At a banquet held at the Misty Hills Conference Centre on 19 October 2004, Technikon Witwatersrand was announced as the winner of the annual Siemens Cyber Junkyard competition, a Siemens initiative aimed at encouraging practical innovation in engineering and electronics at universities and technikons countrywide. Second place was awarded to the Tshwane University of Technology, closely followed in third place by University of Pretoria.
From Left to right: Elsbeth Dixon (Da Vinci Institute), Martin Taverner (CJY administrator, Siemens Automation & Drives), Tim Ellis (Wits Tech), Elias Mokomele (Wits Tech), Viktor Wilken (Wits Tech), Pat Ellis (Wits Tech, Lecturer), Charles Glieman (Hestico), Steve Venter (GM, Instrumentation & Control, Siemens Automation & Drives), Roy Marcus (Da Vinci Institute)
The award is sponsored by Siemens Southern Africa. The winning institution receives products to the value of R100 000, of Siemens Automation and Drives. The project for teams in this year's Cyber Junkyard challenge was to build a bottling machine with batching capabilities, but with the added challenge of pitting their process against the other institutions, which will be judged on overall equipment efficiency, measured throughput, quality and availability.
Dan Moodley, managing director of Siemens Automation and Drives, says the response from institutions was very enthusiastic from the launch of the programme, which was initiated in February 2003. "Born out of the need to forge closer ties between Siemens and tertiary technology-related institutions, the Cyber Junkyard initiative allows teams from a number of tertiary institutions to familiarise themselves with Siemens Automations and Drives equipment by completing a project made up of mechanical, electrical and software components according to certain specifications prescribed by Siemens."
The Da Vinci Technical Institute adjudicated the event, and the institute's representatives looked for the most innovative and practical solutions applicable to industry today. Dr Elisabeth Dickson from the Da Vinci Technical Institute commended the entrants on the high standard of projects presented as well as the enthusiasm and commitment with which they presented their projects.
This year's competition saw 10 competing institutes. In addition to last year's winner, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the entrants for the 2004 competition included the North-West University (Potchefstroom), the Peninsula Technikon, Tshwane University of Technology, Zululand University, Mangosuthu Technikon, University of Pretoria, University of the Witwatersrand, Technikon Witwatersrand and Rand Afrikaans University (RAU).
Dr Roy Marcus who announced the wining teams, at the Cyber Junkyard awards evening, stated, "The smart partnership between Siemens and the educating bodies is a mutually beneficial relationship that lifts education to a new level. The opportunity that arises from the Cyber Junkyard event, upgrades the technical educational standard, while students learn the Siemens philosophy.
"With part of our objective to familiarise students and lecturers with Siemens equipment, we have found that these institutions are hungry for outside influence and training from large companies. We are already planning the project for next years challenge, and will be teaming with industry partners to ensure that the 2005 Cyber Junkyard competition will give students an even greater opportunity to showcase their talents," said Dan Moodley.
Read more...Schneider Electric announces 2023 Global Alliance Partner Programme award winners Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric has announced the winners of the 2023 Global Alliance Excellence Awards. Throughout 2023, Schneider Electric’s Alliance Partners supported customers in the digitalisation of industrial automation, delivering value with innovative initiatives, solutions and services.
Read more...Custom containerised lubrication dispensing system
News
Bosch Rexroth Africa recently supplied and installed a customised environmentally friendly and dust-proof lubrication dispensing system for a leading earth-moving equipment supplier.
Read more...Siemens to acquire industrial drive technology business of ebm-papst Siemens South Africa
News
Siemens has signed an agreement to acquire the industrial drive technology business of ebm-papst. The business includes intelligent, integrated mechatronic systems in the protective extra-low voltage range and innovative motion control systems.
Read more...Bearings International fosters a segment strategy Bearings International
News
Bearings International has a segment approach to the market, which places an intentional focus on key industries in South and sub-Saharan Africa in a bid to optimise operations, enhance uptime, and drive business sustainability and increased profitability outcomes for customers.
Read more...Local robotics team’s journey to the world stage
News
In the heart of Cape Town, a group of young visionaries aged 12 to 17 is making waves in the world of robotics. Known as Texpand, this team from Pinelands has not only dominated the First Tech Challenge (FTC) in South Africa, but has also earned international acclaim for its innovative approach to engineering and problem solving.
Read more...Safe, sustainable cycling helmet technology Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Lazer Sport, one of Europe’s leading cycling helmet manufacturers, has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software to bring to market KinetiCore, its new proprietary rotational impact protection technology.
Read more...RS Group expands by 10 000 products RS South Africa
News
RS South Africa has announced its Better World Claims Based Framework, enabling customers to select verified sustainable product alternatives. This provides suppliers with a standardised framework to accelerate the development and manufacture of more sustainable and responsible products.
Read more...IRP 2023 could reset SA’s social and economic problems
News
ACTOM recently held a webinar on the ‘Draft IRP2023 Impact on the Manufacturing Sector’. South Africa’s Draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 is a key document that outlines a comprehensive strategy for addressing the country’s energy security challenges, while also setting out its transition to a diversified energy mix, including renewables.
printer friendly version