Semi-fabrication is a process through which the rolling or extrusion billets, or other outputs of the smelter are transformed into the extruded shapes and the flat foil, sheet or plate used to fabricate aluminium products. This article explores this semi-fabrication process.
While cable and wire can be the product of extrusion and drawing, this article considers only the former in detail. The process, nevertheless, is of general interest and is thus considered in some detail in this article.

Take note:
• Semi-fabrication is the process whereby the output of a smelter is transformed into an extruded shape or a foil, sheet or plate.
• Virtually any shape (profile) can be achieved by extrusion.
• Forging involves hammering or pressing the aluminium into the required shape.
• Extension is often regarded as a subset of forging.


About the author
Dr Anthony (Tony) E Paterson holds engineering degrees from the Universities of Witwatersrand, Pretoria and UMIST (Manchester, UK). A professional engineer, he currently holds the position of aluminium specialist at the Aluminium Federation of Southern Africa (AFSA) after having served as executive director for many years.
Dr Paterson can be contacted at tony.paterson@afsa.org.za.

In order for motor starters to carry out their switching and protection tasks safely and reliably, they have to be interconnected with the motors, the intelligent controller and with each other. However, with modern connection technology the requirements and costs for this are considerably reduced—due to systems being connected and not wired. The example used in this article is the Moeller Electric ‘SmartWire’ connection system.


Take note
• By simply connecting instead of wiring, plant efficiency can be optimised.
• When upgrading any section or part of your plant always keep inter-connectivity and flexibility of the product you’re installing in mind.
• Cost-savings can be realised with SmartWire in a number of cost centres in your plant ie maintenance, engineering, installation, etc.

About the author
Jose Ruivo as been actively involved in the industry for many years and currently holds the position of sales and marketing director of Moeller Electric in South Africa. Jose can be contacted on ruivo@moeller.co.za.

Surge arrester for RJ connection
Cord sets for sensors and actuators
Luminaire trunking quick connection system
Trunking units for hygiene-sensitive appliations
Wiring ducts from ABB Sace
Refilling hot HT mass under live conditions
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan responds to consumer needs

Until recently, Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems were traditionally ‘walled off’ from other systems operating independently from the network. Prior to the awareness of possible attacks, this seemed to provide all the protection the SCADA system required. However, over time they have become integrated into larger company networks as a means of leveraging their valuable data to increase plant efficiency. The result of this development is that their security is often only as strong as the security of the overall network.

Take note
• SCADA systems are no longer ‘walled off’ from other systems.
• You need to quantify your risk and then develop a strategy to limit that risk.
• Work with professionals in understanding and protecting your system.


About the author
Quintin McCutcheon has been with Citect for seven years and has been involved in IT and support projects. Starting at Citect as a network administrator and assisting key account managers in their sales endeavours. For the last two years he has been involved in the designing and configuration of both CitectSCADA and Citect’s Manufacturing Execution System, AMPLA solutions in an effort to improve process and business efficiency. He believes that AMPLA is a solution, not just another product or MES system. He currently holds the position of solution consultant at Citect Africa.
Quintin can be contacted on 082 823 9298 or (011) 699 6600.

The decision to implement wireless technology in your industrial facility is a strategic choice, enabling an infrastructure that will provide significant benefits for your company beyond avoiding the wiring costs. The right decision will help improve safety, optimize the plant and ensure compliance. Wireless is a complex enabling technology that requires deliberate consideration before broad deployment in an industrial facility. This article outlines questions to consider as you make this decision.

Take note
Some questions to consider before going wireless:
? Do you want to enable your field workers with wireless handheld devices to access data and interact with various servers in the facility?
? Can your operations survive without the information brought wirelessly?
? Do you want to manage just one wireless security system or many?
? How long do you want your wireless devices to be self-powered?
? How many devices do you want your network to handle now and in the future?
? How many application interfaces will need the wireless data?


About the contribution
The information supplied was compiled by a number of experts in the industry within the Honeywell Group internationally.
Honeywell can be locally contacted through Paulo da Silva, 011 695 8000 or e-mail:Paulo.dasilva@honeywell.com.

Accelerating new product development with Model-Based Design
Control systems contract for thermal power plant won by Yokogawa
Meastro micro RTU with Sagem MO200 GPRS module
SSI overcome challenges with Marion island project
Measuring hydrological parameters
Wago-I/O-System introduces realtime clock module
Multi-vendor text panel
Rockwell enters industrial Ethernet switch market
New communications isolator
Technology can control crime
Five things to know about Ethernet/LAN instrument control
Moeller launches busbar system

Energy efficiency is of growing importance. While we tend to focus on energy efficient products, we often overlook a simple yet effective element of energy efficiency—thermal insulation. This article examines this topic, with a focus on the role of polyurethane rigid foam used as an insulation material. About the author Paul Clavel currently holds the position of business team leader at Elastogran in South Africa. The BASF group is one of the global leaders in insulation polymers. Elastogran, the BASF polyurethane branch in Europe, Middle East and Africa, has gained considerable expertise in the development of a large spectrum of insulation foams and also in the understanding of the specific needs of the construction market. It also understands specific needs of the construction market. Elastogran provides innovative technologies and concepts to its customers and partners operating in the insulation market. Paul can be contacted at (011) 876 6699 or paul.clavel@elastogran.co.za. Take note: ? Rigid polyurethane foam has a thermal conductivity of only 18 to 22 mW/m.K, making it a preferred insulating material for buildings. ? It is estimated that a few hundred kWh of energy is lost each year per square metre of poorly insulated buildings through walls, roofs and floors. ? Polyurethane can be foam-sprayed onto a surface, where it will become rigid. ? A discussion on energy efficiency or energy saving is not complete unless thermal insulation has also been considered.

Banking of over-performance and penalties incurred during under-performance of Demand-Side Management (DSM) projects is an issue of critical importance to all the stakeholders in the DSM initiative. This article reviews this topic.

About the authors
Dr Willem den Heijer holds a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). He is a senior M&V engineer for the North-West University M&V Team and a senior project engineer for Energy Cybernetics, specialising in energy performance services, project management and measurement and verification. The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) in the United States certified him as a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) during 2002 and as a Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP) during 2006.
Willem can be contacted on 018 297 5908. Prof LJ Grobler holds a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pretoria. He is presently a full professor specialising in energy engineering and energy management at the North-West University. He has been certified as a CEM and as a CMVP by the AEE in the USA.
LJ can be contacted on 018 299 1328.


Take note
• A DSM project is implemented to reduce electricity demand by a contracted amount.
• An ESCo must prove that a project is delivering the contracted saving.
• It has been possible to penalise an ESCo for achieving less than the predicted saving.
• Banking over-performance could lead to long-term disadvantages for Eskom.

Reduce SF6, emissions and protect the environment
National roll-out of solar-powered traffic lights to combat traffic chaos
LED traffic signals with solar panels

Honeywell establishes rapid response team
Yokogawa and BP announce agreement
Reliability of genset ensured repeat order
Schneider Electric lights up children's faces
Brand new student competition launched for young engineers
A model of optimum growth
ZEST concludes contract with Eskom
Honeywell wins Six Sigma excellence award

RBF switchgear for Inyanda Coal
IRIS certification in record time
ABB wins $90 M order in South Africa
Areva acquired Nokian
Pulp and paper contract for Honeywell
Ruashi chooses RBF switchgear
GE to acquire Rheonik

A sensor is a sensor, right? Well not any more. Whereas previously one tended to use sensors that ‘did the job’, the plethora of new sensing technologies have made the task of choosing a sensor easier in some ways, but more difficult in others. This article reviews the use of laser for optical distance sensing, emphasising the ability of such devices to detect small items, and to operate with excellent accuracy and repeatability.

About the author
Gerry Bryant is the managing director of Countapulse Controls. Countapulse Controls has represented Leuze in South Africa since the 1970s. Countapulse supplies sensing, measurement, counting, switching, monitoring and positioning instrumentation. The company has the full backing of its German principals and offers a complete technical advisory service for the most effective use of its products in automotive and other branches of engineering. Gerry can be contacted on (011) 615 7557.

Take note
• Laser technology is set to become the tool to conquer the future.
• Modern industry requires specialised engineered laser technology solutions to specific industry requirements.
• The wide scope of applications for laser technology has increased the demand for it, thereby making the technology more affordable.

Valves are at the core of the process industry. Indeed, we speak of valves and actuators on a daily basis and rely on them in our plants—yet we still need to remind ourselves of their basic operation. This article strives to do just that.
Take note
• The purpose of the valve actuator is to accurately locate the valve plug in a position dictated by the control signal.
• Valves should be selected according to application data.
• Consider the valve action required in the event of a power failure, etc.
• Take into account whether differential pressure is a factor, if pneumatic or electric control signal feeding is required, as well as if a positioner is needed.


About the contributor
The information was supplied by Bobby Brooke-Taylor from Spirax Sarco South Africa. Bobbie can be contacted on Bobbie-Brooke-Taylor@za.spiraxsarco.com.

High performance sensing from Leuze
Cost-effective encoder for simple tasks
Fibre optic photo-electric switch with 'teach and go'
Absolute linear sensor from SIKO
Gigabit switches without the Giga-Price
Analogue sensor for detection of metals
Festo makes sense of it all
Compact ultrasonic sensor for continuous level measurement
New non-contact interlock switches
LTH cooling tower control

Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) is the best non-intrusive tool to determine the internal condition of a transformer. Over the years, tremendous progress has been made in refining the initial programme convincing managers—who were once skeptical of removing a large Generator Step-up Unit (GSU) from service, based only on DGA results—to now rely on these results to make such critical decisions.

About the author
Danny Bates is equipment test team leader at Alabama Power Company. He has held this position since 1985. The Equipment Test Group provides maintenance and testing support to the maintenance regions and generating plants. Other responsibilities include researching and implementing on-line monitoring and on-line test devices.
Danny can be contacted on DEBATES@southernco.com. The local distributor for Kelman is Karl Smith at k.smith@kelman-africa.com or 011 626 2328.

Take note
•DGA is a tool to determine the internal condition of a transformer.
•New technologies allow DGA results to be obtained within an hour—instead of days.
•GSU reliability is improved as quicker decisions can be made regarding the criticality of units.

CBI-electric signs first contract for large distribution transformers
SafeArc protects against personal injury
A next-generation industrial logging multimeter
Protection schemes for Eskom Distribution