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Below you will find white papers on topics involving process control and automation.

Remote Access for Original Equipment Manufacturer's

Submitted by Submitted by Tom Trinh & Corey Foster || Valin Corporation

Looking for ways to support your systems more easily, more safely, and more quickly for your customers?? Perhaps you are wondering what remote access technology is for industrial control systems.

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Board Level Controllers – Best of Both Worlds

Submitted by Nathan Ehresman || Valin Corporation

An operator in a fluid handling process is only as effective as his ability to work with a given controller. If there are factors that keep this individual from doing what is necessary for a smooth operation, adjustments need to be made.

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The Challenge of Automating a Manual Process

Submitted by Corey Foster || Valin Corporation

When manufacturing engineers are tasked with automating a process that is currently done manually, their main question for an automation supplier is "Have you ever automated this specific process before?" In complex applications, the answer is typically "no." Learn more.

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Look To Data To Boost Reliability

Submitted by Corey Foster || Valin Corporation

Predicting your plant's future depends on collecting and analyzing the correct type and amount of equipment and process data. Predictive maintenance (PdM), much like "IIoT," "Industry 4.0," and "Plug n Play," may be exciting concepts, but many plants still aren't leveraging them fully. Learn more.

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Nitrogen Generation in the Metal Industry

Submitted by Patrick Hyland || Valin Corporation

In the past, bulk storage systems have been used to house nitrogen on-site at the manufacturing plants, but this method of storage can result in a significant loss in revenue. So, what is the solution for plant owners? The answer begins with in-house nitrogen generation systems. Learn more.

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Profitable Linear-Motion Design

Submitted by John Brokaw and Kent Martins || Valin Corp.

Engineers building linear-motion systems can use ground-up DIY approaches or purchase complete turnkey solutions. Here we explain where each tactic is most profitable.

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Optimizing Today’s Pneumatic Systems

Submitted by Bill Nevills || Valin Corporation

In the last ten years, the design of pneumatic manufacturers' online tools for sizing components has evolved, the fieldbus systems are ever-changing, component designs are constantly improving, and network devices such as the Industrial Internet of Things have reshaped the industry. Learn more.

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Robotics or Motion Control? 10 Questions to Help Decide

Submitted by Corey Foster || Valin Corporation

Robotics and motion control are closely related in many ways, but robots lean towards a "pre-engineered" solution while motion control leans towards a modular solution. Before deciding to install a robot or motion control component, these are ten questions to ask yourself.

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Five Types of Industrial Robots And How To Choose The Best Fit

Submitted by Ray Marquiss || Valin Corporation

Robotics can be narrowed down to five types: Cartesian, Cylindrical, SCARA, 6-Axis, and Delta. Each has specific elements (speed, size, workspace) making them ideal for certain applications. Knowledge of each type can help machine designers choose the best robot for their process. Learn more.

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Precision Automation Meets Advanced Product Demand

Submitted by Corey Foster || Valin Corporation

As electronics and technologies become smaller and more intricate, engineers are running into new challenges in automating manufacturing processes. The challenges of manufacturing new products extend beyond the capabilities of precise motion control mechanics to include environmental control.

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The ABCs of VFDs

Submitted by Kevin Goodsell || Valin Corporation

Inside of plants today, AC motors are becoming the industry standard. Many plants are shifting to AC motors from hydraulic motors or DC motors when powering heavy loads, which were more popular in the past. This shift can be attributed to a variety of reasons and most have to do with cost.

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Motion Control vs Robotics - What's the Right Choice?

Submitted by Corey Foster || Valin Corporation

For automation applications, one of the larger misconceptions in the industry today is that when someone uses the phrase "motion control," they can just as easily use the term "robotics," as if the two are interchangeable. Read more.

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Software Innovations In Connectivity, Coding & Ease of Use

Submitted by Corey Foster & Ray Marquiss || Valin Corporation

Process automation is most used when talking about computer technology paired with software engineered to help industrial plants or factories operate more efficiently and safely. Before process automation, individuals would have to physically monitor the components and outputs of a plant or factory.

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Workplace Safety Still Needs a Human Component

Workplace safety is—or should be—a primary focus of every organization, regardless of whether we're talking about a classroom, an office, a manufacturing facility, or an oil rig. Employees deserve a workspace that is as safe and secure as it can possibly be.

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Cavitation… What you need to know

Submitted by Russ Rochambeau, Valin Corporation

Cavitation is the 2nd leading cause of a pump system failure. It's for this reason that a full understanding of what cavitation is, how it is caused, and how it can be prevented is critical in the fluid power industry.

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Noise from Cavitation: Bad for Control Valves and Equipment

Submitted by Jon Monsen and Peter Jessee // Valve Magazine

Certain frequencies of sound can play havoc on industrial equipment. When control valves are not selected appropriately, there is an increased risk for cavitation, which causes high noise and vibration levels, resulting in very rapid damage to the valve's internals and/or the downstream piping.

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Best Practices in CONTROL

Submitted by Jon Irvine

Considering the number of variables, gaining precise control of a process heating application can be a difficult task. In industries with a high demand for consistent quality, controlling the temperature of a substance from the start to the finish of a process is an absolute necessity. Learn more.

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Introducing the Cost-Effective SCARA Robot Pulse Motor IXP

Submitted by IAI

IAI's new IXP Series Robots cost around 1/2 of that of a conventional model due to the adoption of the pulse motors. The IXP achieves a payload equivalent to that of a conventional model by adopting high-output drivers. All IXP models come standard with battery-less absolute encoders.

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