Conference simplifies fieldbus upgrades

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team May 27, 2008

The Profibus and Profinet UK User Conference 2008 aims to make the transition from conventional to fieldbus systems as easy (and jargon-free) as possible.

The Profibus and Profinet UK User Conference 2008 presents a multistream educational programme that will lead users through Profibus and Profinet from the basic technology through to its use in real world industrial and process applications.

Te aim of the conference is to assist companies making the transition from conventional to fieldbus systems as easy (and jargon-free) as possible.

The event will feature presentations from industry experts and end users in the main conference.

15 papers will be spread over two days, with an exhibition of relevant equipment from the main suppliers and a programme of workshops presenting practical demonstrations of Profibus and Profinet equipment, systems and network installation.

UK and European experts in both Profibus technology and installations will be presenting at the conference.

Dr Joerg Freitag, Chairman of Profibus and Profinet International (PI), will review the current use, status and outlook for the different types of network and cover interfacing to other fieldbus systems, such as IO-Link.

Andy Verwer, Principal Lecturer at the Manchester Metropolitan University Department of Engineering and Technology will review the most common errors found over the last five years of site visits.

Two user presentations include a description of the Profibus DP networks that have been installed in the Cummins diesel engine plant in Darlington, by Cleveland Systems Engineering and a description from Hydro International of a Profibus system used to provide Instrumentation and Automation on their Hydraulic Test Facilities.

Technical papers on the same day from ABB and Endress + Hauser will discuss the design and planning of a fieldbus system, compared to a conventional 4-20mA/HART system, followed up by a paper from Siemens Milltronics, discussing site troubleshooting and practical experiences on installations.

Roger Marlow will discuss water industry applications of fieldbus networks.

He is the Project Manager for the Water Industry Mechanical and Electrical Specification (WIMES) project.

The WIMES Electrical Working Group is currently preparing a common water industry specification for the installation of fieldbus networks as part of their revised low-voltage installation specification.

Mark Cargill of Enpure will discuss the main issues when migrating to or expanding Profibus systems and also examines factors to consider when designing a Profibus network with expansion capabilities from scratch.

Other speakers will discuss the safety aspects of Profibus, covering use in hazardous areas and in machinery safety systems.

The user conference will take place at Stratford on Avon on the 24th and 25th June 2008 and will allow discussion and evaluation of all types of fieldbus systems.

Questions can be lodged in advance with the speakers, so that the particular topic of interest can be covered during the presentation.