RVmagnetics (Košice, Slovakia) develops right-sized or customized measurement and monitoring systems based on the company’s MicroWire technology, said to be the smallest passive sensor in the world (30-70 μm in diameter and ~2 cm in length). Thin and elastic like human hair, it can be placed between composite layers with no effect to the material’s mechanical properties, and provide contactless, real-time data of mechanical stress, strains, bending, position changes in microns, as well as temperature measurements.

RVmagnetics’ customers, especially in the composites materials universe, bring on the company for distinctive process monitoring capabilities, as well as for structural health monitoring (SHM) opportunities later in the material’s life cycle. This is primarily due to MicroWire’s ability to access physical data in a contactless manner, from spaces that are otherwise inaccessible.

The RVmagnetics team also develops end-to-end measurement systems, including the sensing head (a miniature interrogation device that can be used in composites manufacturing processes as well as during a composite structure’s life cycle), and the whole data acquisition system. 

MicroWire sensors can be integrated during compression molding, autoclave curing, filament winding and other manufacturing processes, whether integrated into the composite material and its layers, or in repair patches; due to their size and dimensions, the sensors add no structural flaws. Through this real-time process monitoring, the sensor ensures the detection of:

• Misalignment of layers/sliding between fibers
• Cracks
• Insufficient or over-the-limit curing temperature within composite material layers
• Resin arrival
• Resin compression during the curing process
• And more.

Post-manufacturing, when MicroWire sensors are integrated into a composite material, it can also nondestructively detect:

• Off-threshold bending
• Cracks
• Temperature
• Pressure/straining and its distribution
• Vibrations
• And more.

RVmagnetics, through cooperation with its partners, is forming an R&D service, which enables the customization of MicroWire for customer products, environments, processes and exact requirements.