Small investment with big impact: New contactless monitoring of igus cables in e-chains
28/06/2022 igus UK Ltd
i.Sense CF.D sensors detect defects in bus and data lines via high-frequency technology and therefore prevent expensive plant downtimes
The smart monitoring of bus and data lines from igus enters the next round: In the latest generation, i.Sense CF.D monitoring sensors check the electrical condition of chainflex cables in e-chain systems – without contact andwithout interfering with existing packaging . As a result, real-time monitoring does not require sacrificial veins and in combination with the new i.Cee:plus II evaluator module, enables even more efficient predictive maintenance to protect against cost-intensive systems- failures.
The latest generation of CF. D makes it easier to get started with the predictive maintenance of chainflex bus and data lines in igus e-chain systems. The smart system consists of two sensor units that are clipped onto the chainflex cable to be checked before and after the area to be monitored. Small enough to find space in energy chains in the distribution box on the carrier side and in the control cabinet on the fixed point side. During operation, the sensors continuously check the transmission properties of the cables.
High-frequency technology detects the smallest changes in condition without contact
In the new generation of the monitoring sensor, igus relies on frequency technology that works without additional sacrificial veins or contacting the existing veins. "Thanks to this technology, the sensors reliably measure even the smallest transmission deterioration of cables and connectors," says Justin Leonard, Director of e-chains and smart plastics at igus UK. Therefore, effective predictive maintenance is possible in moving industrial applications in which cables and plugs are exposed to continuous mechanical stress. The new generation of CF.D sensors is compatible with most bus and data cables of the chainflex cable range from igus. "Thanks to condition monitoring, users of machines and systems can detect and replace the corresponding cablesthatare approaching their wear limit at an early stage, thereby significantly increasing plant safety." A small investment with a big impact. Because in some industries a downtime costs of 5,000 euros per minute and more are not uncommon.
i.Cee:plus II: Detecting impending faults on smartphones and tablets
As the data and bus controls approach the wear limit, another novelty comes into play: i.Cee:plus II – a module that connects to the CF.D sensors. A CF. D sensor is connected via USB to the predictive i,Cee maintenance module. An incipient deterioration of the transmission properties reports necessary maintenance work and adjusts theduration calculation ofthe components usedaccordingly. It outputs the measurement results of each individual sensor via a dashboard that users can accessvia the local network or on the go via the Internet with a PC, smartphone or tablet. Thus, those responsible keep up to date at any time and from anywhere in the world and can react quickly to alarm messages received by SMS or e-mail. The dashboard also provides an overview of the plant's history, including the total number of energy chain strokes, the temperature in production and the remaining time until the next scheduled maintenance. Leonard: "i.Cee:plus II and the new generation of CF. D Sensors put predictive maintenance on a secure foundation thanks to intuitive usability and flexible integration into user IT, so that faults and unexpected shutdowns can be prevented more reliably than ever." With the new generation of CF.D monitoring modules and i.Cee:plus II, igus is further expanding the isense environment for predictive maintenance. Under this term, the company has been developing a product family since 2016 in which sensors and monitoring modules make motion plastics such as energy chains, cables, linear guides and rotary table bearings intelligent. These smart plastics reliably predict the service life of components in numerous customer applications, including the automotive industry.
Print this articleFor more information, please contact:
igus UK Ltd
51a Caswell Road
Brackmills Industrial Estate
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN4 7PW
Tel: +44 (0)1604 677240
Email: sales@igus.co.uk
Web: https://www.igus.co.uk
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