Articles

The certification exists for a reason to ensure that the control panels being built meet the very highest safety standards available.

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.

Selecting a regulator is not a simple process. There are many application-specific elements to consider and critical ramifications associated with each decision.

Rainwater can collect oils, contaminants, and chemicals as it touches the ground. Fortunately, technology exists to treat the initial rainwater, and it has been utilized in certain parts of the country for some time. However, as more people become aware of this functionality, its applications are gaining popularity all across the country.

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.

Taking a systematic approach to specifying a tank heater can help ensure the equipment specified delivers the heating performance desired. Factors to consider include the amount of energy needed, heat loss, direct or indirect heating, materials of construction, and controls.

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.

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.

Selecting a conveyor for an automation project is certainly not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Automation applications are incredibly diverse, and the options and features available on conveyors reflect that.

Industrial process plants are complex facilities with thousands of components that play a role in the operation of the plant. Not all these components hold the same consequences if they are improperly selected or if they fail to perform their designed function.

Recently an article was published that presented an easily constructed Excel sheet that estimates hydrodynamic noise in control valves1. A number of people have asked me if there is something similar for aerodynamic noise. 

Investing in oil reclamation technology can help reduce the costs associated with oil usage. Learn more in the article below.

There are many types of options to sift through, and keying in on the ones that benefit your process the most will guide you to the most appropriate controller.

A veteran of valve sizing with more than 40 years of experience provides his perspective on how to calculate the compressibility factor of a real gas for control valve sizing purposes.

As technology continues to evolve, some terms meant to represent one thing have come to mean something a bit different. A technology that once had restrictions can evolve to the point where, not only is that restriction gone, but the name of the technology doesnt even necessarily apply anymore.

With an understanding of the economic implications of VFDs running until failure, it is also important to be aware of the safety implications of such a feature.

Most control valve manufacturers include IEC 60534-8-4:2015 in their control valve sizing and selection software to predict control valve hydrodynamic noise. However, users who want to make quick noise predictions or who want to construct valve sizing applications, programming the above noise standard can be a daunting task. 

The first step to solving a problem is recognizing that one is present. An operations team cannot adequately put a sufficient maintenance plan in place if there is no awareness that maintenance is required.

If one wants to be able to do accurate hand calculations, or construct a simple program or Excel sheet, the method described here gives answers that agree exactly with iterative calculations using the equations in the current version of the ISA and IEC standards.

The key to developing the ideal filtration mix which achieves the desired results is to gather as much information as possible so that the right decisions about filtration can be made. Kari Kohonen from Valin Corporation examines whether introducing strainer technology can be advantageous.

Current data on cyber ransom is alarming. Most companies do not report their attacks because they do not want it to be advertised. This article discusses ways that IT and OT personnel can work together to make your company more secure.

EIVs are a critical safety device for fuel-burning equipment and industrial processes that use flammable ingredients. Proper selection is critical for the safety of the workers in the plant, plant equipment and the surrounding communities.

The availability of an easily constructed Excel worksheet that calculates and graphs control valve installed gain in conjunction with the users preferred control valve sizing application has prompted a new interest in the application of these calculations. Three examples are shown here.

It is on the top of every decision makers mind in the semiconductor industry: yield. Operators are continually doing what they can to improve their throughput and maximize yield in terms of wafer production, all with keeping an eye on increasing profitability.