For most of us in the process and automation industries, building automation probably conveys the idea of lighting and temperature control and very little else. At our last technology evening, Nico van der Merwe product manager of the buildings business division Schneider Electric SA took us through the way in which building automation ties together many different entities like renewable energy sources, HVAC, lightning protection, energy monitoring, motor control, access control/security, critical power systems and electrical distribution. All through single-seat control!
At the evening John Dickens, from Wits University, received his Schneider Electric/SAIMC award for best automation and control student. Nico presented the award together with the SAIMC’s Johan Grobler.
Debbie Scott presenting Nico van der Merwe with his SAIMC presenter’s certificate
John Dickens (right) receiving the Schneider Electric and SAIMC award
The annual golf day hosted by the Johannesburg branch of the SAIMC was a resounding success with a record number of 176 golfers taking to the course. The committee would like to express its appreciation to all those companies which pledged their support for our industry:
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.
Read more...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.
Read more...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.
Read more...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.
Read more...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.
Read more...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’.
Read more...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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