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.

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!

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]

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