ISA NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer Infantino
(919) 990-9287
jinfantino@isa.org
Application of ISA-88 Standards Extends Beyond Batch
Research Triangle Park, NC (9 May 2005) - The ISA-88 series of standards are now being applied well beyond batch.
A working group sponsored by the ISA SP-88 Committee and the World Batch Forum (WBF) is undertaking a new initiative to help users apply the principles explained in the ISA-88 standards in non-batch applications. The effort is also intended to be compatible with the ISA-95 series of manufacturing integration standards. This combined approach is expected to enable end users to better apply both the ISA-88 and ISA-95 series principles to various manufacturing industries, as well as extend savings and benefits already realized by the batch industries into both discrete and continuous manufacturing environments.
Although originally developed to address batch control issues, the ISA-88 series of standards has often been applied to continuous and discrete manufacturing, packaging lines and other manufacturing applications. This effort will clarify and make these non-batch applications easier to implement for end users.
One of the key benefits offered in this initiative is modularity, allowing lower engineering and training costs and flexibility for more production capability. Other benefits include the use of standard-based procedure models to meet changing operations requirements, improvements in the consistency and quality of products, and improved control over the manufacturing process.
Because the structure of the batch standard mirrors the structure required for flexible manufacturing, the ISA-88 principles can be extended to many continuous as well as discrete applications. The standard is flexible and, depending on the functionality required, can be adapted to many different types of applications. The Make2Pack working group has allowed subgroups of OMAC and the ISA SP-88 committee to work together to find ways to apply these standards based principles to machine based control.
Lynn Craig, Chair of ISA SP-88, commented, "In order to be successful in today's environment, the integration of manufacturing systems and business systems is vital. This requires a reasonably consistent manufacturing control structure. For that and many other reasons, more and more industrial users are turning to the ISA-88 series of standards for that consistency. It’s not just for batch anymore."
About ISA
Founded in 1945, ISA (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 the largest conference and exhibition for automation professionals in the Western Hemisphere. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).
About WBF
WBF provides an open forum for the exchange of information related to the management, operation, and automation of manufacturing processes. Created in 1994, members of the non-profit, professional organization include end-users, vendors, consultants and academics. WBF provides organization, management, and structure to facilitate networking among its members and sharing of knowledge and information related to manufacturing processes. WBF documents best practices and guidelines for implementation of standards that apply to batch control and the exchange of batch data, as well as conducting technical conferences and technical training programs. WBF is a founding charter member of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org). More information about WBF is available at www.wbf.org.
About OMAC
OMAC–The Open Modular Architecture Controls Users’ Group (www.omac.org) is an affiliate organization of ISA- The Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society- and works to collectively derive common solutions for both technical and non-technical issues in the development, implementation, and commercialization of open, modular architecture control (OMAC) technologies, and to facilitate the accelerated development and convergence of industry and government developed OMAC technology guidelines to one set that satisfies common use requirements. OMAC has about 500 member representatives from end-user companies, OEM's, and technology providers and integrator companies. OMAC currently operates three Work Groups: Packaging Machinery, Manufacturing Infrastructure, and Machine Tool. OMAC is a founding charter member of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).
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