Image

Smart Tools Connecting with Wireless Networks at Home and the Assembly Line

July 27, 2015
Wireless and Bluetooth networks allow work tools to connect to mobile devices and computers, providing a faster and more efficient assembly process.

Wireless networks, Bluetooth, and mobile devices have interconnected our world. They connect us to the Internet and help communicate with other electrical devices. This has opened a door for engineers to be more mobile and connected to systems and tools. Software can now deliver technical readouts to an engineer as he walks through a plant floor. Wireless networks can extend the reach of PLCs and allow for a system to update itself. And your smartphone can become a multi-tool, allowing you to complete your DIY projects at the push of a button.

1. The Phone Works attachments offer different measuring tools such as a moisture meter, infrared thermometer, and a laser level. These attachments work with the Phone Works application to provide readings on your mobile device.

Ryobi Phone Works is an app that allows you to turn your smartphone into a multi-measuring tool. The app functions with the help of smartphone attachments that convert it to become a laser level, a moisture meter, stud finder, and even an inspection scope, just to name a few. The attachments mount on to the smartphone via a clip and plug into the phone’s headphone jack. The headphone jack is used to transmit data.

2. The image above shows how you can set a specific angle and display using the laser level attachment, providing accurate measurements and placement.

Using the phone’s camera, the Phone Works’ laser level attachment analyzes the surface you are working on and the app lets you create custom angles that are then displayed onto the wall surface being worked on. The moisture meter attachment can detect water in wood, drywall, cement, and other building materials. Moisture content is displayed between 6 to 44% and is valued against current local environmental conditions.

3. The inspection scope allows you see through a three inch flexible cable that can be used to see behind drywall and through pipes.

The Phone Works app includes more attachments like a laser distance measurer, stud finder, infrared thermometer, laser pointer, and noise suppression earphones. The app itself lets you create voice notes, geo tag locations, and capture images and videos for all your projects.

4. The infrared thermometer attachment lets you obtain temperature readings of work surfaces.

From do-it-yourself engineering to working in industry settings, the interconnectivity of technology is advancing. Parker has introduced SensoNODE Low Energy Wireless Monitoring Sensors to help capture and transmit data measurements via Bluetooth technology. These sensors help obtain data from hard-to-reach locations, and allow the user to see the status of their process while mobile on the plant floor.

5. The Parker SensoNODE family includes pressure sensors, temperature sensors, and humidity sensors; all which can connect to the SensoNODE mobile application via Bluetooth.

The sensor communicates directly to the SensoNODE Mobile application. The app can be connected to up five sensors at a time and data can be read in digital or analog form. The app has the capability to view real-time data such as max/min values along with historical data. It also allows you to analyze trends and help customize your process based on the data collected. According to Parker, the SensoNODE sensors are level one, also called the sensor layer, of its connectivity plan. Level two is scout edge or the gateway hardware. The second level is where data is collected and delivered to the user. This could also be information transmitted to other devices such as a PLC. The third level is software with further developmental plans connecting the information to cloud services. Parker’s SCOUT Technology will allow users to access data via the Internet in remote locations. The next generation of sensors will offer bi-direction control, to change sensor settings via the mobile app, improved battery life, and app customization for the customer’s needs.

The SensoNODE family includes pressure sensors that can measure different pressure ranges from 0-150, 0-3625, and 0-5800 psi. Each sensor can withstand a burst pressure four times that of its operating pressure range. The SensoNODE family also has temperature nodes. The temperature nodes are available with line port attachments that have an operating pressure of 0 to 150 psi, or as a clip. The port attachments have an operating range of 14° Fto 185° F and the temperature clip has a range of -40 to 257° deg. F

6. The image above demonstrates how pressure sensors can be easily added and use to a current assembly setup for pressure measurements.

Lastly, humidity sensors round out the SensoNODE line up. The sensors can measure 0 to 100% humidity and are used in ambient conditions and inert compressed-gas monitoring. The operating pressure is 0 to 150 psi and the operating temperature is -4° F to 167° F.

Bosch Rexroth network tools not only measure data, but also impact the assembly process directly. Nexo is the company’s line of wireless dc servo transducerized tools. They provide full control and measurement of torque, torque angle, and cycle time.

The benefit of Nexo tools is that they can provide wireless connection to a controller via Indralogic PLC communication. The information can be sent to a PLC input that, depending on the torque and tooling quality, can slow down, speed up, or perform different functions to optimize the production line. The Nexo tools use wireless networks (Wi-Fi) to transmit and record data. However, the controller is incorporated directly into the tool, which results in the data being stored directly in the tool’s memory. If the tool is in a “dead spot” of connectivity, information can be buffered and stored on the device. Once connection is reestablished, the data is transmitted to the receiving unit or computer.

7. The right angle Nexo torque tool has a working range of 4.5 to 15, 9 to 30, and 15 to 50 Nm. The long reach and right angle shape allows for use in tight spaces, eliminated the need of long manual torque wrenches.
8. The pistol model Nexo tool has a work range of 1.8 to 6 and 3.6 to 12 Nm. The Nexo tools also include lithium ion rechargeable batteries produced by Bosch Rexroth.

Nexo tools have an integrated graphics display. The display shows torque values, torque angle, cycle times, and the through the buttons on the tool, you can change torque settings without a computer. The tools also incorporate a barcode scanner which can scan and modify the required torque settings per part as they come down the assembly line. If the user wishes to gain access via the computer, the settings are available through the Nexo Operating system or a browser interface. The tools operate on Wi-Fi 2.4 and 5 GHz for easy integration with current wireless technology. 

Sponsored Recommendations

Flexible Power and Energy Systems for the Evolving Factory

Aug. 29, 2024
Exploring industrial drives, power supplies, and energy solutions to reduce peak power usage and installation costs, & to promote overall system efficiency

Timber Recanting with SEW-EURODRIVE!

Aug. 29, 2024
SEW-EURODRIVE's VFDs and gearmotors enhance timber resawing by delivering precise, efficient cuts while reducing equipment stress. Upgrade your sawmill to improve safety, yield...

Advancing Automation with Linear Motors and Electric Cylinders

Aug. 28, 2024
With SEW‑EURODRIVE, you get first-class linear motors for applications that require direct translational movement.

Gear Up for the Toughest Jobs!

Aug. 28, 2024
Check out SEW-EURODRIVEs heavy-duty gear units, built to power through mining, cement, and steel challenges with ease!

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!