The completely networked machine is at the centre of digitalisation, future Industry 4.0 projects and the internet of things (IoT). How can users’ access to such a highly communicative application be designed securely? In the past, protecting the machine network against malware and harmful actions proved to be simple: it was operated as a local […]
The production of shavers is under immense cost pressure and the demand for the devices is substantial. In combination with factors like quality and design, the purchase decision is also affected by the price. To remain competitive under these conditions, Philips’ shaver production operates out of two production sites: one in China and the other […]
Cider has been growing in popularity over the past few years, with South Africa experiencing robust year-on-year growth in volume terms. As a result, consumers have become more discerning and demanding of cider quality and availability. Food and beverage manufacturers now have added pressure to produce their products in an even more competitive way than […]
Population is not simply a problem of numbers. The growth in Africa’s population in the last decade has not been accompanied by the necessary structural transformation nor has it translated into equitable human development and improved livelihoods,”- Dr. Pali Lehohla, statistician-general and president of the International Organising Committee of the 28th International Population Conference, Cape […]
As part of a project to explore energy monitoring and smart metering technologies, Grundfos, Microsoft and Beckhoff have equipped the “Grundfos Kollegiet” student dormitory in the Danish town of Århus with intelligent PLC systems that transmit data to an energy monitoring system in Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform. The dormitory is near the town’s […]
Is a surface empty or is a shelf occupied? Where is a specific object and how far away is an obstacle? 2D light detection and ranging (lidar) sensors can provide answers to questions like these which often arise in the context of industrial and intralogistics automation systems. There are three product families available, each […]
Manufacturing across the world has undergone numerous ebbs and flows to find its place in modern industry. Armed with the knowledge that the face of industrial output continually changes, many industrialised countries seek a new approach to production. Industry and academia alike are united in this quest through initiatives, such as Industry 4.0 in […]
Over the past few months stories have been circulating in the USA that by the end of this year every American will be identified by a RFID (radio-frequency identification) implant – a small chip and an antenna that is planted under the skin in the space between the thumb and index finger. These […]
Digitalisation is a transition process from a disconnected set of varying technologies to an interconnected environment enabling improvements to business operations and functions, processes and activities, through digital technologies. Enormous benefits to business would accrue the more integrated equipment and processes are, and the more digital data is leveraged. Interconnectivity as defined by IoT […]
In a recent round-table discussion on Industry 4.0 around smart manufacturing, Dave Wibberley interviewed Deon Fourie, MD of Shopware. Fourie has some very clear ideas around Industry 4.0’s chances of success in Africa and the rest of the world. According to Fourie, Industry 4.0 is in its infancy even in Europe and there are no […]
