One of the issues involved in installing a data communication network is expandability, as this means pulling in additional cables and making sure there is adequate space to fit. Blown fibre offers an easy way to do this: provide additional empty tubes for additional fibres and simply blow them in when required.
Lennie Janeke of Lonspeare Cables walked us through the process and demonstrated how this is done. Blown fibre is a well established technique that offers not only ease of use, but also cost savings.
British Telecommunication PLC developed and patented ‘blown fibre’ in the early 1980s which was first used commercially in Europe and then Japan. Today, blown fibre technology is implemented successfully throughout the world. Air blown fibre (ABF) technology involves the use of a flow of compressed air to propel a lightweight, flexible fibre unit into a micro tube or micro duct. Bruce covered the following topics: fibre tube infrastructure and tube terminology, micro blown fibre tubes, mini blown fibre tubes, tube numbering, specialised tubes, fibre bundles, micro fibre units, mini fibre cables, fibre flow accessories, equipment and tools and ended with the features and benefits of ABF.
The SAIMC Johannesburg branch thanks Lennie for his informative presentation and demo which were well received.
Golf day
On 5 July, the Johannesburg branch held its annual golf day. Once again the weather was against us and the golfers got off to a cold start at the Kempton Park golf club.
All in all we had 32 four balls and 11 sponsored watering holes, mostly booked by the suppliers to our industry. All the players and people manning the watering holes were invited to join us for a hot dinner and a few cool beverages afterwards. Every player was eligible to receive a prize, regardless of how the scorecard looked. Well done to everyone who enjoyed the day with us
The branch would like to thank all the companies and individuals that supported us and helped make the day the success that it was.
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.
printer friendly version