Secunda branch
October 2011
SAIMC
At the last Technology Evening, Ludy Groenewoud from CCC in the Netherlands presented an introduction to turbo-machinery control, emphasising the negative effect of poor compressor control. He explained the term ‘surge’ and its consequences, stressing the need for anti-surge control taking into consideration that flow reverses in 20-50 ms. He showed the audience photos of turbines that were damaged by overspeed to demonstrate the need to ensure that correct machine protection is implemented. The API/ISO governance and protection speed requirements were also explained.
The branch will be having its Golf day on 29 September and the other annual event, the Year End Function, will take place on 4 November. For more information contact Peter Zietsman at zietspe@mweb.co.za or +27 (0)83 310 7925.
Obituary
The Secunda branch would like to offer condolences to the family and friends of Jannie Naude who passed away in August. Jannie was a loyal supporter of the SAIMC and served a number of terms on the committee of the branch.
Further reading:
SAIMC: From the office of the COO
SAIMC
SAIMC
The recognition of mechatronics and computer engineering has created both an opportunity and a responsibility. Recognition means little without participation, professional registration without professional conduct, and technical knowledge without the mentorship, implementation and measurable value that industry needs.
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SAIMC: Johannesburg branch
SAIMC
SAIMC
Hendrik Spies of SICK Automation Southern Africa presented at the SAIMC Johannesburg Technology Evening on 12 August 2026, covering the digital journey from condition monitoring to predictive maintenance.
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SAIMC: Johannesburg branch: Distilled to perfection: Women’s Month gin experience
SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Johannesburg branch celebrated Ladies Month with a gin tasting event.
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SAIMC: Durban branch
SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Durban branch hosted S’yabonga Langa, systems performance engineer at eThekwini Electricity, who presented on applying substation automation to improve operational efficiency and service quality in modern power distribution networks.
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SAIMC INSPIRE conference extends abstract submission deadline
SAIMC
SAIMC News
Following requests from our sponsors, the SAIMC INSPIRE conference has officially extended the abstract submission deadline to 28 August 2026.
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SAIMC: From the office of the COO
SAIMC
SAIMC
Recognising practical engineering talent is a missing link in the South Africa’s skills pipeline.
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SAIMC: Durban Technology Evening
SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Durban branch hosted a Technology Evening on mobile machine automation.
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SAIMC: Eastern Cape branch
SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Eastern Cape Branch co-hosted a satellite viewing site for ICRA 2026 at Nelson Mandela University, giving postgraduate students, academics and local industry professionals access to premier international robotics and automation keynote sessions.
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SAIMC: Johannesburg Technology Evening
SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Johannesburg Branch July Technology Evening, hosted by WIKA Instruments, covered key level measurement technologies and featured live product demonstrations from area sales manager Anthony Terblanche.
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International robotics conference streams live to Africa
SAIMC
The SAIMC hosted five live-stream viewing events across South Africa for the IEEE International Conference of Robotics and Automation in Vienna, bringing global robotics research and technology directly to local industry and academia.
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