SKF Debuts New Vibration, Temperature Sensor

SKF has released a vibration and temperature sensor for monitoring the condition of rotating parts on heavy industrial machinery.

The sensor – the SKF Enlight Collect IMx-1 – consists of an autonomous battery powered wireless vibration and temperature sensor, a line-powered communication and network manager gateway, an host software for data trending visualization and analysis and a mobile phone app for sensor and gateway commissioning.

The sensor is a data-collector and radio combined into one compact battery operated device. It measures and processes vibration and temperature for the detection of common issues with rotating equipment. Measured variables include misalignment, temperatures, electrically induced vibration, bearing and gear damage, looseness and balance.

When mounted to a bearing housing, the sensor can send the collected data wirelessly to a computer network and then to a cloud-based analysis service via SKF. The sensor uses a mesh network to send data, which allows it to bypass obstacles – pipework and liquid storage vessels – that typically block wireless signals on traditional devices such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

The sensor also has an IP69K protection rating, meaning it works effectively when exposed to contaminants like dust, dirt, oil, grease, debris, temperature changes and adverse weather.