ABB Releases Smart Sensor

ABB has released a new smart sensor for manufacturing monitoring applications. These devices can attach directly to the motor and transmit data over wireless networks. Not only specific to ABB solutions, the sensors can be installed at the factory or retrofitted on already operating low-voltage motors.

The smart sensor provides information on operating and condition parameters such as vibration, temperature or overload and calculates power consumption. The data are analyzed by a specially developed software program and provided to the plant operator in the form of graphics for maintenance planning, thereby enabling downtime reductions of up to 70%. At the same time, the lifetime of the motors can extended by up to 30% and energy consumption reduced by as much as 10%, so that the investment in this innovative form of condition monitoring pays for itself in less than a year.

"This innovative solution makes condition monitoring the new standard for low-voltage motors," says Pekka Tiitinen, president of the ABB’s Discrete Automation and Motion division. "Optimized maintenance schedules help reduce maintenance costs greatly. Unscheduled outages are reduced considerably or even eliminated completely. Increased availability significantly boosts our customers' productivity.

For more information, visit ABB.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.