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Instrumentation & Control News

Locomotive autopilot achieves 100-million miles

6th November 2015 Multinational conglomerate and locomotive manufacturer General Electric (GE) Transportation announced last month that its locomotive auto-pilot control system Trip Optimizer has clocked 100-million auto-pilot miles in locomotives equipped with the software. →

Security company introduces electronic shelf hook to deter shoplifters

By: Nadine James 30th October 2015 Loss prevention specialist Lodge Security has acquired the distribution rights for a smart shelf hook for retail security. The shelf hook detects and analyses unusual product movements, setting off an acoustic and optical light-emitting diode alarm, enabling staff to intervene and address the... →

SMART HOOK Lodge Security's electronic shelf hook notes the number of products removed within a specific time period

Machine tools trade exhibition returns

By: Nadine James 16th October 2015 Exhibition organiser Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery last month announced the official launch of Machine Tools Africa 2017, an upcoming trade conference and exhibition that is expected to be the biggest Africa-based trade expo of its kind. The exhibition will be held at the Johannesburg Expo... →

MAKING A COMEBACK The largest African trade exhibition of its kind will take place in May 2017

Vodacom Business aims to leverage fast network for growth

By: Schalk Burger 2nd October 2015 Telecommunications division Vodacom Business will leverage the group’s fast and high-quality network – a result of continuous investment in it – to grow its share of revenue contribution to the group from 17.9% to 30% within three years, says Vodacom Business Chief Officer Vuyani Jarana. Vodacom... →

VUYANI JARANA Vodacom Business has made significant investments in last-mile fibre connections to provide high-speed fibre-based services for businesses

Auto production needs to be streamlined, says control specialist

By: Mia Breytenbach 2nd October 2015 As the timeframe needed to produce automotive vehicles is becoming increasingly shorter and the process significantly more efficient, the design and implementation of automotive components and assembly production equipment must also be completed in shorter timeframes, says motion-control... →

Monitoring solution mitigates worker fatigue

By: Dylan Stewart 28th August 2015 More than a dozen companies worldwide are using heavy machinery and engine manufacturer and designer Caterpillar’s 24/7 equipment operator monitoring service, which provides customers with the ability to see, mitigate and manage operator distraction or fatigue, says Caterpillar safety solutions... →

PREPARED When Caterpillar’s monitoring centre is alerted, the company’s analysts follow a custom, preset safety procedure

Petrochemicals partnership develops wireless gas detector

By: Dylan Stewart 28th August 2015 Japanese engineering and software company Yokogawa and Norwegian wireless optical gas-detector developer GasSecure in July announced the delivery of the world’s first SIL2-certified wireless gas detection system for use at a liquified natural gas (LNG) facility, in Northern Europe. →

WIRELESS MANAGEMENT STATION

Mobile HMI enables real-time changes to out-of-view applications

By: Dylan Stewart 28th August 2015 Industrial automation specialist company Rockwell Automation introduced its new Allen Bradley MobileView tethered operator interface – a mobile terminal that enables plant and industrial personnel to take a machine’s human-machine interface (HMI) with them to make real-time adjustments to... →

OUT-OF-VIEW APPLICATION The MobileView uses a 10" display with a resistive touch screen

Advanced vision sensors check catalytic converters

By: Dylan Stewart 28th August 2015 Peter Jones Electronic Equipment, a division of the Actum group recently supplied two IV series vision sensors to the Port Elizabeth-based Mobile Emissions Catalyst division of Germany-based chemicals company BASF, says Actum technical sales manager Rob Howes, who notes that visual inspection... →

Mechatronics laboratory enables pupils to explore industrial systems

By: Schalk Burger 28th August 2015 The Mechatronics laboratory, or MecLab, at science centre Sci-Bono, in Newtown, Johannesburg, will enable school pupils to build, test and operate industrial handling and automation systems, says Sci-Bono CEO David Kramer. “A key problem that educators and industries face worldwide is that... →

MECHATRONIC MANUFACTURING Pupils can explore and trial picking, sorting and handling systems, as well as the integration of these subsystems to create a manufacturing circuit

Centre to test and prove industrial systems before installation

By: Schalk Burger 21st August 2015 The applications centre at multinational industrial automation company Festo’s Isando offices, in Ekurhuleni, will test and prove concepts and systems for clients to ensure that the systems deliver the intended value once installed, says Festo South Africa MD Brett Wallace. The centre will... →

Photo by Duane Daws
BRETT WALLACE Festo customers can physically test any electric drive applications in a controlled environment

Zest WEG receives competition nod for TSS Engineering acquisition

By: Megan van Wyngaardt 22nd July 2015 The Competition Commission has approved electrical and instrumentation solutions provider Zest WEG’s proposed acquisition of automation company TSS Engineering, TSS Transformers and Intertest, without conditions. Post-merger, Zest WEG would have sole control over the companies. Zest WEG... →

Signal-processing technique set for commercial testing

By: Mia Breytenbach 17th July 2015 Having developed a new signal-processing technique for the vibration monitoring and testing of turbomachinery, the University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) Centre for Asset Integrity Management (C-AIM) research facility aims to create industry partnerships to develop this technique to maturity and... →

Centre for Asset Integrity Management director Professor Stephan Heyns discusses the importance of the research conducted at the centre.

Ford improves automation processes at assembly plant

By: David Oliveira 15th June 2015 Automotive manufacturer Ford’s Silverton assembly plant, in Pretoria, has improved the automation of the Ford Ranger production line, following the installation of a conveyor belt and wax system, as well as further improvements to the underbody system of the production line, which were all... →

Ford Manage the Change team manager Victoria Machete tells Engineering News about the automation systems at the company’s Silverton plant,

Motion-control specialist intensifies focus on linear motion solutions

By: Mia Breytenbach 12th June 2015 Motion-control solutions specialist DC Auto-Motion aims to increase local market awareness for the Japan-based THK linear-motion (LM) product range this year, emphasising the range’s suitability in welding and cutting machine applications. DC Auto-Motion started representing THK in 2012 and was... →

SEALING SOLUTION The LM block guide rail systems with the laminated contact scraper (laCS) system and sealing arrangement prevent potential seizures and failure

Company helps recommission fire damaged cheese factory

By: David Oliveira 12th June 2015 Factory automation services provider Automation Works last month successfully completed the installation and recommissioning of equipment and electrical wiring at Western Cape dairy factory Ladismith Cheese. Automation Works owner Wynand Kotze tells Engineering News that a significant portion of... →

QUICK RESPONSE Fire fighters from Eden district municipality combat the fire that broke out in March at Ladismith Cheese

Energy solutions company to launch Web-based boiler monitoring system

By: Donna Slater 5th June 2015 Energy solutions company Energy Partners is in the final stages of developing a real-time Web-based boiler monitoring system, which will monitor and report on various operational parameters of a boiler or a set of boilers. →

BOILER MAINTENANCE Energy Partners operates an outsourcing boiler operation business focusing on servicing coal-fired boilers in the process-steam industry

Stainless steel motors offer hygienic solution

29th May 2015 Stainless steel air motors are a good option for the food and beverage industry, which has to focus on hygiene when implementing automated production processes, says automation and air-motor company Deprag. →

ADVANCED LINE The robust, sealed design of this motor line's external parts in noncorrosive stainless steel means that the vane motors are predestined for use in the food industry

Communications group reports efficiency spin-offs from sustainability thrust

By: Schalk Burger 22nd May 2015 Communications technology firm Ericsson sub-Saharan Africa head Fredrik Jejdling says the company’s commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility has been integrated into all facets of its operations, which has provided it with sustainable revenue generation and market prospects. This... →

FREDRIK JEJDLING Sustainability becomes an important part of a business’ decision-making process

Coping with Internet of Things data volumes

By: Schalk Burger 15th May 2015 A key way through which companies will be able to cope with the increasing volumes of data from the Internet of Things (IoT) devices is to use software-defined application services (SDAS) to ensure that their networks are scalable, reliable and secure, says networking company F5 Networks senior... →

MARTIN WALSHAW The Internet of Things is not about ‘things’ at all, but about the data, applications and services that it enables

Industry 4.0 requires ‘factories of learning’

By: Schalk Burger 1st May 2015 The expected changes influencing manufacturing and industry over the next twenty-five years, including digitisation, hyper-connectivity, automation and integration, will require that many factories become centres of learning, says German industrial systems education and training subsidiary Festo... →

RUSSELL SCHWULST South African industry will have to maintain its pace with changes to remain competitive in the ever-globalising world

High-temperature gas flowmeter launched

By: Kimberley Smuts 24th April 2015 Industrial process instrumentation manufacturer and solutions provider Krohne this year launched its new Optisonic 8300 ultrasonic flowmeter for high-temperature gas and steam onto the global market. The new Optisonic 8300 ultrasonic flowmeter is a two-beam ultrasonic flowmeter for high flow... →

OPTISONIC 8300A two-beam ultrasonic flowmeter for high flow rates of superheated steam

Increased interest in laser gas analysis, says engineering specialist

By: Kimberley Smuts 24th April 2015 Specialised engineering company Rand Technical Services (RTS) noticed an increased market interest for laser gas analysis in the last quarter of 2014, with the beginning of 2015 reflecting ongoing interest from potential clients, including the petrochemical and mining sectors. RTS became the... →

GAS DETECTION GROWS Neo Monitors' laser gas monitoring systems provide reliable measurement of the concentration and control of a single gas among other gases

Automation control specialist lands third oil and gas contract

By: Kimberley Smuts 24th April 2015 Automation control specialist Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS), which serves industrial process manufacturers worldwide, announced in March that it had been selected by oil and gas explorer and producer Hoang Long Joint Operating Company (HLJOC) to handle critical project management and... →

SAFETY CONTROL SOLUTIONSThe C300 process controller is used to tap oil and gas reserves in Vietnam

Process automation specialist improves flow-measurement solution

By: Kimberley Smuts 24th April 2015 Instrumentation and process automation specialist Endress+Hauser is developing a new-generation change to its Proline flow-measurement solution platform. “The launch started three years ago and will cotinue for the next two years,” says Endress+Hauser product manager Frans van den Berg. Proline... →

PROMAG 53H STAINLESS STEEL Endress+Hauser develop a new-generation change to its Proline flow-measurement solution platform

Process-control specialist launches infrared camera range

By: Kimberley Smuts 24th April 2015 Process-control instrumentation and industrial electronics supplier Instrotech has launched a new fixed infrared camera, the PI 450 G7, aimed specifically at the glass industry. Released in South Africa in January, the Optris PI 450 G7 features a special wavelength specifically for the glass... →

INNOVATIVE INFRARED TECHNOLOGYThe launch of the new infrared camera range has provided Instrotech with the opportunity to work with customers such as Consol and PFG Building Glass.

Digital educational tools empower teachers and super-charge study materials

By: Schalk Burger 24th April 2015 Electronic and digital education tools, including interactive whiteboards and student-response systems, are empowering teachers to spend significantly more time preparing lessons, work on identified difficult topics and help students who struggle. Various high-quality, colourful images, and... →

BEZ SANGARI Rich-media environments and content provide significant benefits for all subjects and improve learning and retention

Energy crunch could prove a long-term boon for SA industry

By: Schalk Burger 17th April 2015 While the energy crunch in South Africa will remain a problem over the medium term, the benefits of energy efficiency and management will persist for much longer, says national Measurement and Verification Council (MVCSA) board member and Southern African Association for Energy Efficiency... →

Better receivers, engineering benefit MeerKAT, SKA

By: Schalk Burger 10th April 2015 Multiple and more sensitive receivers are being deployed on the 64 antennas of the MeerKAT radio telescope array, which will improve the scientific data it gathers, says Square Kilometre Array (SKA) South Africa science and engineering associate director professor Justin Jonas. “The good design... →

Photo by Schalk Burger
MEERKAT 63 RECEIVERS A host of receivers on the antenna provides high fidelity and sensitivity and was informed by the KAT-7 prototype

Poynting disposes of lossmaking segments, posts mixed interim results

By: Schalk Burger 20th March 2015 JSE-listed communications and defence antenna manufacturer Poynting’s interim results for the period ended December 31, 2014, show that the company has increased turnover for continuing operations by 101% after disposing of its loss-making segments. It posted profits after tax and before fair... →

JÜRGEN DRESEL Poynting disposed of loss-making segments and is now well positioned for growth

Instrumentation company remains strong, despite industry challenges

By: Pimani Baloyi 13th March 2015 Since engineered solutions provider ELB Engineering Services (ELB) acquired local electrical and instrumentation (E&I) contractor B&W Instrumentation and Electrical (B&W) in April last year, B&W has reported a significant turnaround and continues to register growth, despite the rest of the E&I... →

Company highlights benefits of thermography for maintenance

By: Pimani Baloyi 13th March 2015 South African companies and government entities need to realise the benefits of applying thermographic imaging to maintenance procedures, says process control equipment solutions provider Comtest thermography products specialist Jeanri Mellanby. Mellanby is Southern Africa’s first female Snell... →

Increased demand for electrical houses, MCCs and VSDs

13th March 2015 Motor control centre (MCC), distribution board, control desk, PLC and instrumentation enclosure, portable and containerised substation manufacturer Shaw Controls, a member of Zest WEG Group, has registered a significant increase in the demand for electrical houses (E-Houses), fully withdrawable... →

BEST SERVICES Shaw Controls’ electrical workshop is used for the production of main and sub distribution boards

Complete sensor solution added to product offering

By: Pimani Baloyi 13th March 2015 South Africa-based process control instrumentation manufacturer and distributor Instrotech now sells UK-based sensor solutions manufacturer Monitran’s MTN/5000, which Monitran introduced to the market in September last year. “Recently, Monitran started focusing on providing not only single... →

Company launches enhanced integrated production control system

By: Pimani Baloyi 13th March 2015 Process control and field instrumentation systems, solutions and services provider Yokogawa Electric Corporation, as part of its aim to optimise clients’ plant productivity, this month launched the Centum Vigilant Plant (VP) Release 6 version 01 (R6.01) – an enhanced version of the company’s... →

Company launches new configuration suite, improves cybersecurity

13th March 2015 Processing technologies and services provider Emerson Process Management in December introduced the world’s first remote terminal unit (RTU) and highway addressable remote transducer (HART) configuration suite – the OpenEnterprise Field Tools software suite – which enables local and remote... →

OPEN ENTERPRISE FIELD TOOLS The software promotes personnel safety by eliminating unnecessary trips to the field

Sensing technology supplier develops into high-level service provider

13th March 2015 Johannesburg-based sensing technology supplier Countapulse Controls has developed from being a supplier of “technologically superior” sensing and monitoring devices to a solutions provider that offers advanced technology packages incorporating high-level support. These services include assisting... →

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