The Evolution of OEM Support Services
The last several decades have seen a change in the U.S. valve industry landscape from the mainland of “do-it-all-ourselves” companies to independent islands of commerce focusing just on what they do best—design and manufacture.
#maintenance-repair
Equipment as a Service: Extending the Subscription Model to Industrial Equipment
Equipment as a Service (EaaS) is a relatively new concept similar to the widely used Software as a Service (Saas). SaaS allows customers to use cloud-based software on a subscription basis.
#maintenance-repair #automation
Managing Valves in EPCM Projects
Engineering, procurement, construction and management (EPCM) is a form of contract agreement between a client (end user) and a contractor.
Managing Valves in EPCM Projects Part II: More Challenges
VALVE Magazine’s Fall edition ran part I of this article, which addressed the valve challenges faced during the processes involved in engineering, procurement, construction and management (EPCM) projects.
Pinch Valves: An Uncomplicated Valve with an Important Purpose
Pinch valves are a simple valve design that uses an elastomeric tube forced together or pinched to stop the flow of media.
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
The Adventures of Duke Waters
Editor’s Note: In 2016, John Ballun, released a collection of enlightening and sometimes humorous engineering stories based on what he learned over the years from numerous mentors.
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
The Challenges of Chlor-Alkali
With the introduction of new materials and the evolution of valve design over the years, the days when fluid handling operators were limited by the number of valve types available to control the process are long gone.
#materials
The Past, Present and Future of Fire Testing
Because so many of the applications where valves are used are sensitive to the danger of fire and explosion, fire testing is a critical part of the process of designing the right valves.