AUTOMATION AND CONTROL | SA MANUFACTURING ONLINE

Is South Africa in the 4th Industrial Revolution?

Feb 5, 2021 samanufacturing

February 2021 IT in Manufacturing It’s not a rhetorical question, but more one to put ideas into the minds of those capable of turning ideas into solutions – government, industry, thought leaders and entrepreneurs alike. The 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR), or evolution, has been set as the proverbial carrot dangling ahead of any business which seeks to grow, but lacks the drive to do so. Who would pass up an opportunity to be part of something new, especially something with the word ‘revolution’ in it? Personally, I think…

Artificial intelligence in manufacturing

Nov 12, 2020Nov 12, 2020 samanufacturing

By Florian Güldner, vice president, ARC Advisory Group. Depending on your perspective, your thoughts on artificial intelligence (AI) probably fall somewhere between the technology being an abstract threat or possibility, and a real-world solution with concrete use cases where you may not even know the technology is at work. This article summarises the case studies presented at the AI workshop at ARC’s recent virtual European Industry Forum and shows potential usage of AI in machinery applications within today’s smart factories. One of our key findings is…

ESPRIT for Profit Unlocks the Full Potential of Tools

Oct 16, 2020 samanufacturing

ESPRIT for Profit is a new, special edition of the popular software that works for tools which require specific toolpaths generated only with CAM systems. Montpellier, France (15 October 2020)—Thomas Edison is quoted as saying, “There’s a way to do it better—find it.” This is the continuous challenge in which ESPRIT for Profit was born. Tool manufacturers offer innovative tools with high potential to save time and money and to machine difficult parts and materials. Those tools could be valuable for machine shops. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy…

Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing

Oct 15, 2020 samanufacturing

As more artificial intelligence-enabled products come into market, learn about the roadblocks these products are creating and how OEMs are working through them. Florian Güldner Oct 13th, 2020 Florian Güldner, research director, ARC Advisory Group Many technology suppliers now offer artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled products and many machine builders have started to evaluate the technology. However, there are several roadblocks impeding adoption. Most prominent among these are the lack of data scientists and available data, legal aspects, human factors, and unclear use cases. The following case studies from the ARC…

South Africa’s auto industry highlights the social and employment cost of innovation

Oct 1, 2020 samanufacturing

In South Africa, local operations of international motor manufacturing companies must constantly innovate to meet global demands and offer competitive value. The way work is done is constantly changing. The current technologies adopted in the workplace are ever smarter than those that went before. This trend, driven by economic forces, does not always lead to social improvements. Automation and the use of robots in manufacturing, combined with new working methods and systems, can have negative social impacts on workers. Job automation in South Africa There has been an increase in technology in South Africa’s automobile sector since 2003. Most…

Jendamark evolves from machine builder to global tech company

Sep 23, 2020Sep 23, 2020 samanufacturing

Partnerships key to automation success, says Jendamark Automation Group MD Quinton Uren (right) and Jendamark India CEO and director Himanshu Jadhav at the company head office in Port Elizabeth. Image: Supplied/Jendamark Building both strong partnerships and world-class production facilities has been the key to Jendamark Automation surviving and thriving over three decades of business in Nelson Mandela Bay. What started as a small sideline machine-building business for group MD Quinton Uren in 1989 has grown into a global tech company with more than 600 employees serving automotive customers worldwide. In 2008,…

Why Modern ERP is the Right Fit for Engineering Companies

Aug 25, 2020 samanufacturing

Why Modern ERP is the Right Fit for Engineering Companies

Old school disruption may be the catalyst SA needs for digital transformation

Aug 24, 2020 samanufacturing

While South Africa navigates its way through lockdown measures and confirmed COVID-19 coronavirus cases now head towards 600 000, this is a time to take stock and act. By Hamilton Ratshefola, country GM at IBM South Africa Many industries can use this time to realign and regard this challenge as an opportunity to re-wire the fundamentals of the way they do business. This is an opportunity for South Africa to completely embrace digital transformation. Indeed, the wealth of opportunity at our country’s disposal in terms of technological skills ensures it…