At the last technology evening, Frederik Langenhoven, solutions manager at Pepperl+Fuchs presented on ‘Keeping up with the demand for high-speed communication in modern process plants’.
Ann de Beer (left) thanks Frederik Langenhoven after the presentation.
Globally, the manufacturing industry is in the throes of a digital transformation.
Companies and their industrial processes need to adapt to these rapid changes, or they will be left behind by their competitors who embrace exponentially growing technologies.
Internet of Things (IoT) is a term from information technology. It is a network of physical devices and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors and actuators enabled to connect and exchange data. IoT for the manufacturing industry is called the IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things or Industrie 4.0).
Industrie 4.0 includes cyber-physical systems, cloud computing and data analytics. It is commonly referred to as the fourth industrial revolution that will transform the future of manufacturing.
Process control architectures such as NAMUR Open Architecture (NOA) and Open Process Automation (OPA) are approaches to establish Industrie 4.0. However the challenge remains a direct need for speed and availability, considering the limitations of the Internet to meet these automation requirements. Topics covered by Frederik
included:
• How to migrate existing plants to Industrie 4.0.
• Field instrumentation technology today.
• Industrie 4.0 with conventional barriers.
• Industrie 4.0 using Wireless HART parallel architecture.
Outgoing chairman Mike Banda (left) congratulates Ann de Beer.
• Industrie 4.0 with remote I/O.
• Industrie 4.0 and fieldbus.
• Advanced physical layer.
• Requirements of NAMUR.
• Ethernet for process automation.
The branch thanks Frederik for his informative presentation.
New chairman for 2018
Ann de Beer was nominated chairman for 2018 at the branch AGM. Other committee members that will be serving are Cheryl Hird, Elri Klee, Andrew Bharath, Tebogo Mulauzi, Jabulani Radebe, Laura Dorrington, Kudzai Mberi and Dean Floyd.
Digitise what matters and leverage
SAIMC
SAIMC has been invited to partner with technology leaders 4Sight and NextGenOpX for a one-day industry event aimed at unlocking the full value of OT investments in the mining sector.
Read more...SAIMC: From the office of the COO: Ethical and practical use of AI SAIMC
SAIMC
In this day and age, we all have access to AI tools. A lot of people claim that if you are not using AI tools in your daily job today you are falling behind. But would it be ethical to use AI tools to write an article per day and sign my name to it?
Read more...SAIMC: Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The Durban branch of the SAIMC held its July technology meeting at the familiar Premier Splendid Hotel, drawing a strong turnout of industry professionals.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Johannesburg branch recently hosted the July Technology Evening at the Bryanston Sports Club.
Read more...Digitise what matters and leverage
SAIMC
SAIMC has been invited to partner with technology leaders 4Sight and NextGenOpX for a one-day industry event aimed at unlocking the full value of OT investments in the mining sector.
Read more...Bridging the digital gap in industrial systems SAIMC Supplier Advisory Council
SAIMC
Industrial engineers, digital transformation leaders, and operations managers are invited to an exclusive knowledge-sharing event designed to tackle the complexities of digitising large-scale systems.
Read more...SAIMC Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Johannesburg branch recently hosted the June Technology Evening. The presentation covered HVAC systems through the lens of instrumentation, highlighting how sensor technologies form the backbone of effective monitoring and control, allowing for effective energy efficiency.
Read more...SAIMC Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Durban Branch hosted its latest technology meeting on 4 June.The event drew a strong turnout, highlighting the keen interest in the topic ‘Understanding Level Measurement: Contact vs Non-Contact Methods’.
Read more...SAIMC at KITE 2025
SAIMC
The Society for Automation, Instrumentation, Mechatronics and Control Engineering (SAIMC) invites you to connect with us at the KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition (KITE) from Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 July 2025.
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.