Rustenburg Branch
June 2004
SAIMC
Our May meeting was well attended and a presentation by Innomatic proved to be most informative and interesting. Gerhard Badenhorst, a fieldbus system specialist at Innomatic, delivered a well-organised lecture on Profibus and AS-Interface (affectionately termed 'Azzie bus') networking systems.
Gerhard Badenhorst presenting the Profibus and AS-Interface lecture
Instead of the normal inconvenience and difficulties associated with demonstrating equipment to many people at the same time, Gerhard effectively used a video camera to display the live operation of the equipment on the normal Proxima, and consequently no one needed to move out of their seats because it was all clearly visible on the screen in front. A neat trick that should perhaps be noted by would-be presenters of the future!
Some members obviously intrigued by the presentation
The technology, without a doubt, is increasing exponentially and not only are more and more features being offered for less cost, but the self-analysis diagnostic facilities are becoming unbelievably intelligent.
The presentation brought home the fact that instrumentation today is truly very 'hi-tech' and is perhaps now the most sophisticated field of all engineering disciplines. The emphasis on technical education cannot be stressed too highly for future generations. Like the old motor mechanics who are slowly fading away because modern engines and vehicle technology has become so sophisticated, are we in danger of losing our mechanics and technicians? The answer undoubtedly lies in education and re-training programmes.
Brian White, Vice-Chairman, Rustenburg Branch, brianw@ampnet.co.za
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
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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
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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
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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
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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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