Networking technology at the theatre of dreams

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Mar 12, 2007

ASi-tech road show features a full day of education, information and technical updates.

The UK-based AS-Interface Expert Alliance will be travelling to Old Trafford - home of Manchester United Football Club - in May for another ASi-tech road show.

Featuring a full day of education, information and technical updates on Tuesday 22nd May, ASi-tech 2007 is aimed at both existing and potential users of the AS-Interface networking technology that is optimised for low level sensors and actuators.

Applications for AS-Interface include machine automation, functional safety, process control and electrical distribution.

AS-Interface is also ideal for partnering higher level fieldbuses such as Profibus, DeviceNet and Industrial Ethernet.

Strongly featured this time will be the new V3 specification, for which first products are appearing now.

Commented Geoff Hodgkinson, Alliance Chairman: "The alliance exists to promote competence and good practice across the automation spectrum and alliance experts will be prominent at ASi-tech to explain how our technology fits in modern plants".

"A key theme will be 'getting it right' in terms of design, installation and commissioning".

"My members often have to visit sites to put right systems that have not been correctly designed and installed".

"A main message will be 'buy from an alliance expert and get it right first time'".

An introduction to the technology, with a "hands-on the yellow cable" session will enable newbies to learn the basics.

Other papers will feature Functional Safety standards and practice, applications in the process industry and integration of AS-interface with higher level fieldbuses and Industrial Ethernet.

ASi-tech will also include two papers describing how not to fall into common installation traps.

The final paper of the day will take a humorous look at some horror stories and point out how to best avoid them.

ASi-tech is aimed at engineers at all levels in a production plant.

The basic technology is easily accessible for all types of engineers, including mechanical and electrical persons.

Systems designers, integrators and of course functional safety experts should also attend.

Attendance is free, including lunch and refreshments.

Registration can be done online.

"Since our last road show in 2005 AS-Interface technology has developed significantly, both in terms of its technical scope and market share", says Hodgkinson.

"Latest figures show that there are now 11 million installed AS-Interface devices globally, which means we are second only to Profibus in penetrating world automation networking markets at the lowest field level".

"Functional safety, one of the special capabilities of AS-Interface, continues to be our fastest growing market while process automation and discrete manufacturing remain strong".

"But there is plenty of growth still to come and ASi-tech in May will be an ideal place for both potential and existing users to find out more about the benefits".