As with so many modern technology trends, the concept and the reality of cleantech are often two different things. There is ample discussion out in the world about the aspirations of cleantech, but not nearly enough detail on how cleantech principles can be directly applied in practice. This is particularly true in industrial automation and process control arenas, a fact that we here at Whitman Controls see firsthand. From our vantage point, we see ample potential for cleantech-inspired process automation developments in the years to come, starting with applying customized process instrumentation towards cleantech goals.
As with so many modern technology trends, the concept and the reality of cleantech are often two different things. There is ample discussion out in the world about the aspirations of cleantech, but not nearly enough detail on how cleantech principles can be directly applied in practice. This is particularly true in industrial automation and process control arenas, a fact that we here at Whitman Controls see firsthand. From our vantage point, we see ample potential for cleantech-inspired process automation developments in the years to come, starting with applying customized process instrumentation towards cleantech goals.
In industrial manufacturing and engineering circles, we hear the word ‘quality’ more often than we can count. There seems to be a universal interest in achieving high quality, but what exactly does ‘quality’ mean, and is it measuring the same metrics in every application? More specifically, what does the mention of ‘quality management’ mean for those of us in the industrial instrumentation world?
Most of us have heard about e-commerce for over twenty years, with online retail shopping being a matter of course today. During this same period, commercial and industrial suppliers have quietly evolved their own online procurement ecosystem, with modern footprints that often rival consumer platforms in revenue if not volume.
It’s not always so obvious how many (or how few) degrees of protection stand between a normal operation and a significant emergency, especially for more mundane systems that don’t fail in spectacular ways. With this thought in mind, we’re too-often shocked when we hear about incidents where virtually no safety measures were in place, which motivates us to write this article sharing ideas about how engineers can conceptualize safety decisions using a unique layered approach.
When you look across your pool of industrial component suppliers, how do you gauge their value to your organization? Do you measure suppliers primarily by their pricing, their delivery speed, or perhaps their responsiveness?
Procuring industrial components under a formal purchasing contract historically has not been very common in the United States, but with the supply chain rumblings of the last several years, more and more volume part buyers are exploring contract-like engagements to secure the products they need.
Few topics are as socially charged these days as the debate between electric versus fossil fuel vehicles. Regardless of where you land on the matter, one point is crystal clear, which is that next generation vehicles of any type will increasingly rely on advanced instrumentation, electronic, and integrated circuit technologies to meet both environmental and consumer experience demands. In this article, we’ll take a look at the role of instrumentation in emerging vehicle technologies beyond just fuel types.
As with many regulatory compliance matters, navigating code requirements for industrial automation projects can range from mildly confusing to virtually impossible! No singular body of code tells controls engineers what regulations their projects must comply with, complicating a seemingly simple task like specifying a sensor. But, there is hope. One very useful way that instrumentation manufacturers such as Whitman Controls help streamline compliance is by using Certification, Approval, and Testing marks. Let’s define each of these items, and then go on to an example.
Process control sensors in Food & Beverage applications have a rough life. Relentless cleaning with harsh chemicals, intentional large swings in operating conditions, and the perpetual demand to perform flawlessly or else real people might get real sick consuming compromised food products – you’d think it’d be a no-win situation for instrumentation manufacturers.