But those times are past. Curtis and his team have developed a computer-aided monitoring system for release agent dilution rates. Using an application called “DilutionIQ” that was developed, engineered and programmed in-house, customers and Chem-Trend have real-time, remote access to current system measurements during production as well as the full data history. An app allows this to be done at any time and place via cell phones, computers or tablets. Should there be any deviations from planned values, the system will automatically notify the user. “DilutionIQ enables customers to be sure that their process is under control and helps prevent expensive damage or production downtime,” says Curtis summarizing the benefits. The development of such fully digital and networked solutions is being categorized more and more under the general term, “Internet of Things/IoT”. “When we started working on the project in 2012, ‘IoT’ was still relatively unknown,” recalls the engineer. “We had to master a steep learning curve.”
Chem-Trend did not have a provider with a turn-key solution. After an internal project group found that real-time dosage detection can work reliably, a suitable partner was needed for the transmission and visualization of the measurements. These partners had never worked together beforehand, and everyone was faced with completely new project areas.