Automation of machines has immensely helped manufacturers across industries. They have helped them accelerate their time-to-market capabilities and reduce human errors. Although automated machines are considered an asset to any facility, they do require regular monitoring and maintenance. Now you may think about how to identify broken tools or monitor a process. This can be easily done using advanced tools and processing systems. There are several tools and process monitoring systems available in the market. BK Mikro TK7 is one of the industry-leading tools, objects, and free space monitoring systems in use today. What makes it different? Read the post to know the answers.
- The scanner has a wand that scans objects, tools, or process spaces of the machines they are fitted onto.
- A control unit features a microcomputer, which triggers the wand movement on receiving an external signal. This control unit passes the scanned results to the machine control through different relay contacts.
- The inputs and outputs of the machine are galvanically isolated, and they assure a high level of operational safety as well as protection against different types of interferences.
There are three light-emitting diodes – red, yellow, and green found at the front panel of the device, which provides the information on the current status of the BK Mikro TK7 monitoring system. Here is how you can interpret the status message:
- The yellow LED indicates the power supply and status.
- The red LED is termed as “K.O.” relay and it indicates the fault message.
- “O.K.” relay is the green LED, and it indicates the no fault message.
How Does the BK Mikro TK7 System Perform Tool, Object, and Space Monitoring
BK Mikro TK7 is widely used in various industrial environments for performing easy tool and object monitoring. The following points will help you understand its performance during each of these operations:
- Tool Monitoring:The device monitors the scanning position of the tool at a precise location set by “Teach-in”. The tool monitoring is performed before every working cycle.
- Free Space and Object Monitoring:The device monitors the scanning range of the tool. This scanning range can be set using two adjusting switches. When the tool checks are carried out for tools of varying diameters, it is known as object monitoring. If the scanning is carried out to make sure nothing is present, it is referred to as free space monitoring.
There are two types of BK Mikro TK7 scanners available provided. They are TK7A and TK7RL. Of these two, TK7A is a scanner with a mechanical backstop for checking in one direction, whereas TK7RL is a scanner without a mechanical backstop for checking 2 tools right and left.
What are a few other beneficial features of BK Mikro TK7 System
What makes BK Mikro TK7 popular? The following points will help you understand it better:
- The BK Mikro TK7 can scan in one or two directions.
- It can scan in clockwise (CW) or counter-clockwise (CCW) directions perfectly.
- The output relay contacts can be selected to match your application requirements. They are offered as Normally Closed or Normally Open.
- The relays can be set as latching, valid with teach/start or timed in milliseconds.
- The scanning intensity can be increased through dip switches or the software. This allows for checking of tools as small as 0.1mm (0.0039”)
With its simple and effective monitoring mechanisms and other beneficial features, this tool and process monitoring system is used for monitoring horizontal and vertical machining centers, dial transfer machines, screw machines, lathes, and Swiss style machines among others. If you are planning to invest in these advanced tool and process monitoring systems, it is important that you source them from a reliable and trusted supplier like Techna-Tool. The experts here work with the clients to understand their problems and help them choose from different types of scanners and controllers.