The branch started the year in February with the AGM and a presentation by Duncan Bonnet, then from Whitehouse & Associates, a specialist research company with strategic insight into Africa. Duncan provided an insightful message on why it is imperative to look at markets in the rest of Africa, what they offer, and how to conduct business in these regions.
In March, Kevin Preston, group manager CIS &IE from Phoenix Contact made a comprehensive yet easy-to-follow presentation on IEC61511 (Process Industry) which forms part of IEC61508 (Functional Safety). SANS recently adopted these, which means it is no longer optional to consider aspects such as SIF/SIL and others when designing control systems.
In April, Petrus Klopper from Ai2SA introduced resource efficiency cleaner production (RECP) principles and how these apply to the C&I domain. ISO 5000x, EnMS, ESO and other cost-saving/value-adding philosophies were discussed, along with respective DTI programs to reduce energy and other resources costs.
In May, the branch hosted its annual golf day fund raising event.
In June, Kallie Bodenstein of Yokogawa, compared the differences between the DCS and PLC. This presentation was insightful and a lot of effort went into highlighting the plant in a box simulators, used to train engineers.
In July, Ralph White from ifm electronic introduced ‘Condition based monitoring and vibration analysis’, a largely mathematical presentation, which demonstrated a very strong knowledge of the subject.
In August, du Toit Grobler from the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), introduced ‘Professional engineering registration’.
In September, Dave Bean from Industrial Data Exchange (IDX), introduced ‘Some general observations on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) landscape’. It was also in September that the branch was awarded bronze status at the prestigious SAIMC Gala Dinner.
In October, Bill Peet from Swagelok presented ‘The Bloodhound SSC’, a high-tech project aimed at designing a car that will break to 1000 mph barrier.
During the year the branch also hosted two well-received site visits to SAB Rosslyn and Ford Silverton.
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The Johannesburg Branch of the SAIMC hosted a successful Technology Evening on 10 September. The event was well attended and generously sponsored by Phoenix Contact.
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