On 9 April 2025, the Johannesburg Branch of the SAIMC hosted a well-attended Technology Evening at the Bryanston Sports Club, with over 20 members participating. Sponsored by Phoenix Contact, the event featured a technical presentation on ‘The Basics of Surge Protection,’ delivered by Jullian Roche, the business unit manager for Power Solutions at Phoenix Contact.
Surge protection is in everyone’s interest and is critical for safeguarding electric and electronic devices in industrial and commercial installations. This is particularly true in southern Africa, where we are exposed to a high incidence of lightning strikes, switching transients, and elevated levels of static discharges (EMC), even during the winter months. These factors impact our equipment, making surge protection essential for safeguarding our installations. Jullian covered the various classes used and explained their relevance in specific installations. There was excellent interaction during and after the presentation, and the feedback received was overwhelmingly positive.
SAIMC Johannesburg would like to thank Phoenix Contact for an insightful and educational evening. We look forward to the next Technology Evening, which will again be held at Bryanston Sport Club on 11 June 2025.
Please note that the May Technology Evening has been cancelled due to the Africa Automation Technology Fair, taking place at Gallagher Estate from 6 to 8 May 2025.
International robotics conference streams live to Africa
SAIMC
The SAIMC hosted five live-stream viewing events across South Africa for the IEEE International Conference of Robotics and Automation in Vienna, bringing global robotics research and technology directly to local industry and academia.
Read more...From the office of the CEO: Introduction to GRIP SAIMC
SAIMC
Industry has long been concerned about graduates who have no understanding of the modern equipment they will face in industry. This has triggered an investigation into the possibility of creating a facility whereby graduates register with the SAIMC and rotate through all the vendors to obtain experience on modern equipment.
Read more...SAIMC: Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Durban Branch hosted a technology meeting featuring a presentation by Abacus Automation on the practical role of AI in industrial automation, drawing considerable interest from attendees.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
Instrotech recently hosted a technical presentation on load cell technology and applications at the SAIMC Johannesburg Technology Evening, presented by Trevor Salzwedel. The session covered load cell fundamentals, selection and installation, mechanical considerations and calibration methods.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg Golf Day SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Johannesburg Golf Day on 22 May 2026 brought together 16 four-balls for a day of golf, networking and fundraising, with generous support from sponsors across the instrumentation and control sector.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The Johannesburg Branch had the privilege of being hosted by Phoenix Contact for our technology event in May. Shamil Surbun, BU manager for Automation, presented a CPD-accredited session on ‘From Sensor to Cloud: How SPE and APL Are Transforming Industrial Connectivity’.
Read more...From the office of the CEO: Power Hour goes national SAIMC
SAIMC
South Africa’s automation, control, mechatronics and computer engineering community is changing fast, and the SAIMC is changing with it. I am excited to announce a new national initiative that will reshape how we deliver technical knowledge, strengthen branch identity and bring our community together like never before.
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.