As demand for sophisticated flow measurement technology grows, manufacturers face an evolving challenge: increasing production capability without compromising the precision, quality and performance that underpin reliable measurement.
For Titan Enterprises, the solution is to combine modern manufacturing and design technologies with something that cannot easily be automated – the knowledge, judgement and hands-on skills of an experienced engineering workforce.
Combining engineering experience with digital design
Titan’s R&D process relies heavily on computer-aided design (CAD), 3D printing, electronics design software and programming. These technologies allow components and technologies to be developed, tested and modified with greater precision before physical manufacture.
However, digital tools do not replace experience and engineering judgement. Understanding how materials respond to pressure and temperature, how components will manufacture and how minute changes in geometry can influence flow measurement remains dependent on practical engineering experience and extensive testing.
Precision manufacturing requires skilled hands
Flowmeters are precision measurement instruments, meaning small variations in dimensions, surface finish, alignment or assembly can dramatically impact performance.
This is particularly important with positive displacement oval gear meters, where gears must rotate freely and consistently within a precision-machined measuring chamber. Titan’s technicians can work to tolerances of around 3 microns on critical components. Similarly, handling and accurately positioning 2mm sapphire end stones and bearings within turbine flowmeters requires considerable care and expertise.
During development, performance issues can sometimes be traced to factors such as surface finish or minute material deformation. Resolving these issues requires engineers to investigate, modify, rebuild and retest physical components – demonstrating the continuing value of hands-on manufacturing knowledge.
Calibration: technology guided by people
Titan performs flowmeter calibration in-house using positive displacement piston-prover systems covering flow ranges from 2ml/min to 200l/min, with calibrations traceable to national standards.
Despite the sophistication of this equipment, calibration remains highly dependent on trained personnel. Titan’s production rigs are almost entirely manually operated, with skilled staff carrying out multi-point calibration on thousands of meters each month.
Calibration requires more than automated data collection. Technicians must fully understand the equipment, recognise abnormal behaviour, eliminate any potential sources of error, and assess whether the results accurately represent flowmeter performance.
Technology amplifies skilled people
For Titan, the future of manufacturing lies in combining engineering expertise with advanced technology. Engineering design tools, sophisticated electronics and increasingly capable calibration equipment provide greater efficiency and development capability, while skilled engineers provide the judgement needed to use these tools effectively.
“At Titan, our expertise and consistent quality is built through experience, training and a workforce that takes pride in what it does,” states Jeremy Thorne, Titan’s Operations Manager. “Our people bring decades of specialist flow measurement knowledge to the business and retaining that expertise is fundamental to maintaining our high standards. Long-term staff retention gives us continuity, preserves critical skills and enables knowledge transfer across a growing team. Ultimately, it is our people who make the difference – ensuring the quality, consistency and technical expertise our customers have grown to expect.”
As Titan develops increasingly sophisticated ultrasonic, low-flow and bespoke flow measurement technologies, its manufacturing and engineering workforce must become increasingly multidisciplinary.
For Titan, modern manufacturing is about creating the synergy between people and technology – using advanced design and production technology alongside an experienced team who understands how precision engineering works in practice.
It is a manufacturing approach that results in not only faster, more efficient production, but enhances the capabilities of skilled engineers and technicians while maintaining the hands-on attention to detail essential to producing accurate, dependable flow measurement devices.
To learn more about how Titan Enterprises can support your application with reliable, precision-built flow measurement solutions, contact our experienced team today at sales@flowmeters.co.uk or visit our website www.flowmeters.co.uk.
About Titan Enterprises
With over four decades of expertise in liquid flow measuring solutions, Titan Enterprises designs and manufactures high-performance flowmeters for OEMs, industrial and laboratory applications. Known for innovation, reliability, and a collaborative engineering approach, Titan supports customers worldwide in precision flow measurement challenges.
