: Levitating, contactless, intelligent! VOL 27 NO 1 • FIRST QUARTER 2025
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www.motioncontrol.co.za First Quarter 2025 1 SAFPA news News & events New technology OUR COVER 11 FIRST QUARTER 2025 04 05 12 REGULARS FEATURES 15 Parker Hannifin SA, Customized Motion Control, Borobotics, ABB South Africa 18 Honingcraft, Axiom Hydraulics, Parker Hannifin SA, Hydrasales 23 Yaskawa Southern Africa Omron Electronics, DNH Tradeserve, Horne Technologies 25 28 Beckhoff Automation, igus South Africa BMG, SKF 26 31 Drives Hydraulics Aerospace Medical & pharmaceutical Pneumatics Robotics Condition monitoring & maintenance Special machine builder, stoba Sondermaschinen’s optical inspection system is based on deep learning and features the Beckhoff XPlanar planar motor system at the conveyor system core. Read our cover story on page 11 to find out how this system allows automotive suppliers to achieve extremely short cycle times of just three seconds when inspecting high-pressure injection valves and, ultimately inspect around six million parts per year in three-shift operation. : Levitating, contactless, intelligent! VOL 27 NO 1 • FIRST QUARTER 2025 Atlas Copco, Artic Driers International
2 First Quarter 2025 www.motioncontrol.co.za welcome FIRST QUARTER 2025 EDITOR Kim Roberts MSc Chem kimroberts@technews.co.za ADVERTISING Sales manager Jane van der Spuy jane@technews.co.za Tel: +27 83 234 5412 Heidi Hargreaves heidi@technews.co.za Tel: +27 83 504 0436 DESIGN AND LAYOUT Technews production department SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES For address changes, subscriptions, renewal status or missing issues, call +27 11 543 5800 subs@technews.co.za or write to: Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd, Box 385, Pinegowrie 2123 SUBSCRIBE ONLINE www.technews.co.za PUBLISHERS Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd, Box 385, Pinegowrie 2123 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the editor should be addressed to Kim Roberts at kimroberts@technews.co.za. Sending material to this publication will be considered automatic permission to use in full or in part in our Letters column. Be sure to include your name, e-mail address, city and zip code. We reserve the right to edit all letters. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, adapted, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd, Reg No. 2005/034598/07 Disclaimer While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements, inserts and company contact details are printed as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material. Just when we thought we were getting to grips with ChatGPT, another large language model is causing havoc. This time it’s a Chinese one called DeepSeek, which was released on 20 January 2025 and on the 27 January 2025 caused stockmarkets worldwide to crash. The reason was that an obscure Chinese AI startup showed that it could train AI models to perform almost as well as the most sophisticated Western ones like Google and OpenAI, with only a fraction of the computing power, and therefore a fraction of the cost and energy consumption. The market reaction was brutal. Semiconductor giant, Nvidia used to be the highest valued listed company in the world, but on 27 January its share price fell by 17%, wiping out $600 billion of market value − the biggest one-day loss in the history of America’s stockmarket. If training models require less computing power, then fewer chips will be sold. Other players in the AI supply chain, from data centre hardware to energy-generating turbines to networking components, suffered a similar fate. In the bloodbath all the big names were hurt, ranging from Siemens Energy to OpenAI and Dell, to Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon. Analysts called it China’s “Sputnik moment”. Meanwhile consumers flocked to DeepSeek’s chatbox, and within a few days it was the most downloaded free app ever in the US. So, how did DeepSeek do it? According to reports, DeepSeek’s founder built up a store of advanced Nvidia A100 chips, which had been banned from export to China since 2022 as a result of American export controls. Experts believe that this collection, which some estimates put at 50 000, allowed him to build a powerful AI model by pairing these chips with cheaper, less sophisticated ones and reprogramming the chips to train the model to squeeze out every drop of power. It looks like these Chinese AI engineers found a way to work around the export ban and get much more efficiency with limited resources. All this could be a disruption to the current AI business model, which relies on expensive chips and huge computing power − and hence energy. The tech giants have poured huge amounts of money into developing AI, and they are not happy. In fact, DeepSeek has been called a ‘technology thief’ and the big players are in full ‘not invented here’ mode. For example, OpenAI suggested that DeepSeek tapped into its own data through distillation, and criticised it for violating its intellectual property. I find this a bit ironic when the top AI companies in the USA have frequently been accused of abusing intellectual property rights. A new disruption However, there are some unanswered questions about data and privacy management. DeepSeek collects large amounts of personal information from users, which is then stored in ‘secure servers’ in China. There are fears that peoples’ data could be harvested for intelligence purposes. The US Navy has banned its members from using DeepSeek’s apps, as has NASA. Australia has banned it from all government devices and systems, while Italy has blocked all its services citing insufficient transparency about how the company handles personal information. Meanwhile users in the UK and USA have shown no such caution. DeepSeek has rocketed to the top of the app stores in both countries, with over three million downloads since its launch a week ago. When you think about it, OpenAI, Google and Meta are already bending rules and collecting massive amounts of data with little transparency. I had a go at downloading the Deepseek app and the questions weren’t very different to what you would go through to use Whatsapp, whether you liked it or not. So is all this more hype? Probably. Deepseek has been hailed as a game-changer, but at this stage it’s not quite clear what game it’s changing. Something that’s not only good but is also produced cheaply and released as a free open-source model has got to have a future. DeepSeek could result in greater use of AI, along with everything that comes with it. Underneath the jockeying for position among the major players, the real winners could be consumers. For AI to transform society in a good way it needs to be cheap, ubiquitous and out of the control of any one country or company – much like the internet. Nvidia may lose out in what used to be a market with no real competitors. However, DeepSeek comes with the tradeoff we have all experienced − the security of your personal information. Chatbots are powerful tools, but the price is your privacy. Who knows where DeepSeek will be − not next year, but next month?
4 First Quarter 2025 www.motioncontrol.co.za From the President’s desk www.safpa.org.za | +27 11 061 5000 | safpaservices@vdw.co.za SAFPA NEWS Uven Moodley. Ekurhuleni West Technical, Vocational, Education and Training College (EWC) is starting a new occupational program, Mechatronics Technician L5. In conjunction with their German Partner BBW, they hosted a business breakfast for industries that are running automation systems on 14 February 2025. The breakfast was hosted at the EWC Corporate Centre in Germiston. For more information contact manie@EWC.edu.za At a recent SAFPA technical evening Marcus Gericke, head of electric automation at Festo South Africa, gave a very informative presentation on pneumatic vs electric automation. He covered the strengths and weaknesses of each technology, and the relative benefits to be considered when weighing up costs and technical advantages in order to improve efficiency and save money in the long run. The presentation can be viewed at SAFPA Technical Meeting20241101_150512-Meeting Recording.mp4 SAFPA technical evening SAFPA’s first council meeting for this year was held on the 7th of February 2025. All members seemed well rested and returned with vigour to drive forward our plans and initiatives started in 2024. At this meeting, we discussed the formation of a working committee that will be concentrating on the SANS 347 Pressure Equipment Regulations, our technical meetings and social events. Our first technical meeting will be hosted in the first quarter of 2025, with the topic of discussion “ISO 4413:2010 – Hydraulic Fluid Power – General rules and safety requirements for systems and their components.” In terms of our social events, the soccer day was a huge success. It not only brought together people in the industry but their families as well. Last year was a busy and relatively successful year for SAFPA. Our membership grew, and we are financially stable. We are confident that we will build on our 2024 successes and have another successful year. Kind regards Uven Moodley SAFPA breakfast The South African Fluid Power Association (SAFPA) was established in 1982 to raise the professional standards of the pneumatics and hydraulics industries. Originally named the Fluid Power Institute, the association encourages, promotes and aids in knowledge sharing to advance the best practices of the industry. This includes experience, ideas and knowledge about methods, processes and techniques relating to pneumatics and hydraulics. With active membership exceeding 100 members (80% corporate and 20% individual), SAFPA is recognised as the official voice of the hydraulic and pneumatic industry. We encourage companies within this specialised sector, as well as those associated with them, to join our ranks. This will help further establish us as the representative body for the industry, granting us greater influence when engaging with government and lawmakers, for instance. Ultimately, this serves the interests of our industry. Increased membership will enhance educational opportunities within the sector, thereby adding value to organisations and their personnel. Membership of SAFPA unlocks numerous industry advantages for both companies and individuals: • Earn CPD points: As a member of the Engineering Council of SA (ECSA), SAFPA’s monthly technical meetings offer CPD points. • Our ECSA membership ensures representation at the highest levels of engineering. • SAFPA actively collaborates with the SABS regarding relevant standards to influence product and solution standards. • SAFPA remains engaged with projects that have the potential to impact the industry. • SAFPA keeps members informed about international trends in power fluids. • All SAFPA members adhere to a strict ethical code that governs relationships among members, their customers, and suppliers. Consequently, membership certificates can assist in tender applications. • Influences National Standards: Members can join working groups and subcommittees that address industry-related issues, enabling them to contribute directly to national standards, technical handbooks, and educational requirements, for example. SAFPA conducts regular one-day courses in hydraulic hose safety training, which are important for individuals within the industry. The association aims to foster collaborations between companies in the industry and establish connections with similar institutes and organisations internationally. Members are invited to participate in golf, soccer, and cycling events, which facilitate networking opportunities while also providing recreational activities for those working in the industry.
FUTURE READY SMART SOLUTIONS www.africaautomationtechnologyfair.com VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO REGISTER! 6 - 8 MAY 2025 GALLAGHER CONVENTION CENTRE JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA REGISTRATION IS OPEN
6 First Quarter 2025 www.motioncontrol.co.za NEWS & EVENTS Creating added customer value through innovation has been the driving force behind the family-owned company from the beginning and remains the key to Festo’s success today. With its constant determination to make people’s work easier and increase efficiency, Festo has shaped an entire era of industrial production. Today, the company is a global player and front-runner in automation technology, as well as a world leader in technical education and training. Festo’s anniversary is being celebrated with employees, customers and partners worldwide throughout the year. From the very beginning, Festo has focused on innovation, responsibility and the future, and it is the people who still make all the difference. “Festo is the work of many hands” is the saying of the company’s founder, Gottlieb Stoll. This is still the guiding principle for management and staff worldwide. In 1925, he and Albert Fezer founded the company Fezer & Stoll to make woodworking machines in Esslingen am Neckar. Albert Fezer left the company shortly afterwards, and Gottlieb Stoll continued to run the company on his own. The second generation of owners laid the foundation for the company as it is now. Dr Kurt Stoll brought the idea of pneumatics from the USA to Germany in 1950, and as a pioneer in his father’s company developed it further. This marked the start of pneumatics at Festo and paved the way for its use in factory automation. Internationalisation played a vital role in the ongoing development of Festo. Dr Wilfried Stoll concentrated on developing international markets and establishing national companies. In 2000, the owners separated the power tools division from the rest of the company and established it as an independent company under the name Festool. Education as a key theme for customers and employees Lifelong learning is firmly rooted in the corporate culture at Festo. This is because successful companies need people who can understand, develop and apply technologies. Training and developing competencies are thus fundamental success factors for a flourishing workforce. This is why Festo Didactic was established as a worldwide independent division as early as 1965. Wilfried Kurt Stoll’s inventive spirit, holistic thinking and approach, and positive customer-oriented perspective have had a lasting impact on the company. Today, Festo is one of the leading automation companies Festo celebrates its centenary worldwide. Together with Festo Didactic, it is the world market leader in technical education and training. Festo says “Thank you” “In 2025, we want to say thank you to our customers, partners and employees and celebrate this unforgettable anniversary with them,” says Thomas Böck, a member of the Festo management board. Anniversary activities will take place throughout the year- in Germany and in the more than 60 Festo companies worldwide, with ‘thank you’ parties for employees, school days for the young talents of tomorrow, customer events and press events. For representatives of the press and visitors who are enthusiastic about technology, world-leading industrial fair, the Hannover Messe, will have a special highlight in store. “The project is still top secret. What we can say is that it showcases our wide range of skills, our broad expertise, our passion for innovation, and our aspiration to make the impossible possible,” says Böck. The anniversary as a definitive boost for the future Hannover Messe will be a strong start and that momentum will continue throughout the year. For example, there will be ‘Innovation Days’ worldwide where Festo will use a new format to share future trends, technologies and innovations with customers and partners. “In our anniversary year, we are very much looking to the future since we see it as our responsibility to use our innovations in automation and technical education to help solve the most pressing challenges facing industry and society, and to play a key role in driving industrial transformation as a solution provider,” says Böck. In the future, topics such as digitalisation, artificial intelligence, biologisation and the circular economy will give automation a new boost and inspire future generations. Festo will be making a considerable contribution to moving these developments forward. Responsibility as a continuous guiding principle The anniversary will also be the kick-off for an ongoing company-wide initiative to strengthen Festo’s guiding principle of social responsibility for sustainable development. “Our Corporate Citizenship Programme underscores our belief that companies should not only pursue economic goals, but also play a significant part in society,” says Böck. As part of the programme, all 20 000 employees worldwide can spend one day working on a charitable initiative. For more information contact Festo South Africa, 08600 FESTO (33786), marketing.za@festo.com, www.festo.co.za “This anniversary is not only a cause for celebration, but also a reminder of what is possible with solidarity, trust, passion, quality and innovation. Together, we look ahead with confidence to a promising future: Thomas Böck.”
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8 First Quarter 2025 www.motioncontrol.co.za NEWS & EVENTS BMG has been appointed by Timken as a distributor in southern Africa for the Rollon linear motion guidance system. This high-precision product range extends from linear components, actuators and systems to ball screws and rotational units. Rollon specialises in the production and development of linear motion systems used in sectors where product performance, efficiency Motion technology for all types of automation and reliability are critical. These include industrial automation, aerospace, medical equipment, material handling, metals and packaging. “Rollon’s comprehensive product range comprises linear guides, telescopic slides, linear actuators, actuator systems, circular systems, ball screws and rods ends,” explains product specialist, Leon Koekemoer. “What’s notable is that Rollon linear motion guidance solutions are customised to exact requirements and incorporate precision technology for seamless operation. This advanced system is the only true linear automation product available with misalignment forgiveness. In addition, the telescopic rails of this range have the highest load capacity on the market.” BMG’s Bearings Division offers a comprehensive range of bearings comprising ball, roller and linear bearings ranging in size from miniature to extremely large units. The company’s product offering is enhanced by technical expertise, including bearing selection, condition monitoring, reclassification and repairs, bearing modification, manufacturing of assemblies and bearing and housing interchanges. BMG has secured distribution and service agreements with some of the world’s most respected manufacturers of bearings such as NSK, NTN, Timken, IKO, TR, Rollway, FSQ and Rollix. This extensive portfolio is carefully selected in terms of consistent quality control, compatibility, standardisation, reliability and extended service life. For more information contact Leon Koekemoer, BMG, +27 41 406 0300, leonk@bmgworld.net, www.bmgworld.net Epiroc and ABB have signed a MOU to collaborate on a underground trolley solution for the mining industry, including various comprehensive and integrated electrification solutions to increase productivity and achieve decarbonisation targets. The MOU builds on past technology deployment successes in Swedish mines. Under the terms of their agreement, ABB and Epiroc will collaborate to conduct a comprehensive feasibility assessment of their combined offerings. This assessment aims to address the demanding requirements of industrial applications in mining, focusing on productivity, sustainability, and safe high-power automated operations. Any resulting solution will be designed to withstand the harsh environmental conditions found in underground mines and will adhere to approved standards. Recently, ABB and Epiroc partnered with Epiroc and ABB collaborate on underground trolley solutions The Independent Institute of Education (IIE), South Africa’s leading private higher education institution and a division of JSElisted ADvTECH, has received full accreditation from the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). This is the first private higher education provider in the country to be recognised in this manner by the industry authority. All engineering degrees in South Africa must be offered with the approval of ECSA. IIE has been offering ECSA-endorsed Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng) degrees since 2018. In the first years of offering these degrees, ECSA conducted various site visits and reviews of IIE’s B.Eng degrees to ensure that the qualifications ECSA awards full accreditation to IIE degrees Swedish mining company Boliden to develop the first battery-electric trolley truck system for underground mines. According to ABB’s “Mining’s Moment” report, 76% of global mining companies believe that vehicle electrification will provide significant benefits in terms of both sustainability and efficiency. Furthermore, 42% of these companies plan to invest in decarbonising their haulage fleets by 2026. In light of this, ABB and Epiroc believe it is time to take action. “Collaboration within the mining industry is crucial to accelerate the transformation of our customers’ decarbonisation journey,” said Wayne Symes, president of Epiroc’s Underground division. “The decarbonisation of mine haulage fleets is increasingly urgent as we approach the sustainability goals set for 2030,” stated Max Luedtke, global business line manager for Mining at ABB Process Industries. For more information contact Sthembiso Mnisi, Epiroc South Africa, +27 821 9000, sthembiso.mnisi@epiroc.com, www.epiroc.co.za adhered to best practice and to national and international standards for engineering. Full accreditation has now been awarded for IIE’s B.Eng degrees in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and in Mechanical Engineering. “This milestone is truly significant as IIE becomes the first private higher education institution in Africa to receive full accreditation for engineering degrees under the international Washington Accord,” says Louise Wiseman, managing director of IIE’s Varsity College, Vega and IIE MSA. Private higher education institutions in South Africa may not currently call themselves private universities. However, the Department of Higher Education and Training is finalising criteria for institutions intending to ensure that qualifying private higher education institutions may rightly be recognised as private universities, as opposed to state-funded public universities. “This recognition re-affirms that IIE is uniquely positioned in the private sector to provide the highest quality of academic excellence in line with public universities.” For more information contact The Independent Institute of Education, +27 11 676 8000, registrar@iie.ac.za, www.iie.ac.za
www.motioncontrol.co.za First Quarter 2025 9 NEWS & EVENTS As part of its strategy to ‘close the loop’ in its service offering, SEW-EURODRIVE has broken ground on a new 17 000 m2 Service and Repair Centre. The establishment of the state-of-the-art facility plugs the gap for expert repair services for gearboxes in Africa. Having moved into its contemporary 26 000 m2 headquarters complex in Aeroton, Johannesburg in early 2022, which represented Phase 1 of its investment drive in South Africa, SEW-EURODRIVE has commenced Phase 2 of its local expansion drive. Following the turning of the first sod on 2 September 2024, groundworks commenced the following week, with completion of the project expected by November 2025 and occupation in early 2026. Having invested R500 million in the new headquarters complex a few years ago, the ±R384 million investment in a new Service and Repair Centre right next to the head office signals SEW-EURODRIVE’s commitment to servicing customers in Africa, and reflects the company’s confidence in the future of South Africa and the African continent in general. Managing director, Raymond Obermeyer says the new facility – to be built on a 27 935 m2 site area, with 17 000 m2 under roof – represents the company’s largest investment following the COVID-19 pandemic. It also forms part of SEW-EURODRIVE’s €1 billion investment in the expansion of its service capabilities in various markets across the world in 2024 alone. Commenting on the reasoning behind this massive investment, Obermeyer explains that as a market leader in planetary gearboxes, with over 40 years of trading in South Africa, SEW-EURODRIVE recognises the need to enhance its capabilities to service and repair millions of units in the region. As a leading SEW-EURODRIVE’s new service and repair centre global OEM, the company’s expertise positions it to meet the growing demand for repair services in Africa. “Currently, our competitors in the gearbox market focus primarily on selling equipment with a limited offering of the necessary repair and support services,” says Obermeyer. “This gap presents a significant opportunity for SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa to not only service our own products, but also to repair competitors’ equipment, thereby increasing our market share and fostering sustainable growth.” According to Obermeyer, major players in the gearbox repair market are often private companies offering services that most OEMs neglect. By establishing its own Service and Repair Centre, SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa can minimise reliance on external contractors, reducing risks associated with quality control and service delivery. The new facility’s workshop will offer full service and repair capabilities such as sand blasting, spray painting, and stripping of products. It will also contain a fabrication section to manufacture baseplates, guards, and steelworks. In addition, it will have a full motor repair department for motor rewinding, and will also offer assembly and repairs with burnout ovens and rotor balancing. This will be complemented by state-of-the art load test facilities. Moreover, a storage facility and a fully operational 30-bay assembly area will give SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa the capacity to assemble in excess of 300 repaired units per month. “The new Service and Repair Centre offers us enhanced capabilities. The decision to expand our operations includes manufacturing of all steel products, and providing comprehensive repair and rewind services for our own products. This vertical integration allows us to maintain control over quality and service standards, reinforcing our commitment to excellence and sustainability,” says Obermeyer. The new centre now enables the company to offer a full suite of services. By doing so, SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa aims to deliver the complete SEW-EURODRIVE experience, ensuring that its customers receive top-notch service and quality throughout the value chain. This is particularly important in mining, where mines have a clear focus on reducing their operating costs and total cost of ownership. Obermeyer expects the new facility to create 80 to 100 job opportunities, adding to the 100 created as a result of the Phase 1 expansion. He notes that these opportunities will be for highly sought-after skills which are often in short supply. To bridge the technical skills gap, the new Service and Repair Centre will house a larger Drive Academy, significantly upgrading the current 1500 m2 training facility located at the headquarters’ complex. This will be complemented by SEW-EURODRIVE’s information technology centre. “The establishment of the new Service and Repair Centre is a strategic move to enhance our service offering, address market gaps, and strengthen our position as the leading gearbox OEM in South Africa. This investment not only secures our legacy but also paves the way for future growth and innovation,” concludes Obermeyer. For more information contact SEW-EURODRIVE, +27 11 248 7000, bfutter@sew.co.za, www.sew-eurodrive.co.za
10 First Quarter 2025 www.motioncontrol.co.za NEWS & EVENTS Castrol and Lindenberg Racing, together with Shelby South Africa “the official mod-shop of Shelby American in sub-Saharan Africa” are once again a hot item. With a rich 35 year history of association with the highly successful Lindenberg Racing Team and more recently Shelby South Africa, Castrol is again an official partner in 2025. Castrol will be the approved and preferred supplier of all lubricants for Shelby vehicle servicing and for the Lindenberg Racing team, and their sponsorship will help support the logistics and operations of the team throughout 2025 and 2026. “Shelby South Africa and Lindenberg Racing are big names in performance vehicles and wield significant star power in the local motorsport arena,” says Jenny Heyes, marketing director for Africa at Castrol. Shelby, a custom performance vehicle manufacturer, is known globally for its premium upgrade of Ford Mustangs and famously for the Shelby-enhanced Ford Mustang GT40’s string of wins from1966 to 1969 against Ferrari at Le Mans. Shelby South Africa was launched in 2016 by local racing legend Peter Lindenberg. It offers a variety of upgrades for Mustangs purchased at Ford dealerships Castrol, Shelby and Lindenberg Racing team up for success “Castrol is not just another sponsor”, says Lindenberg. “Our service engineers and race car technicians swear by these products. When it comes to high-performance vehicles of this caliber, you need lubricants that ensure you can get the best from the car when you need it most. It is an excellent brand we are pleased to use and be associated with.” For more information contact Castrol SA, +27 11 488 5111, infosa@za.bp.com, www.castrol.com/en_za/south-africa Siemens Digital Industries Software has announced the latest update to its Simcenter portfolio, delivering advancements in aerostructure analysis, electric motor design, gear optimisation and smart virtual sensing. These enhancements are designed to streamline workflows, accelerate certification and provide deeper insights into system performance. “These updates empower engineers to meet the evolving challenges of electrification and advanced air mobility,” said Jean-Claude Ercolanelli, senior vice president of Simulation and Test Solutions, Siemens Digital Industries Software. “Our Simcenter portfolio is transforming engineering simulation.” Key benefits include: Integrated Aerostructure Analysis: Automates the creation of free-body diagrams and margin of safety calculations, accelerating certification schedules by 20%. Engineers can now evaluate load paths across aircraft models and perform full-envelope MoS analysis without the need for costly in-house tools. Axial flux motor simulation: Enables faster design and simulation of compact, high-power-density motors. Engineers can quickly create lightweight designs using Siemens’ Simcenter E-Machine Design software, then transition seamlessly to 3D simulations in Siemens’ Simcenter 3D Siemens elevates automotive and aerospace simulation Bosch Rexroth Africa’s training department has unveiled a state-of-the-art modular training Modular training workstation for Bosch Rexroth workstation. The innovative workstation is now available for purchase by customers, training providers, universities and TVET colleges. The modular training workstation is designed to be customisable and adaptable, allowing different components to be easily added, removed, or swapped to meet unique training needs. This flexibility ensures that the workstation can accommodate various courses in the hydraulic and pneumatic training environment, equipping participants with the skills necessary to excel in their respective fields. The new workstation aims to provide participants with practical experience with real-world equipment and machinery for industries such as fitting, millwright, diesel mechanics, earthmoving, and mechatronics. This allows participants to stay updated on the latest technologies and practices in the hydraulics and pneumatics industries. Qualified artisans and engineers will also have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills. The training workstation meets the SETA trades standards and QCTO qualifications. Bosch Rexroth Africa Training Department is a registered and accredited training provider with the MerSETA. For more information contact Gillian Allin, Bosch Rexroth South Africa, +27 11 979 4630, gillian.allin@boschrexroth.co.za, www.boschrexroth.africa software for comprehensive electromagnetic, thermal and mechanical performance assessments. Gear design optimisation: Introduces lightweight gear blank parameterisation and an optimisation framework to improve gearbox noise, vibration and harshness performance. These tools help reduce late-stage design changes. For more information contact Siemens South Africa, cbcque-ries.za@siemens.com, www.siemens.co.za
www.motioncontrol.co.za First Quarter 2025 11 Achieving the shortest possible inspection times, even when working with different components, is paramount when it comes to series production. This is precisely what special machine builder, stoba Sondermaschinen set out to achieve with its InspectorONE optical inspection system, which is based on deep learning and features the Beckhoff XPlanar planar motor system at the conveyor system core. The system allows automotive suppliers to achieve extremely short cycle times of just three seconds when inspecting high-pressure injection valves, for example, and so inspect around six million parts per year in three-shift operation. stoba sets itself apart through its expertise in the field of automated production. This expertise is built on extensive experience in laser material processing, requiring high level precision and the optimal combination of automation, laser technology and optical test systems. The result is the InspectorONE test system, a self-learning machine for the visual inspection of all kinds of components and products. Modularity is also a crucial factor here. Laser technology expert, Simon Mohr explains: “Depending on the application and testing process, the system includes not only different types of stations, but also different numbers of stations, such as camera systems for surface inspection, and measurement technology for component measurement or code readers. This can be defined on a modular basis according to requirements, just as Beckhoff’s XPlanar as the central handling unit can be optimally adapted via the respective number of tiles and movers.” Quick and error-free testing The system currently being implemented is an optical testing machine for high-pressure injection valves, which has been specially configured for an automotive supplier. It is Planar motor system for quality assurance loaded and unloaded via robots and integrated directly into the end customer’s production line. XPlanar forms the conveyor technology basis for product transport, with the floating movers moving the components to the various camera and measuring stations. This allows incredibly short inspection times to be achieved for different components. Equipped with cameras and deep-learning software, the system operates quickly, automatically and with continuously improving capabilities such as scanning components and detecting features or anomalies. Functional examples include parts inspection with 360° rotation, simultaneous inspection of different components on one machine, and detection of surface defects, contamination, and particles in liquids or air bubbles in the material. XPlanar for speed and flexibility The XPlanar movers not only transport the components to the individual inspection stations, but they also optimise the process flow due to the many degrees of freedom in movement. For example, the rotation of the mover simplifies and accelerates component measurement from all sides. Mohr explains: “XPlanar enables short cycle times, which would be difficult to achieve, even with a rotary indexing machine. It is also an extremely flexible and easily customisable modular system. The floating movers represent wear- and abrasion-free conveyor technology, which makes them ideal for use in clean rooms. This would not have been feasible with linear guides or rotary indexing machines.” According to Michael Berkner, sales expert for laser technology, alternative concepts such as a rotary indexing machines would require significantly more mechanical design, which XPlanar replaces with its high level of software functionality. Although it is also possible to measure several parts at the same time in a rotary indexing machine, it would be necessary to couple corresponding rotational axes to implement rotational inspection. This would make it impossible to achieve the required inspection time of three seconds while trying to accommodate this kind of coupling and subsequent decoupling. With XPlanar, this can be achieved simply using software functionality for 360° rotation. Software functionality increases adaptability Mohr also sees the high software functionality of XPlanar as a major advantage with regard to the adaptability of the test system to changing requirements. “If you consider the long service life of the system and the different product life cycles, replacing mechanics with the software functionality of XPlanar becomes decisively more important. A flexible system such as InspectorONE can be adapted to new components or changed inspection requirements over many years without much effort by simply replacing or adding the respective inspection stations. As far as the changed product transport goes, it is sufficient to perform updates via software.” Berkner adds, “This still has great potential for the future. For example, we are looking into component-specific formulas for the motion profiles of the XPlanar movers so that we can test different components batch-by-batch without interrupting the production process. This would simply not be feasible with a mechanical conversion.” For more information contact Beckhoff Automation, +27 11 795 2898, info@beckhoff.co.za, www.beckhoff.com Image copyright: Beckhoff.
12 First Quarter 2025 www.motioncontrol.co.za Big themes for 2025 2024 was a year of unprecedented innovation and global upheaval. As we look ahead, Amy Webb, CEO of the Future Today Institute asks which technologies will reshape our world in 2025? AI may seem like the obvious answer, but it’s just one of three groundbreaking technologies that will shift the business landscape in the coming year. The other two, advanced sensors and biotechnology, are less visible, though no less important. As geopolitical tensions rise and the global trade landscape shifts, these tiny components will play an outsized role. Expect to see innovations in areas like supply chain tracking, autonomous vehicles and even implantable medical devices, all fuelled by advancements in sensor technology. In biotechnology, researchers developed a 3D bioprinting technique that results in the rapid creation of functional biological issues, achieving speeds 10x faster than before and getting us closer to lab-grown tissues and organs at scale. Two frontier technologies will see breakthroughs in the coming year. The dream of near-limitless, zero-carbon energy from fusion is within reach. Thanks to recent breakthroughs, fusion machines are on the verge of producing more energy than they consume. Soon after, fusion could power data centres, manufacturing, steel mills and chemical manufacturing, enabling us to move away from fossil fuels. In addition, the long-anticipated emergence of quantum computing from the realm of theoretical possibility to practical reality could soon reach an inflection point. The potential for disruption ranges across industries, from medicine to materials science to finance. In an era of unrelenting change, leaders must resist the temptation to wait for the dust to settle and instead become astute observers of emerging signals, monitoring for subtle shifts in the competitive landscape that portend disruption. Quantum computing may not be accessible today, but actively engaging in ‘what if’ scenario thinking will challenge assumptions and prepare organisations for a range of potential futures, enhancing strategic resilience. These key themes have already emerged for 2025 and are on the radar. We have entered a technology supercycle This will be a period of explosive technological advancement driven by the convergence of multiple emerging technologies. Think of it like a perfect storm of innovation, where breakthroughs in various technologies collide and amplify each other. This creates a period of rapid disruption and transformation, similar in magnitude to the introduction of electricity or the internet, leading to entirely new industries, economic shifts and societal changes. • Living Intelligence is the next big disruption: AI is shifting the business landscape, with sensors and biotechnology quietly advancing, and along with AI, their convergence underpins a new reality that will shape the future decisions of every leader across industries. I call this new reality ‘living intelligence’, which creates systems that can sense, learn, adapt and evolve. Living intelligence will drive an exponential cycle of innovation, disrupting industries and creating entirely new markets. Leaders who focus solely on AI without understanding its intersections with these other technologies risk missing the wave of disruption already forming. • PLAMs, CLAMs and GLAMs are the next LLMs: As more sensors surround us, they will not only capture and transmit more data, but more types of data. While organisations are busy creating and using Large Language Models (LLMs), they will soon need to build LAMs: Large Action Models. If LLMs predict what to say next, LAMs predict what should be done next, breaking down complex tasks into smaller pieces. Unlike LLMs that primarily generate content, LAMs are optimised for task execution, enabling them to make real-time decisions based on specific commands, which will be enormously helpful in organisations of every size and scope. LAMs use the behavioural data we generate when we use our phones or operate our vehicles, along with a constellation of sensors everywhere, collecting multiple streams of data at once. As LAMs become more embedded in our environments, they will operate seamlessly, often without users’ direct engagement. What many organisations are failing to imagine is how LAMs will evolve to Personal Large Action Models (PLAMs), eventually interacting with different systems, learning from large datasets and adapting to changing business needs. PLAMs will improve digital, virtual and physical experiences by streamlining decision-making, managing tasks, negotiating deals and anticipating our needs
www.motioncontrol.co.za First Quarter 2025 13 based on behavioural data. They won’t need conscious input- these autonomous agents will personalise recommendations, optimise purchases and communicate with other trusted agents, allowing seamless transactions − all while maintaining a user’s privacy and preferences. PLAMs, by definition, have access to all of the user data on personal devices. While people will have PLAMs, corporations will likewise have one or more Corporate Large Action Models (CLAMs), and digital-forward governments will have Government Large Action Models (GLAMs). • Weird tech alliances are the new normal: At this year’s AWS re:Invent, Apple made a surprise appearance. Apple’s senior director of Machine Learning and AI, Benoit Dupin, shared the stage with Amazon Web Services CEO, Matt Garman to announce that Apple is using Amazon’s proprietary chips. Dupin said that Apple is in the early stages of using Trainium 2, the latest version of Amazon’s AI training chip. This highlights Apple’s strategic alignment with AWS as the cloud giant continues to compete with Microsoft Azure and OpenAI. Meanwhile, Amazon and Anthropic are collaborating on Rainier, a massive, distributed AI compute cluster with hundreds of thousands of chips designed to train next-generation models. The future of AI is tethered to the future of the cloud and compute, and we expect to see more permutations involving Azure, AWS and Google Cloud in the coming year. • The crypto winter thaws: Last year at this time we said the crypto winter would begin in earnest, as it had been a tumultuous year for the crypto industry. While crypto is still volatile, key developments late in the year indicate that winter may thaw early. Bitcoin hit $100 000 for the first time ever, which is a remarkable milestone considering all the turbulence over the past 12 months. The surge is mainly due to Donald Trump’s election and his promise to make the USA “the crypto capital of the planet” through deregulation. With a Republican supermajority, more favourable regulations will likely go into play. • Quantum might finally have its moment: The next couple of years could be a turning point for quantum computing due to several converging factors. First, advancements in error correction techniques are making quantum computers more stable and reliable, paving the way for practical applications. AlphaQubit is an AI-based decoder from Google DeepMind and Quantum AI, and it identifies errors with state-of-the-art accuracy. Accurately identifying errors is a critical step towards making quantum computers capable of performing long computations at scale, opening the doors to scientific breakthroughs and many new areas of discovery. Second, companies like IBM are actively working to increase the number of qubits in their quantum processors, allowing for more complex calculations. Google’s Sycamore processor has demonstrated the potential for quantum supremacy, while IonQ is developing trapped-ion quantum computers for commercial use. Third, increased investment from both the public and private sectors is accelerating research and development. What we will see more of in 2025 is quantum hybrid systems, which can unlock immediate value for business. Companies like Rigetti Computing are focusing on building hybrid quantum-classical systems that can be integrated with existing infrastructure, making the technology more accessible. • Extreme weather and climate events will catalyse tech innovation: The escalating effects of climate change will act as a powerful catalyst for tech innovation – and commercialisation – driving the adoption of solutions that had been held up by cost and market demand. Rising sea levels and extreme weather events will create an urgent need for resilient infrastructure, leading to the wider use of technologies like CarbonCure’s concrete additives that reduce carbon emissions during production. We already have a solution for water scarcity in the form of desalination. Making clean water more accessible will become a priority, and new research from MIT proves that it’s possible to deploy solar-powered desalination systems that don’t require extra batteries. There are new distress sensors for plants in the works, along with synthetic biology-inspired seed coatings and engineered microbes that help decrease carbon emissions. • Nuclear energy makes a comeback: Many of us vividly remember the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents, highlighting the dangers of a catastrophic meltdowns and the aftermath of radiation leaks. With new evidence that Russia may have invented a space nuke, there are concerns that nuclear energy projects could be repurposed for military purposes. It may come as a surprise to learn that the tech titans are increasingly investing in mini-nuclear plants, known as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), as a key component of their future energy strategies. AI’s complex algorithms and massive datasets require a lot of computational power – and within a few years, they will exceed what today’s power plants are capable of producing. Enter SMRs, which offer a more scalable and flexible alternative to traditional nuclear power plants, making them attractive for decarbonising data centres and other energy-intensive operations. Microsoft has partnered with X-energy to deploy an SMR at one of its data centres by 2028. It hopes to show how this technology can power large-scale operations with carbonfree electricity. Google has committed to purchasing 500 MW of power from Kairos Power’s SMRs to provide clean energy for its data centres starting in the 2030s. Amazon also invested in X-energy and is partnering with utilities to develop SMR projects in Virginia and Washington state. Even before the current AI rush, Bill Gates co-founded TerraPower in 2006, with the aim to develop advanced nuclear reactors, ultimately addressing climate change. TerraPower has broken ground on its first nuclear power plant, the Natrium reactor, near a retired coal plant. • Chaos in Europe: The political turmoil in France and Germany, with leadership contests creating deep uncertainty, could significantly hinder Europe’s innovation potential in 2025. As these governments grapple with internal challenges, economic instability and policy paralysis are likely to arise. Rather than strategic planning for the future, these governments will probably focus in on the present. This uncertainty comes as the EU’s AI Act demands stronger government oversight and the regulation of artificial intelligence technologies, potentially creating further complexities for businesses, hindering the development and adoption of AI solutions. • Washington’s Game of Thrones: Like the rival houses in Westeros, tech billionaires and politicians will use their resources – wealth, technology or legislative authority – to outmaneuvre each other at the expense of everyday people. In 2025, the balance of power in Washington could shift dramatically as tech executives, bolstered by immense wealth and influence within the Trump administration, increasingly assert their voices in policymaking. ‘Big tech’ could win the iron throne, kicking ‘big government’ out of the realm. As we move along in 2025, we remain energised by the opportunity to help leaders and organisations thrive in an era of unprecedented change. Looking ahead, we are committed to building on this momentum to deliver impact at scale. Here’s to yesterday’s lessons, today’s triumphs and tomorrow’s possibilities. For more information contact Future Today Institute, hello@futuretodayinstitute.com, www.futuretodayinstitute.com NEW TECHNOLOGY
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