SAIMC: Johannesburg branch

March 2025 SAIMC

At the SAIMC Johannesburg technical evening held on 12 February 2025, Jozua Joubert from TANDM gave a presentation on wireless condition monitoring.

He said that critical plant equipment is typically well maintained. These high-cost high-speed machines may be few, but they require continuous monitoring as they are normally critical to the process but also have a short lead time to failure. Online monitoring and protection systems can ensure immediate response, shutting machines down safely within seconds in the event of a failure.

API 670 has long guided the selection of these protection systems, but cost constraints have limited their use to critical machines. For other plant rotating machinery, ISO 10816-compliant 4-20 mA transmitters provided basic trending via PLC/SCADA/DCS, but had limitations. These devices only monitored frequencies from 3-1000 Hz, sufficient for detecting unbalance, misalignment and looseness, but ineffective for early bearing and gear fault detection, which require higher frequencies.

Advances in IoT have enabled the widespread use of sensor technology, addressing previous monitoring gaps. Wireless condition monitoring systems can now transmit high-frequency spectrum and time-wave data, overcoming ISO 10816’s shortcomings. However, careful evaluation is crucial before implementation. Key considerations are:

• Wireless protocols impact battery life, and Bluetooth and LoRaWAN offer long battery life and adequate data rates.

• Wireless signals have interference from walls and structures, requiring careful network planning.

• ISO 10816 values alone are insufficient − triaxial sensors with FFT, time-wave data and enveloping values are preferred.

• For balance-of-plant machines, hourly data updates are enough to extend sensor battery life.

• Stud-mounted sensors ensure better vibration transmission.

• Battery maintenance is a necessary evil of wireless systems. Opt for sensors with standard, locally available batteries.

• Wireless signals extend beyond plant boundaries, so stringent cybersecurity is essential.

• The gateway is the heart of your monitoring system. An open API, standard protocols (Modbus TCP, OPC, MQTT) and onboard memory for network outages make it easy to access and distribute data.

Choosing the right wireless system ensures reliable monitoring, maximising both efficiency and machine longevity. We should consider the final solution carefully.

The Johannesburg Branch thanks TANDM and Jozua for a fantastic and insightful technology event.

For information on how to claim CPD points visit tinyurl.com/y2xkfwtc

Credit(s)

SAIMC

Further reading:

Knowledge Sharing 4 Industry
SAIMC
In proud partnership with Innomotics, SAIMC will be hosting the first Knowledge Sharing 4 Industry event for 2025.

Read more...

---

Getting your OT data into the cloud – the why and the how
SAIMC
As users recognise the benefits of a digital transformation strategy for their industrial plants and systems and start to adopt it, they soon face the challenge of getting operational technology data securely and reliably to a cloud service provider of their choice.

Read more...

---

SAIMC training at AATF 2025 empowers engineers to register, comply and advance
SAIMC Supplier Advisory Council SAIMC
The Society for Automation, Instrumentation, Mechatronics and Computer Engineering (SAIMC) will deliver a powerful series of training sessions and technical workshops during the Africa Automation Technology Fair (AATF) 2025, providing engineers, technologists and technicians with the tools they need to register professionally, stay compliant, and lead industrial innovation.

Read more...

---

Come and meet Pepper, the friendly humanoid robot
SAIMC News
Pepper, the friendly humanoid robot, is ready to welcome visitors at the SAIMC/SA Instrumentation & Control stand for an interactive glimpse into the future of robotics.

Read more...

---

Society for Automation, Instrumentation, Mechatronics and Computer Engineering
SAIMC SAIMC
The SAIMC NPC is committed to the success of its members. In doing so, it continues to look for ways to advance standards in the field of automation, instrumentation, mechatronics and computer engineering.

Read more...

---

SAIMC: Johannesburg branch
SAIMC SAIMC
The SAIMC Johannesburg March technology event was hosted by Comtest, the Fluke agent in southern Africa. The topic was Renewable Energy Resources.

Read more...

---

SAIMC: Secunda branch
SAIMC SAIMC
Here are some highlights from recent SAIMC Secunda meetings.

Read more...

---

SAIMC: Durban branch
SAIMC SAIMC
The Durban branch March technology evening was held on 5 March at the Premier Splendid Inn, and as is always the case with Paul Sikhakhane’s presentations, it drew a large audience.

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: Reality check
SAIMC SAIMC
“Never have so many owed so much to so few.” This phrase is a famous quote by Winston Churchill, referring to the efforts of the Royal Air Force pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain during World War II. It highlights the immense gratitude owed to the relatively small number of pilots who played a crucial role in defending the United Kingdom from the German Luftwaffe.

Read more...

---