A Machine Monitor is a camera used for "watching" automated production
lines. It consists of a small camera, a DVR, and a view screen. The software in the Digital Video Recorder (DVR)
records video clips. These video clips help you establish exactly what happens during a malfunction on your production line.
How does it work?
The camera constantly sends video images to the DVR. There
are three types of recording - User Click, Motion Activated, and Triggered from
Dry Contacts.
User Click - The user sees something on the view
screen. Using the mouse, he clicks on a "trigger" button to record a video
clip inside the DVR. Each video clip contains footage from before, during,
and after the "trigger". This way you record the entire event. Video
clips are generated for each trigger and they all appear in the event log.
Motion Activated - The DVR records any movement.
Triggered from
Dry Contacts - Same as User Click recording except that the DVR records when
triggered from dry contacts such as from an Emergency Stop circuit (E-stop).
The E-stop circuit is located in the control panel of your automated production
line. This is useful because every time the production line stops, the DVR
records a video clip.
What do I do when a malfunction is identified?
Share the information. You can
download a video clip from the DVR to flash memory. Next you create an e-mail
on your laptop, plug in the the flash memory into your USB, and attach the video
clip. Then send the email on to your Maintenance Manager, Plant Engineer,
or Production Manager. Each video clip can be easily opened and
viewed on Microsoft Windows Media Player. You can also send
the video clip through the internet to someone outside such as an Original
Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
