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...Experience ICRA 2026 right here in Gqeberha, South Africa
News
The IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) is the largest robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing conference in the world. You can experience the premier keynote and plenary presentations in Gqeberha.
Read more...Bringing physical AI to the factory floor by deploying humanoids in industrial operations Siemens South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Siemens and Humanoid have marked a landmark milestone in the journey to bring physical AI from vision to industrial reality. Humanoid’s humanoid robothas been successfully tested in operations at Siemens’ electronics factory in Germany, performing autonomous logistics tasks.
Read more...Elevating artisanal skills is key to revitalising South Africa’s economy ACTOM Electrical Machines
News
We need to challenge the stigma attached to artisanal and technical careers, and we also need a mindset shift supported by the schooling system so that young people understand future career pathways, choose subjects accordingly, and recognise that artisanal and technical skills carry equal value in a modern economy.
Read more...Siemens ecosystem strengthens data and AI integration Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens has announced significant expansions to its Industrial Edge ecosystem, accelerating data and AI integration and releasing enhanced cybersecurity functionalities. These enable a seamless integration of IT and OT environments, optimise processes and reduce operational disruptions.
Read more...Siemens manages shipbuilding process for HD Hyundai Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens has been selected by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering as a preferred partner to establish an integrated platform to manage the entire shipbuilding process as a single data flow to help ensure consistency across all its global shipyard facilities.
Read more...From the editor's desk: A little bit of magic Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
Whatever your view is of America today, the Artemis II mission showed the world that it can still deliver moments of wonder. For a few days, the chaotic headlines gave way to something more. Who could ...
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