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blue68f100 · 02-05-2006, 10:21 AM

I have worked as a Engineering Tech for 22 yrs in a R & D Lab, for a big oil company (Arco Oil & Gas, acquired by BP). After working with PHD's of all kind, chem, petro, mech, materials, geologist, most were terrible in the lab. Geologist were in their own world. They had no skills when it came to setting up equipment and running test. Though the chemest were pretty good. I think I only had one that could duplicate his results, though wrong due to the way he set it up. They were good when it came to processing, interpreting, data even thought I did the most of it. A good lab tech is worth his weight in gold. Most have a broad knowledge of intstrumentation. The more automated, less the error. I watch as our lab went from gages to full automation. I was one of the few that did my own programming, as well as build and operate equipment. A good tech is a perfectionist, and accepts nothing less. Recognizes weekness and make the required changes. The equipment has a MAJOR affect in the integrity and accuracy of the data. The biggest mistake is resolution and responce time. In todays world everything is computerized. The world of Acquisition and Control is no different. I use to use National Instrument LabView. Most of the other systems copied them. I ran test that ran for months down to day or less. My biggest task was scalling back, Oil field projects can be rather large. But the chance for error increases as you down size. Resolution and Repetability is every thing, but if the instrumentaion does not respond quick enough, the data is flawed. Its nice to work for a company with Deep Pockets $$$$$$.

Doing the math is the easy part. Getting accurate data is hard.

I will get off my box.

Give the guy a chance and the tools needed to do the work. Then make a judgement.

02-05-2006, 10:21 AM	#36
blue68f100 Thermophile Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 3,135	Re: Giving my test equipment away? I have worked as a Engineering Tech for 22 yrs in a R & D Lab, for a big oil company (Arco Oil & Gas, acquired by BP). After working with PHD's of all kind, chem, petro, mech, materials, geologist, most were terrible in the lab. Geologist were in their own world. They had no skills when it came to setting up equipment and running test. Though the chemest were pretty good. I think I only had one that could duplicate his results, though wrong due to the way he set it up. They were good when it came to processing, interpreting, data even thought I did the most of it. A good lab tech is worth his weight in gold. Most have a broad knowledge of intstrumentation. The more automated, less the error. I watch as our lab went from gages to full automation. I was one of the few that did my own programming, as well as build and operate equipment. A good tech is a perfectionist, and accepts nothing less. Recognizes weekness and make the required changes. The equipment has a MAJOR affect in the integrity and accuracy of the data. *The biggest mistake is resolution and responce time*. In todays world everything is computerized. The world of Acquisition and Control is no different. I use to use National Instrument LabView. Most of the other systems copied them. I ran test that ran for months down to day or less. My biggest task was scalling back, Oil field projects can be rather large. But the chance for error increases as you down size. Resolution and Repetability is every thing, but if the instrumentaion does not respond quick enough, the data is flawed. Its nice to work for a company with Deep Pockets $$$$$$. Doing the math is the easy part. Getting accurate data is hard. I will get off my box. Give the guy a chance and the tools needed to do the work. Then make a judgement.