SAIMC learn about monitoring and prediction

SECUNDA – Mr Chris Petschel and Mr Kegan Smith from PREI Instrumentation, recently presented the monitoring and prediction capabilities that Industry 4.0 can offer with regards to rotary machinery.

The Society for Automation, Instrumentation, Measurement and Control (SAIMC) Secunda branch, recently held their monthly technology evening.

Industry 4.0 is a name given to the idea of smart factories where machines are augmented with web connectivity and connected to a system that can visualise the entire production chain and make decisions on its own.

PREI Instrumentation brought along a physical simulation rig in the form of a scaled motor-driven compressor circuit, connected to a set of controllers and servers to demonstrate the power of Industry 4.0 type integration between controllers, data loggers, historians and data processors.

Not only did this enlighten to the viewers more about Industry 4.0 and how it can be used in the factory environment, but it also demonstrated the amount of data that is available to the end-user from existing equipment.

All this information can be gained by obtaining the necessary skills and knowledge to extract and process this data to enable predictive and intelligent maintenance.

“We would like to thank Chris Petschel and Kegan Smith for their informative and enlightening presentation. All Instrumentation and Control related mechanicians, technicians and/or engineers are more than welcome to attend our monthly technology events,” said Mr Johan Maritz, chairman of the Secunda branch.

The planned dates for the rest of the year are: Thursday 5 September, Thursday 3 October and Thursday 7 November.

All the Secunda SAIMC presentations will earn CPD points for ECSA registered persons and any enquiries can be directed to Mr Maritz at 082 856 3865.