At the ninth annual conference of the Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association (MESA) held recently at the Black Eagle conference centre, the theme was manufacturing solutions for the digital revolution: Big MOM, big data, big results. Once again the conference hosted an array of top drawer speakers and delegates who were able to enjoy great networking opportunities as well as keeping up with the latest developments in the field. They were presented with a wide mix of new technologies and new ideas and their practical application in interesting case studies in top companies such as Lonmin, Namibia Breweries, Aerosud and Hulamin. Some examples were the use of digital twinning for proof of concept in an Aerosud project and the deployment of mobile apps and machine learning models to generate an extra R195 000 per annum in revenue on a Lonmin concentrator plant. Sponsors included Esteq, Bytes Technology, Wonderware, Schneider Electric, AM2 Systems, GE, j5 International, GE, iWorx, MES, SAIMC, AdaptIT, OSIsoft and Pimsoft.
From left: Dr Adriana Marais, head of innovation, SAP Africa and adventurer extraordinaire; Kim Roberts, editor, Technews; Daniel Spies, chairman MESA Africa; Hanli Nel, process engineer, DRA; AJ Pelser, head of group MES, Sasol.
The highlight of the conference was the presentation by quantum biology researcher, Dr Adriana Marais, who is on the shortlist to go to Mars on the Mars One project – the adventure of the century. She believes that exploration drives innovation and she had the audience spellbound with her vision of life on Mars and the potential for this project to generate new technologies which could benefit people on earth.
Palabora Mining Company and LH Marthinusen launch robotics and coding initiative
News
In a joint effort to advance education and digital skills development in Phalaborwa, Palabora Mining Company (PMC) and LH Marthinusen (LHM) have partnered to establish a fully equipped robotics and coding classroom at a local high school.
Read more...A new era for African engineering
News
A group of mostly South African engineering professionals who bought a controlling margin of the South African arm of Netherlands-based engineering consultancy Royal HaskoningDHV have rebranded it as Atana.
Read more...SEW-EURODRIVE builds regional strength with Gqeberha expansion
News
With the Eastern Cape firmly established as a hub for key industries such as automotive manufacturing, ports, agriprocessing and renewable energy, SEW-EURODRIVE is strengthening its presence in the region through an ongoing significant expansion of its facility in Gqeberha.
Read more...Functional safety explained
News
The SAIMC supports Pepperl+Fuchs, a National Member, in a free four-part online seminar series focused on Functional Safety.
Read more...The Future of manufacturing in Africa
News
The future and development of African manufacturing will be discussed extensively at the upcoming Manufacturing Indaba conference, to be hosted on 15 to 16 July 2025 at Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre.
Read more...Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.
Read more...Fostering a collaborative learning environment for sugar producer SKF South Africa
News
One of South Africa’s leading sugar producers made strategic use of its off-crop season, turning scheduled downtime into an opportunity for both essential maintenance and valuable skills development with the help of SKF
Read more...Steinmüller Africa and Eskom uplift eMalahleni communities
News
Steinmüller Africa, in partnership with Eskom, has reaffirmed its commitment to social upliftment by donating essential goods and creating meaningful connections with two impactful community organisations in eMalahleni.
Read more...Comtest calibration user group seminar
News
Comtest invites metrology and calibration professionals to a focused technical seminar series aimed at demystifying some of the most common hurdles in inter-laboratory comparisons.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version