This month’s presentation at the Vaal branch covered the basic principles and fundamentals of SIL. It included the common misconceptions about SIL, risks, accidents, processes, random and systemic failures amongst others. Risk is an integral part of our daily lives. Hazards are also present in our working environment. Thus it is important to identify anything that could pose a risk of death or injury and to eliminate any hazards at work emanating from production processes.
Jannie Claasens (l) from the Vaal Branch presents Jurie Weidemann from Pepperl+Fuchs with the SAIMC presenter’s certificate.
Standards applied to overcome these risks are based on proven principles:
• Statutory architectures.
• Exclusion of faults.
• Stipulation of single and multiple fault safety measures to implement a protective function.
An increasing number of programmable devices are now used when designing a plant, from a PLC to intelligent sensors. It is not possible to assess multiple fault safety measures in this form. Specific standards have therefore been devised so that the risk can be quantified, based on probability statements, and reliably reduced. This involves new concepts that require a more detailed explanation.
The abbreviation SIL refers to the safety integrity level and is a measurement of performance required for a safety-instrumented function.
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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