SICK has launched the MPB10 Multi-Physics Box condition monitoring sensor, described as a ‘pioneering and rugged’ bolt-on device designed to deliver continuous service data from industrial machines.
The MPB10 is designed to make it easy to monitor and interpret vibration, shock and temperature measurement data. Users are provided with information that can be customised for the machine and process.
SICK explained that a stand-alone MPB10 can transmit data over IO-Link to a machine control or output an alarm-based switching signal. With a range of measurement parameters, it can be set up according to the type of machine to alert, for example, when values exceed pre-configured thresholds.
Users can also visualise real-time and historic data on dashboards using the SICK Monitoring Box digital service, while operators can receive notifications via email, or provide data for integration into cloud-based applications.
The MPB10 detects vibrations (± 8 g) and shocks up to 200g in all three axes via the sensor’s MEMS elements. Multi-stage alerts can be set up to monitor vibration thresholds according to the requirements of DIN ISO 10816-3 in rotating machines.
SICK added that the indicative vibration values in the time and frequency range are ‘significantly easier’ to interpret than raw data, helping to detect, for example, insufficient lubrication, bearing damage or motor imbalances.
Protected by an IP68 stainless-steel housing, the MPB10 is said to deliver consistent contact temperature data between −40 °C and +80 °C, even in dusty or wet environments.
David Hannaby, SICK’s market manager for presence detection, said, “The SICK MPB10 is a rugged little instrument with the potential to add huge value to industrial machines and processes. By bolting on an MPB10 to their machine, plant operators and managers can upgrade simply to predictive maintenance practices and identify problems early before any significant decrease in performance or failure.
“By avoiding damaging temperatures, shocks or vibrations, the availability of the machine can be increased, product and process quality can be protected, and operators have more potential to extend the life of their machines. Maintenance effort and costs are reduced because reactive interventions can be avoided, and time-consuming routine preventive inspections can become less frequent.”
