Assembly Monitoring System utilizes signature analysis.
Press Release Summary:
Single-station, 2-channel Promess PRO tests assemblies produced by press-fitting, staking, crimping, riveting, threaded fasteners, and other technologies. Equipped with proper sensors, stand-alone system can measure force, torque, angle, pressure, position, and any combination of above. Built around PC using Intel Pentium® processor, it monitors assembly operations, identifies non-conforming assemblies, and sorts production into range of tolerance classes.
Original Press Release:
Promess Introduces Signature Analysis-Based Single-Station Assembly Monitoring System
BRIGHTON, Mich., June 5 -- Promess, Inc., has introduced a line of single-station, two-channel assembly monitoring systems for industrial markets based on the company's signature analysis technology.
The Promess PRO is a stand-alone system intended to monitor and test assemblies produced by press-fitting, staking, crimping, riveting, threaded fasteners, and other common technologies.
Signature analysis technology is based on the concept of capturing the physical "signature" of a known good assembly operation, and then monitoring subsequent assemblies to make sure they fall within an acceptable range around the baseline "signature".
A signature is created by monitoring two or more parameters such as force and distance or torque and angle, or in some cases a single parameter such as final position. With proper sensors, the PRO system is able to measure force, torque, angle, pressure, position, and virtually any combination of these that may be required.
Once a known good "signature" is available, it is a relatively simple task to generate a program to monitor subsequent operations and compare their "signatures" to the baseline value in real time. The result is an easy-to-implement and highly reliable system for monitoring assembly operations, identifying non-conforming assemblies, and sorting production into a range of tolerance classes.
The completely self-contained PRO system is built around a PC using a standard Intel Pentium® processor. Also included are a 6.4" LCD display, a user-friendly touch screen and a front-accessible USB port. Standard capabilities of the PRO system include:
o Data acquisition
o Gauging with storage
o History/data retrieval
o Multiple part capability for up to 255 programs
o Signature monitoring
o Full-depth monitoring (final position)
o Peak force monitoring
o Press to force limit
o Flexible sensor inputs
o Force vs. position
o Torque vs. angle
o Position, force, pressure, torque, etc.
o Multiple monitoring windows
o Easy, menu-driven Windows based software
o Auto calibration
o Integral diagnostics menu for set-up and troubleshooting
o Easy DIN rail mounting
o Four PLC-compatible digital inputs and outputs for easy machine control integration and
o Optional Profibus DP, Canbus, and USB memory interfaces.
A standard PRO system accepts two sensor inputs from strain gauges, piezoelectric sensors, resistive position transducers, encoders and similar devices and monitors the results against pre-established signatures, relative limits, or overload limits, in real time.
PRO systems are "web-friendly," and easily integrated into existing factory Ethernet networks. The optional Profibus module facilitates switching between multiple part programs and exchanging data with PLCs in the assembly system. Programming is done with the Promess user interface running on a PC or laptop, or via a Web terminal.
The Promess user interface software also lets the user visualize the current process,
back-up and retrieve data as necessary, and display signature curves, gauging data, actual data, and stored data. It is designed to be highly intuitive, and quickly guides the user through setup menus, monitoring, and data display screens. Multi-level password protection is available to maintain supervisory control over the system.
Promess is a 22-year-old firm that develops, manufactures, and markets its family of sensing devices, electronics and assembly presses on a world-wide basis.
Contact: Doug Drummond, National Editorial Systems
nationaled@aol.com
231.386.7444
Hope Hirth, Promess
Promess, Inc.
11429 East Grand River
P.O. Box 748
810.229.9334
810.229.8125 (fax)
www.promessinc.com
