SPS/IPC/Drives 2006 rolls on

Nuremberg, Germany —Users, developers, and manufacturers of electric automation technology have converged with anticipation at the “special interest exhibition” SPS/IPC/Drives in Nuremberg, Germany for another three-day run on Nov. 28-30, 2006. This show has been posting remarkably consistent expansion numbers over the years in three vital areas: exhibitors, display space, and visitors. The trend continues, with record figures of 1,203 exhibiting companies (3.5% increase over 2005) from 33 countries and 77,500 sq m (834,000 sq ft) of display space—up more than 6.2% from last year—announced by show organizer Mesago Messemanagement GmbH.

SPS/IPC/Drives’ track record of attendees has been strong as well. While year-to-year increase of visitors can’t be guaranteed—nor is it the sole measure of an exhibition’s success—prospects for a good turnout were very much in the air on opening day, Nov. 28. The target to beat is last year’s 34,600 visitors.

8 halls, 3 key topics

Eight exhibit halls of Nuremberg’s Exhibition Center are again used for the 2006 event. At the opening press conference, Joseph Rath, president of Mesago Messemanagement, suggested that another exhibit hall might be “in play” for next year.

Products and technologies at SPS/IPC/Drives 2006 range widely from electric drives and motion control to a gamut of sensor methods to industrial software and various control/interface technologies.

Key themes for 2006 are Ethernet in Automation, Safety and Security in Automation, and Motion Control. These technologies are delivered via panel discussions and forums, as well as through show-floor products. However, other forum topics, such as wireless technology, innovative sensors, image processing, security and web developments, and life cycle costs of automation systems, for example, electric drives are also scheduled.

Highlights of SPS/IPC/Drives will be reported in Control Engineering in print and online.

For more information, click here to visit the show Website.

—Control Engineering Daily News DeskFrank J. Bartos, P.E., Control Engineering Consulting Editor

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