Latest technology evening – manufacturing execution systems (MES)
Becher Raffoul, divisional manager for MES at Siemens, gave us a presentation on how increased competition, globalisation and shorter product lifecycles have put enormous pressure on the ‘make-to stock’ production model causing some companies to shift to a more demand based ‘make-to-order’ approach.
Collaborative manufacturing focuses on leveraging information technologies to compete more effectively. It is about connecting the plant floor production system to the business systems and integrating the internal manufacturing and business processes with the external environment.
Debbie Scott presents Becher Raffoul with his SAIMC Presenters Certificate, accompanied by Andrew Bharath, Johan Maartens, Alvin Seitz, Eric Carter and Jay King from the SAIMC Jhb branch
Globalisation and competition brought the urge to evolve manufacturing IT into systems that support real-time, collaborative business models. Essentially the use of information from the control systems guides production planners through access to real-time production information that can then be correlated with desired production – what orders are on hand; should production be switched to a different product and how does this tie in with maintenance scheduling.
Site visit: Members of the SAIMC Jhb branch on their plant tour to SAA technical centre in Kempton Park
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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