When the device detects wear, it notifies maintenance personnel, informing them where and when preventive maintenance is needed. It uses a row of LEDs to indicate operating state and wear status, and can transmit its readings to a computer via a USB link. Because the measurement is contact-free, it does not affect the operation of the chain drive, and no extra deflection pulleys or supports are needed.
“The main benefit of the new CCM system for our customers is that maintenance personnel can react in time”, explains Florian Madlener, a design and development engineer at iwis’ Munich headquarters. “No long downtimes of plants and machinery, no risk of missing delivery deadlines, and no interruption of the logistics chain. The system can also continuously monitor high-precision chain applications.”
The chain condition monitor detects the elongation of chains while they are in use.
The CCM system operates independently of the chain speed. Depending on the chain size, it can monitor chain moving at speeds from 0.02m/s to more than 15m/s. Calibration to suit particular chain sizes is performed by iwis before delivery. The IP67-protected device can be used in temperatures from 0–60°C.
