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Control Logic


S6 Lean Methodology


March Madness 


Maple Caramel Bacon 



A Wider View of a Broader Offering

At SVF, we have specialized in flow control solutions since 1982. Over these many years we have continued to develop and offer products to suit an ever-expanding range of applications with products, controls and customized designs. When in the field, I make it a point to share the many products we offer and I am often pleased to see how salespeople connect with us by presenting ideas about how they can take SVF to help more of their customers.

In case you are not aware of the many solutions we now offer, I thought I would devote this month to giving you a thumbnail of the product message our team delivers every day.
 
APPLICATIONS (www.SVF.net)
 
Valve designs, standards, materials and engineered solutions for:
  • Chlorine
  • Cryogenic
  • Exotic Alloys (Hastelloy, Alloy20, Monel)
  • Steam & Thermal Fluids (a top seller and a competitively priced solution)
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • CO2
  • Fine Control (V-Ball)
  • High Purity (Pharmaceutical)
  • Food/Beverage
  • Semiconductor
  • High Pressure (to 6,000psi)
  • Fire Safe (API-607)
  • Direct Mount Actuation
  • Butterfly Valves
 
CUSTOM DESIGNS: (www.Pro-Spec.net)



We have a custom design team that takes challenging applications and develops unique, cost-saving solutions.
  • Transition Valves
  • Manifolds
  • 2-phase flow
  • Stream Trap Test Valve (Opus)
  • Secondary Containment
  • Custom Control Logic
 
Controls & Automation (www.NexTekControls.net)  
 
We are certainly more than a valve supplier. Our real strength lies in our ability to build and deliver complete automated packages from our extensive
selection of state-of-the-art actuators and controls.
  • Hazardous area controls (ATEX)
  • Intrinsically safe equipment
  • 2-wire control
  • Full range of switches and sensors
  • New Reed Switch Technology
  • Innovation Award Winning (Nexus-LP)
  • Pneumatic and Electric actuators
  • Manual Override devices
  • Positioners (P and E-P)
Custom Solutions
Custom
Customization at its finest!

At SVF Flow Controls, our goal is to deliver products with exceptional design and the highest level of quality to meet our market's application requirements. Occasionally, our customers require us to provide 3D drawings to insert into their autocad models. SVF engineering utilizes SolidWorks, a solid modeling
computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) program, for all our drawings and designs. This gives us the flexibility to change, add or redesign existing product designs in a flash. When a customer requires a 3D drawing of their valve / actuator / limit switch assembly, we can provide them as individual drawings, or as a completed assembly.

Below are some examples of 3D drawings that have been created for different customer requests.




B41C w/Quad4 Actuator and limit switch
TSB7F w/ Aero2 Actuator and limit switch
 B43C w/ Aero2 Actuator and limit switch

There are instances where a customer provides us with an application challenge that requires more than drawing assembly or small change. Pro-Spec is a division of SVF Flow Controls that provides custom solutions for these application challenges. The manifold drawing below was designed specifically for complex flow logic of a CNG manifold. It consists of components with high flow porting, pneumatic actuators and high pressure valves. This provides an effective solution with easy installation.



SVF CNG manifold design

'Design is not just what it looks like and feels like.
Design is how it works.'
- Steve Jobs

Visit the SVF Engineering Resource library to access all our technical information.


Control Logic


Control Logiccontrol

In operating plants today, there exists a variety of strategies with multiple levels of complexity that are currently utilized for flow control applications. They are available as selection options to match standards, cost reduction and regulatory constraints. Several control strategies are described below including application, implementation, and advantages and disadvantages.

MANUAL
Manual operation is the traditional method for flow control. Manual adjustments during operation of control elements are  made to maintain parameters within desirable outcomes. Implementation of manual on/off control including block valves for process shutoff, sample selection and standard process measurements is simple and straight-forward.
The disadvantage however was is that it produces a lag between decision time and the time that the adjustment of the control element is actually made. This could be a disaster in an emergency or expensive if the process flow had to be altered.

Despite this major disadvantage, manual operation is still a common control method today. This is at least partly due to budgetary costs relating to an alternate automatic control.

AUTOMATIC
Continued developments in control technology have eroded manual control even at the primary and most basic levels, pulling more and more applications towards automatic process control. Multiple levels of automation are now being applied.

OPEN LOOP CONTROL
The simplest and perhaps most common form of automatic process control is open loop control where set conditions prompt triggered reactions by flow control elements. These include intermittent operation of blowers, mixers, and pumps. They may be timed, or affected by temperature, pressure, or level switches. A plant operator can still input or over ride these with manual adjustments on process performance. This strategy is satisfactory for slow processes or where disturbances are small and predictable such as for a package plant serving an institution. The disadvantage is that adjustments can be made the operator as he sees fit depending upon his interpretation of the data.

FEEDBACK CONTROL
The next level of control is automatic control implemented in SCADA (Supervisory control and data acquisition) using online measurements. The measurement is reported to a controller which reacts to eliminate the difference between the measurement and the desired set-point by sending a control signal to a flow control element such as a valve actuator.

The most common and inexpensive form of feedback control is discreet control. This process is controlled using simple on/off relays that start and stop equipment in response to a change in flow conditions. In addition, this type of control can be retrofitted into existing facilities with minimal modifications. The most common application relates to batch control in pharmaceutical, chemical or any process plant where exact ingredients are required. The main drawbacks are process instability and actuator wear as a result of oscillation above and below the set-point.

FEED FORWARD CONTROL
Feed forward control consists of measuring the disturbance and calculating the required response typical in municipal applications. A common implementation of this strategy is an extension of cascade control for feedback control based on DO. An ammonium controller sits on top of the DO controller and receives input from online instruments measuring flow and ammonium, calculates the load, and determines the DO set-point. The benefit is that suppression of DO and bleed-through of ammonia into the effluent can be eliminated because the controller anticipates the aeration demand instead of reacting. The drawback is that it requires additional sensors to measure ammonium and a model to calculate the response based on the disturbance. A feedback loop may also be needed to adjust the model-predicted response.

For more information on Control Logic, contact us at 800.783.7836 or [email protected].


Methodology
6S Methodology in Warehouse Management
The cornerstone of a lean and continually improving company is a visual workplace.  Having a systematic process of workplace organization is critical to quality, safety, and efficiency.  One of the many lean principles that have proven successful is the 6S Program.  In its simplest terms, 5S is a way of designating a place for everything and having everything in its place.  Take for example your morning routine.  How much longer would it take you to get out the door if you had to search for your personal items every morning?  Think of the frustration and wasted time scurrying around, searching feverishly for your keys, wallet, purse, and coffee?  Not a great start to the day.
 
The key component to 6S is to have only what you need available in the workplace, eliminating any waste or unnecessary process steps.  This program was developed in Japan as a way to maximize standard work and Just In Time Manufacturing.  In Japanese, the 6S's are; Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, Shitsuke, and Anzen-sei.  In English, these words translate to:
 
 
SORT - Remove all items that are not needed for current production.  Scrap or re-purpose existing items.

SET IN ORDER - Organize remaining items needed so that they are readily retrievable 
and easily accessible.

SHINE - Clean, paint, and polish work area.

STANDARDIZE - Label and Color-Code all areas and items.  Each color has a standard meaning. 
Colored tape, paint, and signage assists with this
phase for a standard visual workplace.

SUSTAIN - The most difficult of all!  Properly maintain correct procedures and continually improve.

SAFETY - In recent years, Safety has been added to this program.  Always think of how to safely work and incorporate those ideas into your program.
   
One of the most exciting aspects of this program is creating a superior working environment for everyone.  6S provides a wonderful opportunity for every employee to provide input to the flow of their own workspace.  It also speaks volumes about how your company views the importance of safety, quality and productivity as well 
as its own employees and customers.
 
So, how do you implement 6S in your company?  The first step is to identify a 6S Team, who will require 6S Principles training.  Once the team has been trained, you must follow a systematic approach to follow each "S".  There are many resources that could help you get started and from experience, this is a worthwhile, cost- effective and best practice used by many disciplined and successful companies. 
 
Yoi tabi o motte iru!

March Madness Trivia!
March NCAA's men's and women's Basketball March Madness is in full swing with a field of 64 teams fighting its' way to the Final Four and ultimately to the Championship title. Cinderella teams that are underdogs are given the chance to kick the door wide open and take down traditional powerhouse rivals to write history for their schools. The championship game will be April 2nd for the Women's division and April 3rd for the Men's division.

Which University has won the NCAA Men's and Women's
basketball tournament in the same year? 
  1.  University of Kentucky
  2.  University of Kansas
  3.  University of Tennessee
  4.  University of Villanova
  5.  University of Connecticut
Winner will receive a combination flashlight/pen. One answer per person.
Contest ends April 14, 2017.

Chef's Corner
bacon
What's that smell we all know and love? That smell that no matter
where you're at or what you are doing hooks your nose
Maple Caramel Bacon
and you follow it running over the baby, stops you in your vegan tracks and hypnotizes you? 

BACON!!

This months recipe is Maple Caramel Bacon Crack. Smoky, sweet, crunchy, buttery, chewy - the perfect conglomerate of savory and sweetness. And it has only four simple ingredients, all of which you probably have in your pantry right now. It makes for a quick appetizer, a great snack, a delightful dessert, or hell, even an entree - I don't judge
Once you go bacon crack, you can't go back.
 
Recipe type: Treats
Prep time:  15 mins
Cook time:  25 mins
Total time:  40 mins
Serves: 6-8