{"id":9335,"date":"2018-04-05T12:22:30","date_gmt":"2018-04-05T17:22:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.wika.com\/us\/\/?p=9335"},"modified":"2023-08-25T05:03:23","modified_gmt":"2023-08-25T10:03:23","slug":"wikas-helps-automation-provider-find-valve-control-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wika.com\/us\/products\/pressure-products\/wikas-helps-automation-provider-find-valve-control-solutions\/","title":{"rendered":"WIKA\u2019s Value Innovation Workshop Helps Automation Provider Find Valve Control Solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

A major automation solutions provider wanted to update the valve control system it was using in two products in order to get more information and to gain better control. Analysis of the problem during a WIKA Value Innovation Workshop helped develop a proprietary valve control system. <\/strong><\/p>\n

A major manufacturer of industrial valves, regulators, and actuators wanted to replace the outdated mechanical technology of its digital valve control (DVC) units and digital process controllers (DPCs). The DVCs were using an external sensor to measure the process pressure in order to identify the valve\u2019s position and then \u2013 if necessary \u2013 to correct it. The DPCs, in contact with the media, used 1) media pressure to control the flow of material and 2) a Bourdon tube<\/a> internal sensor to measure process pressure and correct the valve\u2019s position.<\/p>\n

The Client\u2019s Specific Goals<\/h2>\n

The client wanted to update its legacy mechanical control system to an electric\/digital one to improve performance and increase efficiency. Going into the project, the automation solutions provider had identified a few target areas that needed improvement:<\/p>\n

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  1. Switch from a mechanical system to an electronic one, which would allow users to use real-time data to better control processes.<\/li>\n
  2. Embed conditioning of the raw signal into the system, which would avoid a separate step.<\/li>\n
  3. Improve resistance to sour gases in order to minimize corrosion, which could lead to failures.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The Process<\/h2>\n

    Any parts provider can take a spec sheet and reconfigure an existing product to prescribed specifications. That doesn\u2019t take ingenuity or creativity. The beauty of a WIKA Value Innovation Workshop (VIW) is that it leads to the development of solutions that do not currently exist \u2013 and wouldn\u2019t even be thought of during a standard R&D process.<\/p>\n

    A few different groups within the company were already in talks with WIKA, looking for similar solutions for different applications. WIKA suggested that all groups come together to analyze the different scenarios. During the VIW, participants identified shared requirements and limitations, and came up with a list of pros and cons. Using that information and WIKA experts\u2019 decades of experience, we developed a customized solution that went beyond what the client thought was possible.<\/p>\n

    The Challenges in Detail<\/h2>\n

    Six WIKA experts sat down with nine design and lead engineers, product development specialists, and product managers from the automation solutions manufacturer. A lively brainstorming session brought to light a series of challenges \u2013 but also the possibility of using a single-source embedded sensor to replace existing PBC (printed board circuit)-mounted sensors used in the different applications. The challenges included:<\/p>\n