October 2020 | Matrix Technologies Incorporated

Ability vs. Availability: Outsourcing Engineering

Posted on October 26, 2020December 4, 2020 by Danny Henderson, PMP

Ability vs. Availability: Outsourcing Engineering

A common thread that runs through the requests we receive from our clients is, “We would do this project ourselves, but we’re slammed with other work.” Of course, that “other work” is doing the day-to-day tasks necessary to get product out of the door. As a lot of us at Matrix Technologies, myself included, came from the manufacturing world we understand that if you don’t get product out the door the company doesn’t get paid. So clearly, that’s where the focus lies.

In past decades, an average plant could have a fairly sizeable engineering team. However, that hasn’t been reality for a very long time. Plants in the modern era are typically staffed very lean for production only, not for projects. And, it’s not uncommon for an engineer who retires or resigns to not be replaced, thus making the engineering staff even leaner.

So, how do the plant projects get completed successfully in a focused timeframe? We all have the same time restrictions of 24 hours a day. We can’t make more. But we can get help. And that’s where Matrix Technologies comes in. We understand that your challenges often boil down to availability, not ability. You know your plant very well. You know how to make your product very well. You also know, very well, that you cannot create more time.

So, when you need that help Matrix Technologies is here for you. What is your need?

Relocate a line?
Automate an existing manual system?
Upgrade an obsolete control system?
Project management assistance?
Add an entire new manufacturing facility?
Update some drawings?
Integrate multiple stand-alone systems?
Create a scan of your production area to establish a real-world model?
Construction management oversight?
Develop request for quote (RFQ) documents?
Develop and execute end-of-year projects to satisfy capital expenditure (CapEx) requirements?
Complete that nagging project on your list that never seems to fit into your schedule?

Whatever it is, large or small, please give us a call. The odds are pretty high that we can help you with your availability issue. And we will work directly with you because we know you have the ability and the knowledge that will help this be a successful relationship. Matrix Technologies’ goal is never to be a one-and-done project company. Our goal is to be a solutions partner for the long term.

Matrix Technologies is one of the largest independent process design, industrial automation engineering, and manufacturing operations management companies in North America. To learn more about our manufacturing operations management capabilities and manufacturing process control solutions, contact Danny Henderson, PMP, Operations Manager.

© Matrix Technologies, Inc.

Buried Utility Replacement Programs

Posted on October 14, 2020October 20, 2020 by Todd Green, PE, SI, CFPS

Buried Utility Replacement Programs

Underground utility failures can be devastating for manufacturing facilities. These failures can result in worker injuries, property damage and create high risk situations while the utility is out of service. The costs associated with the emergency repairs and production downtime can be astronomical. Todd Green, PE highlights Matrix’s approach to evaluation, rehabilitation and replacement of buried utility systems.

Matrix Technologies can guide and manage a program from start to finish, offering services that include; initial studies, design, procurement, construction management, and full EPC services. Matrix Technologies offers a cohesive project approach with no gaps between owner, engineer, vendor or contractor. Our goal is provide the right level service to fit the needs of each project.

Remote Monitoring Devices Collect Data for Safety Monitoring and Notifications

Posted on October 9, 2020December 12, 2022 by John Lee

Remote Monitoring Devices Collect Data for Safety Monitoring and Notifications

Monitoring devices are everywhere in manufacturing. There are devices for process monitoring, production monitoring, safety monitoring, environmental monitoring, and the list goes on and on.

The latest technologies offer easy-to-connect devices, referred to as “things,” which make up the industrial internet of things (IIoT). Some devices use standard languages like C or C# while newer devices use lightweight IIoT protocols such as MQTT that enable them to easily be connected and transmit (publish) data. However, there are many instances where the required devices are not that smart and still require some type of interface, often using the manufacturer’s software development kit (SDK).

A client recently had one such gas monitoring device where they needed remote monitoring for gas levels at the site perimeter. The devices offered an application programming interface (API) with their SDK to interface with the device and pull data remotely, which was just what was needed for safety monitoring and notifications.

Matrix Technologies was asked to provide a data interface application to collect the remote device data into a central database repository. The Matrix perimeter monitoring application uses the ProRAE Guardian System application program interface (API) to retrieve sensor data from the guardian gas detection system. The application allows for read/write access of the sensor data at a set interval and stores the data in an SQL server express database. The client was then able to copy the data from SQL server express database into the enterprise database.

The ProRAE data interface application consists of a Windows service and a user interface. The user interface shows ongoing monitoring information and provides some simple control over the information stored. Users can start and stop data retrieval operations as well as modify the read/write interval when needed.

The monitor application does not control any processes. The system is strictly for reading data made available by the ProRAE Guardian system and logging the information to a local database. All further data manipulation is the responsibility of central repository server.

The perimeter monitoring service connects to the ProRAE Guardian system via the ProRAE application program interface (API). Data is read for each monitoring device’s sensors from Guardian in an XML format, parsed by the service application, and stored in the SQL server express database. The frequency that data is read by the service is defined by parameters set through the perimeter monitoring user Interface. The user interface has configuration options to set up which devices to connect and have their sensor data stored.

Once collected to the central repository, the data is available for reporting across systems and available directly to the control room human machine interface (HMI) for visualization. The solution also offers extensibility where devices can be added and configured in the user interface. It provides for safety compliance through gas monitoring and ease of reporting with the increased visibility and availability of data. The data collected can also be used for alerts and notifications.

Matrix Technologies’ ability to provide solutions helps our client partners solve even the most difficult business problems. Our knowledge of various manufacturing industries and technologies enable our staff of experienced engineers to deliver quality and value with every project.

If you are interested in custom data collection applications and solutions, feel free to contact us to see how Matrix Technologies’ information systems engineering staff can help.

Data Visualization in VS Debugging

Posted on October 4, 2020December 12, 2022 by Ethan Veatch

Data Visualization in VS Debugging

Visual Studio 2019 C# WinForm App – Tips and tricks for visualizing data when debugging in Visual Studio.

Matrix Technologies is one of the largest independent process design, industrial automation engineering, and manufacturing operations management companies in North America. To learn more about our industrial automation services and factory acceptance testing, contact Ethan Veatch, Department Manager at Matrix Technologies.