Letter from TopWorx
Welcome to "The Connection," a bi-monthly e-newsletter. Through
this newsletter we aim to broaden the spirit of communication by
highlighting application opportunities and sharing news on a timely basis
about new products, events, and support tools. We hope you enjoy the
newsletter, and wish you a happy holiday season!
Coming Soon!
New Valvetop DXP options
TopWorx is committed to consistently fill the pipeline with new products
and options. Recent new product launches like the High Flow 3.0 Cv,
220VAC solenoid coil, FOUNDATION
Fieldbus SCM-FF 1.3.4 firmware update and Analog Feedback with
auto-calibration have been receiving rave reviews.
Our goal is to continue releasing new products and options, which will
broaden the reach of the Valvetop DXP to more customers, in more
applications, with more flexibility than any other product on the market
today. We are currently in the process of developing many new options,
which will be made available to you in the very near future. Look for
more details, coming soon!
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GO DEFENDER is perfect solution for Power Plants
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The Power Industry is entering a renaissance of modernization, and with that
comes a greater demand for the GO DEFENDER, which was designed specifically
to replace troublesome mechanical switches on steam turbine valves.
Engineers are focused on making plants more trouble free. This is true for
both older plants as well as new buildings. Here are some of the problems,
which engineers are currently addressing in the Power Plant environment.
Power Plant Issues
The Power Plant environment in the turbine area is subjected to extreme
force, heat and high frequency vibration. These extreme conditions cause
problems with mechanical switches as follows:
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Mechanical lever arms break and bend when turbine valves close. When
stop valves close, they slam shut with an extreme amount of force on the
lever arm. | | ? |
High frequency vibration is incurred with the every day operation of the
turbine. At times, screws will literally back out of the switches. | | ? |
The environment is extremely hot. If a steam leak is present, the force
of the steam can literally cut like a knife. | | ? |
Mechanical switches are multi-pole. They are very expensive, with up to
eight contacts. | | ? |
Target is hard to fabricate if it becomes damaged, and it is expensive
to replace. Striking the switches causes them to bend or break at times.
Downtime of the turbine during switch repairs is expensive as well. |
 The
GO DEFENDER is the perfect solution. The GO DEFENDER attacks these problems
head-on, demonstrating how it earned its name. Below is a reference list of
applications where the GO DEFENDER has proven performance:
Click
here for DEFENDER End User Reference List (pdf)
Click
here for GO DEFENDER comparison ? Dare to Compare (pdf)
Click
here for Power Plant Application Overview
TopWorx chosen for Chemical Plant upgrade
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Installation of Valvetop DXPs with FOUNDATION
Fieldbus at Eastern U.S. chemical plant |
One of the world's largest producers of water-soluble polymers was
seeking to upgrade their production lines in the Eastern United States in
order to increase reliability and efficiency, and minimum cost and downtime.
The chemical plant sought a valve control product that would be durable in a
rugged environment, and offer a long service life. This project was
challenging, because their application was very rough, with a lot of noise
and vibration. The production of monomers and polymers is a slippery and
extremely sticky process, involving solvents and continuous washdown.
For more information, this case study can be downloaded
here (pdf).
Case Study Search
TopWorx is building a library of case studies, like the one above,
as useful reference to application needs and product success. We're proving
the TopWorx value, and need your assistance in identifying potential
applications to be included. No application is too big or too small! If you
know of an application where a TopWorx product solved a customer need,
please share it with us.
 As
noted in our October 2006 issue, for every case study referred and published,
we are entering the referring individual into a drawing to win a special
prize giveaway. The first prize giveaway will be a 30 GB video iPod.
Giveaway Guidelines:
Case studies submitted October 1 ? January 15, 2007 will be considered for a
drawing on January 17, 2007 for an iPod. The winner will be announced in the
February, 2007 issue. Individuals referring case studies after these dates
will be entered into subsequent drawings, which will coincide with their
case study publication. For more details, or to submit your success story
recommendations, contact DeAnna Dessify at
ddessify@topworx.com. We appreciate your support.
Coming Soon!
New Website
The new TopWorx website is near completion. Look for more details
on this exciting Website renovation in the very near future!
TopWorx Deliveries - a true differentiator!
Despite record sales, TopWorx has worked hard to keep lead times short. We
understand the importance of quick turn-around and have invested in new
production processes and more people so we can serve you better and quicker
than ever!
Recently, Westlock Controls introduced a new program that forces customers
to pay a 5% surcharge for one-week delivery. At TopWorx, we believe that
quick delivery is not something that should cost extra. Westlock is clearly
saying that quick delivery is a premium and should not be considered
standard. At TopWorx speed and excellence is standard.
We suggest you share this clear differentiator with your customers. The more
informed they are about how TopWorx differentiates from the competition, the
more clear the choice becomes.
2007 Price List
The 2007 Price List has been updated with new products and options, which
have recently been launched, and will be effective January 1, 2007. You
should have received notice in early December of any impending price changes.
If you have questions, please contact your Inside Sales Coordinator.
TopWorx is pleased to announce the following addition to the TopWorx team:
Jason McCue:
Technical Service Manager
 Jason
McCue has joined the TopWorx Team as our Technical Service Manager. He
will be the primary technical contact for customers and will be working
closely with the Sales, Quality and Engineering areas. Jason was
previously a Controls Engineer for both Advanced Production Systems and
Dow Corning, and brings a wealth of experience in electrical,
instrumentation and controls integration. With his leadership, TopWorx
will be taking the next step forward in providing best-in-class customer
service.
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What would you do for a TopWorx polo shirt?
|
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Photo submitted by Marcus Harburda |
Congratulations to Glenn Cherepak of NORPAC Controls LTD in
Burnaby, BC Canada, the winner of our Readers Reward Drawing for the October
issue. We appreciate the interest that was given to this drawing, and thank
everyone who registered.
For the most unusual entry, we send special thanks to Marcus Harburda of
Eastern Controls. He says he won't cut his hair until he wins. And we
thought he was holding out until he had record breaking GO Switch sales. Thanks
for the laugh and the die-hard commitment.
 This
issue's giveaway is another great TopWorx polo shirt. Everyone who
registered previously will automatically be entered for future drawings. If
you haven't registered yet, simply click below. The next drawing will be
held on January 17, 2007.
Click
here to register
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This month's issue:
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Introduction
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New Products
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Application Corner
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Case Studies
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TopWorx News
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People and Events
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Distributor Corner
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Readers Reward -
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Drawing
Traveling TopWorx
Look for TopWorx at the following 2007 tradeshows. Visit our booth
to see a preview of the next wave of product innovations. We look forward to
seeing you there!
Texas A & M Symposium
(College Station, TX)
Jan. 23-25, 2007
ISA Calgary 2007
(Calgary, Alberta)
April 11-12, 2007
Electric Power 2007
(Chicago, IL)
May 1-3, 2007
ISA Expo 2007
(Houston, TX)
Oct. 2-4, 2007
Automation Fair
(Chicago, IL)
Nov. 14-16, 2007
Did You Know... GO Switch
? |
Can you find the GO Switch?
Click
here to search.
|
? |
The GO Switch is ideal for coal yards and coal handling
areas.
Click
here for more information.
|
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Turbine areas generally have very high vibration and
ambient temperatures of 140°F to 250°F, with the presence of moisture,
steam and condensation. The GO DEFENDER is specifically designed for
this rugged application.
Click
here to see image.
|
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The GO DEFENDER has universal mounting pads, allowing it
to be mounted on literally any axis, which makes installation a snap.
Click
here to see image.
|
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The GO DEFENDER combines GO Switch technology and value
with an all-in-one cabinet, for easy drop-in installation, making it a
must have upgrade for any Power Plant wanting to enhance efficiency,
eliminate maintenance, and protect profits.
Click
here to see before / after |
Did You Know... Valvetop
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TopWorx goes the extra mile to meet customer needs. TopWorx recently
expedited a T-Series shipment from South Africa, when the competition
quoted over a 12 week lead time. What a service win!
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The evolution of pipes, valves and controls may have begun with the need
to increase production of bread and wine.
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The new Valvetop DXP 4-20mA position transmitter can be calibrated in
both actuator/valve rotational directions without adjusting the feedback
device position.
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The Valvetop DXP with FOUNDATION
Fieldbus can reduce installation costs by up to 70% due to less DSTs and
licensing costs required.
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TopWorx introduced the industry's first FOUNDATION
Fieldbus and DeviceNet discrete valve controllers in the year 2000. | | |
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