Rotating Equipment Monitoring
Challenge
In a number of automotive manufacturing processes, rotary tables are used to index parts into various automatic and manual work stations. In many cases, it is necessary to use sensors to verify that parts are present, properly placed, or correctly processed before indexing.
Historically, the solution of using slip rings to allow sensor power and signals to be hardwired to the control system has often proven to be costly and unreliable. An alternative solution that allows more sensor signals to be processed while increasing the reliability is needed.
Solution
Banner’s Sure Cross wireless network is designed specifically to operate in concert with sensor technology (analog and discrete) in an industrial environment (IP67 enclosure rating). The system consists of a Gateway that communicates with up to 56 Nodes using Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) methodologies, creating a very robust protocol for the factory floor.
In this example, four Banner part-presence sensors are connected to a Node powered by a FlexPower™ battery module. The lifetime of a battery depends on several factors, including the number and type of sensor, sample rate, and cycle time, and can last for years in some cases. Sensor signals are transmitted from the Node to a Gateway with four corresponding digital outputs that are connected to the control PLC.
Featured Products
Performance Series Industrial Wireless Gateways and Nodes
Create point-to-multi point networks that distribute I/O over large areas. Input and output types include discrete (dry contact, PNP/NPN), analog (0 to 10 V dc, 0 to 20 mA), temperature (thermocouple and RTD), and pulse counter.
Mini-Beam Series Industry Standard Sensor
Comprehensive sensor line with a series of emitter LED colors, gain pots/TEACH modes and ac or dc models.