The Durban branch’s September technology meeting was opened by our COO, Johan Maartens, giving a brief overview of the reasoning behind the changes to the SAIMC’s organisation. He clearly and concisely explained the benefits in terms of our ability to influence policies through formation of a Suppliers Advisory Council, with us now having representation on President Ramaphosa’s working group on Industrie 4.0. The revised structure will remove the existing requirement for the majority of Council members to be ECSA Registered.
SAIMC COO, Johan Maartens (L) with branch Chairman Hennie Prinsloo.
The meeting continued with Robert Wright, MD of RJ Connect, who began his talk by observing that there is a need to look at what Industrie 4.0 can do for us in real life. There are plenty of seminars on the subject with lots of theory, but not so much about plans that exist for it to be applied or what the next step may be.
Robert Wright, RJ Connect (L) being thanked by Hennie Prisloo.
Rob focused on a practical application in which a Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machine’s production was optimised through the use of cloud-based systems and applications. The need for using Big Data was graphically demonstrated by the huge contrast between information obtained at very different sampling rates; only the high sampling rate making determination of cutting tool life expectancy predictable so that finished product quality remained satisfactory. In most production facilities, checking the end product is not the answer to plant optimisation if use of information from within the process can reveal where an item or procedure is nearing the point of failure. No talk on this topic would be complete without discussing the need for data security, and also the cost of implementing more extensive use of cloud-based systems, both of which were brought to everyone’s attention.
Hennie Prinsloo thanked Rob for his interesting and very informative talk before the large group of more than 60 adjourned to enjoy networking over food and drinks to the usual high standard of the Durban Country Club. It was gratifying to see that 13 students were among those benefiting from attending the meeting.
MESA Africa Summit has been expanded and rebranded SAIMC Supplier Advisory Council
SAIMC
We are writing to share some exciting developments regarding the evolution of the MESA Africa Summit, which has been a cornerstone event in industrial automation and manufacturing excellence.
Read more...How to claim CPD points SAIMC Supplier Advisory Council
SAIMC
SAIMC makes it possible for you to claim CPD points for attending courses and technical meetings, or completing an online quiz on a SA Instrumentation & Control magazine.
Read more...SAIMC: From the office of the CEO:Slaughtering AI holy cows SAIMC
SAIMC
A couple of sessions at various dealers, a wrong delivery, a failed holiday plan, a two-week unplanned vacation and 32 kg of steel on the back seat awaited us as we left South Africa on a dream holiday. But let me start at the beginning.
Read more...SAIMC: Secunda branch SAIMC
SAIMC
At the most recent SAIMC Secunda technical evening, Jenine Jansen van Vuuren, sales account manager from Comtest Technologies, gave a presentation on the calibration of process instruments.
Read more...SAIMC: Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The Durban branch of the SAIMC held its October technology meeting, not on the first Wednesday of the month as usual, but on the second Wednesday to accommodate the very interesting presenter, Nico Erasmus from Abacus Automation.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The October Technology Evening was hosted by Pepperl+Fuchs. Patience Moila, the enterprise mobility expert for sub-Saharan Africa, presented on ‘Lone Worker Protection for the Mobile worker 4.0’.
Read more...SAIMC: It’s not black and white SAIMC
Editor's Choice 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.
Read more...How to claim CPD points SAIMC Supplier Advisory Council
SAIMC
SAIMC makes it possible for you to claim CPD points for attending courses and technical meetings, or completing an online quiz on a SA Instrumentation & Control magazine.
Read more...SAIMC: From the office of the CEO: The real damage of fake news SAIMC
SAIMC
People depend on accurate information and their own reasoning and belief systems to draw conclusions or make decisions. However, when they are inundated with fake news, the reliability of the information they receive is compromised.
printer friendly version