Deacon Engineers uses SomatXR for measurements on raise bore drilling machines and in main water pipings

Durability in some of the world’s harshest conditions, the ability to send data on material stress and loading to anywhere in the world, and an extended operating temperature range: HBM’s ultra-rugged SomatXR data acquisition system has been designed to ensure top performance under tough conditions as a top priority. The environments where Western Australia based engineering firm Deacon Engineers operates are as tough as they get. Deacon provides specialist mechanical and process equipment for the mining, mineral processing, oil, gas and transportation industries. Deacon’s Australia-wide services include 3D drafting, finite element analysis, fatigue analysis, design verification and strain gauging – making the durable SomatXR system a perfect fit for their work.

Dr Matt Rudas, Senior Finite Element Analyst with Deacon Engineers, says the firm uses the SomatXR system across several branches of the business. “We have used it for measuring assembly torque in drill strings on raise bore drilling machines,” he says.

“The drill torque measurements were being taken 1km underground in a hot, noisy and wet environment where the equipment needs to perform first time without fuss. We have also measured strains in main water piping – and the strain measurement offered by HBM’s SomatXR system has been perfectly suited to the job.”

After learning about the system at a strain gauging course at NVMS Measurement Systems in Leederville, WA, Dr Rudas was drawn to SomatXR as a potential solution for his clients because of its accurate measurement, rugged construction and reliability.

Top Priority: Ease of Use

“We needed a robust and dependable system that was easy to operate and ready for quick deployment by engineers who don’t use it every day,” Dr Rudas explains.

“The number one priority was that it needed to be simple to operate. Live viewing and manipulation of the measured signal to produce a derived result, such as the conversion of measured strain to torque, allowed our client to get instant results from the test.”

Other appealing qualities of the SomatXR system included that it was able to be battery powered to enhance mobility and portability, and the high quality components in construction.

Optimized Measurement Projects Due to Robust Measurement Chain

The quality of this product is also reflected in others in HBM’s range – including the catman data acquisition and analysis software, which Deacon Engineers also uses.

“We think the catman software is excellent – again, easy to use and robust”

says Dr Rudas. “Used together with the SomatXR system, both are easy to use, reliable, and have excellent processing capability.” The SomatXR system and catman software have been designed to compliment each other, with catman’s intuitive interface and adaptability allowing users to streamline their measurement projects.

SomatXR at a glance:

• Specially designed for measuring under harsh operating conditions out in the field, making it ideal for construction, mining and agricultural machines, in addition to heavy off-road vehicles
• Performs a broad range of on-board data processing
• Well suited for use in mobile vehicle test measurement applications in extreme environments
• Modular in design, scalable
• Can withstand shocks up to 70 g and vibration of at least 10 g
• Data storage in multiple, easy-to-manage and analyze formats
• Precision Time Protocol
• Built-in sold-state hard drive, support for USB mass storage
• Communications through standard Gigabit Ethernet, supports Wi-Fi

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