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Looking for a resourceful single loop temperature & process controller for your application? Allow us to introduce the West 6100+, 8100+, and 4100+ digital temperature & process controllers. These flexible and easy to use controllers are part of West Control’s “Plus Series” and have been designed to save users’ time and virtually eliminate the likelihood of operation errors.

We like the West 6100+, 8100+ & 4100+ controllers because they are extremely versatile and competitively priced. You may or may not recognize the manufacturer and series of these temperature controllers because they have evolved from the West Control N6100, N8100, and N4100 series. With their improved interface, technical functionality, and field flexibility, the West 6100+, 8100+ and 4100+ controllers arguably give the best in comprehensive control for most temperature & process control loops.

West does a great job explaining single loop controllers as well as highlighting the 6100+, 8100+, & 4100+ series for its versatile features and user-friendly functionalities on their website. With mentions of remote setpoint inputs, digital inputs, plug-in output modules, a customizable operator/HMI menu, jumper-less and auto-hardware configuration, and a 24VDC transmitter power supply, these temperature & process controllers are set to ensure precise control for the most demanding applications.

Below is a product table we would like to featured directly from the manufacturer's website:

The major difference between the 6100+, 8100+, and 4100+ are the DIN sizes and dimensions. If you would like help ordering and/or need technical assistance to help choose which temperature & process controller is right for you, don’t hesitate to contact us! We’d love to help.

In certain applications, it is often unavoidable to experience pressure spikes.  

These spikes can often occur when a pump is being turned on or maybe when a valve opens up.  They tend to be very quick (mostly around 1 second or less), but these short pulsations can be detrimental to any pressure instrument you’re using in the line.
Whether the pressure instrument’s range falls within the spike’s pressure or the spike goes over the range of the instrument, damage can be done and can be done quickly.  To help protect the pressure gauge, transmitter, or pressure switch, there are a few, often inexpensive, options to use.  Please note that the below options only work for pulsations or very short spikes (1 second or less).

Pressure Snubber:
 
A pressure snubber looks similar to a fitting and is installed just like one.  Its mounted in between the instrument and the process connection.  There are mainly two type of pressure snubbers: sintered or piston.  Both essentially accomplish the same thing by slowing down the media before entering the instrument during a pressure spike or pulsation.  For more information on snubbers, please contact us.

Throttle Screw, Restrictor Screw or Throttle Plug:

Throttle screws (often called restrictor screws or throttle plugs) are very small screws or plugs that fit inside the orifice of the pressure instrument, and the throttle screw itself has a tiny orifice.  The idea behind the throttle screw is to substantially decrease the orifice size going into the pressure instrument.  Decreasing the orifice size slows down the media entering the instrument during a pulsation; almost creating a bottle neck effect.  Throttle screws are very inexpensive to add and often come standard by some companies.  The downside however is because the orifice is so small, the instrument is more prone to clogging if there are solids in the line.  Virtually every pressure gauge Kodiak provides can come with a throttle screw if needed.

Pressure Relief Valve:

Pressure relief valves are small diversion valves mounted in between the instrument and the process gauge.  The relief valve has an adjustable pressure setting on it.  Once the pressure in the line reaches the pressure setpoint on the valve, the valve closes and diverts the pressure through its other orifice or into the atmosphere.  For more information on pressure relief valves, please Contact Us

The use of manifolds on any application is a great way to consolidate instrumentation and valves into one location.  This not only saves space but also help eliminate potential leak points on the application.  Below is a picture of a perfect example of an application using multiple valves and tubing,which not only is cluster of tubing and connections, but also a potential problem of leakage.

To solve this, a manifold was designed which not only consolidated the valves into one area but also saved the customer in cost and labor.  An example of a manifold valve is below:

You can also design manifolds to not only hold valves but also other types of measuring instruments such as pressure transducer, switches, meters etc:

For more information on manifold valve designs and customization for your application please contact us by clicking HERE.
 

Measuring level for liquids, especially for corrosive and acidic applications, is not always cut and dry.  Due to the caustic tendencies of the fluids, certain materials such as PTFE, CPVC, PVDF, etc. need to be used.
Going the traditional route of using a float level transmitter or a capacitive level transmitter coated in PTFE or another chemical resistant material is certainly a good option.  However, these tend to be very expensive and often don’t come with local indication if that’s desired by the end user.
Another good option is to use a non-contact type level transmitter that uses ultrasonic technology.  These instruments can be very accurate, have no moving parts, and can give the desired level readings.  However, if the media gives off vapor or fumes, which acids can often do, the ultrasonic sound waves won’t reflect back to the transmitter properly causing a false reading.
As a lesser expensive option, pictured in this blog is a level gauge Kodiak recently custom designed for a customer of ours who was trying to measure level of hydrochloric acid (HCL) in a 12 foot tank.  Due to the height of the tank, we could utilize the atmospheric pressure by measuring the level using a 0-5 psi pressure gauge.  However, because of the corrosive properties of HCL, we used a CPVC/PTFE diaphragm seal to isolate it from the gauge.  Then per the customer’s specifications we assembled the gauge to a 2″ CPVC isolation ball valve with a 90° elbow.  Then on the other end of the valve, assembled a 2″ socket by 2″ NPT connection to be screwed into the bottom the tank.
By using this custom level gauge, the customer can now accurately measure the level of the tank locally and relatively inexpensively compared to the other options.  If a 4/20mA output is needed, a low pressure transducer can be used instead of the pressure gauge for future applications.

Standard specifications of pressure instruments, whether its a pressure gauge, pressure transducer, or pressure switch, are typically limited to the high temperatures they can see without experiencing faults in accuracy or potential failures.  For example on a pressure gauge, the more common high temperature ratings are between 160F to 200F.  And on pressure transducers, the ratings can be much lower due to the electronics.
However, pressure still needs to be read on higher temperature applications.  So, what can you do as an easy solution and is relatively inexpensive?
There a various types of solutions out there, but one that is economical in price, simple to install, and can be mounted in any direction is the use of a cooling tower.  The advantages of a cooling tower are:

• Shorter in length than using straight pipe as an extension.  Due to the Cooling Tower’s design, it allows for the heat to dissipate over a shorter length than a straight pipe would.  This is great for space saving as well as stability of the instrument.
• No pre-filling of water like you would have to do with a siphon.  The cooling tower is just plug and play.  Screw it into the process, put the instrument on the other end, and you’re good to go.
• It can be mounted to a diaphragm seal for added protection. For applications using thicker medias that solidify at cooler temperatures or for high temperature corrosive applications, the use of a diaphragm seal is necessary.  A cooling tower can act as a temperature barrier between the seal and the instrument allowing for accurate readings and eliminating clogs or corrosion of the instrument.
• Economical in price.  With the features, durability, and accuracy a cooling tower can provide, it is certainly a great price conscious option.

Oftentimes, Kodiak comes across a customer caught in a sticky situation – literally – where wastewater, sludge, or other solids can clog up the orifice of their pressure gauge.  To prevent this issue from happening, our technical specialists suggest the gauge to be mounted to a diaphragm seal.   A diaphragm seal will not only help keep sticky situations away, it will preserve the accuracy and operating life of the pressure gauge itself. Pretty neato.
Kodiak was recently challenged with a customer needing a little more than a pressure gauge mounted to a diaphragm seal. They were looking for a gauge that could handle hazardous media associated with a sewer station (not-so-clean water). The gauge they were requesting needed to be protected from harsh media, limited in pressure spikes, equipped with the ability for a flush out, and armed with a shut off valve (in the instance where they need to replace the gauge). Whew – did we lose you yet?
Our team of experts worked diligently with our customer to engineer the most efficient assembly for their application. Please allow us to introduce our newest custom engineered product containing a pressure gauge, snubber, diaphragm seal, gauge cock, and ball valve:

Interested in more? Here’s a detailed explanation for each product’s function in the assembly:

• Kodiak KC Series Pressure Gauge: Kodiak's KC Series liquid filled pressure gauge was chosen to help combat the vibration of our customer's pump system.
• Brass Snubber: A brass snubber was added in between the pressure gauge and the diaphragm seal in order to try and limit the amount of pressure spikes (which can decrease the life span of the pressure gauge).
• Kodiak DSM Series Diaphragm Seal: Kodiak's DSM Series diaphragm seal was mounted to the pressure gauge to prevent clogs in the tiny orifice of the pressure gauge (which in turn would cause the pressure gauge to become inaccurate or even damaged).
• Brass Gauge Cock: A brass gauge cock was added in the middle of the assembly to allow for the end user to flush water into the assembly and clean the bottom of the diaphragm seal (in case any solids clog or harden on the inside), without having to disassemble the entire assembly.
• Ball Valve: The ball valve on the bottom of the assembly was added for the shutoff function. If there is ever a situation where the diaphragm seal or pressure gauge is to stop working and would need a replacement, our customer can turn the valve to the off position. This function prevents the water from gushing out of the pipes while they repair the gauge-on-seal assembly – think of it like the handle on a sink – they can close the valve and keep the media in the pipe from leaking everywhere.

Have questions, comments or want to request your very own custom engineered product from Kodiak? Contact us. We’d love to hear from you.

Let’s say you need to measure differential pressure for a high temperature gas but the gas is way too hot for a differential pressure gauge to handle on it’s own. What can you do? A customer of ours asked us that very question and our technical support team was able to come up with a unique and cost effective solution. Allow us to introduce our most recent innovation – a differential pressure gauge assembled to two cooling towers:

We know what you’re thinking. Why did we use cooling towers instead of a diaphragm seal on each side? Isn’t that usually how you get the high temperature process away from the gauge to safely read the pressure? Yes, it sure is. However, when going the diaphragm seal route, you would actually have to take the differential pressure gauge and mount a diaphragm seal with capillary to each connection. So in the case of our assembly above, you would need two diaphragm seals and capillary assemblies filled with high temperature silicone on each side of the gauge – which can become quite costly.
In a more moderate and cost effective way, Kodiak’s technical support team suggested cooling the process before it got to the gauge. With this cooling tower approach, you can install the two towers in between the gauge and the process. The way these cooling towers are designed is to dissipate the heat allowing for media to cool at an acceptable level for the gauge to handle. This installation takes 10 minutes top – and a whole heck of a lot less expensive. No fillings needed, no strings attached.
If you’re in a similar situation with a unique application and/or looking for some technical support, give Kodiak a call. We promise to provide our expertise with cost efficient solutions.

To streamline your company’s manufacturing processes, efficient industrial control solutions are an essential component regardless of the industry. Whether your company specializes in water treatment and ground remediation, environmental applications, printing and packaging, petro-chemical, food and beverage, or machine tool, die casting, and extrusion, efficient industrial controls can increase safety, save time, and improve performance.
When selecting products that will take your manufacturing processes to the next level, we recommend looking for these key features:
 
Safety for Your Employees—and Your Company
Regulating the temperature of manufacturing process is essential for the safety of employees, equipment, and materials—and the overall success of your company. Since even the smallest temperature fluctuations can cause differences in the end results, temperature and process controllers such as Kodiak's resistance temperature detectors, reduce the need for operator involvement while handling applications of any size with ease.
 
Time-Saving Tools
To ensure large systems and complex processes operate seamlessly, a centralized measurement and control system is a vital tool for manufacturers. However, assembling data into a single location can be time-consuming and logistically challenging. For efficient I/O distribution, our modules are multi-functional to save time and space while increasing productivity.
 
High-Performing Interactive Displays
Interactive displays for industrial controls and instrumentation are the ideal interface for improving efficiency in manufacturing processes. From mounted displays to rugged, durable hand-held process controllers for tasks in the field, interactive displays ensure the best possible performance.
 
To learn more about the efficient industrial control solutions Kodiak offers, contact us today. We'd love to hear from you.

Steady pressure flow plays a vital role in many different manufacturing applications. When accuracy and stability are a must, we find it beneficial for manufacturers to look into using OEM Pressure Transmitters.

State-of-the-Art Technology
When choosing a compact OEM pressure transmitters, you can expect to see many benefits. In fact, the design of its parts feature proven sputtered thin film technology to optimize precision. You can also enjoy the Psibar CVD, capacitance, and MMS-type pressure sensors that come standard as process and level controls. Best of all, some offer dual pressure and temperature sensing options, if needed.

Durable Parts 
With durable materials, the pressure transmitters can handle high-volume use on the toughest jobs. From stainless steel wetted materials to piezoresistive ceramic sensors, there are so many great options when choosing the right transmitter for your application. Depending on your need and preference, here's a list of the OEM transducers we offer at Big Bear Instruments.

Vast Product Offering
If you aren’t sure whether or not these parts will work for your application, you’ll be happy to know that we offer a wide variety of different connectors, colors, styles, and cable options. You can discuss your options with one of our experts to determine which version best fits your use. The following are just a few of the ways in which you can customize the parts for your manufacturing facility:

• Red, black, white, and green wires
• 1-5 meters cables
• 0-1600 bar pressure range
• External threads and more
• Various pressure ports

Regardless of which parts you choose for your application's needs, we're here to make sure you get the best product for your application. Contact us today. We'd love to hear from you!

Although a virtually straightforward task, selecting an Isolator—specifically a 4-20mA Isolator— involves more than simply comparing the number of channels and the cost per point. Signal isolators receive 4-20mA process current inputs and provide an isolated 4-20mA output signal. On multi-channel units, each channel operates independently and is isolated from the others to prevent interaction between channels. Galvanic isolation eliminates ground loops, reduces, noise, and blocks transient signals.

We have outlined a few concepts to help you specify a 4-20mA Isolator:

• A two-wire system using output loop powered devices is a low cost approach. The I/O modules in this system use power from the output loop to operate and control the 4-10mA loop to the load. This is characterized as a sinking output because the module requires an external power source.
• Without a power source, a 4-10mA Isolator that powers the output loop is required. This type of Isolator is characterized as having a sourcing output. If the I/O module can take power from the input loop to operate and power the 4-10mA output loop to the load, a two-wire system using input loop powered devices is a low-cost approach. Otherwise, a four-wire device must be used.
• To determine if the I/O modules are correctly matched to an application, the voltage level to the external power source must be determined, along with the total input impedance of all loads, and whether other peripheral devices are connected to the input loops.

If you could use some help deciding which 4-20mA isolator is right for you,  contact us. We offer more than 100 modules that interface with a vast array of voltage, current, and strain measuring devices, and they are designed to integrate seamlessly into your existing process.

For an industrial engineer, the prospect of having to shut down operations due to poor machine performance is worrisome, to say the very least. That’s why Big Bear Instruments is dedicated to supplying our customers with the most advanced, state-of-the-art engineering products on the market to make sure our customers are running their heavy-duty industrial applications at full capacity and with complete confidence in the performance of our products.
Whether your requirements are specific to the automotive, medical, transportation, or other modern industry, our team will help you find the exact solution you need for optimal flow and pressure control.

Introducing Our 2200 and 2600 Series Products
Our line of 2200 and 2600 series industrial pressure transducers from Gems Sensors and Controls are designed for superior functionality and unparalleled industrial strength. Both lines are available in a wide variety of standard-sized pressure fittings and custom process fittings, as well as in a range of millivolt, voltage, and current output models, including:

• Gauge Models
• Absolute Models
• Vacuum Models
• Compound Pressure Models

While both series of industrial pressure transducer accommodated specials with innovative CVD-sensing technology, innovative process and level controls, ASIC (amplified units), and modular packaging, they differ in form and function. For example, the 2200 series is designed for ultimate precision, accuracy, and stability with a variety of enclosure options. The 2600 series is built with an all-welded, stainless-steel backend for a diverse range of packaging options, making it ideal for the most demanding submersible and industrial applications.
One of the most important factors in choosing a quality industrial pressure transducer lies in its capacity for electromagnetic compatibility. Both the 2200 and 2600 lines meet the requirement for CE marking of EN50081-2 for emissions, and EN50082-2 for susceptibility, according to test data.

To check out all of the series we offer, view our transducer product page or contact us. We'd love to hear from you!

Technology has advanced by leaps and bounds since the first programmable logic controller was developed for the automobile industry. New innovations are ever evolving and we are happy to introduce the latest addition of UniStream® HMI/PLCs to our collection.  The Unistream®5 , a smaller 5" version, is now available along with the 15.6”, 10.4”, and 7” versions. 

If you’re looking to upgrade your current PLC or want to purchase one for the first time, our team is happy to answer any questions and help you choose the products that will allow you to streamline your manufacturing and other processes.

Impressive Features:
The UniStream® 5” incorporates all the functionalities of UNILOGIC software and boasts innovative features including:

• Variety of distributed I/O modules
• Auto-tune PID
• Data logging via data tables and sampling
• Log, backup, and clone with Micro SD cars
• Video and audio files (available on the Pro version)
• High-quality touchscreen for ease of use
• Multi-language capabilities
• Image library

The UniStream® 5” also includes diverse communication capabilities including remote access, Ethernet, send e-mail function, SMS messaging, remote access via VNC, and many more. Web server, SQL client, and video +RTSP are also available on the Pro version.
With capabilities to install up to 2,048 I/O points, ladder memory of 1 MB, and the ability to operate in temperatures ranging from -20° C to 55° C, this is a versatile unit that will provide the functionality, durability, and ease of use you require.
To learn more about the new UniStream® 5 or to view the other programmable logic controllers & HMI's we offer, check out our products page and send us a quote request. We'd love to hear from you.