Machine monitoring is the process of monitoring parameters like lubricant levels, vibration, noise, and temperature condition of a machine. On-line Machine Monitoring is the process of monitoring these parameters during operation and communicating it to a central server where it can be accessed over the LAN or internet. Trends in the data acquired can provide machine health information and help detect machine faults early, e.g. abnormal vibrations can provide warning sign four months before the actual failure. Monitoring this data with MIMTIS, our M2M platform allows users to predict these failures and implement condition based monitoring. The system can also be used to monitor commercial information like production, utilization and POS data, and make it available to enterprise applications.

MIMTIS is a flexible machine-to-machine software platform that can easily take advantage of the available hardware and software technologies; this reduces implementation cost and time to field. Users can quickly configure the platform for their own fully customizable machine monitoring applications. The data can be analyzed using inbuilt tools like vibration analysis or downloaded for later analysis by proprietary softwares like MATLAB. The platform can be used for monitoring variety of machines including but not being limited to generators, turbines, plasma cutters, lathes, EDMs, dispensing and vending machines.

The MIMTIS architecture for machine monitoring constitutes the following key modules:

• Machine Interface
• RTU (Remote terminal unit)
• MIMTIS servers
• HMI
• Interface API’s

With MIMTIS, machine interface can be combined with several different commercially available networking technologies like GPRS, Ethernet, WiFi, Zigbee, PST and Satellite to easily transmit information about monitored parameters, alarm conditions and status of machines. Wireless communication technologies like GPRS has extended the range of data acquisition far beyond what is practical using wired communication. MIMTIS uses existing machine data interfaces like serial, USB and Ethernet to interface with the machine. This allows utilizing the existing machine monitoring hardware installed on the machine. For machines where such interface is not present our engineers can help design the interface with required sensors and hardware. The data from the machine interface is acquired by a network enabled , embedded or external RTU. In case of a wired RTU a local MIMTIS server is required to be installed, which can be installed on an industrial computer or desktop connected to the network.

The data acquired by the RTU is sent wirelessly or through the MIMTIS local server to the central server. Users can log onto the central server for their company’s web HMI to access monitored data. HMI is used to view data (in form of graphs, charts, gauges), check if alarms have been triggered or to gauge overall machine efficiency. The data can also be passed to enterprise applications using Interface API’s.

MIMTIS machine monitoring benefit:

Improve Quality – For machine OEM’s, MIMTIS helps in ensuring that the customer’s machine is running more efficiently. The first year of ownership, typically represents the highest incurrence of costs related to technical services and support as well as machine downtime. MIMTIS can ease some of those expenses by preventing unexpected failure, costly repair and site visits.

Increase Productivity – Monitor machine utilization, access and production data for increasing productivity. MIMTIS can better equip managers to bridge the gap between perception and reality of the machine state.

Improve Maintenance: The monitored data can be used to detect warning signs early and can help organizations reduce unscheduled downtime, optimize machine performance. This reduces repair time and maintenance costs. Network connectivity has enabled remote machine monitoring; allowing machines located hundreds of miles away to be tied to a central MIMTIS server. This connectivity greatly reduces the frequency of visits by field service personnel to remote site, for data collection or preventive maintenance.

Improve Integration: The MIMTIS integration API allows easy integration of monitored data with enterprise applications, transforming your company into a truly integrated organization.