FCI Celebrates 50th Company Anniversary

A technology innovator in flow, level and temperature measurement since 1964, Fluid Components International (FCI) (USA) is celebrating 50 years in business with a rededicated spirit to providing its customers with advanced instrumentation, superior quality and excellent value.

Dan McQueen, FCI President, said, “We are excited and privileged to be one of a select few companies that can claim 50 years of service. From our origins in oil field flow detection, FCI has grown into a world leader in applying thermal dispersion technology to solve flow and level measurement challenges in a wide range of industrial processes and in aircraft applications. FCI’s history of technological innovation, commitment to global customers and the support of exceptionally skilled and dedicated employees have allowed us to thrive for the past 50 years and is FCI’s foundation for the next 50 years.”         

Founded in 1964 by California engineers Malcolm “Mac” McQueen and Bob Deane, FCI initially found success in the oil/gas industry. FCI was the first company to develop a robust thermal flow switch to detect low flow rates in stripper wells. 

In the 1970s, the company followed up with flow rate and liquid level switches and transmitters, then next pioneered the development of thermal dispersion mass air/gas flow meters. Over the next four decades FCI built a reputation for accurate, reliable, rugged process measurement instrumentation in many industries, including: aerospace, chemical, electric power generation, nuclear, water treatment and more.

FCI’s products are today requested by name in many of the world’s most demanding industries.  They are recognised for their precision measurement accuracy and repeatability in harsh conditions, where their high performance ensures both end-product quality and operational safety. The company offers a broad range of application solutions from off-the-shelf devices to custom-engineered systems.

FCI’s newest air/gas flow meters combine the most feature- and function- rich electronics with the industry's most advanced flow sensors to achieve a truly state-of-the-science flow metering solution.  They combine measurement accuracy with a rugged design that is compatible with caustic, corrosive, humid and high temperature environments. They install easily, require virtually no maintenance and offer long-life.

FCI flow switches are ideal for a wide range of point-level process applications, featuring an advanced, no-moving parts thermal dispersion flow sensor. Their versatile design also allows them to measure flow or level or temperature. The company’s NuTec flow switch utilises a unique non-contacting flow element that separates the sensor from the process media. FCI flow switches are ideal for interface monitoring in mixed density media, such as foams, emulsion layers and slurries.

FCI’s custom designed flow and level sensors for OEM applications are ideal for use in a wide range of industrial equipment where monitoring, high/low alarming, metering, switching and totalising are required.  Ideal for gas or liquid applications, these devices feature advanced micro-electronics for direct mass flow measurement in a rugged, no-moving parts design that offers exceptionally high reliability and long-life.

Flow conditioners developed by FCI’s Vortab Company provide a low-pressure loss solution to correcting flow profile irregularities that affect the accuracy of flow instrumentation. In today’s crowded plants, elbows, valves, blowers and other devices in the pipeline can disrupt flowing media, which reduces measurement accuracy. Vortab flow conditioners eliminate these flow disturbances to ensure accurate measurement.

The FCI Aerospace Division is a world leading manufacturer of built-to-specification flow, level, temperature and pressure sensors designed for mission-critical performance and reliability. Whether military or civilian fixed wing or rotary aircraft, FCI Aerospace has for over 20 years designed and manufactured qualified, flight-worthy sensor systems to meet a broad range of military and commercial applications.

FCI’s world-class, fully NIST traceable flow calibration laboratories test and calibrate all FCI products to ensure instrument accuracy with the customers’ actual fluid and process conditions. FCI’s calibration laboratories are ISO9001:2008 certified and AS9100 compliant. The laboratories also meet MIL-STD-45662A and ANSI/NCSL-Z-540 requirements. The company’s advanced technologies also include mechanical design, advanced materials, metallurgy, electronics, communications and more.

Fluid Components International is a global company committed to meeting the needs of its customers through innovative solutions to the most challenging requirements for sensing, measuring and controlling flow, level and temperature of air, gases, and liquids.