#BASICS

Education

Lean Manufacturing

Most people in industry today recognize that lean manufacturing helps manufacturers and plants improve efficiency by eliminating waste in the production process.
#basics

Education

Valve Basics New Format Offers Options

If there is one thing that those involved in developing and running the Valve Basics program have come to understand, it’s that the term “basics” means different things to different people.
#basics #standards

Manufacturing

Mentoring in Manufacturing: A Program That Works

Michaela Stickley, assistant director of human resources at A.W.
#basics

Technical

Traceability

Traceability and testing of digital positioners (including the valve) is a key to process control accuracy, reliability and safety.
#basics #controls

Manufacturing

Highlights from VMA’s 2019 Leadership Forum

Valve industry executives gathered in Toronto last month to network, exchange ideas and learn about diverse topics relating to their leadership, including economic issues, digitization of enterprises and how to adapt as a leader in a changing organization.
#basics #VMAnews

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

Cybersecurity in Manufacturing: How to Keep the Threats at Bay

The Industrial IoT (Internet of Things), Industry 4.0 and other smart manufacturing initiatives have successfully increased the productivity and efficiency of valve manufacturing.
#iiot #basics

Education

Essentials of Cybersecurity for Process Controls

Cybersecurity is one of the major risks facing the valve industry, and it is not a problem that can merely be solved by other parties besides the intended victim.
#iiot #basics #controls

Technical

Understanding Torque-Seated and Position-Seated Valves

When commissioning an isolation valve, you must ask yourself whether it is torque-seated or position-seated.
#basics

Insights

Tariff Pressure Builds on Valve Industry

In the last year, one word has dominated U.S. trade policy: tariffs.
#pressure-relief #basics

Technical

Paint & Coatings

A walk through a typical valve distributor’s warehouse will yield a contrasting view of either silver or black products.
#basics

Education

Valve Basics Training to Expand in 2019

By: Judy Tibbs, Editorial Consultant, VALVE Magazine

Seventy-plus attendees participated in the Valve Basics Seminar & Exhibits, Oct. 30 – Nov. 1 at the Houston Area Safety Council in Pasadena, TX.
#basics

Education

Auxiliary Connections: Why We Have Them

Valves are a vital part of the piping systems that run like arteries and veins throughout industrial plants.
#basics #knowyourvalves

Manufacturing

How to Engage the Gen Z Workforce

The manufacturing industry has struggled to attract younger workers over the last two decades and now, with nearly 25% of the manufacturing workforce being comprised of baby boomers who are about to retire, the situation is becoming critical.
#basics

Technical

Understanding Surface Finish in Metal 3D Printing of Valves

While metal AM provides a host of positive advantages, it’s important to understand the realities of as-printed surface roughness.
#materials #basics

Education

Thermodynamic Processes: Flashing and Cavitation

From time to time, we re-publish well-received or particularly valuable articles that have previously run on VALVEMagazine.com so that those who might have missed them will be able to catch up on the best of the best.
#basics #components

Education

The Magic Behind the Metal

Like the superhero that can leap tall buildings, the valve industry is made of steel.
#basics #materials

Education

Factory Workforce Training: What You Need to Know in 2018

It is no news to the valve manufacturing industry, and it is something VMA with its Valve Careers initiative is working to alleviate: As the most experienced and knowledgeable workers retire from manufacturing and process control, business leaders must find ways to fill the positions they leave.
#VMAnews #basics

Insights

Steps to Integrating LEAN Principles into Valve Manufacturing

According to BusinessDictionary.com, the definition of “lean” is “doing more with less by employing 'lean thinking.'” Since the end of World War II, when lean manufacturing was developed and implemented in Japan, the many benefits of manufacturing this way continue to show merit.
#basics

Education

Air Valves in Piping Systems

Liquid piping systems are prone to collecting air from incoming fluids, pumps and connections.
#basics