The COVID-19 pandemic took us all by surprise this year. It has affected everyone and every business. A very large portion of manufacturing was shut down in an effort to “flatten the curve,” and even those who remained open have dealt with COVID issues such as employees who are afraid to come to work for fear of being exposed.

Viking Analytics, a Swedish provider of advanced analytics solutions for predictive operations, and Bharat Forge Kilsta, a Sweden-based supplier of forged components, began collaborating in a data-driven production quality project. In the coming months, Viking Analytics will prepare an assessment of the data collected by sensors installed in the oven that heats steel rods used in the production of crankshafts and front axle beams for heavy-duty vehicles. In Bharat Forge Kilsta’s Karlskoga plant, the forged steel is first heated in an induction oven, whose temperature varies according to different steel grades and products. If a disruption occurs, the oven must be adjusted to keep the metal at a constant temperature. This process is currently performed manually, which sometimes causes human-related deviations in the proper temperature-level records.

The R10 series of fixed infrared sensors is designed for use in OEM equipment and industrial process control and monitoring applications. All models have a temperature range of 32-932°F (0-500˚C) and feature 4-20 mA output.

VibePro 24/7 is available for vibration route and data continuous online vibration and temperature monitoring for rotating equipment and bearing health.

Metis Model M323 is designed primarily for measurements on metals, ceramics and graphite.