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News Release from: SPECIAL REPORT by the Editor | Subject: Manufacturing Excellence
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 03 August 2004
The 2004 Manufacturing Excellence
Conference
In its sixth year ME has matured into a balanced event, a real process industry forum for discussion and learning about operational benefits from modern automation systems, writes Nick Denbow
Last week saw three days of the Emerson sponsored Manufacturing Excellence Conference In its sixth year it has matured into a balanced event, a real process industry forum for discussion and learning, with the presentations discussing experience of operational benefits from modern automation systems, rather than just presenting the potential and planned savings from new installations
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 29 Sep 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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This came from active participation by co-sponsors Huntsman and BASF, plus several papers contributed by BP and HSE.
By definition, reporting fully on a conference with 5 parallel streams is difficult for one person.
Hopefully many of the excellent presentations will be reported in the coming weeks on Processingtalk.
Further reading
Fieldbus and its benefits
The conclusions of the ARC study are worth reviewing: "The value proposition of fieldbus has changed from the initial perceptions of the marketplace...."
'Industrial Marketing on the Internet' Seminar
Earlier this year Pro-Talk held two seminars helping explain to industrial companies how to develop their internet presence, aimed at marketing managers from industrial and scientific manufacturers
At Huntsman Petrochemicals the use of Curvaceous Software 16 dimensional mapping and data mining techniques, extracting data from the DeltaV controlled plant, enabled the process engineers to test out their theories of how the plant actually should be driven to get the best productivity.
This led to some interesting results - and changed long-held theories about how to run the plant.
BASF presented some results on how a Utilities plant test installation of proactive maintenance using intelligent instruments to give maintenance alerts via Foundation Fieldbus and AMS software systems, which then triggers maintenance orders direct via the BASF SAP system.
After a year in operation it has proved itself effective, and this month sees the extension of the technique across other parts of their Seal Sands site.
Bowman Consulting continued the maintenance theme - describing an electronic/software package that automates 'Permits to work' on site at Huntsman Polyurethanes.
A simple approach that appears to have been quickly accepted by the operational staff, and that has produced good results.
Hazards from maintenance laptops, upgrades and modem access were highlighted by PA Consulting, presenting to a packed audience eager to hear about 'Cyber attacks' on control systems.
Now apparently a fashionable target, the audience were no doubt worried that they should be worried.
It was an excellent review - and everyone left looking even more worried.
Many of the presentations were supported by Exhibition stands in the buffet area: the main hall.
This had small companies, Universities, and several new ideas on offer.
The mixing of people - Exhibitors, audience and presenters was enough to give everyone something positive to take away.
The stories from ME will be presented on Processingtalk as they come through - so look out for them.
Meanwhile the format now established by ME continues at the Profibus International Conference this week, and at future ME events, planned for Ireland and Germany in the coming winter.
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