The SMS smart sensor
MANUFACTURING NEWS
Germany
Hauni’s new Smart Monitoring System (SMS) is a device designed to monitor the state of certain subassemblies continuously during production and prevent unexpected stops.
Regular maintenance, of course, is essential if a machine is to run efficiently and maintain a high level of product quality over long periods of operation. Now Hauni’s SMS provides additional assistance by monitoring critical subassemblies of the machine continuously, to allow planning in the exchange of parts in advance, reducing or eliminating downtime surprises. Designed to supplement regular maintenance, SMS helps maximize service life, prevent downtime, and make a machine more economical to run. Hauni recommends that maintenance be carried out at certain intervals which depend on a machine’s operated hours – these intervals have been determined empirically over the years. Yet it can also be useful for operators to gain information on items like subassemblies in the intervening time too, and that was what prompted Hauni to launch this thoroughly tested SMS.
“With SMS, sensors are fitted inside the subassemblies so that they can send us information about the machine’s status while it is running,” says Andreas Eckroth, who works at Hauni’s Innovation Center as head of the automation technology and drives team. The system collects data from vibration sensors which continuously measure the vibration amplitude on sensitive components. “The sensors are positioned at the points where failure during operation would have expensive consequences – not only by damaging the assemblies but also by causing downtime and loss of production. That’s why it’s in our customers’ interests to monitor these subassemblies more closely.”
SMS also monitors wear levels, passing that information to the machine’s visualization system. Any measurements outside the set tolerance range will initiate an alarm, leaving plenty of time to take the required action.
“SMS can’t replace regular maintenance at the prescribed intervals,” points out Eckroth. “It’s an extra precaution you can take to prevent a worst-case scenario occurring: an unscheduled machine stop.” Hauni will offer the SMS as an option with its new-generation machines as well as part of the retrofitting.