+Fuchs is a pioneer and innovator in explosion protection and industrial sensor technology. SA Instrumentation & Control’s editor caught up with Marc Van Pelt, managing director of Pepperl+Fuchs South Africa, to find out more about the company’s involvement in sustainable manufacturing, and especially green hydrogen.
A green hydrogen economy Technews Industry Guide: Sustainable Manufacturing 2024, Electrical Power & Protection Hydrogen is an important feedstock in processes ranging from steel, ammonia and fuel production to energy generation and storage. Traditional hydrogen processes generate large amounts of carbon, but green hydrogen has emerged as an important contribution in the global shift towards sustainable energy.
