How a Cost-Effective Pressure Transmitter Helped Save $15,000: The DR3403E Case Study

When designing OEM equipment, the pressure transmitter is only one component of the overall system—but choosing the wrong one can increase both equipment cost and maintenance expenses. We experienced this firsthand with a custom-built hydraulic press. The machine began cycling slower than expected, even though the pressure readings appeared normal. After several hours of troubleshooting, we discovered that the existing pressure sensing solution was creating problems in a tightly integrated hydraulic system. Replacing it with the DR3403E gave us a more practical and cost-effective pressure measurement solution. The change not only simplified the installation but also helped improve machine operation and avoid approximately $15,000 in potential costs.

The Challenge: Reliable Pressure Measurement Without Excessive Cost

OEM equipment manufacturers constantly balance performance, reliability, space, and cost. A pressure measurement solution may need to meet several requirements at the same time:

• Reliable pressure sensing
• Industrial durability
• Easy integration
• Standard electrical output
• Compact installation
• Competitive unit cost

For high-volume OEM equipment, even a small difference in the cost of each component can have a significant impact on the final product cost. Our existing pressure transmitter was also larger than necessary for the available installation space. This created additional design constraints and made the pressure sensing system more expensive than we wanted. We needed a solution that could provide reliable pressure measurement without adding unnecessary cost or complexity.

The Investigation: The Existing Solution Was Costing More Than Expected

The hydraulic press itself appeared to be functioning normally. The pressure gauge showed values within the expected range, yet the machine was cycling more slowly and some parts were falling outside specification. We reviewed the hydraulic system and pressure measurement chain to identify the source of the problem. The investigation revealed that the existing pressure sensing solution was not an ideal fit for the application. The transmitter took up valuable installation space, while its overall cost was difficult to justify for the performance required by the machine. This highlighted an important consideration for OEM equipment:

The most expensive pressure transmitter is not necessarily the best solution.

For many applications, the better choice is a reliable instrument that provides the required measurement performance at a competitive cost.

The Solution: DR3403E

We selected the DR3403E as the replacement pressure measurement solution. The DR3403E combines reliable pressure sensing, stainless steel construction, standard 4–20 mA output, and a space-saving design in a cost-conscious package. For our application, this provided a better balance between performance and overall equipment cost. Instead of paying for unnecessary features or using an oversized transmitter, we could use an instrument that matched the actual requirements of the hydraulic press. This made the DR3403E particularly attractive for OEM applications where multiple pressure measurement points may be required.

Cost-Effective Does Not Mean Compromising Reliability

When engineers hear “low-cost pressure transmitter,” one concern often comes to mind:

Will lower cost mean lower reliability?

That was also one of our concerns.

For OEM equipment, reducing component cost is only useful if the instrument can still provide dependable performance over the expected operating conditions.

The DR3403E addresses this requirement with:

• High-performance pressure sensing
• Robust stainless steel construction
• Standard 4–20 mA output
• Wide operating temperature range
• Space-saving construction

This combination allowed us to reduce the cost of the pressure measurement system without treating reliability as an afterthought.

The objective was not to find the cheapest possible sensor.

It was to find a cost-effective pressure transmitter that delivered the right performance for the application.

Why Cost Matters for OEM Equipment

For a single machine, the difference between two pressure transmitters may not appear significant.

For an OEM manufacturer producing hundreds or thousands of machines, the calculation changes completely.

For example, reducing the cost of one pressure measurement point by even $10 can create substantial savings when multiplied across a large production volume.

The potential savings become even greater when the instrument also helps reduce:

• Installation complexity
• Machine redesign
• Maintenance requirements
• Replacement costs
• Troubleshooting time
• Downtime

This is why component selection should consider total equipment cost, rather than simply the purchase price of an individual part.

Standard 4–20 mA Output for Easy Integration

Another reason we selected the DR3403E was its standard 4–20 mA output.

Many industrial controllers and PLC systems already support 4–20 mA signals, making integration straightforward.

For OEM equipment manufacturers, this can reduce engineering effort and avoid the need for specialized signal interfaces.

The result is a practical combination:

Reliable pressure measurement + standard output + competitive cost

This makes the DR3403E suitable for OEMs looking to standardize pressure measurement across multiple machine models.

Compact Design Adds More Value

Although cost was the primary consideration, the physical design provided another advantage.

The DR3403E has a space-saving form factor that makes it easier to install in equipment where available space is limited.

This can be particularly useful in:

• Hydraulic presses
• Hydraulic power units
• Industrial machinery
• Test equipment
• Automation systems
• Compact OEM equipment

A smaller installation footprint can reduce the need to redesign surrounding components.

In an OEM environment, avoiding even a small mechanical redesign can save significantly more money than the price difference between two sensors.

The Result: Better Value for the Equipment

After installing the DR3403E, the hydraulic press returned to its expected operating behavior.

The pressure measurement system became easier to integrate into the machine, while the overall component cost was better aligned with the requirements of the application.

The improved measurement setup also helped reduce troubleshooting and downtime.

The result was not simply a lower-cost component.

It was a better price-to-performance balance for the complete machine.

$15,000 in Avoided Costs

The initial pressure measurement problem created more than a sensor replacement cost.

Continued operation could have resulted in:

• Out-of-specification parts
• Additional rework
• Production downtime
• Hydraulic component damage
• Extended troubleshooting
• Additional maintenance costs

Based on our internal calculations, improving the pressure measurement system helped us avoid approximately $15,000 in potential costs.

The financial impact demonstrated an important principle:

The right low-cost component can create high-value savings when it improves the reliability of the entire system.

DR3403E Key Specifications

• Cost-effective pressure measurement
• High-performance pressure sensing
• Robust stainless steel construction
• Standard 4–20 mA output
• Wide operating temperature range
• Space-saving design
• Suitable for OEM and industrial equipment

Applications

The DR3403E is suitable for applications where reliable pressure measurement and competitive cost are both important.

Typical applications include:

• OEM machinery
• Hydraulic presses
• Hydraulic power units
• Industrial automation equipment
• Test and measurement equipment
• Machine tools
• Pneumatic systems
• Process equipment
• Custom industrial machinery

A Better Balance Between Cost and Performance

For OEM manufacturers, pressure measurement is often a volume decision.

A sensor may be used once, ten times, or dozens of times throughout a machine.

That makes component cost important—but cost should never be considered independently from reliability, integration, and maintenance.

The DR3403E provides a practical balance:

Competitive cost + reliable pressure sensing + easy integration

This makes it a strong option for OEM manufacturers who need dependable pressure measurement without unnecessarily increasing equipment cost.

Conclusion: Cost-Effective Measurement, Real-World Savings

Our hydraulic press problem started as a performance issue. After investigating the system, we found that the existing pressure measurement solution was not providing the right balance of cost, installation flexibility, and performance for the machine. Switching to the DR3403E gave us a more practical solution. Its cost-effective design, reliable pressure sensing, stainless steel construction, standard 4–20 mA output, and space-saving form factor made it a better fit for our OEM application. The result was improved equipment operation and approximately $15,000 in avoided costs. For OEM manufacturers, the lesson is simple: You don’t always need the most expensive pressure transmitter. You need the right pressure transmitter for the job.

If you are looking for a cost-effective pressure transmitter for OEM machinery, hydraulic equipment, or industrial automation, the DR3403E may provide the performance and value your application needs.

Tags: #pressuretransmitter #industrialpressuresensor #4-20mAoutput #DR3403E