In December last year (as a host of Festo) I had the privilege of flying to Germany and visiting the showrooms of a company that is 258 years old. Villeroy & Boch, I am told had its roots in the early armaments industry. The two names merged their three plants back in 1836 in order to survive in the European market. The company has become arguably the largest porcelain manufacturer in the world and has produced all manner of products ranging from ornate china to toilet bowls. That is nice, but what on earth has this to do with Motion Control in Southern Africa?
Villeroy & Boch also happens to be a good client of Festo. The company uses Festo products to produce and handle its products, ensuring a high degree of precision and repeatability in its process. One product of particular interest is an interesting coffee cup and saucer. The cup and its handle are fashioned from one tapered piece of clay. Both artistically impressive and practical, the successful production of this item was made possible by Festo technology.
The tour of Villeroy & Boch was part of Festo's fourth annual international press conference, where around a hundred of us learned more about Festo's products, its capabilities and strengths. The lobby of the Festo building contained many demonstration set-ups of various pieces of Festo equipment.
Enchanted dartboard
One popular exhibit was a dartboard that guaranteed a bulls-eye every time (For players capable of at least hitting the board.) Two cameras would watch you hurl the dart towards the board. A computer analyses the hopeless trajectory of the dart and then Festo electrical drives save your reputation by neatly (and astonishingly quickly) positioning the dartboard with the bulls-eye neatly in the path of your dart. Bulls-eye!
Machine Tools Africa exhibition
News & events
Africa’s biggest machine tools exhibition is taking place from 21-24 May 2024 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec.
Read more...WEG partners with Panaco in the DRC Zest WEG Group Africa
Editor's Choice News & events
The strengthened presence of WEG in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), through its strategic alliance with ts value-added reseller (VAR) Panaco, has proved to be highly successful.
Read more...Execution of the massive Azmet Reactor project DRC
Editor's Choice News & events
The Azmet Reactor project, a collaborative effort led by Viva Engineering, involved fabricating six massive reactors that were over three stories high in Gauteng, and then transporting these more than 2500 kilometres to a mine in the DRC - where all 3265 parts fitted perfectly, with not even one of the 26 900 bolts out of place. This was a massive achievement.
Read more...From the editor's desk: The unhuman truth Technews Publishing
News & events
It‘s early in the year, and it‘s fun to see what the predictions are for 2024 in the industrial world. One thing for sure is that generative AI will be big. Among all the hype, an over-the-top app that ...
Read more...SAFPA: Technical evening
News & events
At a recent technical evening, SAFPA committee member, Russell Gill from Engineering & Hydraulic Services gave an interesting introduction to the field of fluid power.
Read more...SAFPA: Soccer day SA Fluid Power Association (SAFPA)
News & events
The 2023 SAFPA six-a-side soccer tournament was a huge success.
Read more...Young scientist invited to Nobel science seminar in Sweden
News & events
Crawford student, Brandon de Greef embarked on an extraordinary journey last December, with a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in the Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar during Nobel Week.
Read more...ABB and Gravitricity to collaborate on energy storage systems
News & events
ABB has signed an agreement with UK-based gravity energy storage firm Gravitricity to explore how hoist expertise and technologies can accelerate the development and implementation of gravity energy storage systems in former mines.
Read more...I-MAK shifts gear with successful roadshow Bearings International
News & events
In a strategic move to fortify its presence in South Africa, I-MAK, a premium brand under the umbrella of Bearings International (BI), recently embarked on a very successful countrywide roadshow.