MMF VM40C User manual
Instruction Manual
Valid from version xxx.012
Manfred Weber
Metra Mess- und Frequenztechni in Radebeul e.K.
Meißner Str. 58 - D-01445 Radebeul
Tel. +49-351 836 2191 Fax +49-351 836 2940
Email: [email protected] Internet: www.MMF.de
IoT Connection
with the Triaxial
Vibration Monitor
VM40C
Published by:
Manfred Weber
Metra Mess- und Frequenztechnik in Radebeul e.K.
Meißner Str. 58
D-0 445 Radebeul
Tel. +49-35 -836 2 9
Fax +49-35 -836 2940
Email [email protected]
Internet www.MMF.de
Note: The latest version of this manual can be found at
http://www.mmf.de/product_literature.htm
Specification subject to change.
© 2022 Manfred Weber Metra Mess- und Frequenztechnik in Radebeul e.K.
Full or partial reproduction subject to prior written approval.
Sep. 22
Contents
. Introduction...........................................................................................................
2. AskSensors............................................................................................................
2. . General...........................................................................................................
2.2. Setting up a Device Channel...........................................................................2
2.3. Entering Measuring Channels.........................................................................3
2.4. Dashboard.......................................................................................................4
2.5. Data Export....................................................................................................7
2.6. Email Alerts....................................................................................................7
2.7. Settings at the VM40C....................................................................................8
3. ThingSpeak.......................................................................................................... 0
3. . General......................................................................................................... 0
3.2. Setting up ThingSpeak.................................................................................. 0
3.3. ThingSpeak Settings at the VM40C..............................................................
3.4. Channel Settings in ThingSpeak................................................................... 2
4. Troubleshooting................................................................................................... 8
These instructions apply in addition to the VM40C operating manual, which can be
downloaded from our website https://mmf.de/building vibration.htm.
1. Introduction
The technologies of the "Internet of Things" (IoT) make measurement data available
worldwide. This also has advantages for the VM40C structural vibration monitor.
Structural measurements often take place in remote or difficult-to-access locations.
The VM40C in conjunction with the modem available as an accessory can send its
measurement data to a sensor data platform on the Internet. This makes it possible to
follow the vibration history both currently and in retrospect remotely via an Internet
browser.
The following IoT platforms are supported:
•AskSensors, an easy to use Internet data visualization platform.
•ThingSpeak, an Internet data interface for collecting, visualizing and analyzing
measurement data that is part of MathWorks' MATLAB software.
Both platforms offer a comparable range of functions in terms of visualization.
While ThingSpeak should mainly be interesting for users of the MATLAB software,
AskSensors is significantly less expensive.
The data usage in IoT mode is below kilobyte per record sent.
2. AskSensors
2.1. General
AskSensors is an internet platform for storing and visualizing sensor data. At
https://asksensors.com/ you start with setting up a user account.
Then you select a suitable license type. AskSensors offers a flexible licensing model
on a monthly or yearly basis. The license type "SIMPLE" is recommended. For test-
ing, AskSensors can be used for 4 days free of charge.
After licensing, select "My Workspace" in the menu. The view shown in Figure
opens.
Figure : Main menu of AskSensors
2.2. Settin up a Device Channel
First, set up the connection to the device from which data is to be received. This is
done under "Sensor devices" (Figure 2).
Click "New Sensor". The menu for entering the device data opens (Figure 3). Under
"Name" enter a designation for the VM40C.
2
Figure 2: Devices, example with two VM40C units
Figure 3: Setting up a device channel
2.3. Enterin Measurin Channels
In the next step information about the measuring channels of the device needs to be
entered. The following channels are sent by the VM40C:
- Amplitude values for X, Y and Z in mm/s or m/s².
- Main frequency in Hz
- Battery charge level in percent
- Current status (0 = heartbeat; = warning; 2 = alarm)
Click "Add Module." Add six modules and name them as shown in Figure 4. Further
down you can enter the longitude and latitude of the measuring point. This will then
be displayed on an interactive map. With "Save sensor" you save your entries.
By clicking on the device channel (Figure 2) you can check the settings of device
and measuring channels.
Here you will also find the key "API Key In", which must be entered in the VM40C
(cf. page 8) to establish the connection to AskSensors.
3
Figure 4: Setting up measuring channels
2.4. Dashboard
Now switch to the menu item "Dashboards" (Figure 6). Here the settings for the
measurement data visualization are made. A dashboard is an arrangement of dia -
grams or other visualization elements, here called "widget". Clicking on the device
channel opens the dashboard.
Click “Add new widget” to add a visualization element (Figure 7).
4
Figure 6: Dashboards
Figure 7: Adding visualization elements
Figure 5: API Key In
Line charts (Lines) for the measured values and bar charts (Bars) for the status dis-
play are particularly useful. However, you can also use all other elements.
"Command widgets" are not supported by the VM40C.
Figure 8 shows an example for the output of the amplitudes of X/Y/Z over time as a
line chart. Under "Sensor" you select the device and under "Module" the channel.
Under "Results" you specify how many measured values are displayed in the dia-
gram. The maximum value is 50.
Figure 9 shows an example of a dashboard for displaying amplitudes X/Y/Z, warn-
ing/alarm status, main frequency and battery status.
Note: A battery charge value of 0 % indicates that the battery is being charged.
5
Figure 8: Settings for an X/Y/Z line chart
The number of messages already sent and possible connection errors can be checked
up in measurement mode by pressing F2.
The AskSensors connection is deactivated by switching off the VM40C.
6
Figure 9: Example of a configured dashboard
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