Contrinex Analogue Inductives Get the Measure of Bearing⚙️ Wear to Improve OEE of Container ️Carriers – www.Analogue.PLUSAx.co.uk

Contrinex Analogue Inductives Get the Measure of Bearing⚙️ Wear to Improve OEE of Container ️Carriers – www.Analogue.PLUSAx.co.uk

Shipping containers revolutionised sea freight and an often unseen element in the handling of these containers are the ‘Straddle Carriers’, the specialist container-handling vehicles which move and stack the containers.

The ‘24/7’ operation at these busy container seaports means that the reliability of the straddle carriers is essential. Working in ports, being beside the sea means that they often have to work in an aggressive and corrosive environment, and so require frequent maintenance to ensure their reliability.

As machine maintenance moves from traditional, interval-based maintenance schedules to condition-based intervention systems that improve efficiency and minimise the risk of breakdown, Contrinex’s robust and high-performance sensors are being trusted to monitor component wear. One such sensor is the exceptional analogue-output inductive sensors which are used in numerous applications, for example, to measure bearing wear.

CUSTOMER APPLICATION

A fleet of straddle carriers that serve a busy container port, is required to operate around the clock, despite the harsh environment. The port operator wanted to switch from interval-based maintenance schedules to condition-based intervention to both minimise the maintenance and the risk of breakdowns, and to have more straddle carriers available for increased day-to-day operation.

The carriers work by having a central spreader beam lower and lock onto the four corner-post fittings of the shipping container. Plastic bearing guides on the carrier’s legs guide the container as it is raised or lowered. There is significant contamination from dirt and other debris and so the bearings tend to wear rapidly in the intense, all-weather operating conditions.

Condition-based maintenance requires a condition-monitoring system that is capable of measuring bearing thickness, repeatably and accurately, in real-time and with high resolution. Additionally, the sensors must operate reliably in a harsh environment. Because the application was being retrofitted onto existing straddle carriers, the length of the sensor was limited to only 70mm, but a minimum sensing range of 30mm was required.

CUSTOMER SOLUTION

Contrinex’s Analogue Inductive sensors, benefit from featuring their ‘Extra Distance’ technology, which made them ideal for this demanding application. The M30-diameter metal-bodied, IP67-rated sensors provide an analogue voltage (0 to 10 volt), or current (4 to 20mA) output. The short-body version, at only 50mm long, provides a 40mm sensing range, comfortably exceeding the requirement, whilst fitting within the confined mounting space.

The sensor is located behind the plastic bearing so that its sensing face is in contact with the rear surface of the bearing. When a container passes over the front face of the bearing, the sensor, therefore, measures the distance to the metal container’s wall and thus determines the bearing’s thickness. The sensor’s accuracy and resolution in the micron range (µm) provide precise measurements which as a voltage or current are simple to implement into a real-time monitoring system.

 The sensors are connected to computers mounted on each carrier via a flexible cable with an easily detachable M12 connector. At intervals, the carriers transmit this data wirelessly to a central processor for analysis and maintenance scheduling.

The bearing wear monitoring system gives a clear indication of the condition and wear rate of each bearing, identifying any carrier requiring maintenance and preventing premature failure, which maximises vehicle utilisation and reduces maintenance costs. Consequently, the port operator gained a commercial advantage from improving the OEE availability of the straddle carriers, whilst minimising the maintenance expenditure.

PRODUCT ADVANTAGES

️ High-speed distance sensing, Long sensing ranges up to 40mm, Resolution in µM Range, Near Linear Current and Voltage Outputs, Immune to dirty environments, Highly Reliable with Long Service Life, ️ Exceptional Temperature Stability, Low-cost solution, Several Switch Points, Ideal for Preventative Maintenance applications.

Read more on the Product Page, Click to download the Product flyer, or Click to download Contrinex’s Product Overview brochure to find out more.

PLUS Automation Ltd is the importer of Contrinex sensors into the UK and Ireland, and can help you #MakeSenseofSensors to solve applications, improve machine performance and reliability, and reduce costs using Contrinex’s exceptional Inductive , Photoelectric , Ultrasonic , RFID & Machine Safety sensors.