Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Recurring Gauges Failure can be Expensive and Risky

Author: Instrument Guru
Posted: WIKA Blog Dec 19,2013

There are plenty of articles and sites about automobiles and their woes. In an era of sophisticated cars packed with a myriad of electronic gizmos and digital instrumentation, quality gauges are essential to an automobile’s longevity—and its owner’s long-term happiness.

The same principle holds true in a processing operation: just like the devoted car owner, you depend on quality gauges for guidance, and you’ve learned that recurring gauge failure can signify a problem that must be remedied before it snowballs.

Moreover, while personal safety is at the top of everyone’s list in automotive transportation, quality gauges are especially important to the safety in a processing environment. Gauge failure in an plant can have far-reaching ramifications: a true crisis might affect hundreds, if not thousands, of people.

Just as that erroneously blinking light on your dashboard might ultimately cause you to ignore your gauges altogether, a recurring gauge failure might have the same effect in your facility. That’s not a good thing. We’ve all seen the statistics on how big disasters can often be traced to small gauge failures. OSHA statistics on just how much even one workplace accident can cost—in time off, in remedying the situation, and, possibly, in paying government fines – is substantial.

Therefore, money spent on quality gauges is usually well spent, and that it doesn’t pay, in the long run, to skimp on quality or service. Not only will your operation have reliable gauges available, you’ll benefit from knowing your equipment is backed up by a quality supplier with attentive customer service. The cost to your plant may be larger at the outset, but avoiding frequent replacement and  risks will pay dividends over time.

Those costs don’t even take into account the intangible benefits of owning quality instrumentation. You can’t always assign a cost value to “peace of mind,” but in an industry characterized by often-unforeseen hazards, it is indeed priceless.

So, too, is the goodwill, in the workplace and the community that comes from creating a safe, quality-conscious environment. People appreciate working in settings where their safety is paramount and they tend to hold onto such jobs. In a time when technical talent is becoming scarce, spending less time and resources on recruiting and training workers is a valuable benefit.

If you are dealing with a recurring gauge failure, where can you turn for help? Your first resource should be WIKA’s Full Audit Service Team (FAST). FAST is a value-added service that WIKA provides to its customers at no additional cost.

WIKA’s instrumentation engineers can quickly diagnose the reason for a recurring gauge failure. It might be as simple as a misapplied gauge or it could be a sign of a more complex problem requiring attention. The FAST team will identify the root cause and provide you with valuable solutions.

The FAST team provides a wide range of instrumentation services such as safety training, instrument audits, supply-chain streamlining, and more. Download a copy of “Navigating a Mine Field & Staying Safe,” WIKA’s e-book for the downstream petroleum industry. This e-book details how the FAST team can help you solve the riddle of recurring gauge failures and keep your plant safe and productive.

WIKA eLearning Click Here

If you would like to receive more information about WIKA pressure gauges please contact Forberg Scientific, Inc. customer service.
Phone: 855-288-5330
Email: mechanicalsales@forberg.com

Monday, January 13, 2014

QStar Ultrasonic Clamp-on Flowmeters by GPI

http://shop.forberg.com/products/MANUFACTURERS/GPI%20FLOW%20METERS.aspxGPI (Great Plain Industries, Inc.) releases the QStar Ultrasonic clamp-on flowmeters in either a fixed or portable models. These flowmeters use transit time technology and include a large, backlit LCD. The robust flowmeters provide accurate and drift-free measurement. Both models include integrated heat quantity measurement capabilities. Choose from three sets of transducers covering pipe sizes from ½ to 240 inches. GPI QStar Ultrasonic Flowmeters include several unique features, such as online diagnostics, noise filters and a parameters calculator.

Typical applications include Water/Waste Water Management, Facility Management, Power Plants, Chemical, Food, Beverage and HVAC Industries.

GPI QStar Flowmeters include transmitter, transducer, mounting belts/chains, coupling grease, complete Operating Instructions and GPI Technical Support.



For more information about the GPI QStar Ultrasonic Flowmeter please contact Forberg Scientific.
Phone: 855-288-5330
Email: mechanicalsales@forberg.com
Website: www.forberg.com

Monday, January 6, 2014

Reliable, Durable Position Sensors Topworx GO Switch

Topworx GO Switch reliable, durable position sensing in extreme conditions.


GO Switch provides reliable, durable proximity sensing in the most demanding conditions. Using unique technology, GO Switch outperforms all other types of sensors in applications that require high reliability and durability. This Unique Technology outperforms all “others” in Hot, Cold, Wet, Dirty, Abusive, Corrosive, and Explosive applications.

Topworx GO Switch

GO Switches have Superior capabilities

  • Superior resistance to physical abuse, corrosives, salt water
  • Superior pressure ratings
  • Superior temperature ratings
  • Superior hazardous area ratings
  • Superior high/low current ratings

GO Switches have Better technology!!

  • More RELIABLE than mechanical switches
  • More RUGGED than reed switches
  • More VERSATILE than inductive proximity switches

With GO Switch, customers enjoy:

  • One-of-a-kind technology that offers high current ratings, AC/DC and NO/NC wiring flexibility and non contact detection of ferrous metal and magnetic targets.
  • Global certifications for use in Zone 0 (intrinsically safe), Zone 1 (explosion proof), Zone 2 (non-incendive) Class I, Div 1 & 2, Class II, Div 1 & 2 and Class III hazardous areas.
  • Proven reliability in power generation, chemical, refineries, steel & aluminum, water & wastewater, oil & gas, petrochemical, food & beverage, pulp & paper, heavy equipment, mining, military vehicles, manufacturing, amusement parks, and material handling industries.
  • Durability in mission-critical applications in extremely hot, cold, wet, dirty, abusive, corrosive, and explosive environments.

GO Switch Common Features:

  • Non-Contact sensing
  • Senses ferrous metal or a magnet
  • Repeatability: 0.002”
  • Response time: 8 ms
  • Insulation Resistance: 100Mohm min. (@500VDC)
  • Simple device
          - Intrinsically safe with any barrier
             - “Neither generates nor stores more than 1.2v/0.1a”
  • Standard temperature: -58 F to 221 F (-50 C to 105 C)
  • Suitable for low current operation: as low as 5ma
  • Dry contact:
          - Does not require power to operate….. No voltage drop or leakage current
          - Can be wired AC or DC, NO or NC – Very Versatile!!
          - Highest volt/current rating on the market for a proximity switch
 

GO Switch Features & Benefits
If you would like more information about Topworx GO Switches, please contact Forberg Scientific customer service.
Toll Free: 855-288-5330
Fax: 248-288-4204

Email: mechanicalsales@forberg.com
GO Switches are available for purchase at www.forberg.com and www.autoctrls.com .