The global digital revolution presents South Africa with the ideal opportunity to reinvigorate its industrial prowess. Engineering giant Siemens is at the international forefront of industrial digitalisation, with advanced technology that can optimise processes and streamline time-to-market in all SA industries.
Siemens displayed some of the groundbreaking new digitalisation technology at its biennial Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) User Forum. The theme for the 2016 event, hosted at the CSIR Convention Centre in Pretoria, was ‘Driving the Digital Enterprise’.
Strategy director for digitalisation, Anthony Davies, said: “Digitalisation is changing the world, and it is changing Siemens too. Whether it is smart factories, decentralised energy systems or tomorrow’s mobility platforms, Siemens engineers are increasingly closing the gap that once separated hardware from software.”
Strategy director for digitalisation, Anthony Davies, addresses the audience.
Interactive displays of cutting-edge technology
Delegates had the opportunity to interact and engage with Siemens’ digital, automation and drive technology, while alongside the customer interaction areas, workshop sessions delivered the latest product information with demonstrations.
Ducati’s latest edition X Diavel S Cruiser, which is manufactured using Siemens automation technology, was showcased at the event. Ducati engineers used the Siemens NX computer-aided design (CAD) system to model and manage the entire vehicle assembly. NX 3D wiring functionality allows for verification of cable routing inside the virtual assembly, minimising possible routing issues downstream.
Siemens Teamcenter product lifecycle management (PLM) software enables secure data sharing and distribution in-house at Ducati, and with its suppliers. Siemens PLM software also enables Callaway Golf to design its clubs with increased precision, and guests at the 2016 TIA User Forum were able to participate in golf simulation supported by Callaway.
Siemens also launched TIA Portal Version 14. The Siemens TIA Portal enables users to perform automation and drive tasks quickly and intuitively through efficient configuration. TIA Portal V14 boasts expanded functionality and focuses on diagnostics, virtual commissioning and multi-users. Other features include enhanced energy management and motion control, cloud connectivity and digital twin for virtual commissioning.
In addition, the event featured the Siemens process automation mobile unit, and integrated drive systems with digitalisation. Siemens-branded fully electric BMW i3s were on display, as well the high-performance plug-in hybrid BMW i8.
RS South Africa shapes future engineering talent RS South Africa
News
RS South Africa is demonstrating that nurturing future engineers goes beyond traditional classrooms or competitions. On STEM Day, the company shone a light on the full spectrum of its educational initiatives.
Read more...UKZN’s SMART lab wins aviation award
News
: The SMART Lab at UKZN was awarded first place in the Aviation Research and Development category at the Civil Aviation Authority of South Africa’s award ceremony for outstanding contributions and achievements in the aviation sector.
Read more...Meta and partners announce completion of 2Africa subsea cable system
News
Meta, in partnership with leading global and regional telecommunications companies, has announced the completion and activation of the core 2Africa subsea cable system. This marks a historic milestone in digital infrastructure, establishing what the world’s longest open-access subsea cable system.
Read more...SEW-EURODRIVE unveils world class facility in Gqeberha
News
In a landmark event in the Eastern Cape attended by key customers and industry leaders, SEW-EURODRIVE officially opened its expanded state-of-the-art facility in Gqeberha, marking a major milestone in its strategy to strengthen regional support and deepen its footprint in the region.
Read more...Africa’s brightest young battery innovators Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric and Enactus, the international NGO dedicated to inspiring students through entrepreneurial action, have announced the winners of the 2025 Energy Transition Battery Innovation Challenge, funded by the Schneider Electric Foundation. It empowers young innovators to design battery solutions addressing the region’s most pressing energy challenges.
Read more...The road to the Indaba
News
The Africa Automation Indaba 2026 is set to become a landmark gathering for Africa’s automation, process control and manufacturing community. SA Instrumentation and Control will be running a dedicated editorial series spotlighting the voices, ideas and debates shaping Africa’s industrial future.
Read more...Crash reconstruction tests advance vehicle safety research
News
The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Scientific Multidisciplinary Advanced Research Technologies (SMART) Lab recently participated in a series of collaborative crash reconstruction tests held at the Toyota Test Track.
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