The winner of this year’s PneuDrive Student Competition, jointly sponsored by SEW-Eurodrive and Festo, has been announced.
The Stellenbosch University team walked away with top honours after the judging took place in Johannesburg this week. Their glass handling gantry robot came out tops with judges commenting that it was a very good all round project which was backed up with thorough documentation and research.
Winners of the PneuDrive Challenge 2009 from Stellenbosch University [l to r]: Richard Hamman, Theuns Greyvenstein, Thinus Ras, Jacques Visser
The Umshini Khulu Wami (UKW for short), is a versatile and adaptable gantry robot designed to assist in the manufacture and transport of large sheets of glass in and around the factory. The report included a detailed discussion of the float glass process and the difficulty in transporting large sheets of float glass. Several existing solutions were analysed, and UKW was presented as an alternative.
University of the North West took second prize with its waste management system which focused on ‘green businesses’. The project showed great business acumen and covered most aspects of machine building.
The machine was designed to sort bottles according to their material. The system could handle four of the most common materials found in waste eg, glass, plastic, carton and tin. For a machine to determine the type of element, it had to perform a number of tests by checking the property of every item as all elements have unique characteristics, for instance the magnetism of ferrous metals and lower density of carton.
University of KwaZulu-Natal came in third place with its design for a cricket bat hardening production system. Judges commented that the project was very innovative and showed high levels of complexity.
The design was concerned with the handling and processing of sports equipment in an industrial factory where cricket bats are made. The project involves developing an automated machine to surface harden the face of a cricket bat, while transporting the bat to the next stage of processing.
The competition winners won an all expenses paid trip to Germany and the winning university will be receiving R100 000 worth of SEW-Eurodrive and Festo equipment.
The competition will be run again in 2010. Information on the 2010 Challenge will be available later this year.
Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.
Read more...Africa Automation Indaba 2026
News
A bold new chapter in Africa’s industrial evolution begins with the launch of the Africa Automation Indaba, set to take place from 13 to 14 May 2026 at the prestigious Radisson Collection Hotel in Cape Town.
Read more...EtherCAT Technology Group holds another Plug Fest
News
Recently, the EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) once again invited its members to a Plug Fest, this time specifically targeting developers and manufacturers of devices with Safety over EtherCAT (FSoE) functionality.
Read more...BMG powers up at Nampo 2025
News
The BMG team was highly prominent at this year’s Nampo agricultural show, held near Bothaville recently. This prestigious event, which is one of the largest agricultural exhibitions in the southern hemisphere, is a highlight for manufacturers and suppliers of farming equipment, as well as for farmers, families and the entire community.
Read more...Epiroc rocks youth development programmes
News
Epiroc is not just building equipment - it’s building futures. Through its dynamic internship and learner programmes, the mining equipment and services specialist is shaping South Africa’s next generation of skilled professionals, equipping them with real-world experience, industry knowledge and the confidence to launch successful careers.
Read more...Schneider Electric drives innovation in Africa Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric has officially launched its first Innovation Hub on the African continent, coinciding with the opening of its new regional headquarters in Midrand, South Africa.
Read more...100 years of safety leadership
News
DEKRA Industrial and its adult-based education and occupational skills training division, the Institute of Learning (IOL) will showcase a milestone at A-OSH 2025, as the company celebrates DEKRA Global’s 100 years of safety leadership.
Read more...Drakenstein Municipality aces Schneider Electric’s Sustainability Impact Award Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Drakenstein Municipality in the Western Cape has won a Sustainability Impact Award for Schneider Electric’s Anglophone Africa region, shining the spotlight on its unwavering commitment to sustainable leadership and its forward-thinking approach to ensuring a sustainable future for its coming generations.
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.
![Winners of the PneuDrive Challenge 2009 from Stellenbosch University [l to r]: Richard Hamman, Theuns Greyvenstein, Thinus Ras, Jacques Visser](articles/SA Instrumentation & Control - Published by Technews/C13101.jpg)
printer friendly version