Posted to News on 4th Mar 2021, 08:55
Sensors wield the power
An internal battery with a life of at least four years is claimed for a new VW range of wireless vibration sensors
The new range of sensors from ifm electronic is said to be fast and easy to install even in difficult-to-access locations.
“Since they require no wired connections of any kind, the new sensors offer a convenient and cost-effective way to upgrade critical machinery by adding condition monitoring for by adding condition monitoring for key mechanical components,” states the company.
VW vibration sensors are designed for use in conjunction with ZB0929 network gateways, with which they communicate wirelessly using an intelligent mesh topology that combines data security with reliability. Gateways can be connected to the plant network or fieldbus system using either an Ethernet cable or one of the supported wireless options, which include NB-IoT, LTE CAT 1, Wi-Fi and 2G GSM. Each gateway can support up to 30 sensors, “making it easy to set up comprehensive monitoring systems even for complex machines”.
Data provided by the VW sensors includes v-RMS values over the range 0 to 25 mm/s and 10 to 1000 Hz, and temperature from -40 to +85 ºC. The data can be visualised and analysed with the ifm LR SmartObserver software package, which also has provision for setting alarm points, or it can be used directly in systems based on the ifm moneo IIoT platform.
Two versions of the VW sensor are available: the VW001 has a single measurement axis, while the VW002 has three mutually perpendicular measurement axes. Both types have an IP68 ingress protection rating and an operating temperature range of -40 to +85 ºC, allowing them to be used in the most demanding of industrial applications. Available accessories include an M8 magnetic and stainless-steel adhesive mounting adaptors.
