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Instrumentation & Control News

Motors shielded in hazardous environments

By: Kimberley Smuts 27th January 2017 Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) contracting company 52 Engineering, a member of the South African Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, has employed various methods to protect motors from the dangerous and harsh environments in which they function. 52... →

German drive engineering group to expand activities in South Africa

By: Keith Campbell 25th November 2016 German drive engineering group SEW Eurodrive is planning to expand its assembly capacity in South Africa. The company operates 15 manufacturing plants in Germany, France, Brazil, the US and China, which ship components to assembly plants in 75 countries, including South Africa. “We invest in all... →

Cape Town manufacturer claims outboard engine design breakthrough

By: Donna Slater 18th November 2016 The development of “world first” marine propulsion systems by Cape Town-based marine engines and drive gear company Caudwell Marine has been highlighted as the beginning of global reach into the commercial, recreational and military marine markets. →

TURBO DIESEL The Caudwell 300 HP Axis outboard diesel engine uses a V6 engine format

Wearable tech starting to have a virtual and real impact on the workplace

By: Schalk Burger 18th November 2016 While access control and health and safety wearable devices are commonplace in many commercial companies and industries, the use of augmented reality and virtual reality systems is expected to increase significantly over the next three to five years. Augmented reality will enable employees to... →

New technology launched at FDT Africa 2016

By: Robyn Wilkinson 11th November 2016 Beverage industry solutions supplier Eureka Scientific launched Netherlands-based food and beverage process solutions manufacturer Pentair Haffmans’ carbon dioxide (CO2) selector to the African market at the Food and Drink Technology Africa 2016 trade fair. →

LOWERING COSTS With the elimination of maintenance, the total cost of ownership of Pentair Haffmans’ CO2 selector is very low

Rockwell Automation acquires Maverick Technologies

By: Donna Slater 4th November 2016 The acquisition of systems integrator Maverick Technologies by systems integrator company Rockwell Automation is set to expand domain knowledge and help deliver innovative control and information solutions to customers in industries such as chemicals, food and beverage, and oil and gas. →

Industrial IT can now leverage cloud services to glean greater detail from data

By: Schalk Burger 14th October 2016 Industrial information technology (IIT) systems are typically robust and resilient to ensure availability of support for safety and production. However, industries can now leverage cloud services and systems to glean greater detail in near real-time from the data generated by their IIT systems,... →

STEVE DU PREEZ New cloud-based industrial systems improve existing industrial systems and provide new capabilities not previously deployed in production environments

SaaS solutions reduce water loss

By: Kimberley Smuts 7th October 2016 With almost 40% of municipal water supplied in South Africa being lost before it even reaches the public, information and communications technology solutions provider Jasco Group states that there are tools and technologies available, such as big data, analytics and Software as a Service (SaaS),... →

Company training ensures technical expertise

9th September 2016 Global electrical, automation, mechanical and consumable products provider Elquip Solutions aims to ensure that its customers have access to quality tools and equipment by ensuring that its personnel are trained and certified to offer quality service. →

Vendor certification for resellers emphasised

By: Kimberley Smuts 9th September 2016 In the security industry, it is essential for resellers to undergo training and obtain certification from vendors to ensure that a security solution or product is correctly specified and installed, maintained and operated, says mobile and remote closed-circuit television specialist Graphic Images... →

LAURENCE SMITH Training provided by vendors can change the way a system operates, effectively giving the end-user the full benefit of the product

Importance of nondestructive testing emphasised

By: Kimberley Smuts 9th September 2016 Regular testing and certification of equipment used in the engineering industry remains important to ensure that degradation of equipment is minimal, comments inspection and testing solutions provider Non-destructive Testing and Inspection Solutions (NIS). NIS spokesperson Jannie de Beer details... →

CERTIFICATION REMAINS CRUCIAL All pressure equipment has to be inspected by a competent person every three years

Adoption of smart, Internet-connected devices set to accelerate

By: Schalk Burger 9th September 2016 The proliferation of smart and Internet-connected devices will accelerate, achieving more than three times the growth within five years than was achieved over the previous 25 years – from ten-billion such devices this year to 34-billion by 2020. The Internet of Things (IoT) will fundamentally... →

MARTIN WALSHAW All industrial and commercial sectors will be changed as more processes become automated, near real-time, augmented with analytics, context aware and personalised

Gas company able to remotely monitor customer sites

26th August 2016 South African automation specialist Abacus Automation was in July approached by a natural gas supplier, which requested that Abacus provide a solution that would allow the supplier to conduct remote monitoring of its customers’ sites. Prior to the implementation of this solution, the customer... →

DELIVER US FROM OUTDATED TECH A natural gas supplier approached Abacus to design a system that would facilitate gas delivery

Photo by Shutterstock
DELIVER US FROM OUTDATED TECH A natural gas supplier approached Abacus to design a system that would facilitate gas delivery

Software maximises mineral recovery

By: Nadine James 26th August 2016 Process management specialists BluESP’s advanced process control (APC) solution uses software that incorporates multivariable model predictive control to manage and stabilise complex interactions in industrial processes and maximise mineral recovery processes at mining companies, says BluESP... →

VIRTUAL CHANGING REALITY Advanced process control software essentially creates a virtual plant where engineers can predict and manipulate outcomes by changing plant variables

New features available for battery-powered water meter

26th August 2016 German process instrumentation manufacturer Krohne in June introduced several new features and options for its Waterflux 3070 water metre. The new features are meant to reduce time consuming and inconvenient visits to water metres, which are often installed in remote locations. The new features... →

WATERFLUX 3070 The added features include integrated diagnostics, longer battery life, and remote communication options

Image processing system upgraded

By: Nadine James 26th August 2016 Multinational electronics company Omron earlier this year launched the upgraded Vision FH high-speed camera controller with enhanced optical character recognition (OCR) to allow for high-speed production line inspection without compromising on quality. Omron South Africa Vision field application... →

ALL SEEING EYE The Vision FH high-speed camera can capture highly sensitive, high-resolution images

Specialists look to expand freightrelated services

By: Nadine James 26th August 2016 Automation specialist Abacus Automation intends to further business relations with State-owned freight utility Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), and increase its market share in port and harbour services through the implementation and optimisation of its crane automation offering. The company –... →

SMOOTH PORT OPERATION Abacus supplied the automation solution for two 40 t Terex rail mounted gantry cranes that were supplied to Pier 2 of the Durban port

South African students receive technical training in Berlin

By: Donna Slater 26th August 2016 As part of its domestic commitment to address South Africa’s shortage of engineers, global engineering firm Siemens is placing three top-performing South African grade 12 students in the Siemens Apprenticeship Scheme, thereby granting them a place to undergo further training in Germany. →

Endress+Hauser

By: Zandile Mavuso 26th August 2016 Being an industrial process measurements products supplier and automation solutions and services provider, Endress + Hauser offers comprehensive process solutions for flow, level, pressure, analysis, temperature, recording and digital communication across seven industries. →

From elevated inspections to stock analysis, drones begin making business impact

By: Donna Slater 5th August 2016 Remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPASs) have the potential to significantly change the way many industrial, engineering and mining operations are conducted, with the ability to reach difficult to access areas and remove people from hazardous situations. →

Inspection device to provide safety in rail operations

By: Simon Sonnekus 29th July 2016 The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed a prototype survey and inspection device (SID) to survey and inspect South Africa’s railway lines, which is intended to improve safety and operations. Along with reporting on the condition of the rail infrastructure, the SID... →

DEBUT The CSIR's survey and inspection device (SID) was debuted at Africa Rail 2016

Flight data soon to be sent live through satellite communication technology

By: Donna Slater 22nd July 2016 The decades-old conventional flight data recorders found in every commercial airliner might soon be replaced, or at least supplemented by a feed of recorded data to a land-based server. →

A320 COCKPIT Either the Aviator 200S or 700S systems will be employed in the Airbus A320 from 2018 onwards to provide a seamless connection between the aircraft cockpit and Inmarsat’s extensive global satellite network

International interest in small SA firm’s inspection robot

By: Keith Campbell 15th July 2016 Barely launched on to the market, a South African designed and developed inspection robot has already won local orders and attracted international interest, with potential overseas clients set to come to this country to examine it. The machine is the Ryonic Modular Inspection System, or RMIS,... →

New technology for NDT technicians in South Africa

By: Simon Sonnekus 15th July 2016 South African non-destructive testing (NDT) technicians can possibly look forward to the global influx of new technology, following the completion of the nineteenth World Conference on NDT held in Munich, Germany, last month. According to South African Institute of Non-Destructive Testing... →

WCNDT international NDT institutions have to remain relevant to technicians and the younger generation of professionals within NDT

New controller range launched for compressors

8th July 2016 Process control instrumentation and industrial electronics manufacturer Instrotech launched four new Calog advanced controllers for compressors earlier this year. The new Calog range includes optional features and intuitive interfaces, with scrolling text prompts and up to four setpoints. The... →

CALOG QUAD INDICATORS The Calog Quad process controller, is an advanced quad channel process controller with a virtually endless range of possible applications

Rockwell Automation in BEE deal, moves to new offices

By: Donna Slater 24th June 2016 Industrial automation and information company Rockwell Automation has expanded its presence in South Africa with the opening of its new offices in Randburg, in Johannesburg, on June 8. →

Category supply contracts cannot adequately manage indirect costs

By: Nadine James 17th June 2016 Global components distributor RS Components GM Brian Andrew says that although manufacturing companies have realised that they can reduce costs by optimising their maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) procurement, they tend to achieve this by negotiating category supply contracts, which... →

BRIAN ANDREW The RS Components GM says sufficient price data could save as much as 35% of the total MRO procurement costs

New imaging technology to potentially disrupt optical industry

By: Henry Lazenby 13th June 2016 Former Vancouver-based rare earths explorer Elissa Resources has in February rebranded as NexOptic Technology and turned its attention to developing cutting-edge imaging technology in cooperation with Calgary-based acquisition target Spectrum Optix. NexOptic CEO Paul McKenzie explained to... →

Photo by NexOpticTechnology
A rendering of a comparison of a traditional telescope and the NexOptic telescope prototype

New best-in-class industrial robots launched this year

By: Nadine James 10th June 2016 Industrial automation solutions supplier Omron launched 49 new best-in-class Adept Robots in April. The robots – now available in 39 countries; including South Africa – are integrated with Omron sensors, safety components and machine automation controllers that were all designed to simplify the... →

RISE OF THE MACHINES The robots' applications are relevant to most packaging lines

Five themes affecting global factory automation

By: Nadine James 10th June 2016 Industrial systems consultants Architects Integrating Industry South Africa (AI2SA) MD Petrus Klopper notes that there are five key themes affecting factory automation globally. He notes that while it is difficult to identify singular trends it is possible to group the key developments that are... →

PETRUS KLOPPER Automation refers to the instrumentation and control equipment, systems and processes in industrial applications

Company distributes stainless steel safety hinge solution

27th May 2016 The Leuze S420 stainless steel safety hinge switch, available from South African sensor solutions provider Countapulse Controls, offers an ideal solution for mechanically and hygienically challenging applications such as the food and beverage, pharmaceuticals or cosmetics industries. It is... →

LEUZE S420 A reliable and long-lasting solution that combines the safety switch and door hinge functions in a single component

Radar offers robust solutions

27th May 2016 International instrumentation engineering enterprise Kobold Messring has introduced its Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) technology to its Kobold NGR components. The components, which use microwave or guided radar, offer a robust and low-maintenance solution for level measurement and monitoring.... →

TIME DOMAIN REFLECTOMETRY Unlike older technologies, the TDR technology offers measurement readings that are independent of chemicals or physical properties of the process media

Japanese group expands South African presence as part of Africa push

By: Donna Slater 27th May 2016 Japan-headquartered automation and control, test and measurement company Yokogawa opened its new, larger South African office in Cresta last month. →

RIBBON CUTTING Celebrating to opening of Yokogawa South Africa’s new office, is Yokogawa Middle East and Africa president and CEO Hideki Matsubayashi, Eskom chairman Dr Ben Ngubane, and Yokogawa South Africa MD Johan Louw

Pneumatics firm says new SA office will serve as African springboard

By: Donna Slater 20th May 2016 Pneumatics technology company SMC Pneumatics launched its South African head office in Midrand on April 21, thereby extending its ability to service global markets. The company states that its new South African office will serve to expand the company’s future prospects of expansion into Africa. →

HEAD OFFICE SMC Pneumatics’ new South African head office in Midrand

Local electronics firm releases customisable IoT processor module

By: Schalk Burger 20th May 2016 South African electronics engineering firm Keystone Electronic Solutions has launched its Blue Penguin processor module, which can be used to create open-source Internet of Things (IoT) platforms that match companies’ specifications and use cases, says Keystone Electronic Solutions director and... →

BLUE PENGUIN IOT PLATFORM The open-source hardware, similar to Raspberry Pi and Arduino boards, is designed to enable companies to create IoT platform suited to their needs

Vessels to be delivered by end of 2017

13th May 2016 Before the end of 2017, nine anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels will be delivered to quality management company ESNAAD, a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc). These vessels will incorporate ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist Optimarin’s Optimarin Ballast System... →

OFFSHORE DEMANDS MET AHTS vessels are designed to excel in shallow waters, high temperatures, salinities and humidity

Leakage system provides solutions in Johannesburg

By: Simon Sonnekus 13th May 2016 Water-leak detection and control systems provider AquaTrip South Africa has reasserted its focus on conserving water with the installation of its electronic valve, which monitors water flow at schools across Johannesburg. The Brisbane-based company has a regional office in Stellenbosch, in the... →

LEAKY SCHOOLS Twenty schools, among which leakage was common, were identified as high water users and AquaTrip’s AT201 leak-detection system was installed on their main water lines

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