#AUTOMATION

Insights

Process Instrumentation and Automation Market to Grow at 4.4%

The process instrumentation and automation market in the United States, currently valued at $13.9 billion, is projected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4% and reach a total of $17.3 billion in 2023, according to a market forecast published by the Measurement, Control & Automation Association (MCAA). The percentage increase over the five years is projected to be about 24%. The reported market value slightly exceeded the $13.6 billion projected for 2018 in the 2014 MCAA Market report.
#VMAnews #automation

Technical

Smart Monitoring for Pipelines

Pipelines represent an efficient, safe way to transport many kinds of liquids and gases.
#automation #iiot

Insights

The Case for RFID in Process Plants

Today, much of the information regarding the status of components installed in the field is housed in paper files, which poses problems for technicians and engineers.
#components #maintenance-repair #automation

Technical

3D Printed Manufacturing Aids: Jigs & Fixtures

With the availability of affordable 3D printing equipment and services, this technology is now within reach of companies that have not been able to use it before.
#automation

Education

Speakers Share Expertise at 2019 Knowledge Forum

Technology has been advancing at a pace that may be faster than our ability to protect it, according to Pat Toth, cybersecurity program manager with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership at National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Toth was keynote speaker at the second VMA Valve Industry Knowledge Forum, April 9-11 in Birmingham, AL.
#iiot #VMAnews #standards

Education

Solenoid Valves: Direct Acting vs. Pilot-Operated

While presenting in a recent VMA Valve Basics 101 Course in Houston, I found myself in a familiar role: explaining solenoid valves (SOVs) to attendees. (I work with solenoids so much that one VMA member at that conference joked that I needed to be wearing an I Heart Solenoids t-shirt). During the hands-on “petting zoo” portion of the program, which involves smaller groups of attendees, one of the most frequently asked questions I get from people came up: What’s the difference between direct-acting and pilot-operated SOVs, and how do we make a choice?
#basics #solenoids #automation

Technical

The Challenges of Creating Super-Clean

Because biopharmaceuticals are produced using living organisms, and the drugs produced are used in humans and animals, the cost of contamination is very high and sterilization of the process system is critical.
#automation #components

Technical

Monitoring Pressure Relief Devices

The purpose of a process plant control system is to keep process variables at the desired operating point and within safety limits.
#pressure-relief #automation

MRO

Rigging and Lifting of Large Valves

This article outlines the challenges of lifting large valve assemblies weighing several tons and illustrates the industrial rigging equipment and lifting operations typically used for these valves.
#automation #maintenance-repair

Insights

Manufacturing 21st Century Style: Smart, Data-Driven and Agile

The Fourth Industrial Revolution has had a tremendous impact on business.
#iiot #automation

Technical

Valve Inspection: An Essential Job

Industrial valves perform key functions in fluid processes and their failure can be detrimental to any major piping system or process.
#automation

Technical

Lifecycle Management of Pressure Relief Valves

Accurately specified and appropriately maintained pressure relief valves (PRVs) are critical to protect plant personnel and equipment against unexpected overpressure events.
#pressure-relief #automation

Technical

The Latest from ISA, ASME, API and MSS

At the recent Valve Industry Knowledge Forum, Stan Hale, senior director of Supply Chain, MRC Global, reported on the status of International Society of Automation’s (ISA) TR96.05.01, and Carlos Davila, PE, product manager—Americas for Crane ChemPharma & Energy, gave updates on several standards from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), American Petroleum Institute (API) and Manufacturer Standardization Society (MSS). Here are condensed reports based on their presentations.
#automation #standards

Technical

Evolution of Butterfly Valves on Aircraft Carriers

Butterfly valves are an integral part of keeping an aircraft carrier’s firemain system operating smoothly.
#ball-butterfly-plug #automation #knowyourvalves

Insights

Distributors: Can Technology Make Your Business More Agile?

Modern industrial distributors, especially those working with valves and related equipment, generally have a great reputation for being good at providing services and technical information.
#automation

Manufacturing

Augmented Reality: Is the ROI Worth the Effort?

If you could improve safety and efficiency in your plants, lower travel costs and more efficiently train employees with one technology, would you consider adopting it?
#iiot #automation

Insights

Integration of Automation Lifecycles: Functional Safety, Cybersecurity and Alarm Management

Risk management of a manufacturing process requires a deep dive into the functional safety, cybersecurity and alarm management lifecycles.
#iiot #automation

Applications

Fracturing Technology in the New Age

After the oil crash of 2014, producers needed to refine the technology even further to bring costs down while meeting new industry challenges.
#automation

Technical

Metal Additive Manufacturing in the Valve Industry

Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a fascinating technology that has gained acceptance over the past several years.
#materials #automation

Technical

Advancements in Blue Laser Scanning

As the industrial world continues to expand in its use of CAD data and 3D digitizing technology, the advances in blue laser scanning and structured blue light are further supporting industrial operations throughout the design, manufacture and aftermarket servicing processes.
#automation