SJ Gauge customized pressure measurement equipment for the food industry using a 1 kg/cm² pressure range and a 1.5-inch sanitary clamp diaphragm to meet strict hygienic standards.
To ensure stable and accurate measurement performance, the operating efficiency of the bourdon tube can be improved by increasing either the pressure range or the diaphragm size, allowing the instrument to deliver reliable readings even in low-pressure applications.
1. Client background
The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA), under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, is the primary regulatory authority responsible for food and drug safety management in Taiwan. Its operations are mainly divided into Northern, Central, and Southern regions. The TFDA oversees seven major areas, including planning and technology management, food safety, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and cosmetics, controlled substances, laboratory research and testing, and quality supervision management. In addition, it provides 24 professional service categories to ensure strict inspection, regulation, and public safety protection.
Guided by its mission, “Ensuring the safety and effectiveness of medicines and promoting safe and healthy food consumption,” the TFDA aims to become “a trusted guardian of food and drug safety for the public, creating a safe consumer environment for food and pharmaceutical products.” Through continuous improvement of Taiwan’s food and drug safety management system, the TFDA fulfills the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s commitment to public health and well-being.
2. Challenge
Although the product specifications met the customer’s application requirements, the project presented significant technical challenges. This case involved a combination of a 1 kg/cm² low-pressure range with a 1.5-inch sanitary clamp diaphragm — a configuration that is extremely difficult for most instrumentation manufacturers to achieve with stable and accurate performance.
In general, to properly operate the bourdon tube mechanism, either the pressure range or the diaphragm size must be increased in order to generate sufficient driving force. However, due to limitations in the existing piping design of the customer’s equipment, the sanitary diaphragm size was restricted to only 1.5 inches, greatly increasing the complexity of the application.
It was understood that the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) had originally used instruments from a well-known international manufacturer, but the system was unable to achieve accurate and stable measurement results. As a result, the customer turned to SJ Gauge for a fully customized instrumentation solution tailored to the actual operating conditions and application requirements.
3. Client demands
This project utilized the SJ Gauge PRDR.W Pressure Gauge, which features high-quality laser welding between the gauge case and connection to provide superior structural strength and long-term durability. The instrument is also equipped with a safety glass front to enhance operational safety during pressure measurement. Its specifications are comparable to the Germany-made WIKA 232.50 / 233.50 series, making it a reliable, high-quality alternative solution.
The system was paired with the DIS-C sanitary diaphragm seal, specifically designed for food-grade and hygienic processing applications. The key advantage of this type of diaphragm is its hygienic design, featuring a dead-space-free structure for easier cleaning and maintenance. It also effectively prevents the accumulation of crystallized substances, viscous media, and residue buildup, ensuring both process cleanliness and stable measurement performance.
(Further Reading: PRDR.W Stainless Steel Pressure Gauge, Laser Welding)
(Further Reading: DIS-C Sanitary Diaphragm Seals, Tri-clamp Diaphragm)
4. Solutions and client feedback
SJ Gauge strives to overcome the challenges of all our clients. We stand behind the quality of all its products, even when they fall outside normal specifications. This project was difficult, but in the end we achieved our goals to meet our client’s needs for both unusual design and accuracy.
