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Connecting every transport node
November 2024, RJ Connect, Data Acquisition & Telemetry
Stockholm's bus system strategically links urban mainline, suburban mainline, non-mainline routes, community service buses and night buses. To acquire and process data from multiple sources and analyse onboard information on their moving buses, Transdev sought a dependable and powerful onboard computer. It teamed up with CatAB, Moxa’s local representative, known for delivering top-notch industrial data communication boards and equipment since 1988.

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Local range of planetary units
November 2024, SEW-EURODRIVE, Motion Control & Drives
As SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa actively extends its offerings to customers, the SEW PPK and SEW P2.e industrial gearbox ranges are good examples of solutions that are well suited to the local business environment.

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Case History 195: Unstable reboiler steam flow
November 2024, Michael Brown Control Engineering
A high-pressure steam flow control in a reboiler on a column in a petrochemical refinery continually cycled when placed in automatic. Several attempts had been made to tune the controller, but these had been unsuccessful.

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Open control system for retrofit of conveyor control system
November 2024, Beckhoff Automation
For every online retailer, warehouse logistics is part of the critical infrastructure. An Australian office equipment supplier has retrofitted the warehouse logistics installation of its central warehouse, and replaced the proprietary decentralised controllers of the conveyor lines with PC-based control from Beckhoff, based on powerful EtherCAT communication.

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Digital industrial platforms and why they are important
November 2024
One of the most significant trends driving digital transformation is the emergence of digital industrial platforms. This article will briefly explore what digital industrial platforms are, why they are important, and how they might shape the future of industrial automation.

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Celebrating 65 years: rebuilding and redefining its legacy
November 2024, News
Founded in 1959 by Neill Simpson, Axiom Hydraulics has grown into one of South Africa’s elite hydraulic companies. Over the past six and a half decades they’ve weathered many challenges, but none as devastating as the fire of 2023.

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Young robotics team takes world title
November 2024, igus , News
In an inspiring demonstration of innovation and teamwork, Texpand, a young South African robotics team, recently made history by winning the 2024 FIRST Tech Challenge World Championships.

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SAIMC: It’s not black and white
November 2024, SAIMC, SAIMC
Grey imports are a problem worldwide, not least in the automation industry in South Africa. The Supplier Advisory Council (SAC) operates under the umbrella of SAIMC, and is tackling this problem head-on.

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Loop signature 25: Tuning part 3 - Results of tuning a particular simple self-regulating process by several different methods.
October 2024, Michael Brown Control Engineering
A couple of SWAG methods of tuning were given in the previous Loop Signature article. I have tuned a simple self-regulating process using those methods, and two other tuning methods, one of them being the sophisticated Protuner tuning package, which is the system I employ. The tests were performed on a very accurate and powerful simulation package, and the results are compared below.

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PC-based control for advanced hydrogen storage technology
October 2024, Beckhoff Automation, PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
The proportion of renewable energies from solar, wind and water is rising continuously. However, sufficient storage options are of the essence to use these energies as efficiently as possible. GKN Hydrogen offers a particularly compact and safe option, low-pressure metal hydride hydrogen storage systems with PC-based control from Beckhoff.

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Integrating HACCP management in manufacturing execution systems
October 2024, TransLution Software
HACCP is a systematic approach designed to identify, evaluate, and control hazards throughout the food production process, providing a robust framework for safeguarding public health across various food industries. Maintaining readily available, accurate and up-to-date records is crucial to prove the execution of monitoring HACCP activities and to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements.

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Process control system for the entire plant lifecycle
October 2024, Siemens South Africa, Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The automation of process plants has been characterised by IT silos for a long time. The high level of IT security required was achieved through strict isolation from the outside world. However, this made unlocking the opportunities for digitalisation very difficult. This is a compelling reason to opt for Simatic PCS neo – Siemens’s completely web-based process control system with state-of-the-art IT security concepts.

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The time is now for systems integrators
October 2024, System Integration & Control Systems Design
Integrators combine sophistication regarding technology innovation with practical, hands-on experience. Collaborating with systems integrators is the means to significant productivity improvement, powered by the convergence of automation and information and operations technology.

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Festo makes strides in establishing Fourth Industrial Revolution technical labs
September 2024, Festo South Africa, News
Festo has long been referred to as the leader in industrial automation and technical education, but the role that they keep playing in driving educational transformation proves that they have earned and deserve their title.

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System integrators are a diverse market
September 2024, System Integration & Control Systems Design
System integrators (SIs) combine expertise on emergent technologies with real world experience. Working with SIs, it’s inevitable that at some point someone will say, “We’re not a typical SI.” And in many ways, it’s true. SIs come in all shapes and sizes.

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Case history 194: Boiler level control problem.
September 2024, Michael Brown Control Engineering, Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
A boiler level control in a petrochemical refinery was causing problems, as the level was cycling badly and taking a long time to recover from sudden load changes. In addition, there were frequent high-level alarms.

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Oil and gas industry shifts from fossil fuels to renewable energy
September 2024, Parker Hannifin - Sales Company South Africa, Electrical Power & Protection
The oil and gas industry is undergoing a paradigm shift as it grapples with the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables, and oil and gas companies are investing in renewable energy as part of their decarbonisation efforts.

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Strategic approaches to legacy software in manufacturing
September 2024, IT in Manufacturing
One of the most critical and strategic roles of the CIO (or IT Manager) is to ensure that the business’ information systems and tools are well maintained and up to date. If a critical system fails, the business could come to a standstill, forcing people to scramble and revert to paper-based or backup systems. Even worse, production may stop, impacting the entire supply chain and all of your stakeholders.

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Smart e-mobility solutions
August 2024, Schneider Electric South Africa, Electrical Power & Protection
While electric vehicles are gaining traction in many international markets, uptake of this green form of transport is still lagging somewhat in South Africa. Even so, local demand is growing, as more environmentally conscious motorists are seeking cleaner alternatives to internal combustion engines.

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Pushing technological boundaries with Festo Electric Automation solutions
August 2024, Festo South Africa
In the ever-evolving landscape of Industrial Automation, Festo Electric Automation solutions are at the forefront of a revolution, fundamentally reshaping production paradigms. As a global leader in automation, Festo focuses on intelligent connectivity to reduce costs, save time, and increase efficiency and convenience for customers.

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