Instrument quotes from a tag list, in the manufacturer's own model code.
Process conditions, range, signal, connection, wetted materials, enclosure, area classification, approvals. Axle builds the model code, offers the equivalent when the spec says 'or equal,' adds the accessories, and prices every tag.
The spec says 'Rosemount or equal.' Axle knows what 'equal' means on your line card.
Typical requests
- Tag lists from a project or a turnaround: transmitters, switches, gauges, analyzers
- Single-instrument replacements with a manufacturer preference and 'or equal'
- MRO blanket orders by range and connection
- Accessory packages: manifolds, thermowells, brackets, glands, cable
- Calibration and range changes on existing tags
- Hazardous-area retrofits where the approval is the whole question
What Axle reads from them
- Process conditions: pressure, temperature, fluid, and the measurement type
- Range, accuracy, turndown, output signal (4-20 mA HART, Foundation Fieldbus, Modbus, switch)
- Process connection: 1/2 in NPT, flanged, sanitary; mounting and cable entry
- Wetted materials and fill fluid, diaphragm seals
- Enclosure and NEMA rating, hazardous area (Class/Div, Zone) and approval (FM, CSA, ATEX, IECEx)
- Local display, accessories, manufacturer preference and the customer's approved vendor list
Model codes built option by option, equivalents offered when they're allowed.
The judgment in this work is knowing which options matter, which manufacturers are interchangeable for this customer, and which accessory the tag always needs. Axle learns that from your line card and your history.
Selection, configuration and sizing
- The manufacturer model code, option by option: sensor, range, output, connection, materials, housing, approval, display
- Approved equivalents and substitutions from your line card, with the customer's vendor list respected
- Manifolds by valve count, thermowells by insertion length and material, brackets, glands, cable
- Range and turndown against the process, and the accuracy the spec calls for
- Approval matched to the area classification, and the housing to the environment
- Lead-time alternatives when the specified item is weeks out and the equivalent is on the shelf
Validated before review
- Range covers the process with sensible turndown, URL not exceeded
- Approval and housing match the area classification and environment
- Wetted materials compatible with the fluid and matching the spec
- Every option in the model code valid with every other option
- Accessories complete per your rules for the tag type
- Every tag on the list accounted for, equivalents clearly marked
- Vendor pricing current, margin above floor, lead time per tag
Six pressure transmitters, 'Rosemount 3051 or equal.'
The request is two sentences. The quote is six tags, two options each, with accessories and an equivalent that ships in a week. Illustrative
- Type and range: gage, 0 to 300 psigemail
- Output: 4-20 mA HARTemail
- Connection: 1/2 in NPT; wetted 316 SSemail
- Area: explosion-proof (Class I Div 1)email + customer std
- Accessory: 2-valve manifold, eachemail
- Local display and mounting bracketnot stated, asked
| Specified | Rosemount 3051T, gage, 0-300 psig, HART, 1/2 NPT, 316 SS, FM XP | 6 wk lead |
| Equivalent | Yokogawa EJA, same range, output, connection, materials, FM XP | in stock, 1 wk |
| Manifold | 2-valve, 316 SS, 1/2 NPT, direct mount | 6 each |
| Range check | 300 psig on a 0-800 URL sensor | 2.7:1 turndown |
| Approval vs area | FM explosion-proof, Class I Div 1 | matches |
Your documents, ready to send.
Quote, BOM and submittal
- Quote in your template, tag by tag, with equivalents marked and lead-time alternates priced
- BOM in your Excel format with the full model code per tag and accessories itemized
- Instrument datasheets and approval certificates attached per tag
- Validation report listing any tag with an open question
Where it plugs in
- Manufacturer configurators and model-code rules for your line card
- Vendor price files and distributor portals
- Your ERP or QuickBooks for part numbers, cost and inventory
- Your CRM for the opportunity and the documents
- Email and the spreadsheets tag lists arrive in
Connectors are scoped per deployment. Where a system has no API, Axle works from the exports and files you already produce.
Instrumentation questions.
Does Axle build the actual manufacturer model code?
Yes, option by option, checked for option compatibility, so what's on the quote is what the manufacturer can build. Your engineer sees the code and the reasoning behind each option.
How does it handle 'or equal'?
It offers the equivalent from your line card that matches range, output, connection, materials and approval, marks it clearly as an equivalent, checks the customer's approved-vendor list, and shows the lead-time difference. The customer decides.
Can it check hazardous-area approvals?
It matches the approval on the model code to the area classification in the request and the customer's standard, and flags any tag where the housing or approval doesn't match the environment.
Bring a tag list. We'll build the codes live.
Thirty minutes, on your line card and a list you actually received.