Tag Archives: Steel

L-K Log March


L-K Log March
 2019

The Real March Madness!

March is about more than just basketball madness – it’s also home to two of the most important industry conferences of the year: the COQA (Crude Oil Quality Association) and the API (American Petroleum Institute). In the busy world of petroleum testing equipment, it’s critical to attend conferences to share emerging technology, best practices, and industry standards.

On March 13th and 14th the COQA, which is “dedicated to the belief that maintaining the integrity and consistency of the refining characteristics of crude oil streams is of importance to all parties,” hosts its Spring Conference in New Orleans at the Hilton Riverside. L-K Industries is proud to be a sponsor for the event.

The API’s Spring Committee on Petroleum Measurement Standards, the COPM, meets at the Hyatt Regency Dallas from March 18th through the 22nd. It’s an important meeting that emphasizes API standards and best practices used throughout the industry to promote safe and environmentally sound operations. Participants learn about the latest research and development on measurement techniques and equipment, including future research and development efforts. Measurement training and education is integral to L-K’s core mission, and API’s Spring Committee on Petroleum Measurement Standards provides opportunities for growth that translate to improved products and services. L-K is proud to be an exhibitor for the event.

Professional development opportunities are important for company growth, and L-K is excited to collaborate with industry peers to continue offering quality products and services to our clients.

L-K Log February


L-K Log 
February 2019

Calibration Matters!   

Water boils at 212° F. Milk is safely pasteurized at 161° F. 98.6° F means the kids are going to school; 100° F means they’re staying home. An accurately calibrated hydrometer determines the success of a batch of craft beer. It’s also used in petroleum products to measure the standard API scale. Temperature, density, and gravity matter; calibration matters!

MWTX focuses on accreditation and conforming to relevant industry standards to ensure that customers have a high level of confidence in all calibrations performed. The ISO/IEC 17025 Calibration Laboratory is housed in the Houston manufacturing facility and offers calibration services for thermometers, hydrometers, centrifuge tubes, and centrifuges.

Key Attributes:

  • Established traceability of measurement standards and measuring instruments to the International System of Units (SI) by means of an unbroken chain of calibrations linking them to relevant primary standards of the SI units of measurement.
  • Application of procedures to estimate uncertainty of measurement for all calibrations performed and the assurance that calibration uncertainties are sufficiently small so that adequacy of measurement is not affected.

Scope of Accreditation for Miller-Weber of Texas Calibration Laboratory:

  • Temperature:-80º C to 405º C
  • Density: 0.6250 to 1.910 Relative Density (SG)
  • Gravimetric Calibration: Up to 100 ml
  • Rotational Speed: Up to 6,000 rpm

Calibration requests can be submitted via mail. Please print the calibration form and follow the instructions.

MWTX’s highly trained technical staff manufactures thermometers and performs instrument calibrations in-house. Each thermometer is hand-blown, individually engraved, etched and calibrated. Certification is available upon request, as are refill thermometers.


Contact your MWTX representative today at 713-926-2623!

L-K Log December

 L-K Log: December 2018 

Safety Season!

December is upon us, and at L-K, that means more than just the holiday season. Amidst the hustle and bustle of meeting deadlines and wrapping up projects, it’s important to schedule safety checks for your work place, equipment, and accessories. We call it Safety Season!

An important place to start looking for safety slip-ups is with your Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E.). Safety goggles, gloves, hardhats, masks, Flame Resistant Clothing (F.R.C.), and similar products must be checked regularly for tears, cracks, thinning, and overall wear. As P.P.E. is designed to prevent overexposure to dangerous conditions, it’s critical that these items are in working order. They’re your first line of defense!

Addressing centrifuge accessories is the next logical step in a yearly safety sweep. Inspect all glassware for chips and hairline cracks, including centrifuge tubes, cylinders, thermometers, and hydrometers. Clean excess dirt from all objects, as even small amounts can cause damage. Check ropes, tapes, power cords and the like for fraying and tearing.

Larger equipment, like the centrifuges in the Benchmark Series, should be examined thoroughly. Begin by visually inspecting the product, searching for signs of cracks, accumulated dirt or grease, and any signs of wear. Carefully check the inner bowl. Using gloves, feel cushions and shields for embedded glass, which could cause equipment failure if left in place. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Finally, address equipment from the holistic perspective of age and expiration. If any of the pieces are obsolete, check with L-K to see if they can be replaced by newer, more efficient models. If the calibration has expired, contact L-K. We operate MWTX (Miller-Weber of Texas) which conducts on-site manufacturing and calibration of a large variety of thermometers, hydrometers, and centrifuge tubes. Our focus on accreditation and conformance to relevant industry standards ensures that customers have a high level of confidence in all calibrations performed. The in-house ISO/IEC 17025 Calibration Laboratory offers established traceability of measurement standards and assures a sufficiently small measure of uncertainty. Click here to access the Calibration Order Form.

Additionally, our maintenance plans protect customers who have invested in Benchmark Series Centrifuges. Critical to operating longevity is the annual maintenance guaranteed by this plan. Designed to accommodate laboratory users, all scheduled maintenance is performed at the customer site. Alternatively, units can be brought in for service. Maintenance service includes diagnostic checks, tests for continuity, basic cleaning, RPM and temperature verification, rewiring (as needed), balance correction, and cosmetic touch-ups. Schedule your annual maintenance today!

From L-K to you, have a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!

L-K Log November

 L-K Log: November 2018 

L-K Creates a Better Brand of Salesmanship  

In Arthur Miller’s iconic Death of a Salesman, the main character Willy Loman idolizes Dave Singleman, a legendary salesman who “without ever leaving his hotel room… made his living.” Outside of literature, the relationships forged between customers and sales personnel are complex – and absolutely pivotal for successful businesses. There are many methodologies designed to increase sales, techniques peddled from well-known companies. Of all the literary and business clichés, L-K and its subsidiary Miller-Weber of Texas (MWTX) know that “if you build it, they will come.”

Our sales philosophy is to build superior products, back them with expert, sustained service, and customers will come. And stay.

Since its founding in 1930, L-K has been manufacturing industry-leading testing equipment for the petroleum, petrochemical, agriculture and medical industries. The 1957 Melton Centrifuge became the basis for ASTM standards still relevant today. We manufactured the first Class I, Division 2 certified laboratory centrifuge in 2014. And we continued the Miller-Weber legacy by reestablishing the ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration laboratory in Houston in 2016.

Our mantra is “Demand a Higher Standard,” and that extends from our products and employees to those we serve. L-K’s sales team has a unique affinity for meeting customer needs. We provide the highest quality products, product support, and people who are committed to service. We’d like to show special appreciation for our dedicated sales team, which always sets a higher standard!

Meet L-K’s Sales Team!

L-K Sales Manager Mitch James has worked in the oil industry for eight years in oil exploration, drilling, equipment repair, and customer transfers. With a degree in Electronic Engineering, he’s able to understand the equipment he sells from a unique perspective. James’ “secret sauce” for successful sales is listening to customers so that he’s able to understand what they need before they even fully verbalize it. He is currently pursuing a business degree in Supply Chain in an effort to help facilitate customers’ demands and streamline lead times.
Amanda Heiman has worked in sales for eight years and enjoys solving problems as the Quality Manager for Miller-Weber products. She has a thorough understanding of the entire thermometer catalog and ensures every single calibration is conducted to ISO 17025 standards. She currently has an Associate Degree, a training certificate in the ISO 17025 2017 standards, and is pursuing a degree in business. She believes in the power of the MWTX team, where everyone is held to the highest standards!

L-K Log October

L-K Log September

 L-K Log: September 2018 

L-K Creates Service Manager Position, Emphasizes Importance of Proper Product Support  

by L-K Industries 

An axiom is a short statement universally recognizable and believed to be true. The old axiom “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” however, is a dangerous old wives’ tale! Instead, L-K knows that regular maintenance, calibrations, trouble-shooting, and repairs when necessary are vital service offerings that increase product longevity and ultimately keep equipment healthy.

Laboratory and field equipment in the petroleum industry can be costly. From high-end centrifuges like the Benchmark C right down to oil thieves, proper product support is critical. L-K is committed to the ideology of product servicing, and has appointed a new Service Manager, Adrian Lopez, to oversee this important customer-centered program. According to Lopez, “At L-K, we understand the importance of preserving product integrity through working with customers and explaining how products function. We help consumers solve problems by understanding their concerns and supporting the L-K products in which they’ve invested.”

To that end, L-K Industries offers a variety of service plans. The Preventive Maintenance Plan protects customers who have invested in Benchmark Series Centrifuges. Critical to operating longevity is the annual maintenance guaranteed by this plan. Designed to accommodate laboratory users, all scheduled maintenance is performed at the customer site. Alternatively, units can be brought in for service. Maintenance service includes diagnostic checks, tests for continuity, basic cleaning, RPM and temperature verification, rewiring (as needed), balance correction, and cosmetic touch-ups.

 Transport Centrifuge Supported by
the 24 Hour Replacement Plan

Designed to meet the needs of field users, customers who purchase the 24 Hour Replacement Plan are guaranteed to have a replacement Transport Series Centrifuge delivered anywhere in the Continental United States within 24 hours. Should an L-K centrifuge break or malfunction, a replacement will arrive within one day, as will packaging to return the damaged unit.

Another method for keeping products in tip-top shape is through regular calibrations. L-K owns and operates MWTX (Miller-Weber of Texas) which conducts on-site manufacturing and calibration of a large variety of thermometers, hydrometers, and centrifuge tubes. Our focus on accreditation and conformance to relevant industry standards ensures that customers have a high level of confidence in all calibrations performed. The in-house ISO/IEC 17025 Calibration Laboratory offers established traceability of measurement standards and assures a sufficiently small measure of uncertainty. Click here to access the Calibration Order Form.

Calibration Matters! Re-calibrate today.

Contact L-K Industries to better understand our expert maintenance and repair service. Call 713-926-2623 or email sales@lk-ind.com.

L-K Log August

 L-K Log: August 2018 

L-K Launches Criterion Stainless Steel Water Bath   

by L-K Industries 

Steel. No word in the English language connotes the same degree of strength. Steel secures the frames of our skyscrapers, cars, and bridges. Our strongest superhero is known as the Man of Steel. Add “stainless” to the mix and the combination equals unmitigated resilience.

Cue L-K’s NEW Criterion Stainless Steel Water Bath.

Stainless steel is corrosion resistant. According to The Specialty Steel Industry of North America, “Lower alloyed grades [of stainless steel] resist corrosion in atmospheric and pure water environments, while high-alloyed grades can resist corrosion in most acids, alkaline solutions, and chlorine bearing environments.” The latest generation of the Criterion Water Bath has a stainless steel frame, tub, and inserts, which equate to reduced corrosion and increased robustness.

Stainless steel resists scaling and retains strength at high temperatures, critical features and a deciding factor in using the product in the L-K’s Stainless Steel Water Bath.

The Specialty Steel Industry of North America notes that “modern steel-making techniques mean that stainless can be cut, welded, formed, machined, and fabricated as readily as traditional steels.”

That combined with its strength-to-weight advantage (increasing strength while reducing thickness), impact resistance, and its ability to be easily cleaned, the life cycle of the final product, and therefore the long-term value, is superior.

The new stainless steel bath has many of the same elements of the previous generation of water baths, including:

  • Distributes 900 watts of heating power (fully insulated) and uses water to directly transfer heat
  • Is ideal for refinery settings or laboratories (fits under standard fume hood)
  • Provides precise heating of solvents and samples prior to use in a centrifuge
  • Standard configuration accommodates 14 Long Cone (C)/Capillary (E) centrifuge tubes or 12 Short Cone (D) tubes
  • Custom configuration accommodates two 1-gallon solvent bottles
  • Certified by ETL (Electrical Testing Laboratory) for Class I, Division 2, indoor use, and is rated for Group A, B, C and D Hazardous and Ordinary Locations
  • Meets the requirements of UL 61010-1, ANSI/ISA-STD 12.12.01, CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 213 and CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 61010.1 (2nd addition)

In addition to the benefits of upgrading to stainless steel, the Criterion Stainless Steel Water Bath sports new design features, including:
  • A removable, pitched-roof lid which reduces water loss by recapturing condensation back into the tub
  • A mechanical, high-temperature safety shutoff switch to prevent overheating
  • Rubber plugs and evaporation balls that work together to reduce water evaporation
Contact L-K Industries today to purchase the new Criterion Stainless Steel Water Bath: 713-926-2623 or email sales@lk-ind.com.