News History - Fluidwell

General History

2011 - April: 100,000^th Fluidwell unit produced!

Since its establishment in 1993 Fluidwell gained a name as a designer and producer of stand-alone flow computers, totalizers, batch controllers, indicators and monitoring systems for the processing industry. To this day, Fluidwell is well recognized and recommended for its product range and quality, providing optimal solutions for specific customer applications and OEM solutions for both safe and hazardous area applications in the chemical, petroleum and food industry.

Our major product range, the "F-Series", was developed in 1997 and has been improved and extended ever since. Many customers worldwide have discovered the advantages of our multi-functional and successful range of F-Series controllers, transmitters and displays. Recently we celebrated the production of the 100,000th registered Fluidwell unit! On Thursday March 31th, all Fluidwell employees gathered on the production floor to enjoy and watch Eric Rath (General Manager of Fluidwell bv), while he assembled the 100,000th unit: an F012 flow rate indicator / totalizer.

This success story is to be attributed to the Fluidwell organization, best described as a stimulating and positive working environment, resulting in a devoted team spirit, driven by quality awareness and reliability. Another major ingredient for this milestone is the trust from and good cooperation with our loyal customer base.
For this, we thank you!

We have boldly set our next milestone on 250,000 produced units in 2015! We believe this is feasible thanks to some major upgrades for the F-Series and the launch of several new product series in the near future.

To learn more: stay focussed, keep Well Informed!

2011 - March: Changes to the product range F1-Series

Production of input loop powered F1 models, with type code F1xx-A-PL-XI, will be discontinued as of April 2011. The demand for intrinsically safe models with analog input loop power is insufficient to keep them available in our portfolio. The intrinsically safe analog input models with output loop power (type code F1xx-A-AP-XI) remain available as usual.

2011 - March: Fluidwell changes its accessories overview

For many years Fluidwell has advised and delivered the state of the art DIN-rail mounted MTL Intrinsically Safe Isolators 5000-Series. MTL has decided to replace this series by its latest generation of DIN-rail mounted Intrinsic Safety Isolators: the MTL 5500-Series. The 5000-Series Isolators remain available, but at increased cost. As of April 2011 Fluidwell will make the switch to the compatible MTL 5500-Series.

Following overview lists the type compatibility between the 5000- and the 5500-Series.

FW code	MTL code	replaced by	FW code	MTL code	Description
ACG01	MTL5011B	replaced by	ACG11	MTL5511	1-channel, line fault detection, relay output
ACG02	MTL5025	replaced by	ACG12	MTL5525	Loop powered solenoid driver / I.S. power supply
ACG03	MTL5042	replaced by	ACG13	MTL5541	1-channel, 2/3 wire transmitter repeater
ACG04	MTL5051	no replacement, remains available			Serial-data comms isolator for TTL
ACG05	MTL5018	replaced by	ACG15	MTL5516C	2-channel, line fault detection, changeover relay output
ACG06	MTL5012	replaced by	ACG16	MTL5513	2-channel, line fault detection, phase reversal, solid-state output
ACG07	MTL5045	replaced by	ACG17	MTL5546Y	1-channel, line fault & open circuit detection, 4-20mA smart isolating driver, HART transparant

2010 - December: New Press Release

The F132 Batch Controller with receipt printer driver and the F073 Level Monitor with reed chain input are now available at our press release webpage.
The Press Release pages contain compact information about our new products including diverse free downloadable high resolution images.

2010 - November: Putin operating a Fluidwell unit

The Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin opened a new refinery that runs on a Fluidwell Flow Computer in Nizhny Novgorod, 600km east of Moscow. This was broadcasted by the Russian state television.

2010 - September: Facilitation ordering restrictions

We are aware of the fact that our ordering codes are difficult for some customers.
Therefore we have facilitated ordering restrictions for the pulse and analog output combinations. For instance: An active analog output (AA) no longer requires the combination with an active transistor output (OA). So other combinations such as AA-OT or AP-OA are now also possible. The remaining ordering restrictions are stated on the last page of each product datasheet.

2010 - September: Datasheets F-Series added and updated

Fluidwell has added the datasheets of the F193, F195 and the F197 to the website. The datasheets of all existing products listed in the F-Series product range have been updated with the latest ordering information regarding facilitation of the ordering restrictions. They are now available for download on the F-Series products page or via the individual product pages.

2010 - May: Quality Manager Appointed

On the 1st of May Fluidwell appointed Luuk van Buul as Quality Manager to support the head-office in Veghel.
Luuk has gained twenty years of quality experience in the semiconductor manufacturing business as well as in the social and health care communication market. He has helped establishing growing organizations with a strong quality focus in very exact and dynamical B2B markets, and brings a lot of knowledge on quality management, process control and Lean Thinking.
"I am excited I was offered the opportunity to become involved in the Fluidwell activities", says Luuk. "Fluidwell already has an impressive record of quality successes."

Certifications such as ISO 9001, ATEX, IECEx, FM and CSA come to mind but also the long standing relationships built with several customers, located virtually all over the world. But sometimes quality needs special attention to stay in focus, especially when accelerating growth is on hand. This growth will not only be the result of scaling up our standing business but also of diversification. This means new technologies, new product ranges and even new markets. Of course, this favorable situation puts stress on the existing organization and its quality system. Every organization is challenged in maintaining quality levels high while growth is ongoing. "But I think Fluidwell can even look beyond that and aim at improving and growing simultaneously."

"One issue that gets my special attention is continuous improvement. Currently, we do not have improvement cycles implemented at all levels. This is something we have been working on already, but we are not yet where I want us to be.
However, with the experienced and customer focused team in Veghel and the commitment of management I am confident that Fluidwell will be able to mark its position in the future. I am happy to be part of this team."
Luuk would like to finish his short introduction with an appeal to you: "I would like to ask our customers to keep us sharp. Please report all problems you might experience with our products or services and enable us to improve ourselves. We need your feedback!"

If there is anything you would like to bring under Luuks attention, please give him a call or send an .

2009 - September: Datasheets F-Series updated

The datasheets of all the products listed in the F-Series product range have been updated. The latest Intrinsically Safe and enclosure information is added. They are now available for download on the F-Series products page or you can find them on the individual product pages.

2009 - August: Fluidwell customer support

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Misja van der Horst and starting September 2009, I will be responsible for customer support over the whole range of Fluidwell products both technically and commercially.
I have approximately fifteen years of experience in sales and (field) support on instrumentation and indicators from all kind of manufacturers. I�m already familiar with the Fluidwell range of indicators since the first introduction now 17 years ago. In my former position over the last 10 years I have sold, installed and supported many Fluidwell products in combination with all kinds of different field instruments.
Please do not hesitate to send me an or give me a call if you have technical questions. I will do my best to give a fast and satisfying response.

Misja van der Horst

2009 - June: Extended range of Intrinsic Safety certificates

We are pleased to announce that we received a fourth certificate for Intrinsic Safety on our F0-Series. Besides the ATEX, CSA c-us and IECEx certificates for Intrinsically Safe applications, the F0-Series are FM approved since June 25th, 2009.
The allowed ambient temperature is -40�C to +70�C (-40�F to +158�F) and all options available in safe area remain available in hazardous area, including the bi-color backlight for applications where readability is an issue.
For more information, visit the F-Series products page or visit our Download Area to download the F0-Series Documentation for Intrinsic Safety - ATEX, IECEx, CSA, FM.

2009 - January: F-Series product folder

We have refreshed our F-Series product folder by adding the very large digits display and updating the product overview with the latest models. All information is updated according the latest specifications and we have added several new images and languages:

German Deutsch	Danish Dansk	English	Spanish Español	French Français	Italian Italiano	Dutch Nederlands	Norwegian Norsk
Polish Polski	Finnish Suomi	Swedish Svenska	Russian Русский	Chinese 中文	Japanese 日本語	Arabic العربية

We offer you the chance to use these marketing tools to promote the Fluidwell F-Series. Therefore, you can receive the printed folders with your regular orders by . Please mention the desired number of copies and which languages you would like to receive.

2008 - June: Press Releases page

We have extended our website with the Press Releases page, where we will gather the complete and latest information about our new products or news items.
For your convenience, all information like high resolution images and pdf files, can be downloaded there as well.

2008 - May: Datasheets F-Series updated

The datasheets of all the products listed in the F-Series product range have been updated. They are now available for download on the F-Series products page or you can find them on the individual product pages.

2006 - July: F-Series Catalog

The new F-series catalog is now available offering a clear overview per product together with a complete explanation of features and accessories.
You can download your free copy from our Download Area.

2006 - March: Datasheets new F0-Series

With the release of the new F0 hardware platform, the datasheets of all F-Series products are now available from this website.

2005 - May: New folder ProcessMonitor

Our sister company ProcessMonitor has presented her new overview folder about datatransmission of process variables through GSM / GPRS / satelite communication and complete solutions for web based data acquisition and remote location surveillance.
For more information please visit www.processmonitor.com.

Products History

2010 � April: F073 Level Monitor with Reed Chain input

The well known F073 Level Monitor is now available with a Reed Chain resistance input. The major advantage of a Reed Chain level sensor is the very low power consumption of this measuring instrument. The battery powered F073 is the perfect field mount solution for all remote applications where a digital level indication is preferred but power supply is unavailable. Thanks to several smart power management functions Fluidwell guarantees a reliable level indication with a battery life of up to 7 years.

2010 � March: Product upgrade F120 and F124 - Analog input options available

Last year we introduced the F120 Flow rate controller and the F124 Ratio controller with pulse type inputs. Starting April 2010, these process controllers are upgraded and are now also available with analog inputs.
All F120 and F124 models feature an analog output for control purposses. In addition, alarm outputs are available on the F124 with pulse or analog inputs and the F120 with pulse input.
Read more about our range of process controllers on the Process Controllers family page.

2008 - June: New product F120 - Flow rate Controller

The F120 Flow rate Controller for a single loop is part of the Fluidwell Process Controllers family and has been designed to offer outstanding control performance. The flow rate controller provides a reliable solution for a wide variety of flow control applications, such as chemical processing, plastic manufacturing and in the aggregate and cement industry.
Read more about this product on the F120 product page.

2007 - October: New product F124 - Ratio Controller

The F124 Ratio Controller is the first member of our new Process Controllers product range. The high-stability instrument is designed for demanding ratio control applications, such as chemical dosing, water treatment, chlorination, mixing vessels, waste incinerators and gas furnace control. The ratio controller will show a strong influence in maintaining a good and constant quality of products and saves money on the blending components.
Read more about this product on the F124 product page.

2007 - January: New display with large digits

The basic indicators from the F0-Series (F010, F040, F050, F070 & F090) are now available with a display with large 26mm (1") high digits. The display also shows a clear piegraph with ten segments. If desired, the indicators are available with a green / amber LED backlight with adjustable intensity.

2006 - July: Redesign F-Series enclosures

The next generation of F-Series enclosures is now available with improved keyboard and sealing to make our products suitable for even the toughest surroundings.
Both aluminum and ABS enclosures have been redesigned completely where the ABS material is replaced with a stronger glassfibre reinforced polyamide (GRP).
The dimensions and mounting instructions have changed slightly to keep the enclosures compact and provide extra space for mounting and installation work.
Both enclosures have the same outer dimensions and share the same mounting brackets and other accessories.

2006 - April: New product group - General Purpose Displays

This new product group, General Purpose Displays, covers the various displays that are not within the scope of our other product groups. The first available product is the F193, a product that does not have sensor inputs but Modbus RS232/485 communication. Up to nine different products can be displayed which are also operator selectable. An alarm can be triggered through the communication which can be cleared by an operator if desired. A maximum of four switchable outputs can be controlled and one analog output signal transmitted, all fully scaleable and controlled through communication.
Read more about this product on the F193 product page.

2006 - March: New product F117 - Totalizer Monitor

Besides our flow rate monitors we now have a product that monitors the totalizer. A typical application is the monitoring of a quantity dispensed. The quantity has to be within a minimum / maximum bandwidth, else an alarm will be triggerd. The analog output is related to the percentage totalised.
Read more about this product on the F117 product page.

2005 - December: F0-Series tri-color backlight - Intrinsically Safe

Our new F0-Series offers the option of a green or amber LED backlight where the intensity can be tuned from the keyboard. In case of monitoring products, it can be selected to have a red (flashing) backlight in case of an alarm condition.

2005 - December: New F0-Series hardware platform

We are very pleased to announce that our new F0-Series platform has become available with ATEX intrinsically safe approval for IIC applications. This hardware platform incorporates several important product improvements and new features which will allow us to offer new functions as sensor supply, backlight and approvals for Intrinsically Safe and Non Insentive applications.

2005 - August: F1-Series LED backlight

We are pleased to announce that all F1-Series products can be equiped with a green LED backlight for safe area applications. The backlight has to be powered with an external power supply of 8-30V DC or internal power supply type PF / PM.

2005 - June: wall- and pipe mounting bracket F-Series

This new stainless steel accessory is suitable for our aluminum enclosure to improve wall mounting, horizontal and vertical pipemounting. It also offers space for a tagplate.

Exhibitions History

2006 - May: Achema - Germany

Fluidwell will attend the Achema exhibition in Frankfurt am Main - Germany which will be held from May 15 to May 19 2006. On this show we introduce several new product lines and features. We look forward to meeting you there at Hall 10.1 booth number K19-K20! Please arrange your hotel bookings soon as over 200.000 visitors are expected again!