Food & Beverage

A test gauge is a high-accuracy pressure measurement instrument serving as a reference to verify the performance of other pressure devices, such as working gauges, pressure switches or transmitters. Over time, pressure gauges and sensors in process and industrial systems can drift due to wear, temperature changes, vibration or process conditions. Having a reliable reference helps ensure that your pressure reading can be trusted.

OEM pressure sensors are accurate and repeatable when their sensing technology, materials, calibration and construction work together to deliver consistent pressure measurements over time and under real-world operating conditions.

Building a robot is not easy.  Programming a robot can be even more challenging without user-friendly software.  In this article, I'll explain a few of the MRC Studio's most useful features and demonstrate how the Robot Vision Calibration function can help reduce costs for your vision-enabled robots.

If you work in an industry that involves high-heat processes, such as oil and gas and petrochemical applications, you know the challenge of keeping your pressure and temperature measurement instruments working effectively. These instruments are put to the test daily with exposure to extreme temperatures, abrasive chemicals and other elements that may not be compatible with the wetted components (parts that are in contact with the process).

Many OEMs and machine builders have a vision for a specialized robot — a compact SCARA for assembly, a tabletop Cartesian for dispensing, or a small articulated arm for inspection. The mechanical concept is clear. The application is defined.

A differential pressure (DP) gauge is used to measure flow by converting the pressure drop created by a flow restriction into a readable flow rate based on established fluid dynamics principles. In many industrial applications, engineers need a reliable way to monitor liquid or gas flow but may not require the complexity or cost of an electronic flow meter. In these cases, a DP gauge provides a simple, mechanical solution for flow indication.

Material compatibility in pressure instrument selection matters because even well intended material upgrades can introduce hidden risks when components interact in real process environments. 

Resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) are passive components whose resistance changes with a change in temperature. This can be measured very accurately, enabling an RTD to translate temperature into a stable electrical signal, even in demanding industrial environments.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is the U.S. National Metrology Institute responsible for maintaining primary measurement standards. ISO/IEC 17025 is the internationally recognized standard for testing and calibration laboratories. Both organizations provide widely recognized calibration frameworks used to ensure accurate, reliable measurement results across many industries.

High-pressure OEM systems depend on reliable, repeatable pressure measurement to maintain performance, protect equipment, and ensure operator safety. Whether used in mobile hydraulics, pump monitoring, transportation systems, or demanding industrial automation, an inaccurate or unstable pressure signal can lead to equipment damage, premature component failure, or inconsistent system behavior.

As a leader in pressure and temperature instrumentation, Ashcroft recommends customers apply ASME B40.100 guidance, which suggests choosing a gauge range that keeps normal operating pressure near the middle of the scale. This simple best practice supports accuracy, reliability and overall performance.

Most pressure gauges around the world have either an NPT or G (metric) connection for insertion into processes. It is useful to know their differences – and also how to recognize which type is in use – without having to remove the entire assembly.

Pressure measurement is all about PSI. That’s because pounds per square inch (PSI) is the most common unit for measuring pressure in the U.S. It’s important to understand what PSI means and how it is used, as pressure measurement is an important part of life in the 21st century.

Almost everyone uses the terms pressure sensor, pressure transducer, and pressure transmitter interchangeably, and that’s okay!

The magnetic level indicator working principle is used in level instrumentation. The interaction between the float magnets inside the chamber and magnetic flags outside the chamber provides continuous level information. This type of level indicator doesn’t require power, making it ideal for a variety of applications across industries.

Motion architecture may look fine on paper until the cycle rate increases, the available space shrinks, and the “simple” pick-and-place head becomes far more complicated than expected.

Differential pressure transmitters are designed to measure pressure before and after the fluid encounters an interruption, such as a filter or pump. However, this pressure instrument can also be used to measure liquid levels. 

By measuring differential pressure, users can easily and accurately monitor filter conditions, liquid levels in closed tanks, liquid flow rates inside a pipe, and even the output torque of hydraulic motors.

When installing thermowells in a pipeline, a user must first answer several questions regarding their location, quantity, stem length, distance from each another, and effects on the process media.

Many factors go into the decision of which industrial pressure gauge to purchase. Asking the “STAMPED” questions regarding Size, Temperature, Application, Media, Pressure, “Ends,” and Delivery time will help buyers determine which gauges are right for their specific situation.

One of the most challenging elements to motion control is the integration of robots.  However, the benefits that can be achieved through this type of integration cannot be understated.

In many industrial processes, sudden pressure spikes—from water hammer, startup surges, pump cycling or valve events—can place measurement instruments under extreme stress. When a gauge cannot withstand these surges, the result is often permanent damage, unexpected downtime and avoidable maintenance costs.

Across industries like manufacturing, energy, HVAC, and process control, accurate pressure measurement is critical to maintaining safety, efficiency, and product quality. Over time, even high-quality pressure transducers can experience drift — a gradual deviation between actual and measured pressure caused by vibration, temperature changes, or normal wear.