Patented technology driven by a proprietary algorithm is one of the reasons manufacturers might do business with a specific company. Manufacturers in semiconductor, data storage media, optical, solar cell and medical industries are typical users of temperature-control technology.
In our case history, Purely Performance-Driven, a deionized-water-heating-system builder, Heateflex in Arcadia, Calif., strengthened its control algorithm by switching from an embedded-board control system to PLC control. We all know machine control pros who won’t give up their embedded control because it does exactly what they want. But when does it get in over its requirements’ head?