Industrial Automation Magazine India

Our instruments align with various safety, reliability and performance criteria

Published on : Wednesday 03-07-2024

Gaurav Bawa, Sr Vice President, WIKA India.

What are the current trends and innovations in the test and measuring instruments industry?

The test and measuring instruments industry is currently seeing several trends, such as the reduction of size for portability, the rise in digital adoption with IoT integration, the automation of processes for efficiency, the improvement of connectivity to enable smooth integration into automated systems, the use of software-defined instruments for flexibility, and an increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability. These patterns show how technology is developing as well as how testing and measurement are moving towards more connected and agile solutions.

At WIKA India, we are actively involved in advancing the test and measuring industry by adopting several new trends and technologies. For instance, WIKA is leveraging digitisation and IIoT, focusing on developing industry-specific solutions and products. Sustainability is our key focus point, and we offer extensive calibration and repair solutions.

How do regulations and standards influence the design and manufacture of test and measurement instruments?

Regulations and standards significantly impact the design and production of test and measurement devices in multiple ways. They set environmental and safety standards for hazardous situations, mandate calibration procedures for consistent performance, and enforce accuracy, dependability, and safety through compliance requirements. Standards facilitate interoperability by guaranteeing that instruments can be easily integrated into intricate testing configurations and international markets. Adhering to these rules is essential for guaranteeing product quality, dependability, and market access, as well as influencing how producers innovate and create these instruments.

At WIKA India, we ensure the instruments we develop align with various safety, reliability and performance criteria set by different industries. Our products also adhere to various international standards to ensure safety and comply with hygienic standards.

How do manufacturers/designers ensure the accuracy and reliability of their instruments against growing environmental concerns?

In light of environmental concerns, manufacturers and designers take steps to ensure the accuracy and dependability of their instruments. These measures include rigorous environmental testing, regular calibration against standards, the selection of long-lasting and environmentally compliant materials, sustainable design, adherence to industry regulations, user education and support, and sustainable design. Throughout the instrument's existence, these procedures assist in preserving performance consistency and reducing environmental impact.

At WIKA India, we take several measures to ensure accuracy and reliability of the instruments. This includes design innovations, strict adherence to standards, rigorous testing, and sustainability initiatives. We use high quality and durable materials in product manufacturing and also make sure that our products comply with international environmental standards. This helps us ensure that minimal environmental impact, reduced wastage and energy consumption, and implementation of robust recycling and waste management programs, etc.

For more details about our sustainability efforts, please check our recently published Sustainability Report.

What are the advantages of virtual instrumentation over traditional hardware-based systems; and how has digitalisation impacted the T&M scenario?

In the T&M industry, virtual instrumentation includes several advantages over classical hardware-based solutions. Firstly, the software based instruments offer advantages like flexibility and adaptability with their ability to provide software tools’ modification and reconfiguration without changing the hardware part. It is also easier to test new approaches of measurement as well as the new models and prototypes in a relatively shorter timeframe. Secondly, where virtual instrumentation is used components from commercial off the shelf (COTS) hardware and software are utilised making the process scalable, more cost efficient and having lower set-up and maintenance costs. Moreover, with connectivity and IoT integration, digitalisation has transformed T&M as significant changes have taken place in terms of remote access, real time data collection as well advanced analytics.

How is data generated by test and measurement instruments managed and utilised?

The value of data available and generated by various test and measurement instruments is crucial. That is why we make sure that the data generated by these instruments is properly managed and utilised. To enable this, we follow a structured process that include data acquisition and collection in real-time from various industrial processes, data transmission using wireless technologies, data storage to ensure secure scalability and accessibility, data analysis and visualisation, reporting and finally, ending up with a feedback process that helps in improving this entire process and product quality.

While there are several technologies available to enable this, some of the common ones utilised are predictive maintenance, remote monitoring, etc. Predictive maintenance is a technique that uses data analysis and AI to anticipate machinery breakdowns. This makes it possible to make interventions at the right time and prevent the chances of equipment failure, thereby, helping meet the goals of maximising resource utilisation, minimising costs, and improving operational conditions.

Remote monitoring, on the other hand, enables monitoring of equipment and processes from any position. Since, data is continuously transferred from T&M instruments which reduces the possibility of having to physically check for irregularities, this technique enables continuous inspection of data and in cases where operations are distributed among multiple or distant facilities.

How can aspiring engineers and technologists prepare for a career in test and measurement?

Obtaining a relevant degree or certification in the career of your choice can help the aspiring engineers to grow their career. It is also recommended to develop skills in software and programming languages as well as stay updated with the industry trends. This would help you to stay ahead of your competitors and deliver the results as required.

As I would like to say, “The concept of success can be defined as the realisation of ambition with the help of hard work. Your career is not just a job, it is the story of your dreams, hard work, and resilience and the highest standards that you bring to work every day.”

(The views expressed in interviews are personal, not necessarily of the organisations represented)

Reference

https://www.wika.com/media/Others/EN-CO/zz_sustainabilityreport_en_co.pdf?highlightedText=sustainability

Gaurav Bawa is Senior Vice President at WIKA India. Gaurav started off his career in business development and professional sales person skilled in Quality Management with the knowledge of Six Sigma Black Belt. With a demonstrated history of working in the Electrical & Electronic Manufacturing industry, Bawa has always been keen on precision engineering and quality. He is a top student in Mechanical engineering followed by MBA in operation and finance from IMT.

With career progression, while manufacturing and machines has been his expertise, in his journey from Eicher to GE to Schneider Electric and currently to WIKA Group, Bawa has also transitioned from operational roles to front-ending the businesses and leading the strategy and tactics in his current role of heading WIKA India. 

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