SAIMC


Johannesburg branch news

November 2007 SAIMC

The eighth SAIMC branch and technology evening meeting was held on 12 September at the Rivonia Recreation Club.

The presentation was 'Lightning and Surge Protection - the myths unravelled regarding power and data protection' by Paul Van As of Surgetek. Paul's presentation was a broad-based talk in terms of SABS IEC codes of practice. Most consultants are unaware that there are codes that cover data systems. He also addressed systems such as Fieldbus and Profibus by way of example.

Johannesburg educational drive

Once again the Johannesburg branch has demonstrated its commitment to the education of our young entrants into the instrumentation industry. Nico Marneweck, our champion in this activity, organised for our members to give guest lectures at both the University of Johannesburg and the Tshwane University of Technology. Nico planed six presentations for each venue encompassing the basic principals of industrial instrumentation.

Obviously, it is impossible to cover all aspects in the time allocated, but the intention was to stimulate the students' interest in this unique field of endeavour. The lecturers were enthusiastic about the students' participation and interest displayed. The first presentation kicked off on 6 September at Tshwane University of Technology and they will conclude on 30 October 2007 at the University of Johannesburg.

The topics presented and the lecturers are as follows:

Flow: Vivian MacFadyen.

Level Contact and Non Contact: Richard Grover.

Pressure: Johan van Jaarsveldt.

Temperature: Richard Mayr.

Analytic: Paulo de Sousa Gomes.

Digital Communication: Paulo de Sousa Gomes.

The SAIMC Council supports this initiative, and encourages all members to become pro-active in this respect. We need to ensure that there are those willing and capable of succeeding us. We thank Nico, these members, and all of the Deans and lecturers of the Universities for making this possible.

Membership fees

Claire confirms that there has been a positive response all round. But defaulters, let us please close that gap! Contact Claire at the SAIMC Secretariat using admin@saimcmembers.org.za.

Time to socialise

The November meeting will be at The Barnyard, Broadacres, on 13 November. RSVP to johan.vanjaarsveldt@za.endress.com. The good news is that the pizzas are still on us and all we ask is that you have an evening of good clean fun with us. There will be a cash bar. See you at the meeting!

Eds note: This branch news has been edited from Bill Steenberg's Johannesburg branch newsletter, with Bill's kind permission.



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