Self-installed condition monitoring technology for smarter equipment
15/10/2021
Australian start-up Movus aims to transform the machine technology sector by introducing its all-in-one, self-installed condition monitoring solution for smarter and more efficient equipment.
Machine technology has been slow to adopt new processes and ways of working, so Movus’s efforts to digitise the sector are predicted to have a high impact on early adopters. The company’s FitMachine device and the associated digital platform can help any industrial firm working with machine technology. The condition monitoring sensor is simple and smart and its use results in optimal machine efficiency and lifetimes, it is claimed.
The condition monitoring sensor device attaches to any piece of machine equipment magnetically. It then quickly establishes baseline measurements for the regular running of the machine. Data is recorded and displayed through a dashboard app. If the sensor device records a significant deviation from baseline measurements, it alerts engineers who can carry out further checks.
FitMachine provides simple-to-use, self-installed condition monitoring that can be applied to all scales of industrial activity. Installation takes only five minutes and users can attach the magnetic condition monitoring sensor to any desired piece of machinery.
The company charges a monthly fee per FitMachine device in clients’ accounts. This maintenance-as-a-service subscription business model is a departure from traditional ways of providing warranty and maintenance services and could disrupt the industry. Clients get an app for any device with a monthly fee, integration support from existing condition monitoring and asset management software and unlimited updates to improve the dashboard.
The self-installed condition monitoring sensor includes vibration, noise and temperature sensors. These constantly monitor ambient conditions, passively collecting large amounts of data. These three metrics – movement, noise and temperature – replicate the live work performed by maintenance and quality engineers. People in these professions resort to their basic senses first when identifying and diagnosing problems with a machine.
The sensor transmits data to a cloud platform provided by Movus via WiFi or Bluetooth transmitters that are built in. A gateway unit collects and aggregates data from several different devices for large installations before uploading it to the cloud.
When the FitMachine is first installed on a piece of machinery, it starts by spending ten days taking a baseline measurement. This records the usual operating data from noise, vibration and temperature sensors. A machine learning algorithm works with this data to establish optimum metrics in these areas.
On the Movus platform, data is constantly algorithmically examined. This way, clients can be alerted as soon as a piece of machinery starts to behave abnormally. The machine learning algorithm works with the cloud platform and is powered by Amazon Web Services.
Movus’s business is capitalising on the early adoption of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies. As more companies realise, the tangible benefits of digitising aspects of an industrial process are becoming increasingly rewarding. By providing the cloud platform and analytics dashboard as well the FitMachine condition monitoring sensor devices, Movus is seeking to serve both network and infrastructure needs for its customers.
The company is keen to transform industrial machine maintenance immediately. Movus software is designed to integrate with any existing asset management software and the company is committed to supporting all future updates for its clients’ existing software. The current benefits to an IIoT approach are already being enjoyed by early adopters such as Movus and the company’s clients. Large datasets and machine learning algorithms support companies to save resources in their maintenance schedules. This information can minimise the need for people to go to any sites and avoid hazardous areas and procedures, particularly since the outbreak of COVID-19.
As more industries adopt data-driven transformations with the IIoT, more benefits will materialise. Movus is well placed to be at the forefront of this latest industrial revolution.
