Pharmaceutical Industry

Built to withstand aggressive conditions for total reliability

Specifying a Vibration Sensor

The quality, consistency and reliability of production systems are critical to the development and manufacture of pharmaceuticals. Pumps, fans and motors form the core of most production systems and have to function at peak efficiency for extended periods, often with minimal maintenance. Vibration monitoring is an essential tool to ensure system efficiency and depends on the precision and repeatability of advanced sensors.

At Hansford Sensors we manufacture a full range of vibration sensors to help your business meet the challenges of monitoring and maintaining a wide range of plant and machinery, including air-handling units and specialised production machines.

Factors to consider

Selecting the best accelerometer or vibration sensor for metals processing depends on a number of factors. These include:

  • Availability of the plant
  • Cost of breakdown
  • Criticality of the machine/impact on the production process
  • Access to machine, guarding, health and safety implications
  • Environmental factors

We can provide solutions for both online and offline monitoring, with all our industrial accelerometers being designed for use in the toughest environments, including hazardous areas.

Typical solutions for the Pharmaceutical Industry

For use with air handling units (AHUs)

Our range of vibration monitoring sensors and systems include specialised devices for use with air handling units (AHUs). These include simple and cost-effective online 4-20mA sensors (HS-420 Series) mounted on to the bearings and shafts of the AHU, to detect out of balance and misalignment problems. Output connections are normally fed back to a PLC (programmable logic controller) or similar system where overall vibration trends can be monitored remotely.

Dual Output Analysis

A dual output sensor (HS-421 Series), provides both 4-20mA and AC outputs, enabling plant or maintenance engineers to carry out a detailed vibration analysis via a data collector. This allows bearing defects and mechanical looseness to be easily identified, as well as more detailed information on out-of-balance and possible alignment issues.

Longer Term Trend Analysis

Fixed AC sensors (HS-100 Series) or transmitters can be hard-wired back to switch boxes located in accessible and safe locations. This set up enables vibration data to be collected safely from the same machine positions on a regular basis, for longer term trend analysis.

Restricted Access

Where there is limited access a side entry sensor (HS-100S Series) can be used.

How accurate data capture is essential as part of a predictive maintenance plan in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

A white paper from Hansford Sensors.

Global Customer Service & Support

We have a global network of sales partners, backed by the resources of our central product design, manufacturing and customer centre in the UK. Our sales partners include vibration analysts, consultants and system builders and integrators. Each is fully trained, experienced in meeting the challenges of vibration monitoring in a wide range of industrial applications and capable of providing dedicated local technical, engineering and customer service, wherever you are in the world.

For fast, friendly advice, and to learn more about our products, please contact our sales team.