CAS DataLoggers features automated data collection geared toward composites manufacturing facilities

Industrial equipment supplier CAS DataLoggers (Chesterland, Ohio, U.S.) highlights its dataTaker DT85 Universal Input Data Logger for large composites manufacturing facilities, geared toward providing accurate, error-free data collection for a range of manufacturing processes — including cold storage of raw materials and curing ovens — while implementing quality control best practices and complete production traceability.

A key feature of the DT85 data logger is the universal analog input which accepts a wide variety of signals from different types of sensors and equipment, including thermocouples and RTDs for temperature measurement, DC voltage, 4-20 mA process current signals and more. Using the free dEX-2 software supplied with the data loggers, quality engineers are also able to access the live data over the network for remote monitoring. If a power disruption occurs, the logger can continue to operate on its internal battery and record data. 

In addition to offering automated data collection, the programmable limits, when combined with the digital outputs of the DT85, allows local visual or audible alarms if a measurement strays outside of the desired range. Furthermore, the logger can send email alerts for these alarms for immediate notification if no one is nearby.

CAS DataLoggers refers to its conversion of a customer’s manual paper and pencil-based process to automated data collection using dataTaker industrial data loggers. The customer had multiple coolers for the storage of raw materials used in the fabrication of composite parts, relying on handwritten logs of temperatures obtained, which were then scanned and archived as part of the quality documentation record. However, this process was subject to missing or erroneous data, difficulty in retrieving archived data for a specific time and/or delayed alarm responses in case of an equipment failure.

To remedy this situation, CAS DataLoggers installed a high-accuracy RTD temperature probe in each cooler, which were routed back to a single data logger. A programmed schedule was set to record the temperature from the sensors every 15 minutes and was automatically pushed via FTP to a local server for reporting and historical archiving. In addition, alarms — a local alarm via a digital output on the logger and an email notification — were programmed into the logger based on the temperature set point of the different coolers. A similar route was taken for the customer’s vacuum curing ovens, which originally used paper logs to record time, temperature and pressure.