Wireless Pressure Monitoring of Nitrogen Systems in Metal Stamping Dies
After more than 35 years, nitrogen gas springs in stamping dies are now standard practice. Gas springs have improved quality and life, but with enough use all nitrogen gas springs will leak. How much scrap/tool damage will occur as a result? Analog gauges allow stampers to see the pressure prior to production but there is no warning should a leak occur. Digital monitors can stop production when leaks occur but wires and cable can interfere with automation, and electrical power may not be available in the die space. Wireless monitoring of nitrogen systems using Bluetooth™ 4.0 is now available. Battery-operated sensors monitor pressure/temperature and “talk” to the press via WiFi, allowing the stamper to stop production before a nitrogen leak becomes critical. Software stores data for analysis/predictive maintenance. A cell-phone app can display nitrogen system status.
Mathew Glidden, Ferris State University, Mechanical Engineering - FIBRO, Inc.