Electricity and Control November 2022

SENSORS + SWITCHES

process of combining sensor data or data derived from disparate sources such that the resulting information pro vides greater certainty than would be possible when these sources were used individually. By integrating the signals with sensor fusion, the resulting model is more accurate because it balances the strengths of the different sensors. Sensor fusion enables tight coupling between multiple sen sors and their associated algorithms. In summary, for cobots positioned to work closely with human operators, the sensors and algorithms noted here ensure a relatively safe human-robot interface. Many end users have not adopted some of the more expensive sen sors, such as proximity sensors, because of their high costs and relatively limited uses in practice. However, IDTechEx’s recent research for the report titled Collaborative Robots (Cobots) 2023-2043: Technologies, Players & Markets , indi cates that with the increasing multi-tasking ability of cobots and growing safety requirements, more sensors will likely be integrated into cobot systems. □ In exhaust systems, pumps, compressors and many other applications, motors of various sizes are used in production plants and warehouses, quite often in remote locations. Maintaining machines on remote sites can be time-consuming and vulnerable to errors, especially if maintenance personnel perform on-site inspections only on an infrequent basis. As an alternative solution, data from multiple motors can be collected, evaluated, centrally displayed and, if necessary, linked to alarm actions in order to warn of ir regular operation and impending failures in good time. Turck Banner’s QM30VT1 vibration and temperature sen sor with the high-performance TX700 HMI device can be connected using radio technology to serve this purpose. Has the motor become loose, causing the shaft to be misaligned? Is a bearing jammed, or is an attachment out of balance? Mechanical vibration can indicate issues such as these. The QM30VT1 vibration and temperature sensor detects vibrations with a high level of accuracy. The compact MEMS- (micro-electro mechanical system) based sensor is simply mounted directly on the motor block with a magnetic holder. From there, it delivers speed and acceleration data over two dimensions in different frequency ranges. Changes in the measurement data can be used to identify different types of possible damage. Measuring the temperature of motors is also important, as a significant increase in temperature can be an indication of wear or insufficient lubrication on bearings. The IP67 sensor detects such temperature changes within a measuring range from -40°C to +105°C. With the vibration and temperature sensor wired to the battery powered DX80 radio module, the measured values are sent to the receiver module of the DX80 system via a

Cobots are being used increasingly in automating production lines.

For more information visit: www.IDTechEx.com

SENSORS + SWITCHES : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

Condition monitoring vibration and temperature sensor

proprietary wireless network, making it easy for maintenance personnel to transfer the data from the QM30VT1 sensor. The customised data visualisation of the motor’s status is then clearly displayed on Turck Banner’s HMI/PLC TX700 so maintenance personnel can monitor the condition of the motor. Using TX VisuPro software, the values from the motor can be displayed in different ways. In addition, users can track historical trends, extract logged data or configure alarms such as au tomatic email notifications. Ethernet connection to the company network is also possible, allowing for data to be queried throughout the company. With this standalone solution,

maintenance teams can always view the status data of all machines – whether on site at the HMI or on any com puter in the company network – and this insight allows for preventive maintenance to be performed. For customers, the sensors and connections can be retrofitted easily without intervention in the control sys tem. They ensure reliable motor operation through moni toring, individual motor data visualisation and automatic alarms. And technicians can be assigned to undertake specific predictive maintenance tasks.

The QM30VT1 vibration and temperature sensor can be used to monitor multiple motors.

For more information contact Turck Banner. Tel: +27 (0)11 453 2468

Email: sales@turckbanner.co.za Visit: www.turckbanner.co.za

NOVEMBER 2022 Electricity + Control

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