Mining, Metals & Aggregates

• Managing a Decaying Industrial Utility System

  Managing a Decaying Industrial Utility System Manufacturing, refining and specialty chemical facilities across North America are facing utility infrastructure challenges. Large campus sites and facilities have utility networks that are comparable to small municipalities, complete with sewer, water distribution, power, communications, natural gas and water/wastewater treatment systems. On top of the basic utilities, most manufacturers […]

  Read MoreTodd Green, PE, SI, CFPS / Chemical Plant / EPC / Industrial Automation Engineering / Manufacturing Operations Management / Planning / Process Design / Utility System Design / Renovation / Manufacturing /

• Process Management and Improvement Rely on Analytical Decision Support

  Parsec-Certified Partner Matrix Technologies Helps Chemical Client Analyze Data and Improve OEE For many manufacturers, it is difficult to identify causes of low performance and lost capacity without a good and consistent overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) performance tracking solution. Many variables can contribute to unreported downtime or misinformation on blocked and starved conditions. Add in […]

  Read MoreJohn Lee / Digital Transformation / Industrial Automation Engineering / Manufacturing Execution / Manufacturing Process Control / Smart Manufacturing / Data Management / Parsec / TrakSYS /

• Pandemic Necessitates Virtual Risk Assessment

  Matrix Technologies provides machine safety risk assessment and training from a safe distance Risk assessments are key to identifying safety hazards revolving around equipment, operations and the production environment. During times of physical separation, such as those required during the COVID-19 outbreak, risk assessments may still be required to mitigate risks to essential workers. In […]

  Read MoreMackenzie Coughlan, MBA / Carl Bohman, PE / COVID-19 / Essential Workers / Industrial Automation Engineering / Machine safety / Manufacturing Engineering Consultants / Manufacturing Operations Management / Manufacturing Process Control / Risk Assessment / Safety / Improvement / Safety /

• Electronic Logging Improves Access to Documentation for Pharmaceutical Company

  Logging matters in regulated environment. The pharmaceutical industry is a Food and Drug Administration-regulated industry that is required to track processes and procedures using detailed log books. Many companies opt to use paper log books that are difficult to maintain, require lots of physical storage space, and are nearly impossible to query for valuable information. […]

  Read MoreJohn Lee / Food and Drug Administration / Industrial Automation Engineering / Manufacturing Operations Management / Manufacturing Process Control / Software Engineering /

• Building a Business Case

  Building a Business Case – How to achieve that Go/No-Go decision and avoid killing a project before it begins Problems are the driving force behind projects that demand business solutions. Company leadership recognizes this need and relies heavily upon cross-functional teams to study feasibility and determine if a business case can be developed. Management uses […]

  Read MoreRyan Courtney, MEM, PMP / Feasibility / Industrial Automation Engineering / Manufacturing Operations Management / Process Design / Planning / Improvement /

• Planning, Coordination and Risk Mitigation Dramatically Cut Downtime

  Planning, Coordination and Risk Mitigation Dramatically Cut Downtime Matrix reduces outage for complex pharmaceutical manufacturing project A major dilemma that most industrial manufacturing facilities are challenged with is balancing system maintenance with production demand. Oftentimes, the production schedule will allow only a small window of opportunity for the site to perform preventive maintenance activities and […]

  Read MoreRob Goldsmith / 4-20mA HART Protocol / Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing / Design-Build / Electrical Design / Industrial Automation Engineering / Manufacturing Automation Solutions / Manufacturing Process Control / Process Engineering / Risk Mi / Management / Controls /

• Personal Protective Equipment, The Last Line of Defense

  Personal Protective Equipment, The Last Line of Defense – Education is key to employee safety At Matrix Technologies, safety is at the top of our core values because we know our employees are our most valuable resource. We owe it to them and their families to ensure they return home each and every day injury […]

  Read MoreBrian Thomas, COSS / Industrial Automation Engineering / Manufacturing Operations Management / Manufacturing Plant Safety / Manufacturing Process Control / Management / Safety /

• How to Transition from “Prospect” to “Client”

  How to Transition from “Prospect” to “Client” Building relationships one conversation at a time The most common question that I am asked when it comes to building professional relationships is how do I successfully engage a prospect while earning enough trust to move forward? I have put together a few thoughts around how to accomplish […]

  Read MoreJoe Wright / Business Development / Industrial Automation Engineering / Manufacturing Operations Management / Manufacturing Process Control / Process Design / Planning /

• Matrix Technologies Named 2020 System Integrator of the Year

  Matrix Technologies Named 2020 System Integrator of the Year We are proud to announce that Matrix Technologies has been selected as the 2020 System Integrator of the Year by the editors of Control Engineering and Plant Engineering. Matrix is the only company to win this prestigious award four times. In 2008 and 2012, we were winners […]

  Read MoreDave Blaida, PE / Control Engineering / Control Systems Engineer / Integrator / Integrator of the Year / System Integration / Automation Integration / Improvement / Quality /

• An Introduction to Relief Valves

  An Introduction to Relief Valves In this article, we will provide a brief overview of some of the history related to relief valves and how we document them. Because this is an introductory article, there are some simplifications of concepts and language. For ease of reading, we are describing many different types of relief valves, […]

  Read MoreScott Saneholtz, PE / Oil and Gas Engineering / Process Engineering / Relief Documentation / Relief Valve / Relief Valve Design / Safety Valve / Safety /