Intelligent Tools with Ambient-Powered Wirelss Sensors

Next-generation smart machine tools are currently under research and development. Critical to the success of these tools will be the inclusion of smart sensors. These sensor suites will need to measure physical parameters such as temperature, vibration, pressure and so on. Luna Innovations has extensive experience in developing solar powered wireless systems to transmit sensor data. Luna proposes to leverage this design expertise to develop a miniaturized sensor suite customized to a particular machine tool, the exact tool to be decided upon based on consultation with NIST officials. The sensor suite will use miniature sensing technology to measure vibration, temperature and pressure. Also designed into the tool will be the capability to digitize the sensed data, and transmit it via miniaturized wireless radio technology to a remote data collection device. The transmitted data will be formatted according to the IEEE 1451.x TEDS standard. It is expected that this tool is to be used in a lighted environment, such that the electronic circuitry can be powered from the ambient light. Phase 1 deliverables are prototypes of the sensor suite including the miniature digitizer and transmitter, along with a remote receiver.