Christian ÉPIÉ, O’Mos
Making a mill monitoring system detect misuse of material, measure the wear of the internal mechanical components, generate a database for modeling the aging machinery, reduce machine downtime and reduce maintenance costs.
Gathering physical parameters using a sensor chain; analyzing these parameters using the NI CompactRIO platform to make diagnosis in real time using the NI LabVIEW Real-Time Module, and then viewing the status of the machines and managing the log files using LabVIEW software.
A cone crusher is an element in the manufacturing chain of particles. Its role is to reduce the size of these particles. It works by crushing the material between a fixed jaw and a conical movable jaw.
The developed monitoring system is applied to two identical machines (HP4 grinders from Metso Minerals), each weighing 25 tons, driven by induction motors of 315 kW.Each mill processes about 400 aggregate tons per hour.
Monitoring requires the processing and analysis of various physical parameters. The sensors consist of six accelerometers, six PT100 temperature probes, four inductive sensors, four analog pressure switches, and two flow meters. Some sensors are embedded in the machines, close to the subsets; others, such as those for hydraulic monitoring and tachometers are installed outside of the mills.
For this project, we first selected online monitoring system manufacturers. We soon realized that the solutions proposed were closed and standardized so they only partially met our requirements.
Next, we submitted our needs to our National Instruments correspondent. The NI platforms and technologies were clearly a perfect solution to our problem. At this point, only one obstacle remained for us to overcome: could we find the appropriate skills to convert our expertise in vibration analysis and diagnosis in the form of a LabVIEW program?
After only five days of LabVIEW Core, LabVIEW FPGA, and LabVIEW Real-Time, training courses we knew the LabVIEW environment was a great solution. It proved to be a source of inspiration and we could move forward while being sure we were going to do a good job.
The LabVIEW Development System, among other things, let us create a high-quality interface so we did not need to buy a supervisory system.
We chose the CompactRIO platform because it is tough and easy to integrate into hostile environments such as quarries. Additionally, its low power consumption allows it to work well in enclosed locations. The high-quality connector can also handle vibrations and temperature changes without affecting the reliability needed for a monitoring system.
The developed system consists of an NI cRIO-9074 real-time controller with NI 9203, and NI 9481 C Series modules installed in it. The application was developed in LabVIEW using the LabVIEW Real-Time and LabVIEW FPGA modules.
For our small company, which is primarily focused on service, the discovery and use of NI solutions is extremely important to drive future development. We appreciate NI technology as well as the quality and professionalism of our NI contacts.
Our client was very satisfied with the services rendered by the monitoring device. Furthermore, our first experience working with NI has given us confidence that we can develop our own vibration analysis equipment and improve our service offering.
Christian ÉPIÉ
O’Mos
L'Abbaye
35310 Mordelles
France
Tel: +33 (0)6 88 13 00 68
o.mos@wanadoo.fr