On 25 May, The Richards Bay branch organised a site visit for Mangosuthu University of Technology students to Umfolozi Sugar Mill in Mtubatuba, facilitated through the efforts of Charles Jalazi with support from USM Management. A group of about 25 were accompanied by their instrumentation lecturer Mr J Rwafa and Dr Owolawi, HOD for Electrical Engineering. They were taken through the process of making sugar from the cane tipping, shredding, juice extraction, clarification, removal of water from the juice as well as the process of growing the grains.
The group pose for a photo before the factory tour.
Emphasis was placed on the importance of the process instrumentation used in each step of the production process. Most of the students had never set foot in a real life plant and this was an eye opener not only for the students but for the lectures as well. The students had the opportunity to visualise the theory they had leant as they witnessed how the instruments work in reality. The students were also shown how industrial networks are employed to acquire data from the plant floor to the controller and how the scada is tied in to create a complete process control system.
USM donated some decommissioned instruments to the university which were handed over by Charles Jalazi. Dr Owolawi and Mr Rwafa thanked USM for the donation and pointed out that a new lab had been provided by the University for the Electrical Department and that these instruments would be instrumental in changing the teaching process. They also explained that to align the educational curriculum with new technology trends, there is a need to involve organisations like the SAIMC in an advisory capacity. The branch is in the process of arranging more site visits both for students and members before the end of this year.
Forthcoming events: 3 July – Technology Evening presented by Endress+Hauser at Umhambi lodge, Meerensee.
SAIMC: Johannesburg branch July 2020, SAIMC
, SAIMC
Technology can be a wonderful thing. We have resources that allow us to talk face to face with people thousands of kilometres away. We have the ability to order equipment, furniture, food, or clothing ...
Read more...SAIMC: Vaal branch July 2020, SAIMC
, SAIMC
The branch held an online technical evening on 3 June, which was presented by SICK Automation. Our presenter, Dustin Naicker, has more than 9 years’ experience in analytical instrumentation and analysers. ...
Read more...SAIMC: Cape Town branch July 2020, SAIMC
, SAIMC
Technology evenings: Out with the new, in with the old… or not?
With the lockdown slowly lifting and life stabilising into a new normal, we at the branch are grateful that another technology event ...
Read more...In memoriam: Hendrick Frederik (Hennie) Prinsloo June 2020, SAIMC
, SAIMC
It is with great sadness that the SAIMC announces the death of branch general manager Hennie Prinsloo after a short but brave battle with cancer.
A stalwart and passionate member of the SAIMC since ...
Read more...SAIMC: From the office of the CEO June 2020, SAIMC
, SAIMC
President Cyril Ramaphosa rightly stated in his letter of 11 May: “Imposing a nation-wide lockdown gave our country a strategic advantage. It bought us valuable time to prepare our health system and put ...
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch June 2020, SAIMC
, SAIMC
Here we are at the end of May, still in lockdown Level 4. While we at the Johannesburg branch are doing our best to bring technology to our loyal members, there is still nothing like the human touch.
...
Read more...SAIMC: Vaal branch June 2020, SAIMC
, SAIMC
On 5 March the first coronavirus case was recorded in South Africa. The government reacted swiftly and called for a nationwide lockdown which commenced on 27 March 2020. Since then there have been extensions ...
Read more...SAIMC: Vaal branch May 2020, SAIMC
, SAIMC
At the last technology evening, Albert Louw, mobile control systems specialist from ifm electronic, gave a presentation on control systems for mobile machines, applicable to all mobile vehicles from transport ...
printer friendly version