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The FBF belongs to the S.E.E "Société des Electriciens et des Electroniciens".

In French, it is referred to as:
"cercle thématique N° 3: Contrôle et pilotage des procédés par lots - Forum Batch Francophone du Club 18 Automatique et Automatisation Industrielle"

In the field of automation of industrial manufacturing processes, the control of Batch Process appends flexibility, fast response times, traceability and quality requirements to those of discrete manufacturing and continuous processes (Power, Oil...).  It enforces the choice of a rigorous design methodology and life cycle management provided by the ISA S88 standards.

The FBF welcomes all involved players (users from the industry, vendors, integrators, university members, consultants, engineering companies...). It aims at promoting the standards, encouraging its utilization and improving the quality of the related applications.

Its activities include regular meeting, organization of conferences, a forum of discussion...

The FBF works together with the WBF (World Batch Forum), the EBF (European Batch Forum), and the JBF (Japanese Batch Forum)

The Origin of the FBF Initiative

The Batch Process Control topic is covered by several organizations worldwide:

  • Dedicated groups: World Batch Forum, European Batch Forum, Japan Batch Forum
  • Multi-purpose groups: Namur, ISA SP88 committee, IEC SC65A committee WG11

In France, no entity was dedicated to Batch even if several associations partly cover this side of process control.

We recognize in our country:

  • A deficiency of information exchange related to applications and implementation examples in France and outside
  • A lack of interest and knowledge for standardization works (S88.01 and others)

As seen from outside, at least in the "Batch World", France is particularly quiet. It does not publish much and doesn't request for more!

However, there are interesting things happening outside our borders and our applications are for sure worth being presented abroad.

Not trying to dig for excuses into our inherited cultural background, the almighty domination of English among the worldwide community is for sure a major obstacle.

One of the objectives of the FBF is to establish a forum of discussion on the Batch Process Control topic between the french-speaking players and other international groups worldwide, especially the World Batch Forum.

Activities of the other "xBF"

The WBF was created to extend the activities of the SP88 Group. Its assignment is largely dedicated to promoting the S88 standards. The WBF organises a yearly conference in the USA.

The EBF (European Batch Forum) gathered the European members of the SP88 committee who largely participated into the developement of the emerging standards. Several conferences were held in Europe, one in Nice (organised by an FBF member Bernard Cubizolles) and animated Working Groups. An intent of re-activating the EBF is on its way with the blessing of the WBF. A tentative date for a first European conference is set to fall 2000.

The EBF was running four Working Groups:

  • WG1 - BATCIME (BATch Control Information Manufacturing Engineering): the objective of this group was to define the integration of the "Batch Control System" and the MES (Manufacturing Execution System). This topic is currently covered by the ISA SP95 committee. It was headed by Dr Guido Carlo-Stella who passed away end of 1998.
  • WG2 - Data Modelling: this group was working on the future S88.02 standards. It was headed by Niels Haxthausen, one of the main supporters of the SP88 committee
  • WG3 - Extensions to S88 part 1: this group was working on the extension of the S88 standards to discrete and continuous processes. It was driven by Francis Lovering.
  • WG4 - EIMUG. This group was created to study the impact of intelligent instrumentation on Batch Control Processes. It was headed by  Ruben Gil.

The JBF is also known as the PSE143 committee ("143rd Committee on Process Systems Engineering") of the Gakushin ("The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science" ou JSPS). The Working Groups study the S88 standards from different perspectives:

  • Control WG : Gather and analyse data, publish reports on Batch Process in Japan
  • Design WG : Status and problems in designing Batch units and procedures. Study the S88 Standards.
  • Management WG : Recipe Management, Information exchange

The JBF participates in the WBF conference and issues an article, "JBF Update", in the WBF information Newsletter.

The IBF : the establishment of a Batch Forum in Israel is in the study stage...