The
PROFIBUS and PROFINET
User Conference, held in
Stratford
on
Avon
on June 24/25, saw a record attendance of over 70 delegates in the two days, with many users bringing new staff to benefit from the workshops and technology updates, plus new visitors considering their first projects.
Bob Squirrell, Chairman of The PROFIBUS UK User Group, opened the conference by reminding the audience of the forecasts made for PROFIBUS future growth way back in 2004, when the number of nodes was forecast to double to 20M by 2008. This figure was achieved by April 2007, and over 4.5M nodes have been created over the last year alone.
The success of the PROFIBUS and PROFINET technologies was emphasized by Jeorg Freitag, the newly appointed Chairman of PROFIBUS International, the umbrella organization covering both of these networking systems, as well as PROFIsafe. Across the world PI has established and supports 25 regional associations, 36 competence centres in 21 countries, and 15 training centres in 10 countries, establishing a user support network without parallel in the industry.
The conference was also an opportunity for a review of the last 10 or more years for Andy Verwer, of
Manchester
Metropolitan
University
, which over that period has grown into the main
UK
training and competence centre for PROFIBUS. Andy Verwer, as ever, was active in the well attended hands-on training workshops at this years conference, alongside colleagues from Pepperl + Fuchs, Siemens and Procentec.
Another review paper from Roger Marlow, of the WIMES Electrical Working Group, summarized the Water Industry activity and uptake of PROFIBUS networks and Intelligent Motor Control Centres in the different
UK
regions, where the groundwork has been done and PROFIBUS installations are the systems of choice, to varying degrees. The industrial applications described were also many and varied this year, with a fascinating paper describing PROFINET
systems used on the stage in theatre and pop concert automation, including Chitty Chitty Bang-Bang, where the whole system has to be dismantled, transported around the world, and work first time on the day of arrival.
The friendly discussions continued during breaks in the conference sessions over refreshments in the Exhibition area, with more space in the new venue. With the UK User meeting for 2009 already scheduled at the Stratford Manor Hotel for June 16-17, Bob Squirrell is already keen to encourage Users, Contractors and Suppliers to become involved by submitting proposals for papers describing interesting or unusual applications of PROFIBUS and PROFINET
technology.
Comments from Delegates (extracted from the anonymous feedback forms)
Very good with varied topics.
Very good overall, good amount of tech information on papers. Updates and product overview very useful and informative.
Exhibition again good, useful to have all the experts on hand to answer questions.
Very good. Well worth the time to attend and it has given me food for thought when I return to site.
Very good event. Enthusiasm of all involved is good to experience.
Conference was good with a lot of info to take in.
It was good that the different manufacturers were not pushing their equipment.
Particularly enjoyed the applications of PROFIBUS and overall was very impressed with the standard or presentations. Excellent work!
Another Excellent Conference!
Better venue this year.
Excellent content throughout. Useful workshops.
Venue was probably the best overall I have attended for this kind of event.
Very informative conference. Wish I could have stayed for both days maybe next year!!
Well organised, enjoyable and informative. I have made several useful contacts and will be back next year. The venue and the price were also very good!!
Well organised, good venue, good topics.
Very good.
The conference was well structured and filled with informative presentations which were pitched at the correct level and with excellent visual aids. The product stands were well equipped and informative.
Good overall.
Well presented. Good venue.
Good course content & location & catered for all levels of users.
Very well run/organised. Would prefer it closer to Scotland (biased!)
Interesting overview of the world of PROFIBUS.
A useful conference for me; good blend of hands-on and lectures.
A superb event, very informative, a family feel environment. Thank You.
Very useful both technically and for networking opportunities. Some here can answer anything on PROFIBUS!
Good. Got the information I needed from the event.
Very interesting and learned much.
Some useful presentations. Good access to information.
Well organised. Good venue. The right selection of exhibitors.
Great event!
Good location, good food.
Very good conference. Thank you.
Well Organised. Superb Venue. Excellent Presenters. Dave Pugh, Consult & Train.
