If the Secunda branch gets quiet and there is no reporting from them you should never be alarmed. This is the time when we are too busy with events and planning of events for our members and supporters.
Our Wika presentation was on the difference between an RTD and thermocouple and the selection and identification of the different devices. It was outstanding. Again all the old dogs were taught new tricks. Thanks to Wika for the presentation and sponsoring the evening.
The Penmac Road show again was great. An agreement between the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, the Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences and Penmac, took place on 10 March 2005 at the Vaal University of Technology. The original idea was to host an instrumentation and computer science exhibition and seminar in September in the Vaal Triangle region and an additional seminar for engineering in Secunda was mentioned by the Secunda Campus Director, Robert Martin. It was decided to host an instrumentation and information technology seminar and combine it with the Penmac Instrumentation Roadshow on 21 July in Secunda.
A call for presentations was sent to all relevant companies and vendors of instrumentation and computer equipment and the response was overwhelming. Within days enough presenters were lined up and ready for the seminar. Papers were presented by vendors and VUT academics. The local branch of the South African Institute for Measurement and Control (SAIMC), through its chairperson, Piet Janse van Rensburg, gave its full support to the event. Further opportunities of cooperation between VUT and SAIMC in the Highveld region were discussed after the seminar. The possibility of another event later this year where student projects will be evaluated and a prize sponsored by SAIMC, was also mentioned.
The aims of the seminar were to build relations with the private sector and industry and promote the research capabilities of VUT. From the feedback received after the event, the organisers, At Roux and Dr Annelie Jordaan, are satisfied that the foundation has been laid for similar events in the future.
Site visits
This was a good one on 10 August. We understand that we are located far from the factories and technology that our members would be interested in. Denis took this into account and planned this one around productivity as well as quality. We visited BMW early in the morning and then went for lunch. Needless to say this one drew the attention of the attendees. I am sure most of them have placed their (BMW) orders already - even if only in their dreams. During the afternoon we visited the satellite tracking station at Hartebeeshoek. It was great to see what these people are doing. I believe the analysing of the data is more interesting than the data collecting and downloading.
Other events
Krohne will sponsor our next event and present primary devices in flow measurement, regarding calculations, types and selection criteria. This will certainly be another good and interesting evening.
The Secunda branch is proving that optimisation makes control smooth and efficient.
Piet Janse van Rensburg,
Chairman Secunda Branch,
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