Chapter
1
Overview
You have just purchased the most advanced load monitoring solution available.
HELM INSTRUMENT COMPANY, INC. manufactures a complete line of load
monitoring control solutions for use on metal stamping, forging, compaction and
assembly presses; cold forming, cold heating, injection molding and die cast
machines.
Standard or custom transducers and load cells are available for in-die monitoring
of transfer or progressive tooling.
At HELM, quality is inherent not only in the design of our products but in the
attitudes of our employees as well. We’re working together to give you the best.
After all, that’s what our business is all about - providing innovative
instrumentation to help make your manufacturing process more productive and
your operation more effective.
The Helm StrainGage combines machine and tooling monitoring with
programmable limit switch function. User programmable high and low limits
protect the machine and tooling to ensure part quality.
Critical setup information can be stored and uploaded as part of a die recipe
program. An optional resolver input module is used to compare machine/press
tonnage to crank angle for real time signature analysis.
Components
The Helm StrainGage module is attached to the controller or to an adjacent I/O
module on the din rail. The system is comprised of two parts; the input module
and two Helm Strain gage based sensors.
Strain Gain
Transducer
Operation
The primary part of the load monitoring system centers around the measurement.
The basic function of the Helm Strain Gain sensor is to detect the amount of
deflection imposed on the press or die as parts are being formed. All Strain Gain
sensors are matched to within 1% and therefore can be replaced without
recalibration of the machine.
The Helm Strain Gain sensors can be mounted to strategic high stress areas of
the machine frame or strategically located in tooling or applied to stop blocks.
Signals from these sensors are routed to the StrainGage module for processing.
The Helm Strain Gage is capable of measuring either a tension or compression
signal.
•
Sample and Compare Logic - processor memorizes the sample or benchmark load
and compares each machine cycle against this sample.
StrainGage
Module
Features
•
User programmable Sample Count - selectable number of machine cycles on
which to base the sample.
•
High and Low Capacity Alarm Sets - a discrete load limit for a maximum allowable
load and a minimum allowable load.
•
High and Low Trend Alarm Sets - set as a percentage of load change on an
established sample.
•
Low Alarm Inhibit - User programmable option to disable low alarm during process
start-up.
Page 1-1
