The August technology evening we was hosted by Yokogawa at the Bryanston Sports Club. The theme was to find out more about the difference between a PLC and a DCS, where the PLC came from, some PLC theory, why we use both, and some of the components of these systems.
Ann de Beer (left) thanks Anton van der Linde after the presentation.
In bygone years all manufacturing processes were manual, people filling, labelling and packaging. General Motors Corporation decided they needed an automated system which could be easily programmed, easily maintained and reused in future applications. Initially PLCs were used for digital control like conveyor belts, on-off control, timers, counters etc. Now, applications for PLCs include energy management in buildings, steel making, breweries, food and beverage and countless others – but why then a DCS?
A DCS is generally a software platform for everything with enhanced databases, PID control, graphics and tags. A PLC system generally works from the field devices to a controller running on one network, the DCS can bring numerous controllers and networks together and distribute this information to engineering, HMIs, all the way up to business integration control.
We were taken through the questions you need to ask yourself before deciding on a PLC or DCS. Questions like: Will you be doing simple or complex control? What is the value of product manufactured and the cost of downtime? What does the operator need to be successful?
All this led to some lively debate and discussions of actual examples that individuals had experienced in their plants.
Ladies Tea
SAIMC president Annemarie van Coller (left) with Johannesburg branch chairman Ann de Beer (centre) and guest speaker Caroline Carter (right) at the ladies tea.
The Ladies Tea was held on the 23 August to celebrate woman’s month. What a privilege to spend some quality time in the open air with the ladies of our industry.
Caroline Carter (marketing & customer relations manager) outdid herself with a unique outlook on ‘Women as the Instruments of Measurement and Control’. She gave wonderful insight on how as the measures of control, women now influence business decisions in a traditionally male dominated industry.
SAIMC president Annemarie van Coller also addressed us with words of encouragement. It is so very important in the world we live in to motivate, encourage and support one another.
The day was a huge success and will be repeated in 2020. The branch thanks everyone for their attendance and support.
SAIMC: From the office of the CEO: Is AI turning us into idiots? SAIMC
SAIMC
When calculators were first introduced, there were several concerns, particularly in the educational sector. Many educators and parents feared that students would become too reliant on calculators and ...
Read more...SAIMC Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Johannesburg branch recently hosted the June Technology Evening. The presentation covered HVAC systems through the lens of instrumentation, highlighting how sensor technologies form the backbone of effective monitoring and control, allowing for effective energy efficiency.
Read more...SAIMC Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Durban Branch hosted its latest technology meeting on 4 June.The event drew a strong turnout, highlighting the keen interest in the topic ‘Understanding Level Measurement: Contact vs Non-Contact Methods’.
Read more...SAIMC at KITE 2025
SAIMC
The Society for Automation, Instrumentation, Mechatronics and Control Engineering (SAIMC) invites you to connect with us at the KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition (KITE) from Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 July 2025.
Read more...SAIMC User Advisory Council annual summit SAIMC Supplier Advisory Council
SAIMC
The SAIMC User Advisory Council is proud to present the 2025 Annual Summit, formerly known as the MESA Africa Summit. The theme is ‘Mining and manufacturing in South Africa: SMART operations in a disruptive world economy’.
Read more...SAIMC: Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The Durban branch of the SAIMC was pleased to welcome Vusi Sithole, managing member of Hybrid Control Corporation in Richards Bay, who presented\on the very pertinent topic of ‘Infrastructure monitoring and control for water loss management’.
Read more...SAIMC: Sunshine, swings and smiles: Durban Golf Day hits a high note Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
SAIMC
We say it every year, and we’ll say it again: May in Durban is hard to beat; but 9 May, when the Durban Golf Day teed off at Kloof Country Club, was something else. With sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 20s, it was a fantastic day, full of fun and great energy.
Read more...SAIMC User Advisory Council KS4I event: Bridging the industry/education divide
SAIMC
Horst Weinert, head of Didactic at Festo Southern/Eastern Africa, will be sharing some of Festo’s Didactic experiences of working across industry and education. He will cover training for productivity and employability in the public and private sectors, discussing especially the potential for inter-company training centres.
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