Securing New Horizons

We can't see the future, but we can improve the probability of our survival and success with a little foresight, preparation, and willingness to explore new solutions. One way to do this is to attend ISA Expo 2003, Oct. 21-23, at the Reliant Center in Houston, TX. Expected to feature more than 500 exhibitors and attract approximately 15,000 visitors, this year's three-day event is organized by ...

By Jim Montague, CONTROL ENGINEERING October 1, 2003

We can’t see the future, but we can improve the probability of our survival and success with a little foresight, preparation, and willingness to explore new solutions. One way to do this is to attend ISA Expo 2003, Oct. 21-23, at the Reliant Center in Houston, TX. Expected to feature more than 500 exhibitors and attract approximately 15,000 visitors, this year’s three-day event is organized by the Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society (ISA).

The show will also include numerous new symposia, keynotes addresses, special forums and several conferences. Highlights of ISA Expo 2003 will include:

  • This year’s Technical Conference includes 116 sessions grouped into nine topics: automation IT, control, instrumentation, measurement, networking and communications, productivity and management, safety, security, and standards and compliance.

  • The debut of the Industrial Network Security Symposium , which will address critical industrial security challenges, including manufacturing information assurance, physical and cyber-security integration, wireless network security and industrial risk assessment.
    The eight-session symposium is organized into an Introductory Track, in which users and experts explain industrial network security problems and review solutions provided by ISA and SP99, and an Advanced Track, which covers lab program and controlled security, impact of security on controlled system performance, what’s happening on the international scene, and live tutorials demonstrating cyber-security attacks and defenses.

  • Highlighting recent advances in automation and control, the Emerging Technologies Conference (ETCON) focuses on applied and basic research from laboratories and development centers worldwide, and will showcase original technical papers and innovative ideas in emerging technologies that can be implemented in the manufacturing environment.
    ETCON’s 19 sessions are organized into five tracks, including sensors and measurement and four advanced topics—biomedical technology, communications, control technologies and manufacturing and design.
    This conference will also highlight new sensor technology developments in a Sensors for Measurement and Control Symposium that will cover advances in microwave sensing, wireless sensing, intrinsically safe fiber-optic sensing, environmental sensing, and more.

  • Besides its technical sessions, ISA Expo 2003 will offer four Special Forums that are open to all attendees.
    The show’s Rimbach Lecturer, Dr. Janusz Bryzek, Transparent Networks’ CEO, will serve as the opening plenary speaker for the sensors symposium at 10 a.m. on Oct. 21. Bryzek is one of the world’s experts in MEMS & silicon sensor technologies.
    This year’s edition of “Dick’s Last Retort” will continue the debate on the future of industrial automation in a panel discussion moderated by: Richard (Dick) Morley, founder of R. Morley Inc., at 11:45 a.m. on Oct. 21.
    The third panel, “Real-time Performance Management Executive Forum,” will be moderated by William Moore, ARC Advisory Group’s VP, at 11:45 a.m. on Oct. 22.
    Finally, “Fieldbus Wars—Encore?” will be moderated by Dick Caro, CMC Associates’ CEO, at 11:45 a.m. on Oct. 23.

  • A special series of four R&D Updates sessions will be presented by R. Russell Rhinehart, Bartlett Chair and head of the School of Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State University (OSU). These sessions arise from the school’s Measurement and Control Engineering Center (MCEC), which is a collaborative effort among industry, the university, and government.

  • The show floor’s 500-plus exhibitors will be joined by four Specialty Technology and Product Pavilions , including Automation IT, Bluetooth, Industrial Communications, and Sensors.

Safe, sound solutions

More than 500 exhibitors will fill ISA Expo 2003’s hall from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on each of the show’s three days. Some of the most innovative are featured here. For more information, www.controleng.com/freeinfo .

Fluid Components International

With a sensing element combining precision thermal mass flow and gas composition sensors, the new GF03 Flowmeter from Fluid Components International (FCI) delivers a low-cost solution that achieves the accuracy, range and resolution required to meet the stringent air pollution regulations at total installed costs up to 50% less than alternative technologies. www.fci.com

Booth 2504

George Fischer Inc.

George Fischer Inc. ‘s +GF+ Signet 8900 multi-parameter controller has up to four channels/sensor inputs in a compact, cost-effective 1/4 DIN package. Two base units, one with a backlit LCD and the other with a vacuum fluorescent display, can be configured with many I/O options in the field. www.gfsignet.com

Booth 2465

Honeywell Sensotec

Honeywell Sensotec ‘s offers a plug, play, and calibrate systems for its sensors and signal conditioning. The system is compliant to IEEE 1451.4 standard for connectivity of sensors and associated signal conditioning. The transducer electronic data sheet (TEDS) containing sensor specifications, calibration data and user-defined location information is stored in the sensor. www.sensotec.com

Booth 2923

Phoenix Contact Inc.

To enhance its point-to-point one-way wireless device, MCR-RAD for analog and digital signals, Phoenix Contact Inc. offers its MCR-RT-I/O-Plus, an integrated radio and I/O module with expandable I/O options. The devices are designed to eliminate cable and conduit for analog and digital signals in harsh industrial environments. www.phoenixcon.com

Booth 2217

Siemens Energy & Automation

Siemens Energy & Automation reports that its Maxum II on-line measurement system can help hydrocarbon processing plants comply with a recent mandate from the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality to reduce highly reactive volatile organic carbons (HR-VOCs). The system includes Maxum II on-line process gas chromatograph and Fidamat flame ionization continuous gas analyzer to help measure HR-VOC reductions and achieve mandated levels. www.sea.siemens.com

Booth 1949

Wilcoxon Research Inc.

BlueLynx wireless sensor links from Wilcoxon Research Inc. feature 100-meter range and Class 1 Bluetooth technology for operating in -40 °C to 85 °C applications. BlueLynx includes BLT, BLG, BLS, and the previously released BLM wireless sensor links, as well as the C1B radio module. www.wilcoxon.com

Booth 1137