Wireless Strain Gauge Solutions
Heavy equipment and infrastructure are subject to tremendous strain in normal operating conditions. Over time, the equipment can crack, leading to increased risk of catastrophic failure. Operators need to monitor equipment strain levels to ensure proper maintenance and safe operation.
Scanimetrics' wireless strain gauge monitoring system can be used in a range of applications including strain measurement for mobile mining equipment, pipelines, plant equipment, buildings, and bridges. It's small, reliable, and easy to install. Once installed, the system delivers accurate strain data from critical equipment straight to your computer.
General Description
The wireless strain gauge system provides a foil-based strain measurement system with wireless data acquisition. It combines wireless sensor pods (referred to as “Motes”) with a master data capture unit connected to a portable computer. The sensor pods can be mounted either with spot welds to a surface or attached with epoxy. The sensor pod incorporates a battery, eliminating the need for an external power supply.
Once the sensor pod has been activated, it can be configured to provide 1 year of operation. The master data capture unit can be up to 10 m from the wireless sensor pods to receive the strain data being transmitted in normal non-direct line of sight operating environments. The wireless sensor pods operate as a mesh network and can relay data between the master and units which are not directly reachable by the master. This enables sensor pods to be placed deep inside machinery and still be accessible by the master.
Features
- Wireless data transfer
- Small size
- Rugged enclosure
- Easy to install
- Full and configurable sensor interface
- Built-in signal conditioning for strain gauge
- Configurable to accommodate other sensors:
- Strain, fatigue, load, bolt / stud tension
- Crack, flange, displacement
- Vibration, acceleration, tilt
- Integrated battery with years of operation
- Magnetic or adhesive attachment
- Interval logging capability
- On-board storage for unaccompanied logging
- 12 bit measurement accuracy
- Built-in temperature sensor
- Status monitoring
(e.g. battery, RF link quality) - Sealed unit for harsh environments
- Simple and intuitive graphical user interface
Benefits
- Fast and easy to install
- No wiring, no connections
- Enables access to hard-to-reach place
- Non-intrusive to normal machine operation
- No operator intervention required during logging
Applications
- Enable condition-based maintenance (CBM) strategies
- Monitor strain and strain vectors
- Measure metal fatigue
- Monitor torque on rotating shafts
- Test functional limits
- Monitor machine health
- Monitor bolt tension
- Monitor bolt tightness
- Monitor gear tooth fatigue
- Monitor gear alignment
| Sensor Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +150 °C |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +85 °C |
| Maximum Data Acquisition Rate | 100 samples per second (single channel) |
| Maximum Wireless Operating Range | 10 meters (extendable with repeaters) |
| Maximum Battery Life | 2 year of operation (See Note 1) 50 million samples |
| Modes of Operation | Real-time data display, unaccompanied alarming, data logging and data transmission |
| Minimum Strain Resolution | 2 microstrain |
| Dynamic Range | 0 to 5000 microstrain |
| Size | 7 cm x 4 cm x 2.5 cm (2.75" x 1.5" x 1") |
| Weight | 110 g (4 oz) |
| Wireless Module Hosting | Sealed epoxy compound (water and chemical resistant, built to IP67 standard) |
| Wireless Mass Mounting Method | Epoxy or spot weld |
| Certifications | FCC and Industry Canada |
| Extended Sensor Temperature Range | -55 °C to +600 °C |
| Sensor Types | Strain, crack, vibration, acceleration, bolt tension, temperature |
| Extended Life Battery | Double the capacity |
| Certifications | Intrinsic Safety (Zone 0 or Class I, Division 1) |
All specifications subject to change without notice