The SAIMC Durban Branch closed off its 2025 technology meetings with an exceptionally well-attended November session at the Premier Splendid Inn, where members engaged enthusiastically with the topic and posed numerous questions throughout the presentation.
The insightful talk focused on the critical considerations involved in selecting and applying signal transducers, an often overlooked, yet essential, aspect of field cabinet and remote panel design. The topics covered included the choice between active and passive devices, input versus output loop-powered configurations, and how signal type and transmission distance can impact performance between field instruments and control cabinets. Delegates also gained valuable insight into the wide variety of transducers available from different OEMs, each tailored to specific industrial environments and applications.
The session was presented by Kevin Preston, group manager of IMA & IE at Phoenix Contact South Africa, who oversees the Interface, I/O, Networks and IMA product ranges. With extensive experience in industrial electronics and automation, Kevin is frequently invited to contribute to industry discussions and knowledge-sharing platforms, and his expertise ensured an engaging and informative session for all attendees.
The November meeting was a fitting conclusion to a successful year of knowledge sharing, highlighting the SAIMC’s ongoing commitment to keeping its members informed about emerging technologies and best-practice engineering principles. The Durban branch would like to thank Phoenix Contact for their kind sponsorship of the evening.
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.
SAIMC branch manager, Mfanasibili Nkonyane thanking Kevin Preston for his presentation.
printer friendly version