Welcome to 2024! A year waiting to be made – as Professor Ian Jandrell, Editorial Technical Director, notes in his comment in this January issue of Electricity + Control. Recognising the resilience and ingenuity that we as people and as industry have demonstrated in the face of the challenges confronting South Africa and Africa, he highlights key issues that deserve our attention going forward and points to the opportunities they present for industry, for the country and the continent.
In this issue, in the feature on Control systems + automation, we report on the MESA Africa Summit held towards the end of 2023, where industry leaders shared their views on the future of manufacturing and technology. We highlight just a few of the wide-ranging perspectives presented.
Dr Ananth Seshan, Board Member of MESA International, flew in from Canada to share insights into the journey of small and medium manufacturers navigating smart manufacturing. Dr Suven Ramsunder, Digital Transformation Expert at Schneider Electric, spoke about adapting to digital change in the workplace. And Gerard Greeff, Divisional Manager at Iritron, explained the range of competencies encompassed in Computer Engineering as defined engineering work, as set out in the national regulations in the IDoEW (Identification of Engineering Work, March 2021). In a separate presentation, Greeff introduced the MESA Global Education programme which is based on the organisation’s new smart manufacturing model and is available to members online.
In Drives, motors + switchgear, Andy Swann of CP Automation, outlines key factors to be considered in industrial crane upgrades. He emphasises the need for safety, efficiency and technical support to secure a sound ROI and notes the benefits that variable speed drives and hoist-specific control software can deliver.
We see how SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa scored a first within the global group with the supply of nine of its new X.e Series agitator industrial gear units to a customer in the mining industry. And Jaco Brits from WEG Africa highlights that advances in technology today provide for more energy-efficient drives and motors – which can play a key role in reducing energy demand and deliver long-term savings on energy costs and improved plant efficiencies for users.
In Measurement + instrumentation we discover that thyssenkrupp Presta tests steering systems for the automotive industry globally and that structure-borne sound, which may manifest as annoying noise in a steering system, constitutes one of the critical measures in the test process. Here Beckhoff reports how thyssenkrupp Presta has recently adopted its high-end ELM measurement terminals together with TwinCAT Scope to handle this test function with efficiency and precision.
Safety is an important consideration across all industry sectors and in this feature on Safety of plant, equipment + people, we see how it extends to every aspect of industry. Gary Bradshaw of alarm specialist Omniflex presents a review of SIL ratings and where they apply. Louise Woodburn and Sian Thurtell of KBC Health & Safety outline how OHS specialists can assist organisations in developing and implementing effective safety programmes. Of particular interest, ABB introduces its industry-first automated robot charger developed to take people out of the high-risk zone of blasting at the rockface in underground mines.
Be sure to read Engineering the future where we present an overview of the brilliant engineering innovators and their innovations shortlisted for the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.
Write @ the back, Dr Chris von Holdt of leading consulting engineering firm, Zutari, reminds us of the fundamental importance of infrastructure maintenance, and indicates how he sees the private sector can contribute to this field to support the country’s economic progress and the wellbeing of all citizens. A sound footing on which to start this new year!