From research to business
THE FORMULA THE MARKET LIKES Figures up for the second edition of SPS/IPC/DRIVES Italia. Motivated thus the satisfaction of the organizers (Messe Frankfurt), the Parma fair body that hosts the same and all participants (exhibitors and visitors), who gave rise to a three-day event of high-level technology, going further into one of the items most keenly associated with productivity: industrial automation.
Totally dedicated to the "hidden technology" that improves life, SPS Italia gave an all-round view of automation, tool upstream of all kinds the industrial production, capable of making operations more efficient and safer.
Automation is also to be interpreted as a key factor in Italy’s economy, given that the sector “moves” around 4 billion per year all told. As Giuliano Busetto, President of Anie AssoAutomazione, the main sector association, stated, «industrial automation is a sector that has reacted very positively to the crisis of 2009.
The consolidated figures are excellent and many associates have invoiced more than in 2008 (considered a “golden” year, Ed).) In absolute terms in 2011 the sector showed an increase of 18% (in 2010 the increase was 19%)».
That the subject "automation" is of great interest for every industrial sector was shown by the figures registered in the field at the second edition of SPS/IPC/DRIVES Italia Parma: compared to 2011, between 22nd and 24th May 2012, the show in fact received over 14,500 visitors (+34.2%), 434 exhibitors (+40%), increasing the exhibition floorspace by 30% (35,700 sqm).
The formula adopted, aiming at maximum specialization, is hence seen to be successful, and Messe Frankfurt appears to have hit the mark in replicating in Italy an engagement fully tried and tested in Nurnberg, among other things showing the vitality of a segment: in these times, a positive signal that can but only bring benefit to the Italian economy as a whole.
The value of the fair. Beyond the obvious and necessary commercial and business implications, SPS has built its credibility on an important presupposition: to all intents and purposes become an applicative info and training event open to everyone, from students (future leaders) to industry professionals who, in a one-off event and without time-wasting, have the opportunity to update on the state of the art of research and on the latest market trends.
A concept, this truly, made by manufacturers for manufacturers: if the major automation and controls builders operating in Italy were invited to sit on the advisory panel in order to take an active part in defining the event definition, the scientific committee has benefited from the authoritative contribution of end users, OEMs and universities, further strengthening the bond between the “world of doing and making” and the academic world, placing the onus on a greater, more widespread efficiency.
To further emphasize the need to share, a reminder that in addition to conferences (well-attended and focused on the role that automation plays in the field of "safety and security", the good design of the business, and a key instrument of network communication), SPS 2012 reserved a specific and well marked area for system integrators. These are key figures in a complex and dynamic market the likes of industrial automation and fundamental trait d’union between manufacturers and end users.
But the new CertiSearch area also helped highlight other proposals necessary for the development of the automation market, fielded by certification and research agencies. Lastly, with the onus on continuing dynamic cultural exchange the Linking University should not be overlooked, a true "platform of ideas" where universities were able to demonstrate the state-of-the-art of thei research and formation programs.
Interpreted by companies and research institutes, these the themes tackled during the conferences at SPS Italia: a trace useful in defining the trends affecting the present and immediate future of industrial automation.
• Tuesday 22nd May 2012
“Safe automation - Safety and Security”
Here one has the dual concepts of physical safety and logical security, in particular referring to chance events or events that are difficult to predict, which jeopardize human safety, as well as intentional acts of individuals that aim at damaging the system. With the massive use of ICT standard technologies (soft PLCs, real-time operating systems, IP-based networks or Industrial Ethernet) in industrial automation the dual terms of safety and security are becoming increasingly interlinked. The traditional themes of safety in production facilities is now flanked by the risks posed to data security.
• Wednesday 23nd May 2012
“Efficiency in the company, from design to business intelligence”
Automation plays a strategic role in production in pointing the way towards economical and environmentally sustainable results. The concept of efficiency includes reducing consumption, improving processes through the use of intelligent automation systems and product, process or production capacity flexibility. The software tools for design automation are important for respecting development times and starting up projects, while remaining within the preset budget. Other applications such as MES (Manufacturing Execution System) play a significant part in improving production processes and quality through an open exchange of information between the plant systems and the business planning systems. They permit the work-in-process management and monitoring of a system along with hardware tools such as RFI.
• Thursday 24th May 2012
“Network communication, the web as an interface and control tool in industry”
Aspects related to communication, wired or wireless, between machines and systems within an industrial plant are critical to the functionality of the facilities itself. Here issues related to the concept of interoperability and the advent of the ecosystem of '"Internet of Things" and Ethernet based protocols are hot topics. The man/machine interfaces, HMI and SCADA software are at the center of important cultural innovations also attributable to the spread of consumer touchscreen devices. Mechatronics is another area of great interest, especially when referring to the technologies of motion control where the drive to innovation is always very strong.
