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This article was originally published on September 20, 2021, and updated on May 14, 2025. In the semiconductor industry, precision and purity are non-negotiable. Even the slightest contamination can compromise the performance of an entire manufacturing process. That’s why pressure instrumentation must meet the highest standards for cleanliness, chemical compatibility and reliability. Whether you're managing wafer fabrication or plating processes, you need a gauge designed to protect your process, your equipment and your product integrity. Ashcroft understands this challenge and has been providing semiconductor manufacturers with effective solutions for decades. Equipped with extensive industry-specific experience, we engineer, manufacture, test and distribute the instruments necessary to keep your semiconductor production running with optimal results. Read this article to learn how one of those instruments, the Ashcroft® 63 mm HPT Pressure Gauge, delivers trusted performance in chemical delivery systems, ultrapure water applications and other critical environments. At the end of the article, you will be directed to additional resources to learn more about semiconductor processes and choosing the best instruments for your applications.

In sterile environments, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, food & beverage production and biotechnology, pressure gauges must undergo rigorous cleaning and sterilization to ensure hygienic compliance while maintaining process integrity and operational safety. Ashcroft is a globally recognized leader in pressure and temperature instrumentation. As experts in this field, it is our job to fully understand the requirements our products must meet for use in these highly regulated industries and answer customer questions to help them make informed decisions. The question that prompted this article was from a customer who wanted to know the different ways to keep their pressure instruments compliant with hygienic requirements. Read this article to learn what hygienic compliance means for sterile processes, who sets and enforces these standards and how three widely used cleaning methods—Clean-in-Place (CIP), Sterilize-in-Place (SIP) and autoclaving can help your systems prevent contamination. When you are done, you will have a better understanding of these processes, applications, benefits, and limitations as they relate to sanitary operations. You will also be directed to additional resources that can help you determine which instruments are best suited to keep your system running safely and efficiently in sterile environments.

This article was originally published on June 17, 2024, and updated on April 30, 2025. If you work in any industry that involves food, beverages, pharmaceuticals or biotechnology, your primary challenge is to implement and maintain strict sanitary control over your entire operation. This is your primary defense against product contamination and safeguarding public health. That means every aspect of your manufacturing process, including the equipment and instruments you use to keep your systems running smoothly, must also meet certain sanitary and hygienic standards. Ashcroft is a globally recognized leader in pressure and temperature instrumentation, so we understand the unique requirements our products must meet for use in these highly regulated industries. In fact, as a Product Leader for the company's sanitary product line, I am often asked for guidance during our customers' gauge selection process. In this article, you will learn more about the unique safety challenges of these highly regulated industries, the safety standards that are designed for public protection and some factors to consider when selecting the best sanitary gauge for your needs. When you are done reading, you will also be directed to additional resources to help deepen your knowledge of pressure gauges in general.

This article was originally published on September 11, 2023, and updated on March 26, 2025. Managing hydraulic systems in mobile construction equipment, fuel pumps, industrial machinery and automotive braking systems for example - is no easy task. Because these systems use liquids in various forms to generate power, the inherent pressure levels of hydraulics have to be properly managed. Otherwise, the consequences can include reduced performance, potential equipment damage, or even physical injury to system operators. That's where hydraulic pressure gauges can help. These instruments play a critical role in regulating pressure by monitoring levels in either a specified part or the entire system to ensure things are operating normally. The challenge is choosing the pressure gauge that will work best in your hydraulic application. As a pressure gauge product lead at Ashcroft - a recognized authority in temperature and pressure solutions - I have seen many scenarios where the wrong pressure gauges were selected and the impact that decision had on operations. Read this article to learn about the five pressure gauge features I consider most important for hydraulic applications so you can be confident about selecting the best option to meet your specific needs. Let’s get started.

This article was originally published on May 8, 2021, and was updated on February 5, 2025. There are many different styles of thermowells, so depending on what you need, the cost for these instruments can be as low as $15 or as high as $5,000. With such a broad price range, selecting the right one for your application can be difficult. Ashcroft is a leader in pressure and temperature instrumentation. In my role as an engineer and product leader at the company, I have insight into the factors that can affect a thermowell's cost and what to consider before you place an order. Read this article to learn about the price ranges of thermowells and the key cost drivers, including product design, materials, testing requirements and more. You will also receive links to additional resources to help deepen your knowledge about the temperature instruments we offer. Please note: the costs represented in this article depend on the material, the requirements/tests needed, and the process conditions involved.

This article was originally published on March 13, 2023, and updated on November 20, 2024. Hydrogen has rapidly become a leading source of alternative energy, but it presents unique challenges that require careful consideration. For example, hydrogen is flammable, which can lead to explosions. It can also cause hydrogen embrittlement, and hydrogen permeation, both of which can also damage the instruments that are designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of your hydrogen system. As the product leader of Industrial Gauges at Ashcroft with 15 years of industry experience, I wrote this article to help you better understand the dangers associated with hydrogen and provide my recommendations for selecting the best pressure gauge for these applications. When you are done reading, you will also find additional resources that can help deepen your knowledge of this timely topic.