Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is a process used to create highly advanced, field-proven, thin film technology for pressure sensors that are used in mid- to high-pressure applications. These sensors are designed to deliver consistently accurate, reliable and repeatable pressure measurements under some of the most difficult conditions. If you are an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), you know that your operations are among the most rugged in any industry. As such, you require instrumentation that is both consistently accurate and able to meet the shock, vibration, temperature and high cycle demands of your applications. As a recognized leader in pressure and temperature instrumentation, Ashcroft pressure transducers offer OEM customers everything they need in a high-quality pressure transducer. Our CVD-based sensors are produced in Japan by our parent company, Nagano Keiki, and are used in many of our pressure sensors, especially those needed for OEMs. In this article, you will learn how CVD technology works in the manufacturing process, applications where you will find this technology and the benefits it offers to OEM manufacturers and others who use it. When you are done reading, you will see other related resources that will help you learn more about the pressure instruments that incorporate CVD technology and the applications where they are used.

This article was originally published on June 27, 2022, and was updated on March 20, 2024. Critical process applications demand implementing critical safety measures. The safety of your operators and your customers depends on using high-quality pressure measuring instruments that can help you avoid disaster. The one thing I've learned in over 25 years of industry experience is that you can never be too careful. Unfortunately, when I visit process plants and other facilities, I often find that proper instrumentation is not installed on many applications. Understanding which instruments to use can be the difference between a successful operation and a dangerous one. In this article, you will learn why installing both an analog pressure gauge and a pressure transmitter to monitor air, gas or liquid pressure in challenging industrial applications is a good safety strategy. They each have a specific job to do. When you are finished reading, you can decide if having both types of instruments working for you is the right decision. You will also get links to additional information that you may find useful.

In challenging process applications, diaphragm seals (isolators) are often required to protect pressure instruments from the corrosive media and/or large particulates found in the process. These materials can impact, or even impede, the accuracy of your instruments and wreak havoc on your operation. In harsh applications that involve pressure spikes, erratic vibration and pulsation, your diaphragm seal may need a layer of added protection to ensure the safety of your instruments. With 10+ years in the pressure and temperature instrumentation industry and product leader for Ashcroft diaphragm seal products, I am often asked to recommend a solution for this particular challenge. More often than not, after I gather all pertinent information about the customer's specific challenge, the solution is a dampening device. Read on to learn when and why a dampening device may be recommended for your application, the different styles that are available and how they function. When you are done, you will have a greater understanding of how diaphragm seals and dampening devices can work together to keep your operation running safely. You will also see links to additional related resources that you can refer to at your convenience.

This article was originally published on January 10, 2022, and was updated on March 13, 2024. If you work in the oil and gas or chemical industry, or even in a power plant, you know that a manifold valve blocks the flow of fluid in your system so the process media will be isolated from pressure instrumentation. You also know that a block-and-bleed manifold blocks the upstream process media from the instrumentation while allowing the bleeding off (venting) of the remaining fluid from the system on the downstream side of the manifold. But when you need to know which manifold valve is the right one for your specific process, that's where we can help. Ashcroft is a leading authority in pressure instruments and the accessories that help them operate at peak performance. As the senior product manager for this segment of our line, I have had the opportunity to train many customers and distributors on this very subject. Read this article to learn the various manifold valves, how they are different and the mounting options you can choose from. When you are done, you will also find additional resources that may be of interest to you.

If you work in process industries like oil and gas or chemical/petrochemical, you know that a thermowell is a critical component that can help ensure the safe operation of your systems. That's because it is the thermowell's job to protect the temperature monitoring instruments from system pressure, high-velocity flow and corrosive media. However, keep in mind that selecting the wrong thermowell to do the job can have negative consequences that will put the safety of your process and your people at serious risk. Ashcroft has been in the temperature measurement business for decades. As the firm's temperature product manager, I know that flanged thermowells are typically the preferred choice for these applications because of their design and cost. In reality, though, even when the cost feels prohibitive, there are certain situations where a Vortex Thermowell may be your only option. In this article, you will learn about the forces that can make a thermowell fail and the factors to consider when determining whether the Vortex Thermowell is worth the added expense. You will also get links to additional resources related to this topic that may be of interest to you.

In a recent Understanding the Basics blog article, we reviewed how temperature is measured in industrial applications using different types of thermometers. In this article, we will focus on the temperature sensors used to measure temperature in original equipment manufacturing (OEM) systems, light industrial processes or even more complex applications. No matter what the purpose, inaccurate temperature measurements can have serious consequences for your entire operation, so you'll want to be sure you use accurate and reliable instruments to do the job. If you are new to OEM applications or simply need a refresher on the basics of temperature sensors, you've come to the right place. Here we will review different types of temperature sensors, how they work, and what to look for when selecting the best option for your specific needs. At the end of the article, you will find additional resources related to temperature measurement that may interest you.