Anderson Controls, Inc., has been supplying process monitoring products and services to the fastener industry since 1983, and has designed many versions of its ACE / INSIGHT Process Monitors. The ACE units function on single die, multi die and thread rolling machines. 

Anderson’s Process Monitors work in a straightforward way: by placing a force sensor such as the 8mm probe sensor, or a disk sensor/Piezo (12mm, 15mm, 20mm or 27mm dia.) in the work area of the forming station, the control unit learns the forming force from each station. The operator then inputs the production counts and control limits for each station. If the learned force exceeds the operator control set point limits, the machine stops, and the operator can view the station of the error, and which limit was exceeded. The production counter prevents overruns.

In 2009, Anderson Controls designed the INSIGHT process monitor, an 8-channel process monitor created for cold headers and rollers. It controls the peak and the area of the force sensor, allowing for a tighter control of the process and a faster response time to detect minor defect in the forming operator. The 8mm probe sensor was also introduced as a quick-change sensor for all machine types.

Anderson Controls most recently introduced the new ACE/INSIGHT plus process monitor, featuring an 8 channel input for analog force sensors, and 5 digital inputs for cam sensors or spring probe sensors used on the ACE RUD unit. The ACE / INSIGHT plus offers USB ports for software update when needed, SD card readers (2), and an Ethernet port. It can also be loaded with ACE 200plus, ACE 400plus, or ACE 600plus software to keep current units and operators the same.

You can learn more about Anderson Controls, Inc. in Booth 338 at Fastener Fair USA, May 18-20, 2020 at the Charlotte Convention Center.