Chip Start Electronics Co., Limited

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IOT Retrofit with Rapid Prototyping

10/29/2022 10:46:15 AM

IoT retrofit with rapid prototyping

As a manufacturer of sensors and wireless modules,

knows that these products play an important role in Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Still, it's even more motivating to be involved in the development of an IoT solution. This is what happened in the context of a proof of concept for retrofitting machines. Together with electrical distributor FEGA & Schmitt, which intended to make an existing industrial cutter fit for predictive maintenance, and IAV, which performed the data analysis, we were able to show how IoT functions can be retrofitted in the field.

The goal was to develop an easy-to-install product for FEGA customers to monitor industrial cutters, determine utilization based on current measurements, and detect potential problems with cutters before they occur. Background: Sometimes a certain combination of tool movements can cause tools to break. By identifying these motion sequences, failure prediction can be achieved. As a result, there is significantly less production downtime. In addition, current measurement makes it possible to determine machine utilization and simplifies the planning process.

One challenge: Since the concept was for retrofitting machines that were already in use, it was a strict requirement during installation that neither the customer's infrastructure be impaired nor process downtimes be caused.

Since the movement of the knife hand generates acceleration torques, the use of an acceleration sensor is a good starting point for monitoring movements. With the WSEN-ITDS 3-axis accelerometer, we have the right module for this, and it is also available in a form that allows the project to quickly grow wings.