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One of the challenges faced by production managers and engineers is tominimize damage and loss of product during manufacturing. Sensor Wireless Inc., based in Prince Edward Island, Canada, has developed specialized wireless technology to solve these problems. Their wireless sensors transmit data on the handling and environmental parameters foundwithin each system and allow users to view the results in real time. In just moments users can determine root cause and improve quality.
Sensors Wireless developed a monitoring system for well-known beverage and breakfast cereal manufacturers. Sensor Wireless approached Boston-based Tekscan, Inc to develop a customized force sensor that could be integrated into their wireless system to accurately and effectively determine forces applied to bottles and boxes by production line rails, robotic grippers, and adjacent bottles/boxes during production.Tekscan is a leading manufacturer of force sensors and complete tactile force and pressure measurement systems. Products range from simple force sensors and force sensing systems to highly complex pressure measurement systems with over 100,000 sensing points. Accurate, simple touse, and extremely cost-effective, their sensors have been integratedinto a variety of successful OEM products.
Tekscan responded bycreating a custom sensor that coordinates with Sensor Wireless Inc’selectronics to relay this information, which is vital in preventing breakage or dents in the final product.
Sensor Wireless Inc’s process involves instrumenting a model of a bottle with Tekscan’s forcesensors, then actually sending the “bottle” through the manufacturingprocess to monitor and relay the force data to the appropriate parties. The sensors’ output allows the manufacturers to pinpoint the location of high and low forces, and in turn respond by either slowing downor speeding up the process. The result is major cost savings thanks to an increase in production yields and reduced loss associated with damaged goods.
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