Welkom Industrial Controls - hands-on involvement with client requirements
March 2011
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Formed as Welkom Industrial Controls (WIC) in 1988, the company is not only a product and service solution provider but is also engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of process control instrumentation and systems.
“We administer a project management approach in our business strategy. This entails the formulisation of a feasibility study, advice on systems and products, design of software to suit the system, LV panel building, installation and commissioning of systems, training, maintenance and upgrade services,” says general manager Llewellyn Coveney-Winter.
The company currently employs 25 people in its Welkom offices. “We have two engineers in the office as well as three technicians that are responsible for dedicated on-site liaison and technical input. They are complemented by three sales people who double up as technical advisors. A further three dedicated salespeople, nine installation specialists and five administrative staff complete the profile,” Coveney-Winter adds.
The Welkom Industrial Controls facilities
WIC counts Harmony Gold Mine, AngloGold Ashanti, Anglo Platinum and Goldfields amongst its blue chip clients and provides them with tailored solutions that include upgrading of process and manufacturing equipment; replacement of PLCs or automation systems; software development and scada installation.
“We have also upgraded 13 compressors for Anglogold Ashanti. The upgrade has improved the efficiency of the machines and provided superior monitoring. In addition, we are currently installing control valves on all the production levels for Harmony’s Bambanani mine to regulate the compressed air usage. This will result in major savings for the mine,” says Coveney-Winter. “The company has also been involved in a number of DSM projects for Eskom.”
Coveney-Winter points out that independence in selection of solutions is simplified as the company is not aligned with any single instrumentation supplier or manufacturer. “We are registered as Wonderware and Schneider systems integrators, but we work with clients to determine the best possible solutions for their particular applications. Other suppliers include Weidmuller, Vega, Temperature Controls, Ascoreg, Siemens and Wika.
“Something which I feel is a differentiator for us is that our MD – an engineer – is intimately involved in the design and engineering of the systems we offer our clients. This hands-on approach means that clients are afforded a personalised service that is unique to their specific requirements,” Coveney-Winter explains.
WIC’s own product suite includes solutions for asset management, event logging, information analysis, asset depreciation, financial management and an array of communication solutions. “In the past two years we have invested over R1,5m in energy management and renewable energy. We have placed a huge emphasis on ‘Going Green’ and finding alternate energy sources,” says Coveney-Winter.
WIC provides its clients with a complete maintenance and service contract but also believes in facilitating clients to undertake their own maintenance. “We are in the business of providing systems solutions and feel that the transfer of operational and maintenance knowledge to our clients is a value added benefit for their bottom line. We provide them with the tools in our training sessions to optimise their systems and retain control of the processes for maximised uptime,” Coveney-Winter concludes.
For more information contact Welkom Industrial Controls, +27 (0)57 357 5724, [email protected], www.wic.co.za
Further reading:
The state of the SI industry remains strong
System Integration & Control Systems Design
The system integration (SI) industry is expanding with the adoption of AI, automation and data sharing, allowing companies to improve operational efficiency and competitiveness across diverse sectors.
Read more...
The symbiotic relationship between OEMs and SIs
Schneider Electric South Africa
Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
While businesses tend to turn directly to original equipment manufacturers OEMs or vendors when embarking on IT projects, the role of the SI as a key facilitator and partner cannot be overstated.
Read more...
Flexible and precise dispensing technology
Beckhoff Automation
System Integration & Control Systems Design
The Scheugenpflug ProcessModule axis system forms the basis of Atlas Copco’s dispensing and screwing cells and a flexible integration platform for general contractors and machine builders. Precise process sequences are ensured by TwinCAT CNC and servo drive technology from Beckhoff.
Read more...
The time is now for systems integrators
Editor's Choice 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.
Read more...
System integrators are a diverse market
Editor's Choice 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.
Read more...
Avoiding the pitfalls of PLC and scada control system integration
Iritron
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Upgrading your control system by integrating PLCs with scada systems should be a simple seamless process. Regrettably, the industry is plagued with control system integration and upgrade myths and misconceptions that can lead to liability issues, project delays, cost overruns and decreased plant performance.
Read more...
EtherCAT measurement terminals for vehicle development at Mercedes-Benz
Beckhoff Automation
System Integration & Control Systems Design
At the Mercedes Technology Centre plant in Sindelfingen, Germany, car axles are examined with the highest precision on four test benches, in parallel with road tests and simulations. All data is acquired using PC-based control from Beckhoff.
Read more...
Loop signature 23: Tuning Part 2.
Editor's Choice 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.
Read more...
PIC microcontrollers with integrated FPGA features in TME
System Integration & Control Systems Design
The new PIC16F131xx microcontrollers in TME’s offering from Microchip are ideal for the evolving and miniaturising electronic equipment market, offering efficient power management and predictable response times for controllers.
Read more...
Five smart machine trends you need to know
Adroit Technologies
System Integration & Control Systems Design
The last ten years have brought about dramatic advances in technologies that OEMs had never realised would affect their designs or the saleability of their machines, much less impact business models and profits so dramatically. The following discussion will cover key advancements and recommendations all OEMs should be adopting in their design processes to stay current and competitive.
Read more...
printer friendly version