Wireless operator panels cut downtime and monitor machine health

A new range of wireless operator panels that constantly monitor machine health, increase efficiency, production and cut downtime, is available in the UK from Motor Technology.

The new KeTop series of mobile and stationary panels, manufactured by Keba Automation, aid production efficiency and reduce response times by instantly informing all relevant staff members in maintenance, production, and management of any machine issues.

Utilising a wireless connection box, in ‘Machine Mode’, an operator can use their wireless terminal to pair to a specific machine and interact accordingly. On completion, they can unpair and move on to the next machine requiring attention. These instructions can be provided by the terminals ‘Factory Mode’, which monitors notifications coming from the factory network.

For the maintenance and service technicians this means that they can be provided with information relevant to them, regardless of whether they are at their workplace or on the move within the plant.

If a problem occurs on a machine, a message is sent to all mobile operator panels available within the plant. The engineer available to respond most quickly then confirms acceptance of the job and the rest of the team can carry on with what they were doing undisturbed.

Staff members in the spares department will also receive the message and can immediately start preparing the required parts, saving yet more valuable time. When the engineer attends the breakdown, the terminal can be used to complete a report and the machine can then be handed back to production.

As a result, the number of terminals can be reduced whilst also improving work processes, since there is no need to plug and unplug. The wireless technology eliminates cable breakage, cable tangles and general cable damage.

In addition to enabling a rapid response to breakdowns, the panels also feature advanced wireless safety functions including a built-in emergency stop.

For added safety, the optional ‘Effective Range Restriction’ inhibits operation outside a pre-defined area, when accessing the machine could be harmful to personnel and machinery. It warns the operator or triggers an emergency stop if the defined threshold is exceeded.