Mini Case Studies from the Field

Application

For some applications the documentation describing the temperature sensor is as important as the temperature sensor. Third party watch-dog organizations or your company’s quality system require information and testing documentation to demonstrate traceability of accuracy or conformance to national or international standards. RTDs are defined by two standards, ASTM 1137 or IEC 60751 and include interchangeability tolerances which manufacturers follow and may need to show conformance to the tolerance bands by means of a calibration certificate. RTDs and accessories such as thermowells used in sanitary applications may require material certifications, wake frequency data, weld inspection, pressure testing, positive material identification, surface finish, polishing compounds, crack detection, material source, Canadian registration, and several others.

Challenge

Generating documentation is fairly straight forward but associating it with the correct sensor assembly and keeping track of it was the big challenge. Retrieving copies if the originals that shipped with the order are lost presented additional challenges.

Solution

Burns developed a book of option codes that specify types of documentation and certifications required and these codes can be appended to any part number. A documentation tracking system was developed and integrated into the ERP software that cross references the sensor serial number to the documentation. Searches can be done by company name, PO number, sales order number, date, serial number, or part number. All information is saved on local servers and backed up daily. Documents are delivered as hard copies with the parts or electronic copies via email or flash drive. Lost documentation is easily recovered so when you can’t find it and the third party is there looking over your shoulder, call or email and we can quickly send new copies.