Houston, TX—Preliminary estimates indicate that more than 14,500 people attended ISA Expo 2003, Oct. 21-23, at the Reliant Center. Visitors were from 70 countries and a range of industries, including petrochemicals, power generation, research and development, water and waste management, software manufacturing, and industrial networking.

Organizers report that ISA Expo 2003 was unquestionably busy, and that exhibitors left happy, with qualified leads, and a renewed sense of enthusiasm.ISA Expo 2004 is scheduled for Oct. 5-7, 2004, again at Houston's Reliant Center. It will then begin a schedule of alternating each year between Chicago's McCormick Place and Houston. For information, visit www.isa.org.

Some of the most significant ISA Expo 2003 exhibits included:

• Accutech exhibited its wireless process measurement, monitoring and data acquisition system that consists of seven models of integrated wireless field units; compact base radios to communicate with the units and interface with existing control systems, and Wireless Instrumentation Manager, version 1.1, software for real-time monitoring, reporting and network management.
• Featuring higher density, lower installation costs and easier web-based configuration, BusWorks 900 EN Series Ethernet I/O modules from Acromag also have a direct network interface on each inch-wide module to eliminate expensive buscouplers, large I/O racks and special software.
• AutomationDirect displayed five hardware systems at the Profibus Trade Organization's (PTO) exhibit, all certified using Profibus DP. These products include DL05 and DL06 micro PLCs, which use H0-PSCM Profibus slave controller module. H0-PSCM allows any DL05 or DL06 PLC sub-system to be linked with a Profibus master controller. In addition, AutomationDirect teamed with Kepware Technologies to show technology for Ethernet PLC data serving using OPC. AutomationDirect's DirectLogic DL205 PLC system with Ethernet module was the primary master controller in Kepware's OPC-DX demonstration at the OPC Foundation exhibit.
• Developed using patented sonar array technology, CiDRA's Sonartrac flow monitoring system provides a non-intrusive means of accurately and repeatedly measuring single and multi-phased medias including pulp slurry, sewage, and those with entrained air. CiDRA says Sonartrac provides 0.05% accuracy, is available in 1 to 56 in. sizes, and its clamp-on design can be installed in 30 minutes or less on almost any piping material.
• Expertune announced and demonstrated how Control Consultant software, now part of Expertune PlantTriage, allowed process-control Greg Shinskey to deliver specific text-based background and advice.
• Hoffman says its multi-purpose, large Type 1, freestanding enclosures are designed for use in areas requiring Type 1 protection, and can house PLC/main control panels, power distribution cabinets, and HVAC applications in clean environments. It's available in 11 sizes from 48 x 25 x 12 in. to 84 x 36 x 24 in.
• Iconics showed several new visualization products, including BridgeWorX, a new member of Iconics' Business Visualization (BizViz) suite; new capabilities in its Genesis32, version 8.0, which integrates VCRWorXTM32 and DataWorXTM32; and OPC ToolWorX, which allows users to quickly develop OPC servers and ActiveX OPC clients.
• ICP DAS USA Inc. exhibited its recently announced advanced controller, WinCon-8000, in conjunction with Indusoft in Microsoft's exhibit. To offer the best of PC and PLC worlds, WinCon-8000 uses a PLC platform with an Intel Strong ARM CPU running the Windows CE.Net 4.1 operating system. However, it can also run PC-based control software developed with tools, such as VB.Net, Visual C#.Net, and embedded Visual C++.
• MTS Systems Corp.'s Sensors Division demonstrated its M-series set-up software, downloadable at mtslevelsensors.com, which can help users with analog or digital MTS magnetostrictive level sensors select correct versions according to level gauge output. The PC-based software is designed to facilitate installation, programming and diagnostic features on MTS M-series liquid level sensors.
• OSIsoft unveiled Web Portal for Corporate Performance Management, with the goal of empowering workers by delivering real-time, secure, event-driven, goal-based information through also just-announced Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server 2003.
• A new total connectivity solution for wireless industrial monitoring from RAE Systems Inc. includes AreaPort and AreaConnect, which provide seamless, wireless online monitoring of 4-20 mA sensors and industrial Ethernet data management for manufacturing environments.
• Siemens Energy & Automation reports that its Maxum II on-line process gas chromatograph can be used in single- or dual-oven applications, allowing airbath or energy saving airless heating methods. It can also serve in parallel chromatography, which simplifies and accelerates a complex application into several simple measurements
• TopJobS series of DIN-rail-mounted terminal blocks from Wago incorporate its Cage Clamp S spring pressure connection technology. The Wago I/O-IPC solution expands the company's I/O system with industrial PC.