Features | Industry 4.0 | 4IR | Automation

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Industry 4.0

Energy plant to receive new automation system

19th April 2024 Leading manufacturer of automation solutions and process technologies Valmet will deliver a comprehensive Valmet DNA Automation System to Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant (LSEP) currently under construction in Northwich, Cheshire, in the UK, according to a press release published last month. The... →

The transformative impact of automation on LV and MV switchgear

19th April 2024 The advent of automation in the electrical industry has revolutionised the functionality and efficiency of low voltage (LV) and medium voltage (MV) switchgear in secondary reticulation. Automation has not only streamlined operations but also enhanced the safety and reliability of power... →

Automated project manager scorecards enhance operations

By: Trent Roebeck 19th April 2024 Gold mining and exploration company Harmony Gold’s project management office (PMO) recently showcased its digital project manager scorecard – developed by project solutions company Project Portfolio Office (PPO) – which provides “clear direction” for project managers and administrators by... →

An image of one of Harmony Gold's mine sites

DRIVING EFFICIENCY Harmony will automate mundane tasks that will prove to be efficient for business processes

AI, robotics play important role in demolition sector

19th April 2024 Demolition robots are a relatively new form of professional service robot used in the demolition sector to demolish buildings at the end of their life cycle. These mobile robots leverage a range of end-of-arm tools such as buckets, breakers, crushers or drills to break through building materials,... →

KATE BESTER Jet Demolition project manager Kate Bester believes that remote-controlled demolition techniques will enhance safety

Robotics, AI beneficial for business

19th April 2024 The manufacturing industry is currently at the doorstep of a transformational era, one marked by the seamless integration of robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and augmented reality or virtual reality (AR/VR), says GridRaster co-founder and COO Dijam Panigrahi. This fusion is “not merely a... →

DIJAM PANAGRAHI GridRaster co-founder and COO Dijam Panigrahi that robotics and AI will have an impact on the manufacturing industry

Automation helps unlock data capabilities

By: Sabrina Jardim 21st April 2023 While digital technologies create vast quantities of data, the average plant uses only about 20% of the data that it generates – companies, therefore, are not fully exploiting opportunities to improve their operations in reference to automation, says automation company ABB Ability Digital... →

CHARLES BLACKBEARD Clients can unlock the value of contextualised data through Industrial Internet of Things and industrial artificial intelligence

Cost efficiency key for industry

By: Natasha Odendaal 21st April 2023 Reasonable costs to operate, reliability, productivity and efficiency are increasingly becoming standard requirements in industry operations as the world moves towards digitisation and automation. Automation improves productivity, thereby enabling companies to produce more products, and presents... →

UJ and Schneider Electric expose students to 4IR

By: Sabrina Jardim 21st April 2023 Amid the emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), energy management and automation multinational Schneider Electric and the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ’s) Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment unveiled the 4IR Experience Room in February. The 4IR Experience Room –... →

TECH MIX Schneider Electric products showcased in the 4IR Experience Room include PowerTags, the Modicon M580 ePAC and the Altivar 630

Experience required for Industry 4.0

By: Sabrina Jardim 21st April 2023 With the rise of Industry 4.0 and a subsequent increase in the regulation of engineers and technologists, more experience is required from professionals operating in relevant fields, says Society for Automation, Instrumentation, Mechatronics and Control (SAIMC) CEO Johan Maartens. He says... →

An image depicting a smiling man, Johan Maartens

JOHAN MAARTENS The Supplier Advisory Council of the SAIMC will exhibit at this year’s Africa Automation Technology Fair as an automation original-equipment manufacturer

Company promotes automation, introduces hub

By: Sabrina Jardim 21st April 2023 With more South African companies striving to remain competitive by streamlining their processes and increasing their efficiencies, demand for automation and power management solutions has subsequently increased, says power management company Eaton sub-Saharan Africa data centre segment lead... →

An info graphic depicting Eaton's Brightlayer technology

LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE Eaton’s Brightlayer technology consists of various layers to provide automated solutions for clients

Using sensor data to improve return on investment

22nd April 2022 Since automation is becoming increasingly prevalent across industries, mechanical devices are being replaced by electronic components in manufacturing, industrial and factory environments, says industry software solutions provider Industrial Software Solutions & Support (IS³). This evolution... →

REAL-TIME MANAGEMENT Various sensors and mobile devices provide decision-makers with real-time data on the condition, performance and safety of their assets

Africa is a ‘data desert’

By: Tracy Hancock 22nd April 2022 Data scarcity and the lack of data scientists are the main challenges hindering the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa. “Africa is a data desert compared with the US and other developed countries,” professional services firm EY Africa artificial intelligence and advanced analytics... →

DATA BLIND Studies reveal that South Africans are surprisingly unaware of data privacy issues despite the recent introduction of the Protection of Personal Information Act

New SAIMC fund to empower local revolution

By: Tracy Hancock 22nd April 2022 The Society for Automation, Instrumentation, Mechatronics and Control (SAIMC) is establishing a skills trust fund to sponsor individuals in their studies and work experience so that they can step into the industry as professionals and participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and take... →

problem investigation, problem solving, ethical behaviour, environmental issues

Mining leader in S Africa’s 4IR transformation

By: Tracy Hancock 22nd April 2022 While the South African mining industry in many aspects is leading the country’s Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the manufacturing sector is not as quick to adopt to new ways of working and the use of technology, says professional services firm PwC South Africa industrial manufacturing and... →

BEYOND TECHNOLOGY Companies often believe that the Fourth Industrial Revolution is all about technology, failing to see that it is actually about a new way of working

I-DAIR hub to boost digital health innovation locally

By: Tracy Hancock 22nd April 2022 While South Africa is leading the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in Southern Africa, the level of technological advancement in the local medical sector is low, with only some innovation and recognition of its positive use cases. It is hoped that the establishment of an International Digital... →

LEADING THE WAY UJ has positioned itself as a Fourth Industrial Revolution-focused university and has been appointed as the lead of the International Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence Research Collaborative hub in South Africa

Fair to host virtual event

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 21st May 2021 Exhibition organiser Reed Exhibitions will host the AATF Virtual Connect! online virtual event, scheduled to take place in September 2021. The virtual event will be held in place of the live event, which has been postponed to May 9 to 11, 2023. →

MOVING WITH THE TIMES Companies are considering processes and systems to assist them in working smarter and how they can be innovative businesses through technology and automation

Tech enables global competitiveness

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 21st May 2021 Key technologies, such as automation and the automatic control of systems, are transforming industries, enabling companies to remain competitive in a global market, says South African Council for Automation and Control (SACAC) president John Burchell. “Advances in automation have allowed for the... →

Edge tech a preferred computing option in data storage

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 21st May 2021 Owing to 90% of manufacturing sites not being connected to cloud or data centres, information is held in disparate, siloed systems, says telecommunications company BT digital manufacturing head Andy Rowland. Consequently, manufacturing clients now want to benefit from Industry 4.0 and the company... →

Industry 4.0 – investing in smart infrastructure and education

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 21st May 2021 Some may argue that Africa has missed out on the opportunity for large-scale industrialisation owing to its unpredictable economies while others point out that the technology that characterises the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), enables African countries to overcome obstacles. “Africa and... →

FIT FOR PURPOSE PFERD South Africa’s products are geared for 4IR applications, including robotics and AI

Endpoints security can mitigate cyber attacks

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 21st May 2021 As a result of cyberattacks increasing rapidly in terms of their severity and complexity in the manufacturing industry, companies have to look into manufacturing endpoint-security as a line of defence, says cybersecurity solutions provider Kaspersky’s enterprise cybersecurity adviser Lehan van... →

TEAMWORK The manufacturing industry is good at machine learning and deep learning, and if you combine enough of those two processes, you could get to AI

Data growth increases need for digital infrastructure

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 21st May 2021 The significant proliferation of new-enterprise data that is being generated and processed outside of a data centre and cloud network requires digital infrastructure in multiple locations, says Lenovo Middle East and Africa Infrastructure Solutions Group GM Dr Chris Cooper. “If you look at what's... →

Industry 4.0 tech adoption requires forethought

16th April 2021 For the successful adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, several considerations must be taken into account from both a technology and human standpoint, says technology solutions provider Dwyka Mining Services CEO Jamie van Schoor. “Changing mindsets to embrace technology adoption is no easy... →

THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF ALL THINGS connectivity forms the foundation of industrial control and automation

Pandemic paves the way for Industry 4.0 course

By: Darren Parker 16th April 2021 A positive consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic is that it has accelerated the progression of Industry 4.0, as it has prepared us all for a life online, says industry education entity Colliery Training College (CTC) MD Johan Venter. One of CTC’s flagship offerings is the Artisan 4.0 training... →

TECHNO TRAINING To implement and maintain Industry 4.0 technologies, artisans need to acquire appropriate skills

Additive Manufacturing: The Quality of Products is Highly Dependent on Fast and Accurate Measurements

22nd May 2020 Quality control and assurance of the products produced with conventional machining, casting or forming manufacturing is well established. This is accomplished by incorporating quality control throughout various stages of the process - from the design stage trough manufacturing to the final... →

Covid-19 exposes businesses to risk of cyberattacks

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 22nd May 2020 Owing to the current Covid-19 lockdown, initiatives are being rolled out in many countries, and owing to interruption, many businesses believe that they may have to deal with an industrial control systems (ICS) cyberattack, says cybersecurity solutions provider Kapersky Africa’s enterprise sales... →

BETHWEL OPIL Companies must ensure that staff are armed with the latest skills and knowledge, especially when considering how quickly cyber incidents evolve.

Pandemic prompts automation support, working remotely

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 22nd May 2020 Covid-19 has prompted the automation industry to continuously provide remote services and support, says nonprofit organisation Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association (MESA) Africa vice chairperson Gerhard Greeff. The option of working remotely has always been acknowledged; however, this... →

GERHARD GREEFF Greeff believes that the pandemic is going to have some long-term effects on the way companies conduct business

Condition monitoring solution mitigates risks

By: Darren Parker 22nd May 2020 Manufacturers are exposed to various operational risks relating to the performance of their critical production equipment, all of which can directly impact the bottom line. →

Industry 4.0 adoption muted in South Africa

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 22nd May 2020 The adoption and impact of Industry 4.0 in South Africa is still relatively muted, compared to the rest of the world, with its biggest challenges being education, connectivity, and electricity and accessibility, says automation and machine building solutions provider S4 Integration marketing... →

NO CHALLENGE IS TOO BIG Industry 4.0 is here to make manufacturing more efficient and also improve daily lives

PLC series well received locally

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 22nd May 2020 Industrial switchgear automation and energy management distributor ElectroMechanica (EM) says its AS200 programmable logic controller (PLC) series has been well received in South Africa, as it has one of the best price-to-performance ratios on the market currently. “It’s still a new PLC and... →

READILY AVAILABLE All AS200 PLC series products and extensions are stocked and available nationally from EM

Company approves R3m budget for Artisan 4.0

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 22nd May 2020 The Colliery Training College (CTC) board has approved R3-million towards achieving its Artisan 4.0 vision by the end of 2020. Artisan 4.0 will enable an artisan to know about bearings, gearboxes and sequence starters because the basic principles of mechanics, electricity, forces and motion have... →

Resilience paramount for Society 5.0 era

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 22nd May 2020 New strategies are necessary for socioeconomic inclusivity and sustainable development given the novelty of the era of Society 5.0 combined with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). In this era, the fusing of biological, ecological, physical, technological and socio-political worlds is... →

Sector increasingly adopting digitalisation

By: Mamaili Mamaila 22nd May 2020 Technology provider ABB Southern Africa believes that digitalisation can address the production challenges of the sugar industry. →

JOHN MANUELL The full potential of sugar production processes lies in leveraging available data to drive the seamless interoperability among people, assets and production processes

Siemens ready to help Africa with digitalisation challenges

By: Shannon de Ryhove 5th May 2020 The effects of digitalisation are different worldwide, and Africa is no exception. German multinational Siemens senior VP for Digital Industries in Southern and Eastern Africa Ralf Leinen says that, for the first time, Africa has an opportunity to use smart technology to transform entire... →

Company gives foretaste of the future

24th May 2019 Automation and drive specialist SEW-Eurodrive will give visitors to the Africa Automation Fair 2019 a foretaste of its MOVI-C modular automation system, which is readymade for the requirements of Industry 4.0, says SEW-Eurodrive national sales and marketing manager Norman Maleka. SEW-Eurodrive... →

Photo by Creamer media
NORMAN MALEKA SEW Eurodrive’s focus is to provide its customers with a fully modular and customisable solution

Effective change needed for smooth transition to Industry 4.0

24th May 2019 Moving to an Industry 4.0 environment is key for future success in the industrial and manufacturing sector, but migration to this new world does not have to take place in a disruptive, big bang manner, says toy company Lego elements and moulds VP Jesper Toubol. “South African enterprises are... →

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
Traditional business culture and a lack of effective change management can challenge efforts to move to an Industry 4.0 environment

Photo by Bloomberg
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED Traditional business culture and a lack of effective change management can challenge efforts to move to an Industry 4.0 environment

Company aligns with event to promote industry automation

24th May 2019 Nonprofit organisation Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association (MESA) Africa has aligned with Africa Automation Fair for the first time this year, to help drive the next level of industry automation in South Africa. MESA Africa is part of MESA International, a global nonprofit community of... →

Photo by Bloomberg
ANALYTICS INSIGHT Analytics will increasingly be used to bring new concepts into manufacturing operations

Collaboration gives rise to advanced automation

24th May 2019 UK industrial technology group Rolls Royce Power Systems and automation technology group ABB are in a global partnership on microgrid technology with advanced automation. Together, the two companies will offer an innovative, energy efficient microgrid solution for utilities, islands, as well as... →

GRID STABILITY
ABB Ability e-mesh can ensure a stable power grid, even with a high share of renewable energy from various sources

Photo by Bloomberg
GRID STABILITY ABB Ability e-mesh can ensure a stable power grid, even with a high share of renewable energy from various sources

Scibotron

24th May 2019 Scibotron is a technology-agnostic, ISO 9001:2015 certified, award-winning, B-BBEE Level 2 systems integrator with a 98.6% client satisfaction index. We have years of experience and an established presence in the Oil & Gas, Food & Beverage, Wastewater Treatment, Energy and Mining sectors. We... →

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