[Developer Column] Why "Raw Data"? conanair's Technical Choices

The Technical Reason for Choosing 'Wi-Fi' over Bluetooth or ZigBee

At the start of development, low-power options like Bluetooth and long-range Sub-GHz bands (920MHz/ZigBee, etc.) were on the table. However, we decided against them and chose "Wi-Fi."

The reason was simple: we wanted to transmit "raw waveforms."

Our goal wasn't just a sensor that sends "vibration levels (numerical values)," but a device that could acquire "raw data (waveforms)" for root cause analysis of anomalies and future AI integration.

• Sub-GHz (920MHz): Communication speed is approximately 40Kbps. This is far too slow for sending large raw waveform data.
• Wi-Fi (2.4GHz): Communication speed is approximately 250Kbps or higher. This allows raw data to be sent at practical speeds.

Furthermore, with Wi-Fi, users don't need to develop or purchase specialized receivers (gateways); they can use off-the-shelf Wi-Fi routers or existing corporate LANs. This choice was based on identifying which infrastructure would be the easiest for users to implement.

Missed by ISO Standards? Capturing the Veteran's "Intuition" with Acceleration Peak Values

The field of equipment maintenance has an absolute standard called "ISO Vibration Severity (Velocity RMS)." However, in practice, a veteran worker's intuition often proves correct when they say, "The numbers are within range, but the bearing sound is different from usual."

Here is a real-world example. When a maintenance manager noticed an "unusual noise" and replaced a bearing, we verified the data before and after using conanair.

• Velocity RMS (ISO Standard): The change was minute, at a level that wouldn't be judged as an anomaly.
• Acceleration Peak Value (conanair): Detected a clear increase in numerical values (anomaly).

This is because ISO standards look at the "overall shaking of the machine (energy)," whereas conanair's acceleration measurement captures "metal-to-metal collisions (initial scratches)." It was proven that conanair can capture signs of initial anomalies just like the "ears" of a veteran worker, even for unusual noises that an outsider wouldn't notice.

"Impossible" by Conventional Wisdom: Patented Technology Born from Chance and Failure

The core technology of conanair, "Anomaly Detection via Undersampling," was not calculated and developed from the beginning.
It all started with a casual conversation with a professor from the Nagoya Institute of Technology: "Can't we make a cheap and practical vibration sensor instead of expensive ones?" When we built a prototype using cheap off-the-shelf parts and performed FFT (frequency analysis), anomalies at high frequencies that "should not be detectable" were displayed clearly.

According to conventional technical knowledge, signals at more than half the sampling frequency are treated as noise (aliasing). However, we discovered the phenomenon that "the 'aliased waveforms' that should be discarded as noise actually contain signs of bearing damage."

Our pursuit to understand "why this was showing up" resulted in our current patented technology (registered in Japan; pending in the US, Germany, India, and China). It wasn't an invention we set out to create, but a "discovery" we encountered because we were working hands-on in the field.

Please Do Not Use for Turbines: What conanair is "Not Good" At

We don't claim to be "the best for every site." conanair targets "general-purpose equipment where maintenance plans can be established within 3 to 6 months of anomaly detection."

Therefore, it is unsuitable for the following uses:

Ultra-Critical Equipment (Turbines, Large Generators, etc.)

Equipment that runs non-stop for two years and requires an emergency stop (trip) for a momentary anomaly. This is a domain that should be monitored with wired sensors and AE sensors costing millions of yen.

High/Low-Temperature Environments

Due to case specifications, it cannot be used outside the range of -10°C to 60°C.

Precise Quality Control

We do not guarantee the accuracy of "absolute values." It is specialized for trend management—seeing how things have changed compared to "normal" (relative values).

Environments with Constant High-Frequency Noise

On machines that constantly generate strong vibrations above 1kHz, our unique undersampling technology will continue to pick up that noise, making accurate diagnosis impossible.

Conversely, we are confident that for the preventive maintenance of "pumps, fans, and conveyors" that previously relied on manual inspection rounds, conanair is the strongest choice in terms of both cost and performance.

30-Day Free Trial & Inquiry

Try Conan Air for free for 30 days. Here is what our users are saying:

• Easy installation for immediate use
• No app required; operate via web browser
• No cloud required for fully automatic measurement
• Affordable, including dedicated software

Try equipment anomaly detection and predictive maintenance for free. Please feel free to contact us.

30-Day Free Trial & Inquiry

Try Conan Air for free for 30 days. Here is what our users are saying:

• Easy installation for immediate use
• No app required; operate via web browser
• No cloud required for fully automatic measurement
• Affordable, including dedicated software

Try equipment anomaly detection and predictive maintenance for free. Please feel free to contact us.

前のページ

[Developer Column] A Sensor Only Field Experts Could Build

次のページ

Manufacturing IoT & DX Guide | Digitalization of Equipment Maintenance