OMAC showcases panels of experts at ISA EXPO 2005

OMAC - The Open Modular Architecture Control Users' Group, will feature technology and application developments for automation professionals at ISA EXPO 2005, to be held from 25-27 October in Chicago

"The OMAC sessions at ISA EXPO 2005 will add significant value to the conference programme, and we're confident that the technologies, guidelines and information presented at these panel discussions will help our attendees solve difficult problems," said Dale Lee, ISA Director of Convention, Education and Certification Services.

The first OMAC session, "OMAC Packaging Guidelines - Increasing the ROI for Industry," will be held on Tuesday, 25 October.

The session will focus on the development of industry guidelines for packaging applications by end users, working with OEMs and suppliers.

Experts in the industry will discuss the latest guidelines, providing advice on increasing productivity and saving money, in the following areas.

* Common interface language (eg, naming conventions for communications) between production machinery within the packaging industry, including adaptation of ISA-88 standards.

* Control architecture platforms and connectivity options for greater packaging machine automation interoperability.

* Common software elements and structures within industry languages for improved packaging machinery interoperability.

* Justifying automation return on investments.

* Defining and satisfying the educational and training needs of industry.

The second session, "OMAC Manufacturing Architecture Guidelines - A Communication Cornerstone for Interoperability," will be held on Wednesday, 26 October.

"Open architecture controls are a means of achieving manufacturing success.

Common connectivity between production assets and other systems in a manufacturer's supply chain is essential to achieving the increased responsiveness, reduced investment and operating costs, and enhanced quality of end products that characterise lean and efficient production operations," commented Andy McDonald, OMAC Board Chair.

This session will also explore how OMAC and ISA-SP95 are planning to work together on factory architecture and interoperability standards between the factory floor and enterprise systems.

"OMAC MSMUG - Optimising MS Windows in Manufacturing," also held on Wednesday, will feature manufacturing end users and help define how best to apply MS Windows, including.

* Configuring for optimal use and security in concert with ISA-SP99 guidelines on manufacturing and control systems security.

* Installing and managing patches with minimal disruptions to operations.

* Achieving interoperability.

Finally, "OMAC Machine Tool Working Group - Defining the Future of Machining," will be held on Thursday, 27 October.

The panel will discuss the latest developments in this important initiative to advance machining operations for better accuracy and performance management.

Participants will interact with industry experts that are working on projects such as.

* The STEP-NC standard designed to bring CAD/CAM data into the CNC, replacing G codes with a richer data set, including features, geometry and tolerances.

* The development of an API that defines an intelligent closed loop controller environment to support open architecture concepts including application portability at the source level, interoperability of modules, and extensibility of controller functionality.

ISA EXPO, North America's number one event for automation and control professionals, is scheduled for 25-27 October at the McCormick Place Lakeside Center in Chicago, Illinois.

With practitioners from over 70 countries, ISA EXPO features the largest and most comprehensive products and services exhibition, a cutting-edge technical conference, and an exceptional continuing education and training programme.

Back to top