Free Ethernet seminars, in application locations, start Sept. 20

By Control Engineering Staff September 12, 2005

A series of free U.S. Ethernet seminars—for automation industrial automation, process control, data acquisition, and remote monitoring applications—begins on Sept. 20. Many are located in sites that use related automation, according to sponsor Opto 22, a developer and manufacturer of hardware and software for industrial automation, remote monitoring, data acquisition, and machine-to-machine (M2M) applications.

The full-day “Ethernet in Automation” seminar will cover benefits of deploying Ethernet in industrial networks (cost savings via higher density I/O, and ability to use faster, more powerful, latest-generation controllers). They also will preview several new Opto 22 products (such as the Snap PAC family of programmable automation controllers), demonstrate how to add Ethernet networking to existing Optomux systems, and give an overview of the soon-to-be-released ioProject Professional software suite.

Locations were chosen to appeal to the target engineering audience. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania seminar, for example, is being held at the world-renowned Carnegie Science Center, famous for its Miniature Railroad and Village exhibit, which is fully controlled and automated by Opto 22 hardware. Other venues include the USS New Jersey aircraft carrier, the Minneapolis St. Paul airport (also with Opto 22 hardware), Detroit’s Automation Alley, and Ameriquest Field in Arlington, TX, home of the Texas Rangers.

“Opto 22 is committed to educating its customers on the benefits of Ethernet and how it can be applied in industrial networking. Along with the free Snap Ethernet Systems training courses offered each month at our corporate headquarters, our‘Ethernet in Automation’ seminar tour helps us fulfill that commitment,” says Benson Hougland, Opto 22 vice president of marketing.

Fourteen sessions are in or near major U.S. cities, Sept. 20-Nov. 3, 2005, with more planned. For the most current seminar locations, the “Ethernet in Automation” seminar agenda, additional information, or to register, here’s a link to the appropriate Opto 22 Web page.

For recent Control Engineering information about Opto 22 products, see:

“ Exclusive: Opto 22 s new brain boards enable serial-to-Ethernet migration ”

Opto 22, Power Engineers develop Ethernet, DNP3-based RTU alternative

—Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering, mhoske@reedbusiness