Fluke 729 Automatic Pressure Calibrator

Project Context

User:
Title: Instrumentation Technician, or Electrician (Converted). Education: 2yr Technical Degree

Task:
Responsibilities: Perform Calibration procedure for various equipment referred to as “Tags” (mainly Transmitters). Finding the tags (equipment) is often a big part of the task. Calibration equipment is often transported in Bags and buckets. Techs may travel by foot, or bicycle (in plant), or vehicle (in field). Once found, the user connects the pump to the transmitter and the electrical connections from the transmitter to the Calibrator, or Documenting Process Calibrator (or DPC). Pressure measurements are calculated thru mA measurements. Multipoint measurements are required, the number of which depends on the nature of the facility/industry.

Environment:
In Situ: Performing the calibration procedure while the transmitter is affixed in it’s working environment is important because it will allow the most accurate readings. The “in situ” calibration procedure will experience the same rolling temperatures and environmental conditions as the equipment faces when performing its daily functions.

When the Cal procedure is completed “in situ,” the Instrumentation Tech might experience sub-optimal conditions as the transmitters are not always easily accessible. These locations may or may not require climbing a ladder, ducking underneath equipment, finding an access panel, etc.

Surface Model

With the design of the calibrator underway, I could carve out some time to focus on the accessories, as my user research efforts uncovered a strong need for functional accessories.

The carry case for this automatic Pressure Calibrator would need to stow and provide access to fittings, pressure line(s), and user specific tools. The Carry case would also need to provide access to functional harness points on the calibrator itself.

I designed a carry case with ample stowage for accessories and user specific tools. I also designed a shoulder strap and snap clip system that connects to the calibrator with or without the carry case.

I used this model to communicate general design intent to our soft case supplier. This provided a basis from which to develop a handsome, utility focused solution that met customer need and decreased piece price of the softcase.

Final Soft Case Design