ARC attended the Asociacion Argentina de Control Automatico (AADECA) exposition during the week of September 2, 2008. This event is held every two years and is similar to other trade shows, such as ISA in the US or Interkama in Germany, only smaller - about 4,500 attendees and 76 exhibition booths. The origin of AADECA dates back to 1960, with the official formation of the society in 1968, making this its 40th anniversary event.
Despite many ups and downs over the 40 year period, the Argentineans manage to maintain their passion for automation. The connection between education and AADECA is quite strong. This is evident by the contests that were conducted before and during the event. Before the event, high school and university students were encouraged to create automation related exhibits. One example was a small light-guided motorized vehicle, and another was a semi-automated packaging project consisting of conveyer belts and a motion device that filled a box and then taped it shut. Although simplistic by commercial standards, both demonstrate the students’ ability to think and create. Prizes were awarded for three classes of student; Category A for University students that are presenting their final project required for graduation consisted of first and second prizes of US$850 and US$500 respectively. A US$500 prize was awarded for Category B university student’s project that was not a final graduation project. And Category C was for two high school students for the amount of US$350 and US$250 for their projects.
During the exhibit, Schneider and Siemens sponsored another contest where several high school teams were given a problem to solve using a PLC and some motion control components. The prizes that were awarded to the top two teams were automation equipment for the schools. This is encouraging a new generation of young professionals to enter the automation space and may be the recipe for the US automation industry to adopt.
Most of the global automation companies were at the exhibition to support AADECA and their clients. In addition, there were a few local automation technology manufacturers. Argentina-based company, Conar, produces such technology as thermocouples, level switches, pressure and level transmitters including an innovative LED type position indicator for mechanical level indicators. Weisz, another local manufacturer, makes gauges, thermocouples, couplers and enclosures for the local process industry.
Argentina has steadily increased their production of young engineering professionals since the lost of engineering talent during their last economic crisis when few engineering positions existed. With improved economic stability and better tax incentives, Argentina would be able to participate in the world economy by providing exportable products and engineering services.
On Thursday, September 4th, ARC conducted an all-day workshop at the event. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss strategies and best practices associated with a variety of subjects. Benchmarking of process manufacturing was highlighted for the attendees. Discussions included the common need for visibility of the contribution that automation makes to the success of each plant, and in turn, the enterprise. Trends in wireless technologies, as this emerging technology and how it is being applied to industrial applications was presented and discussed. Many in the audience had yet to establish their own wireless strategies, and ARC encouraged them to seriously consider where this technology could provide them with a competitive advantage, particularly to enable access to real-time information for effective asset management decision making.
Operations Management from a manufacturing point of view was also presented and discussed. Integration with enterprise applications was a common theme among attendees. Effective Alarm Management strategies were understood as a requirement particularly in light of the changes in the workforce associated with shortages of knowledgeable workers. This is a common theme in much of the industrial world, and Argentina is experiencing this challenge as well.
Plant Asset Management was presented from the point of view as an approach to manage the operating assets and automation technology. Also PAM provides Operations as well as Maintenance with guidance so that corrective actions can be taken to prevent a failure of the asset resulting in a process shutdown. The challenges of managing Manufacturing IT infrastructure and specifically Cyber security practices were also presented and discussed.
Perhaps, because of the event’s size, or the culture of Argentina, AADECA has a strong sense of community around the topic of automation. In the spirit of the event, toward the end of the week, ARC’s representative organization in Argentina, SVS Consultores, provided entertainment in the form of impromptu Tango music with singing and guitar for the event’s attendees and other exhibitors to join in and enjoy.