Twin conferences will focus on networking and safety

The hot topics of industrial networking and functional safety will be examined in two conferences at next May`s Drives and Controls Show. The conferences are being sponsored by BARA, the British Automation and Robot Association.

Although the two themes might appear quite separate, there is overlap in the area of safety networks, with the recent introduction of new technologies and the application of new safety standards.

Topics to be covered in the industrial networking conference will include Ethernet, wireless communications, motion applications, security, and future automation architectures. End-users and OEMs will have the opportunity to find out what is really happening in this sometimes confusing field.

The functional safety conference will be aimed at specifiers and designers of machinery and safety-related electrical control systems, and at managers and engineers responsible for machinery safety. It will cover the functional safety concepts that are core to IEC/EN 61508 and IEC 62061. It will also examine the controversy over EN 954-1 and its planned replacement (ISO 13849-1) and include case study reports on recent installations.

The conferences will build on the popularity of similar events organised previously by BARA. "Feedback from past BARA events has been extremely positive, with attendees gaining an excellent insight into what is really involved with such projects," says Dr Richard Piggin, chairman of BARA`s Safety Special Interest Group.

Some topics that have generated high levels of interest at the earlier events will be revisited, alongside the examination of cutting-edge technologies.

`The conference programme promises to promote lively debate on topical issues, while providing an excellent opportunity to update knowledge in strategic areas," Piggin adds. "The business relevance is unquestionable."

The conferences will include panel discussions with question-and-answer sessions. There will also be a tabletop exhibition including many of the sponsoring organisations. Delegates will be able to discuss actual products, systems and services relevant to industrial networking, machine safety and functional safety.

Further details will be provided, when available, via the Drives & Controls Show Web site..