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, [email protected]
Further reading:
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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From the office of the CEO: Introduction to GRIP
SAIMC
SAIMC
Industry has long been concerned about graduates who have no understanding of the modern equipment they will face in industry. This has triggered an investigation into the possibility of creating a facility whereby graduates register with the SAIMC and rotate through all the vendors to obtain experience on modern equipment.
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SAIMC: Durban branch
SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Durban Branch hosted a technology meeting featuring a presentation by Abacus Automation on the practical role of AI in industrial automation, drawing considerable interest from attendees.
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SAIMC: Johannesburg branch
SAIMC
SAIMC
Instrotech recently hosted a technical presentation on load cell technology and applications at the SAIMC Johannesburg Technology Evening, presented by Trevor Salzwedel. The session covered load cell fundamentals, selection and installation, mechanical considerations and calibration methods.
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SAIMC: Johannesburg Golf Day
SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Johannesburg Golf Day on 22 May 2026 brought together 16 four-balls for a day of golf, networking and fundraising, with generous support from sponsors across the instrumentation and control sector.
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SAIMC to exhibit at Electra Mining Africa 2026
SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC International INSPIRE Conference 2026 will be held on 14 and 15 October 2026
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SAIMC’s International INSPIRE Conference
SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC International INSPIRE Conference 2026 will be held on 14 and 15 October 2026.
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Knowledge Sharing for Industry: SAIMC’s June 2026 event
SAIMC
SAIMC
SAIMC will host a technical presentation focused on an important challenge facing modern industry, tracking and tracing across increasingly complex supply chains.
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SAIMC: Johannesburg branch
SAIMC
SAIMC
The Johannesburg Branch had the privilege of being hosted by Phoenix Contact for our technology event in May. Shamil Surbun, BU manager for Automation, presented a CPD-accredited session on ‘From Sensor to Cloud: How SPE and APL Are Transforming Industrial Connectivity’.
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From the office of the CEO: Power Hour goes national
SAIMC
SAIMC
South Africa’s automation, control, mechatronics and computer engineering community is changing fast, and the SAIMC is changing with it. I am excited to announce a new national initiative that will reshape how we deliver technical knowledge, strengthen branch identity and bring our community together like never before.
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