n TECHNOLOGY September 2025 www.drivesncontrols.com 20 JAPANESE RESEARCHERS have demonstrated a vision-based technology for monitoring vibrations in machinery and structures that, they believe, could overcome limitations with conventional vibration measurement technologies such as accelerometers and piezoelectric sensors. Vibration monitoring is widely used for mechanical analysis, especially for machinery with reciprocating and rotating parts, such as bearings, gearboxes, and motors. It can help to identify potential failure points, reducing maintenance and downtime. Traditionally, vibration monitoring has relied on contact sensors, such as accelerometers or piezoelectric sensors, to measure displacement, velocity and acceleration. But these technologies have limitations: n They need to make physical contact with the surface being monitored, which can be challenging for moving, rotating or inaccessible components. n The sensors monitor vibrations at a specific point, requiring multiple sensors for large or complex structures. n Harsh environments with extreme temperatures, humidity, or corrosive conditions, can degrade sensor performance or lifespans. n Sensor maintenance, such as recalibration or replacement, can be timeconsuming and costly, especially in remote or hazardous locations. n Many contact sensors rely on wired connections, which can limit their use in applications where cabling is impractical. The Japanese researchers – from the Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering at Hiroshima University – have developed a high-speed vision platform capable of visualising vibrations remotely. They used a Mikrotron EoSens CoaXPress 12 camera to capture 1920 x 1080 eight-bit grey images of vibrating objects at 1,000 frames per second. The images were transmitted to a PC that estimated vibration displacements at frequencies up to 500Hz. The responses were displayed on a monitor in real time. To verify the system's performance, the Japanese researchers conducted two sets of tests to monitor the vibration frequencies of a cymbal and a steel box. For the first test, they observed a metal cymbal after it had been hit with a stick. Images were captured by the camera from a distance of 4m. The cymbal was painted with a black-andwhite speckled pattern to provide measurement points. The results revealed peak frequencies corresponding to the natural frequencies of the cymbal. In the second test, a steel box (also covered with a speckled pattern) was shaken by a vibration-testing machine. Although all of the points were vibrating at the same peak frequency, the amplitudes on top of the box were found to be larger than those on the bottom. Data of this type could be used to detect mechanical defects and for structural analysis. In both tests, the vibration visualisation system was able to estimate vibration responses accurately at different frequencies, demonstrating a similar performance to contact sensors. The researchers observed the frequencies as images on a PC monitor. They are now planning to develop the system further to generate more accurate velocity fields. They also aim to assess practical applications, such as analysing structural designs and monitoring bridge vibrations. Camera-based vibration monitoring overcomes sensor limitations In one of their tests, the Japanese researchers monitored a vibrating cymbal using a camera located 4m away REGAL REXNORD HAS JOINED forces with ABB Robotics to simplify the integration of ABB’s GoFa cobots (collaborative robots) with seventh-axis systems from Regal’s Thomson linear motion division, extending the cobots’ operating ranges up to 10m. The collaboration makes Thomson’s Movotrak CTU (cobot transfer unit) the first seventh-axis technology for cobots that ABB has certified. “Until now, anyone wanting to use a single, plug-and-play ABB cobot on multiple workstations faced what could be days of programming and communications challenges,” explains Kevin Zaba, president of Regal Rexnord’s automation and motion control business. “As part of the ABB Robotics partner ecosystem, we have preconfigured our Movotrak CTU, ensuring rapid deployment with ABB cobots right out of the box. “Integrators, distributors, and end-users can now invest more time using the seventh axis to solve productivity problems than dealing with complex integration details.” The seventh axis offers: n Flexible mounting: Cobots can move from one workstation to the next along a rail that is secured to the floor, wall or ceiling. n Collision detection: The CTU is claimed to be the first seventh-axis system to incorporate collision detection, stopping a cobot when it encounters an obstacle. n Increased productivity: Reduced downtime, with training and installation said to be easy. n A single-source, integrated system: The linear axes can be integrated with other Regal Rexnord components, such as its Boston Gear gearheads, Huco couplings, and Kollmorgen motors and software, to create complete assemblies with a single part number. www.thomsonlinear.com/en/products/ robot-transfer-units/ collaborative-7th-axis-abb Seventh-axis collaboration extends cobot ranges up to 10m
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