Oven Temperature Monitoring Using Intelligent Data Loggers

Automated Remote Monitoring Solutions Provide Flexible Control

CAS DataLoggers recently offered the temperature datalogging solution for a factory with multiple lines of batch (fixed) heat treating ovens. The factory’s existing procedures required employees to periodically read temperatures from controller displays and record all these temperatures on a piece of paper. However, this manual method proved to be inaccurate and time-consuming, so the customer wanted to eliminate these recording/transposing errors and extra labor. Since the goal was to increase data precision and quantity and provide high-accuracy reporting to their own customers, data collection needed to be simple and unobtrusive. Management decided that it needed a compact yet rugged solution offering a large number of inputs along with convenient data downloading capability.

The factory installed 2 dataTaker DT85 Intelligent Data Loggers to automate their data recording process. The datalogger inputs consisted of a combination of new thermocouple sensors and repeated signals (4-20 mA, 0-5 VDC) from the existing controllers/display units. In case the temperature monitoring scope suddenly needed to expand, the dataTakers could be maximized up to 300 channels or 900 single-ended inputs using dataTaker channel expansion modules.

Each stand-alone DT85 data logger could connect to a wide range of sensors and data measurement devices using its 16-48 universal analog sensor channels. The systems’ rugged construction withstood the factory’s extreme heat ensuring years of durability and dependable operation. Current temperature readings were shown on each logger’s built-in display, and each datalogger could store up to 10 million data points allowing independent control of schedule size and mode so that users could log only as long as necessary. All curing data was now recorded to non-volatile memory without any human intervention needed.

Additionally, whenever power interruptions occurred, the dataTakers generated a record of the temperatures, allowing engineers to determine exactly how much of the heat treating cycle had been completed. This cut down on the building’s wasted energy and helped increase product quality. The dataTakers also archived data on alarm event, sending data over a mobile phone network without needing polling or specific host software.

Temperature data was also available via the network and the DT85’s built-in web server for ad hoc monitoring of the oven temperatures throughout the plant. The free software performed configuration, setup, and displayed temperature measurements in real-time, allowing the factory’s quality engineer to remotely access the logger’s web server from home for effective remote monitoring. Ethernet connection to LAN was present at each datalogger so that the temperature data could be automatically pushed via FTP to a local server for historical archive. The DT85’s sophisticated communications array also included RS232 with modem support as well as support for multiple SDI-12 sensor networks and Modbus for connection with SCADA systems. Calculations and diagnostic information were easily accessible in the Windows Explorer style interface, and users also viewed the data as mimics, charts, and tables.

The factory’s heat treatment monitoring needs were fully met by the intelligent dataTaker DT85 dataloggers, which entirely replaced the previous reliance on fault-prone manual measurements and freed up time for more important work. The data loggers automatically monitored the oven temperatures with precise accuracy while also handling data transmission and enabling remote access.

Users relied on the intuitive dataTaker software to view the real-time temperature data in every location using the loggers’ many advanced logging and communications features. Additionally, the dataTakers kept on taking measurements even during occasional power interruptions, allowing operators to effectively track the heat treating cycle and save on energy costs.