Monitoring sensors are often limited

When monitoring machines or other complex mechatronic systems, in addition to monitoring the actual status of the systems and topics such as preventive maintenance, the aim is always to be able to implement new system solutions with improved performance parameters based on the information collected. In addition to system parameters, disruptive influences such as temperature, humidity or mechanical stresses and their spatial distribution are also important. It is often not possible to place physical sensors at the measuring points required for a comprehensive assessment due to functional and spatial restrictions. In practice, the disturbance variables are therefore only recorded at a few points by a limited number of sensors. However, this also limits the use of suitable countermeasures.

AI-based virtual sensor technology extends solution space

In the VirtuSen research group, IMMS is working on significantly improving the monitoring of systems using AI-based virtual sensor technology. AI approaches can be used to map complex system behaviour based on just a few input variables. This is to be utilised in VirtuSen to be able to evaluate a spatial distribution with limited information from real sensors. The aim is to use additional AI-based virtual sensors for the disturbance variables to predict the behaviour of the overall system so that targeted countermeasures can then be determined and taken.

Application for effectively increasing the precision of positioning systems

This is particularly relevant for high-precision positioning and measuring systems. The smallest environmental influences, such as temperature fluctuations and the associated material expansion, can significantly distort the accuracies to be achieved in the sub-nanometre range. For high-precision applications, it is particularly important to know the spatial distribution of disturbance variables. It is intended that environmental influences on such systems can be quantified more precisely using the results from VirtuSen to be able to reduce their effect on positioning accuracy in the future.

Outlook

IMMS is focussing on using the results from VirtuSen to increase the precision of the positioning systems researched at IMMS to meet future industrial requirements. On this basis, the long-term goal is to transfer the approaches to a wide range of machines, measurement technology, mechatronic systems, etc. and to significantly increase their performance and cost efficiency.