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What is the Smart Sensor?

Smart sensors provide real-time, meaningful information to operators, technicians and engineers to increase productivity, efficiency and flexibility of the manufacturing industry. The smart sensor, which converts the inputs from the physical environment into analyzable data, consists of three elements; sensor, microprocessor and communication unit.

While the values measured by more traditional sensors are interpreted entirely by humans, smart sensors are often interconnected via networks and use algorithms to analyze data. Working with smart sensor technology requires more skill than working with traditional sensors. It is required that understanding of the smart sensor's advantages and features to take full advantage of the smart sensors, in addition to industrial networking and IT skills.

The smart sensor is an important component of Industry 4.0. It enables the responsive and agile production that characterizes Industry 4.0. with special software and additional technical actuators.

What are the Main Benefits of the Smart Sensors?

The conversion of Industry 4.0. is versatile. It lowers costs, changes business models and creates new employee profiles. Although some sectors benefit more than others, it offers significant opportunities for all sectors. Main benefits of the smart sensor, one of the important parts of Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing, are as follows:

Lowers Cost

Some things are significant when considering the savings implementations, made possible by new measurement technologies. Companies that properly train employees and adapt their production processes can improve their processes just in time by using smart sensors.

The efficient use of the smart sensor also reduces maintenance time and prevents production losses due to the reduction of breakdowns. In some industries, the smart sensor shows new promises in cost management by providing more accurate unit cost and unit revenue calculations.

At the same time, it prevents negative effects on production and losses by instantly notifying the negativities that may occur in the environmental parameters.

Redefine the Businesses

Smart sensor measurements shorten response times and enable faster meeting customer demands by the production of smaller quantities. Today, all sectors are in change and development. The new trend is moving away from basic production assistance for current processes; it is moving towards developing new services and industrial products. Smart sensors have become an important success factor with the data which provides innovative and new business areas.

Creates New Employee Profiles

Many business lines have started to rise with new developments and adapted processes according to it, as a result of Industry 4.0. Thus, a number of new job definitions have emerged.

In the future robot coordination, industrial data scientists will work as supply chain coordinators or simulation experts and service engineers for new vehicles. Contrary to popular belief, automation and smart equipment will provide different business lines and expertise, instead of causing unemployment.

What is the Difference between Smart Sensor and Normal Sensor?

  • The smart sensor can be defined as the combination of sensor, microprocessor and communication technology, that is used to convert environmental inputs (eg humidity, temperature, smoke, water leakage) into readable data and then forward to a central storage. In contrast, normal sensors rely on the manufacturer to perform the processing of the inputs.
  • The smart sensor, directly connected to the source and located in the company's network, allows data to be transferred with fewer errors.
  • While the smart sensor can be more easily customized for specific use, normal sensors are often mass produced.
  • The smart sensor is smaller than a normal sensor and also consumes less power.

Monitor the Environmental and Production Parameters with Retmon Smart Sensors

Whatever sector you are in, it is important to monitor environmental parameters and equipment regardless of production, automotive, aviation, defense industry, health, transportation, agriculture and animal husbandry.

Smart sensors and data collection terminals, that provide data flow to Retmon environmental monitoring systems, ensure that sudden changes in environmental conditions such as power cuts, temperature and humidity, floods, earthquakes, fire can be detected early and intervened.

Click here for a free demo request and to get detailed information about Retmon environmental monitoring systems that allow you to instantly access all environmental data from a computer, tablet or phone connected to the Internet and to prevent negative effects on production or service by sending notifications in case of alarm.