At the Durban branch Technology Evening in August Dave Wibberley gave an entertaining presentation on alarm management coupled with a fascinating video on the value of data by Hans Rosling. Dave used these to reinforce the idea that alarm management should form part of a broader knowledge initiative.
Dave Wibberley (left) with Vinesh Maharaj after the presentation
He asked that if everybody came away with only one message that message should be: ‘an alarm is an event to which an operator must react, respond and acknowledge’. It was the general consensus that most people came away with a lot more.
The September Technology Evening will be held on 2 September and the topic will be ‘Bulk storage and tank management’. Ian Loudon from Omniflex will be discussing best practice integration of remote monitoring technology into bulk storage tank management. After graduating as an electrical engineer in 1980 Ian joined Control Logic in Durban and began working on Sasol projects. Over the next 16 years he gained extensive experience in instrumentation, and technical and marketing management. Since 1997 he has been with Omniflex in a sales and marketing management position.
Inter alia he will be looking at:
* Wireless technology and machine-to-machine communication.
* Integrating remote monitoring into legacy systems.
* Monitoring overfill alarms and near-misses in safety.
* Remote monitoring as a management tool.
* Improving supply chain management and performance.
* Automating remote monitoring.
Venue: University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Room G-01, Faculty of Electrical Engineering.
Time: 17h30 for 18h15.
Visitors welcome.
Any queries please contact Vinesh Maharaj on +27 (0)83 792 6518.
Richards Bay
At the sub-branch’s Technology Evening on 25 June Johan Maartens gave a thought-provoking presentation on CPD points and ECSA and there was much interaction and interest from the audience. In 2008 Johan Maartens joined the National Council to take over the role of communication with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Johan began by delivering presentations to the branches informing our members what registration means to them, their CPD points and what is needed to do to obtain them. Today, Johan has been appointed to an office bearing position as the national treasurer.
Vinesh Maharaj (right) seen here thanking Johan Maartens after the Richards Bay Technology Evening
The Richards Bay technology evening will be held every last Wednesday of the month. Interested parties will be notified by e-mail in advance with details of the presentation. All queries can be addressed to Peter Molokoane on +27 (0)78 804 4771, [email protected]
SAIMC: From the office of the CEO SAIMC
SAIMC
The INSPIRE Conference 2026 brought industry and academia together to explore advances in automation, AI, mechatronics and engineering. It also marked a new direction for the SAIMC as it works to build future-ready engineering talent and strengthen South Africa’s automation industry.
Read more...SAIMC Durban takes to the skies SAIMC
SAIMC
SAIMC Durban members went behind the scenes at the ATNS facility at King Shaka International Airport. The visit offered a fascinating look at the sophisticated technology and highly trained people keeping South Africa’s skies safe.
Read more...SAIMC: Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
At the SAIMC Durban branch September 2026 technology meeting, Werner Das of SICK explored how deep learning is moving industrial machine vision beyond rule-based systems into practical, everyday quality control on the factory floor.
Read more...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.
Read more...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.
Read more...SAIMC: Durban branch SAIMC
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.
Read more...SAIMC INSPIRE 2026 brings together industry, robotics and research
SAIMC
The inaugural SAIMC INSPIRE Conference will bring together the industrial automation, robotics and academic communities for two days of presentations, panel discussions and networking, and will explore developments in smart manufacturing, mining, robotics
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version