The student contest which showcases mechatronic innovation using SEW Eurodrive and Festo products is running for the second year and support is growing. The competition is well underway with participants designing pick-and-place applications to show optimum usage of the products donated to the universities by the two companies.
A student at Wits test drives some of the equipment in the Expotainer during the recent road-show
“The products represent the top of the range from SEW Eurodrive and Festo,” comments Adrian Buddingh, engineering manager at Festo. The reason behind this decision is the companies’ firm belief that young engineers need to be exposed to the latest technology and need to know what is available to them before they hit the workplace. “We cannot expect newly qualified engineers to come up with mind-blowing designs and innovative solutions to engineering problems if they have not had exposure to the best technology options.”
SEW Eurodrive and Festo toured the country during March to meet all the students and present them with more information. The product experts were also on hand during the road-show to answer the many questions from the eager students.
“We are thrilled with the level of excitement and commitment shown by the participating universities. This is the second year of the PneuDrive Challenge. We have tweaked it and taken the advice and input from last year’s participants to make this year’s competition run even smoother,” says Rene Rose marketing manager at SEW Eurodrive.
Each university will submit one entry for judging to the panel of international and local industry experts. The closing date for entries is end June and results are expected to be announced at the end of July.
Last year’s competition was won by Stellenbosch University.
BMG achieves GBCSA Net Zero Waste Level 2 Certification Bearing Man Group t/a BMG
News
BMG has achieved Green Building Council South Africa Net Zero Waste Level 2 Certification after diverting more than 90% of operational waste from landfill, demonstrating how practical sustainability measures can deliver measurable environmental and commercial benefits.
Read more...Pump spares and parts for Africa
News
KSB Pumps and Valves explains how its decentralised stockholding and local manufacturing keep spares and parts available across its installed base in Africa.
Read more...Inspiration for times of change Endress+Hauser South Africa
News
More than 2000 customers, partners and experts gathered in Basel, Switzerland, for the Endress+Hauser Global Forum in April 2026. Under the theme of driving sustainable transformation together, the event combined keynote sessions on strategy, technology and the future of work with practical case studies from across the process industry.
Read more...The gender gap in SA’s engineering sector
News
South Africa’s engineering sector is facing a critical gender imbalance, with women making up just 16% of registered engineering professionals compared to 84% of men.
Read more...Safe removal of the historic US 181
News
Mammoet provided the heavy-lift expertise that helped remove the 2300 ton centre span of the historic US 181 Harbor Bridge in Corpus Christi, Texas, using a precision lift-and-lower method that protected nearby marine environments and reopened navigation channels swiftly.
Read more...Africa Energy Indaba 2027 aims to ignite the power revolution
News
Africa Energy Indaba 2027 takes place from 2 to 4 March 2027 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, bringing together ministers, utilities, investors and developers to accelerate energy generation, unlock investment and drive the continent’s industrial future.
Read more...Major bearing tender for SKF SKF South Africa
News
SKF has secured a major bearing supply tender from an Algerian steelmaker, reinforcing its position in the metals segment across North Africa.
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