Since Yokogawa introduced the world's first Distributed Control System (DCS) in 1975, more than 19 000 systems have been delivered world wide. In 2008, Yokogawa Electric Corporation launched Centum VP, an integrated production control system and the platform for the Vigilant-Plant (VP) which is an automation concept for safe, reliable, and profitable plant operations.

Take note
• Safety, asset and production solutions are integrated for operational excellence.
• Centum VP establishes a single realtime plant database that serves all key functions in a plant in realtime, setting the foundation for a unified operating environment.
• Through Vnet/IP plant reliability is guaranteed as communication response is deterministic.


About the author
Paulo De Sousa Gomes has his B.Eng (Elec). He is a member of the SAIMC and registered PrEng with ECSA. Paulo currently holds the position of national systems manager at Yokogawa South Africa.
Paulo can be contacted on 011 831 6300 or info@za.yokogawa.com, www.yokogawa.com/za.

The synergy between Profinet and Profibus is based on innovative technology and a high degree of engineering commonality. Both solutions play well together to bring substantial benefits for end-users. This article will overview how the powerful technology of Profibus and Profinet result in a common infrastructure for common applications. It also looks at an application of handling steel coils safely to demonstrate Profibus and Profinet in action.

Take note
• Profinet is built on the success and experienced gained with Profibus over the last 20 years.
• This has allowed existing skills and tools to be re-used, enhancing the initial investment made by the client.
• Profinet is fully Ethernet-compatible – Ethernet is more than 30 years old.
• Profinet is set to become the leading Industrial Ethernet Standard.


About the author
This article was supplied by the South African Regional Profibus Association and is published with permission. Michael Bean from the Profibus Competence Centre can be contacted for enquiries on the queries related to Profibus and Profinet – 011 465 7916 or pcc@idxonline.com.

Inventory monitoring made easy with web-based solutions
Pro-Face promotional campaign
Siemens internet ID card helps in fight against crime
Easy, efficient and environmentally-friendly marking
New data acquisition and display station for networks
Built-in PC for flexible IPC solutions
Satellite controls to identify overloaded vehicles in Limpopo
Universal control unit
ABB's 800xA sales exceed 4 000 since introduction
Bus coupler for Profinet I/O with additional features

I recently had the pleasure of travelling to Brazil with the Chairperson of Zest, James Blakemore, to visit the WEG factories in that country. While the brand names of Zest and WEG are very well known in South Africa—at least from my perspective—WEG is not yet established in the industrial psyche as a high-tech international player of significance. So, I wasn’t quite sure what I would find ... What a revelation lay in store!

Take note
• WEG’s sales has grown 20 fold since it inception in 1961.
• WEG started with 9 employees and now boasts over 22 000.
• WEG is able to provide solutions that range from automating a single piece of equipment to automating an entire plant.
• WEG is a company that places high value on people and knowledge.


About the author
Prof Ian R Jandrell has his BSc (Eng), GDE, PhD, PrEng, and is a Fellow of the SAIEE and Member of the IEEE. Ian holds the position of Head of School, Electrical and Information Engineering at Wits, and he is a director of Crown Publications.
Ian can be contacted on 011 717 7207 or i.jandrell@ee.wits.ac.za.

Electric motors account for more than 60% of peak demand electricity consumption in South Africa and therefore form a large part of the costs of industrial and retail operations. Any reduction in electric motor energy consumption will have a positive effect on operational costs, but even more importantly, it will have a dramatic and positive effect on national peak electricity demand if it could be achieved on a large scale.

#1 About the author
Mike Andrews has been managing director of OEN Enterprises since 1998. He served as a Council member of the Fossil Fuel Foundation for 5 years before being elected to the position of Vice President earlier this year. Mike also consults to working groups in the DME’s Energy Efficiency program.

Mike can be contacted on 011 675 4447 or mike@oenenterprises.co.za.

#1 Take note
• Electric motors can be ‘made more efficient’.
• 50% of peak demand can be attributed to motors.
• Motors operating at light load are ‘inefficient’.
• Intelligent motor control can save energy.

Drive gives full torque at zero hertz
Jamming causing a problem?
Zest enhances its product range with Invicta
Quadrant joints for massive motors
Schneider launches medium voltage VSD
Smartwire sticks it to ice-cream

For thousands of years until the advent of electric light, daylighting was a necessary element of architecture. “The history of architecture is the history of man’s struggle for light—the history of the window,” said Mies van der Rohe. This article explains lighting controls as a point of integration between daylighting and electric lighting systems.

Take note
• Daylighting increases the quality of the visual environment.
• Daylight harvesting is strategy used to efficiently integrate daylight with electric lighting.
• Accurately calibrating the daylight harvesting system in the beginning is very important, but continued user and operator education is also essential – it can make or break the end result.
• In a successful daylight harvesting installation, up to 65% energy reduction has already been registered.

About the author
Craig Di Louie can be contacted on cdilouie@zinginc.com. The Lighting Controls Association’s website is www.aboutlightingcontrols.org.

Constant voltage for LED lights in harsh environments
Save money, help the national grid and reduce your environmental impact
Solar powered LED beacons

DCS market is poised for strong long-term growth
Comtest visitors praise programme
ECSA making strides in registering PDIs
Dehn products gain SABS marking

Siemens awarded contract for new multi-product pipeline
XON atatins APC Gold Partner status
RBF switchgear for Highveld Steel
ABB wins $75 M power products order
Altech profit up 34%
Cosira awarded Nkomati nickel mine contract
Rockwell Automation completes contracts for Toyota
Pax joing Megger Group

Varying exchange and interest rates, coupled with rapid commodity, energy and raw material price rises are challenging today’s business environment and driving an increasing number of consumer products manufacturers to explore Continuous Improvement (CI) and Operational Excellence (OE) programs. But as many have already learned, identifying problems is one thing; deploying a CI program and effecting real and lasting change is another. And knowing where - and how - to begin the CI process can be just as puzzling.

Take note
• People, processes and technology need to be integrated to ensure a successful CI program.
• Change management should be implemented together with a CI program.
• A step-wise approach will gain support from all throughout the organisation.
• A decision not followed by action, is really not a decision.


About the author
Ian Huntly qualified in telecommunications in 1972. He has vast experience in the industry where he has headed up several design, development, product and technical teams in companies such as Tektronix, Hewlett Packard, BSW Data, Marcam and AspenTech Africa. Ian started Rifle Shot Performance Holdings in 2001 and currently holds the position of CEO. The company specialises in consulting and the provision of complete operational solutions and operational intelligence for the process, utility and mining and metals industry segments. Ian is a longstanding member of the Computer Society of SA and the ISA standards body and serves on a number of boards.
Ian can be contacted on ian.huntly@rifle-shot.com.

Previously we have considered the basic theory of Intrinsic Safety (IS) and why intrinsically safe systems are necessary [1, 2, 3]. In this article we consider the design aspects of IS systems.

Take note
• Intrinsic safety is a system concept.
• System designers must take responsibility for the overall safety of the system.
• Each component must be considered as part of the complete system.


#1 About the author
Chris Towle graduated with honours in Mechanical Engineering from Kings College, Durham and gained his early industrial experience with George Kent Ltd. He has been involved in the design of intrinsically safe instrumentation and in British Standards Committees on IS apparatus, systems and codes of practice. A founder member of Measurement Technology, he was the MTL Group Technology Director for many years, and is internationally recognised for his expertise in the field of ‘explosion protection’. Chris currently acts as consultant to MTL.
MTL Instruments is locally represented by Extech Safety Systems and can be contacted through Gary Friend 011 791 6000 or garyf@tempcon.co.za.

Switchgear assemblies, Motor Control Centres (MCCs) and control gear assemblies in general are required to meet a range of criteria. One of the challenges, of course, is to ensure that the manufacturers and the purchasers communicate effectively in order to ensure that there is a clear mutual understanding of what is required. State-of-the-art technologies offer the purchaser yet more capabilities and options.

Take note
• Safety of personnel and equipment was taken into account in the design of the system.
• This fully-withdrawable low voltage switchgear system ensures adaptability, especially beneficial for future planning.
• Ease of maintenance is ensured with the Polyfast system.

About the author
Dennis Dewing has his N6 as well as an industrial marketing certificate with 43 years experience in the electrical industry. He has been involved in all major sectors of the electrical industry and is one of the founder members of the ESASA (Electrical Switchgear Association of SA). Dennis currently holds the position of key accounts manager for the project and mining houses for RBF Technology (Pty) Ltd.
The ‘Okken’ range of switchboards will be fully assembled by RBF Technology (Pty) Ltd in their high quality ISO 9000 factory and will add to their already excellent range of switchgear assemblies.
Dennis can be contacted on 011 689 9830 or ddewing@rbf.co.za.

Laser light barriers that cover any distance or position
New analogue displays
Mikron blackbody radiation calibration sources
Miniature air velocity module
Hollow-shaft encoder as pace setter for technology
Band-Fast stainless steel strapping

The new 1200V CAL diode provides 30% more power, yet is still the same size as the previous chip generation—leaving more space in the power module. What’s more, the new 4th generation of the established Semikron CAL freewheeling diodes is suitable for higher application temperatures of 175°C. These benefits mean that Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT) modules now take up less space and can be used with higher temperatures, making them ideal for use in harsh ambient conditions such as in the engine compartment of hybrid vehicles.

Take note
• Freewheeling diodes are essential in power electronic systems.
• Modern diodes can operate at up to 175ºC.
• Higher current densities ensure less space needed for better current handling.
• Modern freewheeling diodes can be used in harsh, high temperature, ambient conditions.

About the author
Dr Volker Demuth currently holds the position of product manager at Semikron.
Semikron can be contacted on 012 345 6060 or Karen.schutte@semikron.com.

Exact inspection of calibration sources
Low-cost electronic temperature indicator
Temperature sensor for measuring refrigerated food products
Engineered solutions for temperature applications