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Instrumentation & Control News

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... →

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

Remotely controlled and managed shipping might soon be a reality

By: Donna Slater 6th May 2016 Integrated power and propulsion systems company Rolls Royce last month unveiled its vision to make remote and autonomous shipping a reality as part of its Advanced Autonomous Waterborne Applications Initiative (AAWA) project. →

RC SHIPPING A series of sensor tests will be conducted on board the 65-m-long Stella

Monitoring system a first for firefighters in South Africa

By: Kimberley Smuts 15th April 2016 Safety products manufacturer MSA Africa notes that it is the first company to have developed and introduced the wireless Alpha Personal Network System with gas detector, to be used in tandem with telemetric systems, to the fire market in South Africa. MSA Africa respiratory and fire helmets... →

Wireless solution retrofitted for optimum plant efficiency

By: Kimberley Smuts 15th April 2016 Instrumentation and process automation company Endress+Hauser is recoding temperatures in the roll neck bearings – used in a rolling mill – by implementing its wireless solution, the WirelessHART, to optimise plant efficiency for a heavy plate manufacturer. By installing the WirelessHART, the... →

Variable-frequency drive keeps water flowing

18th March 2016 Power management company Eaton last month announced that the company’s custom variable frequency drive (VFD) solution was recently installed at Mooresville Water Treatment Plant in North Carolina, in the US. The VFD fits within the plant’s space constraints and has been keeping its 600 kW pumps... →

SC9000 EP The medium voltage adjustable frequency drive reduces downtime and maintenan

Multinational pumps supplier acquires local pumps company

18th March 2016 Sweden-based pumps supplier AxFlow Holding has acquired the majority share in South African pumps importer and distributor AQS Liquid Transfer, as part of AxFlow’s growth initiative and strategy to expand its business beyond Europe. AxFlow is a major distributor of high quality fluid handling... →

ALL SYSTEMS ARE GO Swedish pumps suppliers AxFlow offers a wide variety of process pumps and a stellar maintenance programme

Pumps focus shifting from buying to MRO

By: Nadine James 18th March 2016 Amid depressed commodity prices and expected increased interest rates, companies and government entities often spend less on capital projects, resulting in fewer new pumps being bought, but more focus on maintenance, repair and operations (MRO), says industrial components supplier RS Components... →

ITT FLOWJET DIAPHRAGM PUMP One of the 400 pumps and accessories stocked by RS Components

French keen to include energy-intensive South African firms as nuclear equity partners

By: Terence Creamer 13th March 2016 The French nuclear industry, led by electricity utility EDF, is gearing up in earnest to respond to South Africa’s request for proposals (RFP), which could be released before the end of March. The French President’s special envoy for the France-South Africa Nuclear Partnership, Pascal Colombani,... →

Photo by Creamer Media
The French would offer the EPR reactor like this one being built in Flamanville

Collective factors impact on state of I&C industry

By: Kimberley Smuts 11th March 2016 Micro and macroeconomic factors, and the unavailability of local skills in South Africa are key issues that contribute to the stifling of progress in various sectors within the instrumentation and control (I&C) industry, says the Society for Automation, Instrumentation, Measurement and Control... →

ORATILE SEMATLE The SAIMC facilitates continuing professional development accreditations and has collaborated with international bodies to provide training and development expertise in the I&C industry

GSM device suitable for remote monitoring

By: Kimberley Smuts 11th March 2016 Wear control company, Filter Focus, indicates that there are no competitors that implement the same logic control as the i-Commander— a global system for monitoring, automating and reporting events at remote sites, using mobile communication (GSM) — owing to its completely unique software, says... →

I-COMMANDER The i-Commander is a control and telemetry device configured to perform site specific functions and enables the client to remotely monitor and manage the operation

MCBs provide protection and safety solutions

By: Kimberley Smuts 11th March 2016 Electrical and digital building infrastructures company Legrand’s portfolio of miniature circuit breakers (MCBs) offers solutions for efficient protection, enhanced safety and continuity of service in commercial, industrial and domestic applications. New to the company’s MCBs is the TX³ series,... →

LEGRAND TX3 The TX³ series, designed for safe installation and maximum protection of people and property in modern commercial and residential installations

Exchange rate challenges impact on I&C sector

By: Kimberley Smuts 11th March 2016 The biggest challenge facing the instrumentation and control (I&C) sector, both in South Africa and on the continent, is the impact of the deteriorating rand to dollar exchange rate, indicates Actum Group director Kevin Klaff. “Owing to the deterioration in the exchange rate, the biggest... →

GL840 GRAPHTEC DATA LOGGER The data logger contains a highly-isolated input mechanism to ensure that signals are not corrupted by noise from other channels

APC technology cost efficient for industries

By: Kimberley Smuts 11th March 2016 Using advanced process control (APC) technology ensures relatively low costs for various industry applications, says specialists in process and operations management solutions BluESP. As an instrumentation and control technology, APC optimises the performance of process units to improve... →

Hansford Sensors opens new office in South Africa

By: Ilan Solomons 26th February 2016 UK-based industrial accelerometers manufacturer Hansford has opened a new office and customer support centre in South Africa. The company announced on Friday that the centre would form part of a group of wholly or partly owned subsidiaries in Poland, Australia, Germany and India, as well as a... →

Brett Hutton

Aveng’s work on tugboat contract progressing well

By: Megan van Wyngaardt 26th February 2016 Construction and engineering group Aveng Grinaker-LTA says its mechanical and electrical contracts division is making good progress on the electrical installation of nine harbour tugs, with work having started on the second and third tugs. The first tug, the 31-m-long Mvezo, was launched in... →

IoT implementations indicate tipping point – Dell

By: Schalk Burger 19th February 2016 Increasing industrial and large-scale Internet of Things (IoT) implementations worldwide are a result of more affordable cost structures, better machine learning, machine-to-machine communication, wireless communications and cloud systems that serve as platforms, says Dell South Africa sales and... →

ABB reaches contract milestone at Kusile

By: Megan van Wyngaardt 5th February 2016 Automation company ABB is on schedule to complete automation for the first 800 MW generating unit at State-owned enterprise Eskom’s Kusile power station, in Mpumalanga. “With record timing as a key deliverable of such an intrinsically complex project, there is excellent cooperation between the... →

New lightweight humidity verification system saves space

5th February 2016 High-precision sensing company Michell Instruments’ lightweight humidity verification system for humidity probes saves space as it is designed with portability in mind. Michell Instruments says the HygroCal100, with a battery life of up to eight hours, weighs 3.2 kg, making it less than 25% of... →

LIGHTWEIGHT The HygroCal100 weighs 3.2 kg, making it less than 25% of the weight of its closest competitor

Surge and lightning protection specialist launches academy

By: David Oliveira 11th December 2015 Lightning and surge protection, and safety equipment supplier Dehn Africa launched its Dehncademy, in Johannesburg, last month to transfer its knowledge and experience to customers across Africa. This will help curb the effects of lightning strikes, and ensure that African engineers and... →

HANO OELOFSE Our vision is to equip the African people with knowledge, experience and tools to protect their lives and investments

Engineering consultancy introduces integrated earthing for wind energy facilities

27th November 2015 Engineering consulting firm Hatch Goba has introduced a new approach to integrated earthing for wind energy facilities, using insulated cables to connect the individual wind turbine groundmats to the substation groundmat, taking the equivalent circuit of the entire wind energy facility (WEF) into... →

Photo by Bloomberg
INTEGRATED EARTHING Hatch Goba has researched new groundmat designs for grid integration at wind energy facilities

Rise in truck hijackings driving telematics industry growth

By: Mia Breytenbach 20th November 2015 The increasing number of truck hijackings in South Africa has resulted in its telematics market maturing at a rapid pace. Telematics technologies ensure full visibility of fleet vehicles at any time to allow for the early detection of potential theft and are, therefore, one of the biggest... →

Photo by Duane Daws
EMPOWERED USE Telematics technologies ensure full visibility of fleet vehicles at any time to allow for the early detection of potential theft or hijacking, thereby enhancing security

Internet of Things to lead to new ways of working, business models

By: Schalk Burger 13th November 2015 Barriers to entering many industries and professions are rapidly changing and decreasing, as devices connected to and pay-per-use services over the Internet provide lower-cost access for start-ups and individuals, says T-Systems South Africa Intervate Sharepoint division head Peter Reid.... →

Bearing company trials new product on railway vehicles

6th November 2015 Bearing company SKF’s intelligent bearing technology is being deployed on a railway vehicle in a new project to monitor axle bearings wirelessly. →

INTELLIGENT BEARING SKF’s intelligent bearing integrates a self-powered sensor and wireless device within a conventional bearing envelope

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... →

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