Automation Nation

April 2, 2018

About the author: Caitlin Cunningham is associate editor for Water & Wastes Digest. She can be reached at 847/391-1025 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Management, engineering, production, information technology, and research and development professionals from more than 70 countries will gather at the Reliant Center in Houston, Oct. 2 to 4, for the Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society (ISA) EXPO 2007.

ISA, a global, nonprofit technical solutions organization with more than 30,000 members, will offer in-depth industry coverage beneficial to individuals who work in automation, control systems, plant communications and networks, plant operations, and maintenance and systems integration in a continuous or batch manufacturing environment.

One event, six exchanges

ISA EXPO 2007, North America’s largest automation and control exhibition, will focus on six technology exchanges: security, wireless and networking, process automation, environmental and quality control, safety and enterprise integration.

Show-goers can discuss best practices, lessons learned and possible solutions related to specific automation problems within these areas of interest. The event will host peer-reviewed technical sessions, briefings on essential standards, topical forums, standards development meetings and the ISA EXPO exhibition.

“This year’s exchange concept allows our attendees to enjoy comprehensive presentations of automation and control solutions, ideas and information in the areas that interest them most,” said Dale Lee, ISA director of education, convention and certification. “They’re able to really capitalize on the content we offer, network with like-minded professionals and customize their ISA EXPO experience.”

The process automation will focus on designating instruments and instrumentation systems used for water-related measurement and control. Sessions will cover flow measurement, model predictive control, batch applications, advanced regulatory control and more. Panels and discussions on distillation processes and instrumentation and valve standards will be offered.

The environmental and quality control exchange may be especially beneficial for those in the water and wastewater field. Presentations will examine relevant issues such as in-line sensors and building control issues.

Training opportunities

It is ISA’s mission to present training that is unbiased, vendor-neutral and focused on practical technological applications. For this year’s exhibition, ISA will offer 20 of its most popular courses all under one roof. Participants may earn continuing education units (CEUs) through many options. Water and wastewater professionals might be particularly interested in the following educational offerings:

  • Understanding Industrial Processes, Measurement and Control. Oct. 1 to 3, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This leture- based course, led by Marvin Anderl, provides techni- cians, engineers and managers with the fundamentals they need to more effectively communicate with other control system professionals. The three-day program, which covers process control concepts, flow measure- ment, trends in control technologies and more, serves as an excellent introduction to other ISA courses. (2.1 CEUs)
  • Process Pumps for Instrumentation Pros. Oct. 1 to 2, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Instructor Larry Machus brings nearly 30 years experience with industrial pumps to this two- day course. Registrants will learn to reduce unscheduled maintenance and notice unusual operating conditions by reviewing basic pump principles, affinity laws, bearings, pump piping and more.
  • Certified Control Systems Technician Review Course. Oct. 1 to 3, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Practicing technicians preparing for the Level I CCST examination are encouraged to sign up for this fast-paced review of the knowledge necessary for properly installing and maintaining standard measurement and control instru- mentation. Delve into the calibration, loop checking, troubleshooting and start-up domains under the guidance of longtime teacher Tom Stokes. A practice exam will be issued. (2.1 CEUs)

Online registration is available for these and other courses through Sept. 17. Please note that many training program start dates precede those of ISA EXPO. If you are not sure whether a particular course is right for you, many descriptions include a preinstructional survey for evaluating current knowledge of course material and reviewing the types of questions registrants will be able to answer upon completion.

Outside the classroom

ISA EXPO 2007 will offer a number of outside-the- classroom learning and networking opportunities as well. Consider some of these special events when putting together your schedule:

  • ISA Fall Leaders Meeting—Sept. 29 to Oct. 3, Hyatt Regency Houston. Held in conjunction with ISA EXPO 2007, this governance meeting invites all ISA members to participate in policy and program decisions.
  • Honors and Awards Gala—Oct. 1, 7:00 to 11:00 p.m., Hyatt Regency Houston. Recognize the achievements of automation and control professionals from around the world while enjoying dinner, dancing and friends. A President’s Reception precedes at 5:30 p.m.
  • ISA EXPO exhibit—Oct. 2, 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. Oct. 3, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 4, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Don’t miss this year’s sensors fair and industrial communications, software solutions and environmental pavilions. The Oct. 2 exhibition hours have been extended to include a casual networking session.
  • YAPFEST 2007—Oct. 2, 5:30 p.m. Young automation professionals ages 18 to 30 are invited to attend this second annual event, which will feature live music and a free one-day conference session pass.

For more event information and to register, visit www.isa.org/isaexpo2007.

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About the Author

Caitlin Cunningham

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