Biotechnology

Below you will find published articles written by Valin's own experts and information from our suppliers.   
Submitted by Ray Marquiss, Corey Foster || Valin Corporation
Bridging the Gap from IIoT Promise to IIoT Reality

Although new tools and technologies are available to make tapping into industrial IoT more manageable, one must ensure expectations are accurate.

Submitted by Ray Marquiss || Valin Corporation

A little knowledge goes a long way — knowing and understanding the advantages and limits of encoders and limit switches can ensure the best possible motion system design.

Submitted by Corey Foster || Valin Corporation
Sensors in Condition Monitoring: Making Optimal Decisions

The key to making the proper decisions on condition monitoring is to understand what kind of information is required, how often that information is needed and what kind of budget is in play.

Submitted by Corey Foster || Valin Corporation
Condition Monitoring

The concepts of “preventive maintenance” and “condition monitoring” are not always characterized in a way that is entirely accurate. They sometimes seem to be treated as a “one-size-fits-all” service that many operators believe they need. However, these concepts can mean very different things depending on the application.

Submitted by James Walker || Valin Corporation
Understanding the Environment is Critical to Specifying Conveyors

Understanding the environment the conveyor is earmarked for is the most critical piece of the puzzle. Oversights on this part of the specification process can cause delays and corrections that lead to significant costs that could otherwise be avoided.

Submitted by Raymond Antalek, Inventek Engineering
Life Sciences Control Cabinet

For the past 30 years, Inventek has utilized the expertise from the engineers at Valin to better understand and master the technology it needs to best serve its customer base.

Submitted by Corey Foster || Valin Corporation
Remote Access

As long as products have had ethernet ports, people have been asking for remote access to them. They believed they could just plug the devices into the internet, and it would all work. As more software tools became available and internet speeds increased, capable users found ways to give themselves access, however, there was a catch.

Sensor Strategies to Optimize Automated Processes

Strategic implementation of sensors helps maximize a process from the start and equips operators with enough information to constantly be aware of everything happening in a line. So, what type of sensor(s) will work best for your environment?

Submitted by Tom Trinh & Corey Foster || Valin Corporation
mbConnect Remote Access for Original Equipment Manufacturer's

Looking for ways to support your systems more easily, more safely, and more quickly for your customers?  Perhaps you are wondering what remote access technology is for industrial control systems.

Submitted by Ray Marquiss || Valin Corporation
IAI Table Top Robot

Automation of product testing with IAI hardware and EtherNet/IP communication successfully eliminates monotonous manual labor and human error.

Submitted by Nathan Ehresman || Valin Corporation
Accutrace

An operator in a fluid handling process is only as effective as his ability to work with a given controller. If there are factors that keep this individual from doing what is necessary for a smooth operation, adjustments need to be made.

Submitted by Corey Foster || Valin Corporation
Automating a Manual Process

When manufacturing engineers are tasked with automating a process that is currently done manually, their main question for an automation supplier is "Have you ever automated this specific process before?" In complex applications, the answer is typically "no." Learn more.

Submitted by Brian Sullivan, Frank Schollmeier, Tim Tritch || Valin Corporation
Improving the Cleanliness of a Cleanroom

Depending on the industry and specific environment, different rooms will have different cleanroom classification requirements. There is information out there regarding how classifications are tested and determined, but not as much about how to improve a specific room's classification ranking.

Submitted by iPolymer
iPolymer High Purity PTFE Pressure Regulator

The iPolymer PTFE Pressure Regulator is designed for use with high purity water systems and aggressive chemical applications to regulate and maintain a constant pressure downstream of the valve and prevent over-pressurization of sensitive equipment.

Submitted by Parker
Parker Fulflo® EcoBond Filter Cartridges

Parker’s Fulflo® EcoBond™ Cartridges are the most economical high purity filter cartridges available. Featuring a graded density matrix of uniform polypropylene fibers, the EcoBond™ provides consistent filtration for a wide variety of fluids. 

Submitted by Brian Lu || Valin Corporation
Aluminum Framing Work Stations

Using lean principles in manufacturing is an important element when trying to reduce waste, control costs and ensure timely deliveries to customers. However, this concept of trimming back unnecessary work and reaping the production benefits can also be applied at an individual level in production lines or assembly rooms.

Submitted by Corey Foster || Valin Corporation
Motion Control vs. Robotics

For automation applications, one of the larger misconceptions in the industry today is that when someone uses the phrase "motion control," they can just as easily use the term "robotics," as if the two are interchangeable. Read more.

Submitted by Bill Nevills

Contemplating an actuator for your pneumatic linear-motion system? Here are some tips on how to select the best one for the job.

United Electric Controls has introduced a unique new family of HART capable transmitters that provides programmable switching functionality for industrial process monitoring applications. The One Series 1XTXSW transmitter line is the first to integrate HART 7 compatible 4-20 mA output. Lean more.

Submitted by Corey Foster || Valin Corporation
Precision Automation Meets Advanced Product Demand

As electronics and technologies become smaller and more intricate, engineers are running into new challenges in automating manufacturing processes. The challenges of manufacturing new products extend beyond the capabilities of precise motion control mechanics to include environmental control.

Workplace Safety Still Needs a Human Component

Workplace safety is—or should be—a primary focus of every organization, regardless of whether we’re talking about a classroom, an office, a manufacturing facility, or an oil rig. Employees deserve a workspace that is as safe and secure as it can possibly be.

Submitted by Advantech
ProView Thumb

Advantech ProView Ethernet Switch is a SCADA manageable switches which are the convergence switches for process control and IT networking management.

Submitted by Parker
Parker's mSR linear motor positioner

Meet Parker's new mSR (miniature square rail) linear motor positioner. The mSR integrates dual square rails for guidance, with one of two different linear motor technologies, and up to six different encoder technologies.

Submitted by Ray Herrera, Valin || Chemengonline.com
Valve-Selection Best Practices

Precise combinations of valves and other equipment lead to process success. A biopolymer fermentation process provides an example of proper valve selection.

Submitted by Kevin Smay, Valin Corporation // Plant Engineering

Plant engineers often fail to incorporate correct lubrication into system processes and do not realize its critical importance until something goes wrong.

Submitted by Chad Lieber | Prozess Technologie and Brian Sullivan | Valin
Prozess

In a world where most information is available in an instant, plant managers and engineers are continuously trying to find ways to improve the efficiency of processes along the manufacturing line.

Submitted by Jamie Zachary | PROCESSWest
Multi-Megawatt Electric Heating System Solutions | PROCESSWest

Tasked with increased demand for high power output, many operators in North American sectors such as power generation, oil and gas, petrochemical and chemical have been challenged by low-voltage solutions and their associated logistical challenges.

Submitted by Jon Irvine
Best Practices in CONTROL

Considering the number of variables, gaining precise control of a process heating application can be a difficult task. In industries with a high demand for consistent quality, controlling the temperature of a substance from the start to the finish of a process is an absolute necessity. Learn more.

Submitted by WIKA Instrument Guru
How Gauges Can Help Prevent Costly Loss of Containment

Loss of containment is one of the costliest things that can go wrong at a plant. Accordingly, smart enterprises employ a variety of measures that ensure loss of containment just doesn’t happen – or when it does, the adverse circumstances are kept to a minimum.

Submitted by James Walker || Valin Corporation
Understanding the Environment is Critical to Specifying Conveyors

Understanding the environment the conveyor is earmarked for is the most critical piece of the puzzle. Oversights on this part of the specification process can cause delays and corrections that lead to significant costs that could otherwise be avoided.

Submitted by Jon Irvine, Featured in Automation.com Magazine

A temperature sensor is a key component of any process heating application as it provides temperature feedback about the process, which can be used to monitor or control the process

Submitted by Renee Robbins Bassett, Featured in Automation World Magazine
Renee Robbins Bassett, Featured in Automation World Magazine

Advanced Process Control (APC) methods used to be so advanced as to be esoteric- too complex and unusable except by a few high-level experts. Today, however, it seems APC is little talked about for an entirely different reason: It’s become a commodity.