The exhibitors and organisers pulled out all stops in presenting the Africa Automation Fair 2015. While its predecessor, Process Expo, earned its reputation as a great show where technology-inspired stands showed off the latest developments, the Africa Automation Fair 2015 can claim the same but with more flair and depth – clearly showing that the automation industry in South Africa is on a fast track with technological innovation. With 60 plus exhibitors it is difficult to decide which of the stands and the innovation on display to highlight. Visitor numbers were a record 4154, up by 25% on the previous best.
The awards ceremony on the last day saw Vinesh Maharaj of Yokogawa nominated personality of the year; Afrilek Automation and Adroit Technologies were both nominated and recognised for project of the year; Adroit Technologies the best training programme of the year, Siemens the best customer service award; Allpronix for bringing the highest number of visitors to AAF; and Yokogawa the marketing team of the year award. Best stand winners were Afrilek for the best small stand and Siemens for the best large stand.
One of the winning First Lego League teams – from Swaziland.
Certainly the highlight of the opening day was the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Yokogawa in 1915 by Dr. Tamisuke Yokogawa – the music and cake-cutting ceremony was a drawcard for visitors. The exhibit included panels showing the development of the company over the past 100 years and how the company can solve the latest industrial automation challenges. Yokogawa are strong supporters of the ISO100.11a wireless standard and showed several new developments. Of particular interest was the multiprotocol adaptor concept which will handle HART data, Modbus RTU, 4 – 20 mA pulse DI/DO, Foundation Fieldbus protocol and Profibus protocol.
Dave Wibberley, addressing the winning First Lego League team from Brazil on behalf of the industry.
Endress+Hauser focussed in two of its displays on the power of light – how spectroscopy technology simplifies materials analysis while creating total new ways to control and monitor processes. In a seminar event at the start of the Fair, the company introduced three of its recent acquisitions, AnalytikJena, SpectraSensors and Keiser Optical Systems – all three companies having their core expertise in the field of spectroscopy, a technology that relies on light radiation to analyse various substances and materials.
On the Profitek stand the Hirsch industrial firewall drew attention. As Fons de Leeuw explained, the internet of things is also finding its way into underground communication, which brings with it vulnerability requiring a firewall that can do deep packet inspection yet stand up to the harsh environments underground.
The main theme on the Wonderware stand was situation awareness. The cornerstone of improving the overall human-machine interface (HMI) design is to implement situational awareness (SA). It involves being aware of what is happening in the vicinity, in order to understand how information, events and one’s own actions will impact goals and objectives, both immediately and in the near future. Wonderware showed the tools and techniques available to improve the operations outcomes through goal-oriented design, effective window structure, effective colour usage, actionable alarm management and effective design elements.
One of Rockwell Automation’s offerings was The Connected Enterprise – the convergence of operational technology and internet technology. It is aimed at unlocking devices on the plant floor and making the information available on a single converged network to management in the carpeted area of a business as well as on the shop floor.
Upfront on the Krohne stand was a large pipe-like structure – demonstrating measuring the flow in freshwater pipelines. It’s interesting internal design stops the water from swooshing to allow for accurate measurement by means of the measuring device being inserted after a bend – previously not possible.
One of Comtest’s features on the Fair was a new high definition Fluke thermal imaging camera with multi-functions – said to be the best imager offering value for money.
On the Vega stand a new feature was the VegaPuls69 – a sensor for continuous measurement of bulk solids under different process conditions. It is said to be ideal for level measurement in very high silos, large bunkers and segmented vessels.
Introtech introduced a new fixed thermal imaging camera for temperature measurement, used mainly for maintenance prevention. The miniaturised sensing heads are specially developed for use in cramped surrounding. It can handle up to 2500C without the need for cooling. The instrument can be set to check temperature and at a certain point changes to taking a video.
Phoenix Contact introduced a new range of industrial lightning protection devices at the Fair which are fused and carry a five-year guarantee.
The main feature on the Burkert Fluid Control Systems stand was a multicell system which can combine different sensors into one compact display with a 4-20 mA output, which can be connected to an alarm system. The unit can also be interfaced with a PLC. It is compatible with most common flow, pH/O.R.P. and conductivity sensors, directly connected. Its functionality is extendable by software options.
Honeywell’s stand covered many of their automation and control systems. One of their main focus areas was on cyber and industrial security. Compared to traditional cyber security approaches followed in corporate IT departments, industrial control systems have unique cyber security requirements that demand deep process control knowledge and specialised cyber security solutions and expertise.
Kenneth McPherson of Beckhoff Automation demonstrated a power management system which automatically manages the optimum power factor by switching capacitive banks as the load changes. The system utilises an open PC architecture and is compatible with new as well as legacy systems.
Although Schneider Electric showed large range of industrial applications, one of their consumer focus areas was their solar lamp and cell phone charger, a compact unit with a remote solar panel. The unit can provide up to 48 lumens of low level light and up to six hours of 120 lumens output.
Robotics championships comprising 84 teams, both local and from overseas, participated in the FIRST Robotics Open African Championships competition – creating an opportunity for future engineers and innovators to display their talent and passion. First Lego League (FLL) introduces younger students to the world of engineering by giving them the opportunity to build Lego-based robots. The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is a natural progression once primary school children outgrow the FLL and need a more challenges to keep them interested in engineering
Some exhibitors mentioned they would have liked more seminar time, but on the other hand less seminars meant more opportunity for visitors to spend time with exhibitors. All things considered, this year’s Africa Automation Fair set a high standard for the industry, with the new format taking the industry to another level.
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