The training of new participants in our industry is something about which many senior members are extremely concerned. We will be addressing this problem in September - read on for full details.
Meetings
The August meeting was sponsored by Shorrock Automation, the topic being Vibration Monitoring and Analysis. It was presented by Hanno du Toit and attracted our regular attendees as well as a number of new faces. Everyone involved in rotating equipment is interested in bearing life and preventative maintenance to gain maximum machine productivity. We normally allow the presenter 50 minutes presentation time, and 10 minutes to answer questions. The questions that were answered very professionally by the Shorrock Automation team - Hanno du Toit, Chris Huxham and Raymond Karsten - went on for 25 minutes. By the end of the evening we had all learned something new! It was especially exciting to meet a number of new people at this event.
On 8 September the meeting will be sponsored by Peter Roos of (Train Rite) the only independent apprentice-training centre in the country. He will explain the new apprentice training syllabus and certification for instrumentation mechanicians and technicians. Train Rite is a practical training facility and this is what both industry and the government require for today's new artisans. This subject is often discussed at length in many different committees and in the press without any closure, it needs to be finalised urgently before it is too late.
* Do you know what the law requires?
* Do you know what training is available?
* Do you know what training has been done?
* Come and find out.
October has been reserved for Dick Perry of Fluor Daniel to explain the design of instrumentation safety systems, and the application of SIL certification. Dick is a renowned expert in this field, and is a member of the SAIMC National Council.
November is our last meeting for the year and will be something rather special.
Keep a look out for your e-mails or send us one so that we can add your name to our monthly invitation list. Our database contains 479 names and e-mail addresses of members or visitors that have attended at least one or more of our meetings over the past two years.
Meetings are held at the Rivonia Country Club every second Wednesday of the month at 18:00. The presentation starts at 18:30 sharp and is limited to one hour ending at 19:30.
Refreshments and eats are sponsored, so come and join in the discussion and gain some valuable knowledge.
Site visits
A rather exclusive site visit is being arranged for us to visit the SAA and see its 747 flight simulator. An application to SAA has been made and both Nico Marnewek and Jan van Wyk are actively arranging this visit. For security reasons these visits and others have become very difficult to organise and can only be done by professional institutes such as ours. Being able to participate in these visits is a major benefit the members of the SAIMC enjoy. This visit is something that you should not miss at any cost. Planned visits still to come include SAA, Natref, Rand Water Board and the SABC.
SAIMC Golf Day, November
Many discussions have taken place concerning an appropriate venue to host this event. Our committee is actively busy in negotiating arrangements and will be able to notify you of the date in due course. We will send out e-mail invitations shortly.
Membership and annual subs
If you want to become a member, you can find an application form on www.saimc.org.za, or contact any member of the committee.
At a recent National Council meeting held at our Secretarial offices CTR it was brought to our attention that there are a large number of Johannesburg Branch members who have not yet paid their 2004 membership subs. If you would like to remain a member, please contact CTR, they are willing to assist you with any query that you may have.
Once again, I thank you, all of our regular attendees and my committee for their enthusiastic commitment.
Chairman, Johan van Jaarsveldt, [email protected]
© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved