What will the valve torque testing industry look like in the future?
I was chatting with a colleague the other day, and we talked about what the valve torque testing industry will look like in the future.
To be honest, I'm not a prophet, but based on the industry trends over the years, I can still discern some directions.
Trend 1: Increasingly high level of automation
Previously, testing a valve required manual loading, manual reading, and manual recording—the entire process was done by hand. Now, most of the work can be done automatically by equipment.
The future will only become more automated. After the valve is installed, the system will automatically identify the model, match test parameters, execute all procedures, and generate reports. Operators will only need to do two things: install and remove the valve.
This is not just imagination; the SM200 system can already do most of this. It will only become more sophisticated in the future.
Trend 2: Data management is becoming increasingly standardized
Previously, test data was recorded in notebooks and easily lost. Now, data is stored in databases, allowing for long-term preservation and quick retrieval. In the future, data management will become more standardized, with all test data becoming electronic and traceable – this is an inevitable trend.
Customer review requirements will become increasingly stringent. Handwritten records will be less and less accepted, and electronic, systematic data management will become a basic requirement.
Trend 3: Remote Testing and Cloud Data
Current test data is limited to local storage. In the future, test data may be uploaded to the cloud. Customers will be able to view real-time test data without needing to be on-site. They may even be able to remotely initiate test commands and watch their valves being tested.
This is valuable for supply chain management. Customers can view the supplier's test data at any time, without having to wait until after receiving the goods to discover problems.
Trend 4: Combining Testing and Selection
Currently, testing and selection are two separate processes. First, selection and procurement are carried out, and then testing is conducted after delivery.
In the future, a seamless system may be implemented: during the selection process, the system will automatically recommend suitable actuators based on historical test data and operating parameters. The test data will then verify the rationality of the selection, forming a closed loop.
This avoids the problem of "choosing the wrong actuator" mentioned earlier.
Trend 5: The value of testing roles is increasing.
Although automation is increasing, testing roles will not be eliminated; rather, their value will increase.
Automation solves repetitive tasks, but it doesn't address judgment and decision-making. Is an abnormal fluctuation on a curve a problem with the valve or the operating conditions? If the data is correct but the customer finds it uncomfortable, where is the problem? These judgments still require human intervention.
Future test engineers will no longer be "valve movers," but rather data analysts and quality control experts. The technical content of these roles will increase, and their income will rise accordingly.
Some thoughts on this industry
Valve torque testing used to be a niche industry with little attention. However, as industrial sectors place increasingly higher demands on quality, the importance of this role is being recognized again.
If one valve malfunctions, it affects more than just that valve; it can impact the entire production line and the entire project. Testing is the last line of defense to prevent these problems from occurring.
This industry is still developing, and there's still a lot of room for improvement. As someone working in this field, I feel very hopeful. Technology is constantly advancing, and we can do more and more.
I hope this industry gets better and better, and I also hope that all the hard-working colleagues in this industry can be seen and respected.