Sparks Electrical News July 2019

INDUSTRY 4.0

17

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES EXPLORED AT AFRICA AUTOMATION FAIR

A utomation is the future for the developed world, with opportunities driven by meg- atrends such as an ageing population, increased personal wealth, connectedness and shorter working hours. South Africa’s automation progress, however, will be hampered in the short term because of the challenges faced by Eskom. Africa Automation Fair, the key networking plat- form for the Industrial Automation and Smart Con- trol Industry, saw an 11% increase in exhibitors and a 5% increase in visitors, a range of highly successful new features, and plans for expansion in 2021. The biennial event, presented by Reed Exhibi- tions, showcases industrial automation and smart control innovations, alongside a high-level indus- try conference focused on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). This year, Africa Automation Fair featured two co-located conferences – the Con- nected Industries Conference, and the 2 nd African Operations Management Conference presented by UNISA and supported by the National Research Foundation. In addition, the event offered a three- day line-up of free workshops on crucial aspects of digital transformation, Industry 4.0 and research

and technology. Marius Smit, General Manager Technology & Business Events at Reed Exhibitions says Africa Automation Fair 2019 surpassed all expectations. The event attracted over 4500 visitors and 131 ex- hibitors from seven countries including Australia, China, Germany, South Africa, South Korea, Swit- zerland and Taiwan; who showcased their products and across a total exhibition area of 5 500 square metres. “We believe this growth is indicative of grow- ing interest from South African manufacturers in IIoT/4IR technologies that will enable them to op- erate more efficiently and become more competi- tive in the global arena. There is also strong interest from international vendors in entering the African market,” says Smit. In line with this increasing interest in IIoT/4IR solutions, the Africa Automation Fair portfolio will now be further expanded with the addition of more product categories to deliver a bigger and better experience in 2021.

Allbro

Innomatic

Comtest

LAPP

ABB

Schneider Electric

Enquiries: www.africaautomationfair.com

Helukabel

SEW Eurodrive

Phoenix Contact

GEAR UP FOR INDUSTRY 4.0 AT KITE 2019

SIEMENS TO ACQUIRE ESTEQ TO ACCELERATE DIGITALIZATION

knowledge and Siemens expertise makes it easier than ever before for manufacturing companies to tap into Siemens’ full software portfolio.” Siemens will incorporate ESTEQ into new soft- ware focused sales organisations in South Af- rica and UAE, gaining direct presence to expand and grow the support and services to customers across the regions.

SIEMENS DIGITAL INDUSTRIES SOFTWARE an- nounced in June that it has signed an agreement to acquire assets of ESTEQ, a distributor of product lifecycle management, product design and simula- tion, and manufacturing operations software and services. ESTEQ is headquartered in Pretoria, South Africa, and has locations across the region serving the Aerospace & Defense, Transportation, Consum- er Products, Energy, Electronics, Machinery, Mining

I ndustry 4.0 and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) were merely buzzwords back in 2014. Today, how- ever, the traditional manufacturing industry is in the throes of a digital transformation that is accelerated by the exponential growth of smart technologies. To remain competitive and sustainable, organisations and industrial processes need to be fully commit- ted to readily adapting to this rapid change and exponential growth. The KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition (KITE), launched 38 years ago, has continued to embrace changing trends in industry, not least of which is the uptake of 4IR. “We recognise that to remain competitive on the local and global stages, organisations need to gear up and retrain their teams to lever- age the benefits that Industry 4.0 offers. The exhibition, which is being held from 24 to 26 July 2019 at the Durban Exhibition Centre, attracts a diverse collection of leading industrial technology suppliers focused on increasing productivity and profitability for the market,” says Nick Sarnadas, portfolio director at Spe- cialised Exhibitions Montgomery. KITE 2019 showcases a broad spectrum of industrial technology from local manufacturers, suppliers and service providers who understand the idiosyncrasies and specific needs of the local market. Exhibitors using KITE as a launchpad for their products and services include:

Enquiries: www.siemens.com.

& Minerals, and Oil & Gas industries. “Through the acquisition of ESTEQ, Siemens Digital Industries Software will now have a direct presence in the South Africa market which will enable Siemens to expand and enhance how we support and service our customers across the region,” said Edwin Severijn, Senior Vice President, Europe Middle East and Africa, Siemens Digital Industries Software. “The combination of ESTEQ’s local

Siyamuva: Product handling solutions incorporating zero pressure accumula- tion conveyors and motorised diverts as well as custom-designed pack sta- tions, work stations and assemblies. Kevro: Showcasing its Barron range of apparel, workwear, chef wear, sport, head- wear, gifts, bags, display as well as a full end-to-end branding service solution. Integration-Services: Engineers will feature low cost solutions to allow users to monitor their production lines, refrigeration, power distribution and building services from their computer or smartphones. Festo: Will showcase its range of pneumatics, electric and process automation products and solutions, including the latest and core range dynamic display. The company will provide learning system, training and consulting solutions which will help companies to maximise their competitiveness in industries such as automo- tive, water and waste water, food and beverage, and packaging. The Fastener Factory: Offers a comprehensive range of quality branded products consisting of fasteners, tools, abrasives, drill bits and engineering consumables, as well as a range of bearings and power transmission products. Ultravalves: Specialises inwater control valves that include ratio pressure reducing valves, Maric flow control valves, as well as a complete range of valves (50 mm to 3000 mm) suitable for the water, paper, sugar and petrochemical industries. Gain industry knowledge “KITE not only provides the region with the latest trends and technology available to accelerate uptake of Industry 4.0, but also creates a platform for visitors to garner more knowledge. This is achieved through the carefully thought-out seminar sessions available at the free-to-attend SAIMechE Seminar Theatre. One such session addresses how technological inven- tions have delivered immense benefits for businesses in all sectors in terms of cost reductions, enhanced productivity and efficiencies. The session will help visitors to gain an understanding of how Industry 4.0 will be the vehicle driving transformation,” concludes Sarnadas.

Enquiries: www.kznindustrial.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

JULY 2019