Elevate Your Installation: Smart Solutions for Sensor Stability
Hi folks. I'm Chris, Augury's Field Operations Delivery Lead 🖐️
On my first Halo Sensor installation as a field engineer we were installing sensors in mostly horizontal positions. I learned on day 1 that holding the sensor still and from a ladder was proving to hurt more than anticipated. With the adhesive we used at the time Loctite 330 the glue would solidify in about 4 mins in a hot environment. Out of the 36 machines we did that day over half were horizontally mounted and all the non drive ends of the motors were finned. When you must mount horizontal free handed and use a fin mount, it is very hard to keep still for 4 mins over and over. Especially when you are working above your head; It's hard to mount sensors when your fingers are numb.
We have come up with 2 tried and true methods that we found to be extremely beneficial in many ways. The first method is using metal clamps. Using these on the Non drive end of a motor saves the installer time standing/sitting/reaching holding a sensor waiting for glue to dry enough so you can remove your hand. You can clip a sensor in the exact spot you want and let the glue cure for a longer period of time. The sensor is also more stable and we get a better cure time on whatever adhesive you are using. For 100% best cure you would need to let the sensor sit for 24 hrs in that position. Using metal clips is the way to go for fin mounted sensors.
The second method we use is for flat mounted sensors. We use 20 lb magnets and small bungee cords. Most positions after the motor are flat mounted if using adhesive. These bungees allow the installer to have the area prepped and ready for Sensor placement.
Example hold the non drive fin mounts (Thick fin, Thick Long Fin and short thin fine with a clip) This sensor install was done right after a snowfall and it was very cold outside. We were able to warm up the glue, run out into the cold and clip the sensors. Clipping the sensors also saved us from being in the environment any longer than we needed to be.
For all other positions (generally Flat mounts) we use small bungee cords and 20lb magnets for most surfaces. The fun part about using these, is you are only limited to your imagination when finding a way to hold sensors. Once again this allows a much more stable hold. Adjust the tension just right to where the bungee has enough force to hold the sensor to the critical bearing point, and then it's time to glue and set. If the situation dictates, we try to leave the sensors held for at least an hour. We know due to LOTO machines this is not always possible but the cure on the adhesive will be better if we can give it longer.
After using these above techniques, this has led our field engineers to concentrate on the rest of the complicated machines and not be standing there for 10 mins each sensor. We can mount and activate the node while the adhesive cures or check out the next machine. Once you get each technique set up, you quickly forget what it's like to be on a 12 ft ladder with fall protection, your arm fully extended for 5 mins at time mounting sensors. Using these tools turn the conversation to, “hey we got the sensors secured and we have 4 hours till the site wants to turn the machine on, lets go to lunch and pull the magnets and clips off after we return.” If you choose to use these techniques, enjoy your freedom of movement.