Higher Safety and Lower Service Costs

The fact that a leading supplier of high-capacity hydraulic filters also offers particle counters is a logical consequence. After all, these measuring devices provide essential information on the condition of the hydraulic fluid. Together with the filters, they play a significant role in monitoring the hydraulic system and protecting it from dirt accumulations which could cause cost-intensive damage and breakdowns. Till now, the control of hydraulic systems, especially in mobile production machines and stationary installations, has been an awkward, expensive process that was usually only carried out sporadically. At the Hanover Trade Fair 2005, STAUFF® are presenting a reasonably priced continuous monitoring solution in the form of the Laser Particle Monitor LPM 1.

With the LPM1 particle counting can be carried out in a comparatively simple and economical way as an essential element of preventive maintenance. The various type and degree of contamination allows conclusions for the overall system. If the oil undergoes a particle count at regular intervals, faults can be detected at an early stage and potential subsequent damage avoided. On the other hand, it may be possible to extend the replacement intervals of the filters if the oil shows no signs of dirt accumulation. Thus, the more extensive the hydraulic circuit of a stationary installation or a obile construction machine is, the more costs can be saved.

The dirt level can now be recorded with the Laser Particle Monitor LPM 1 from STAUFF®. This is ot only a much simpler and faster method; it is also applied at shorter intervals which are determined by the user himself. The LPM 1 is compact and easy to use. The metering unit, measuring about 10 x 10 cm and comprising a laser sensor and a data interface, is connected to the hydraulic circuit. The particles in the hydraulic oil flowing through are measured with the aid of the laser sensor.

To facilitate the display and evaluation of the measured values, the user can utilise an optional integrated LED display that shows the ISO percentage purity of the oil. It is also possible to transfer the data via optical fibre cable to an interface unit so that the ASCII data can be processed and analysed, e.g. by computer. There is a choice of three different interface modules, one of which additionally enables the user to determine the limit values at which an alarm signal is to be triggered.

The measured values of the LPM1 are sufficiently accurate to give a representative impression of the accumulation of dirt in the hydraulic oil. The intervals for servicing or replacing the hydraulic filters can then be planned accordingly. The consequence: Filtration operates with optimal effect, the useful life of the oil is substantially longer, and any faults in the system are detected promptly. As a result, investing in the Laser Monitor pays off in the short term, especially as the LPM 1 is exceptionally reasonable in price. In comparison, other portable particle counters that have been available on the market to date call for an investment of four to ten times as much.