The theme of the conference-ISA’s 59th International Instrumentation and MFPT 2013-focused on sensors and process measurement and control systems designed to improve reliability, safety and affordability, particularly in aerospace, oil and gas, chemical and manufacturing. A strong emphasis was placed throughout the technical program on avoiding and significantly reducing hazardous situations and accidents.
In total, more than 120 technical papers and presentations were delivered, 58 through ISA and 62 through MFPS. Other highlights of the event included three high-level keynote presentations, three tutorials, an ISA training course on industrial wireless technology, two technical discussion groups, a panel session, an exhibit (featuring products and services from 19 vendors), technical tours, networking opportunities and social functions.
“Collaborating with ISA on our annual MFPT conference was a huge success,” states Chris Pomfret, MFPT’s Executive Director. “The attendees enjoyed a broader and synergistic technical scope, the exhibitors had access to a larger audience, and the networking value for everyone was raised. With so many conferences being offered and too little time and resources for attendees to participate in all of them, it’s essential that entities like ISA and MFPT collaborate to create successes like this one.”
Ruth Sikorski, the Chair of ISA’s 59th International Instrumentation Symposium (IIS), emphasizes that the conference gave ISA and MFPT the opportunity to educate and prepare technical leaders for the challenges of the future.
“As technical societies, we have an obligation to help train our successors—the ones who will be implementing the next phase of our progression toward a more knowledge-based, net-centric industrial base,” she says.
The symposium-the first collaborative venture in the history of ISA’s IIS—was organized by ISA’s Aerospace, Test Measurement, Process Measurement and Control divisions and the MFPT Society. Valuable technical content was provided by the Propulsion Instrumentation Working Group (PIWG).
Details about ISA’s 60th IIS, which will be held in 2014, will be available soon on the ISA website.
About the MFPT Society
The Mechanical Failure Prevention Technology (MFPT) Society was established in 1967 under the leadership and sponsorship of the Office of Naval Research. Charter sponsors also included the Atomic Energy Commission, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and several industrial organizations. The MFPT Society seeks to gain a better understanding of the processes of mechanical failures, reduce the incidence of mechanical failures by improving design methodology, more accurately predict mechanical failures, and apply increased knowledge to current problems.
The organization is strongly oriented toward practical applications. The membership includes professional scientists, engineers, failure analysts, maintenance specialists and others who represent a wide variety of disciplines from government agencies, universities, research institutes and industry.
For more information, visit http:www.mfpt.org.
About ISA
Founded in 1945, the International Society of Automation (www.isa.org) is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts conferences and exhibitions for automation professionals. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).
