Electricity + Control February 2018

round up

SENSORS, SWITCHES + TRANSDUCERS

IsYour Operation Ready for Smart Sensors? Kevin Zomchek, Rockwell Automation

A brief discussion on the expanded line of smart Allen-Bradley IO-Link sensors and masters. Unless you are aware of what is happening on machines installed in factories minute-by-minute, it is impossible to maintain optimum productivity and efficiency at all times, or to avoid unplanned down- time and loss of production. Conventional sensors can provide only a limited amount of information and lack the capability to offer diag- nostic or parameter data that can be exchanged with a controller. An integrated smart sensor solution provides all the data required to create a comprehensive picture of the status of an enterprise at any moment. As integral components of The Connected Enterprise, smart sensors provide easy access to actionable, contextualised data that can help maximise Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) while decreasing a machine’s Mean Time to Repair (MTTR). But how do you know if switching to smart sensors is the right choice for your operation? Time to come clean Sensors that require frequent cleaning are prime candidates for a smart sensor upgrade. For example, in dusty and dirty industrial en- vironments, photoelectric sensor lenses can often collect debris and therefore need frequent cleaning to maintain their performance. Such applications could benefit from smart sensing technology, leveraging the inherent diagnostics to provide indication to mainte- nance personnel that a sensor lens may be dirty but still detecting presence/absence of objects. In the future, the debris may build up to a point where the sensor can no longer detect the target. When using a smart sensor, the maintenance team will be notified before the machine exhibits yield issues so the sensors can be cleaned Fluid sensors for maritime applications New DMV-GL approval means ifm ’s tried-and-tested fluid sensors can now be used in maritime applications. The approved components help the user to overcome obstacles in ship and plant approval. The sensors are distinguished by their compact and robust design and are therefore ideal for demanding applications, for example in hydraulics. Besides, ifm offers a five-year warranty Enquiries:Tel. +27 (0) 12 450 0400 or email info.za@ifm.com

during a normal mainte- nance cycle. This is ex- tremely impactful since it actually PREVENTS down- time. The same holds true for proximity sensors in

abbreviations MTBF – Mean Time Between Failures MTTR – Mean Time to Repair OEE – Overall Equipment Effectiveness

applications involving weld slag or other metallic materials that can build up on sensor face. Instead of waiting for a yield issue or a complete line down situation, the operator will receive warnings that areas of the machine require attention during normal main- tenance. Conclusion Calculating the cost of sensor configurations for the downtime re- lated to sensor damage and malfunctions is the key to determining whether switching to smart sensors is right for you. Still unsure if smart sensors are worth the investment?

Kevin Zomcheck is the Business Manager, Integrated Control and Information,

at Rockwell Automation. Enquiries: Michelle Junius Email. mjunius@ra.rockwell.com

Electricity + Control

FEBRUARY 2018

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