SUMMARY
Use this guide to understand how Sensor Settings configure how data is interpreted and displayed in the Factbird system. Sensor settings define naming, sensor type, scaling, speed expectations, and how sensor data is visualized and analyzed.
WHAT THIS IS
Sensor Settings define how a sensor’s data is interpreted, processed, and displayed in the Factbird system. These settings determine the meaning of the data coming from the sensor and how it should be presented to users.
Each sensor is configured with a name, a sensor type, and optional parameters such as scaling, speed expectations, and stop detection settings. Together, these settings ensure that sensor data accurately represents the physical process it measures.
WHY IT MATTERS
Sensors send raw signals to the system, but without configuration, the data may not clearly represent what is happening in production. Sensor Settings translate these signals into meaningful production data.
Proper configuration ensures data consistency, accurate performance analysis, and clear visibility of machine behavior. It also allows the system to interpret production speed, stops, and measurements correctly.
WHEN YOU WOULD USE THIS
Use this when:
Configuring a newly registered sensor
Adjusting how sensor data is displayed or interpreted
Setting production speed expectations for performance monitoring
Enabling stop detection or scaling sensor measurements
HOW IT WORKS
Sensor Settings control several aspects of how incoming data is handled in the system.
First, the sensor is given a clear name and optional description so users can easily understand what the measurement represents. Naming conventions are often used to identify the factory, area, process, and measurement point.
The sensor type determines how the system interprets the incoming signal. Some sensors accumulate counts over time, others report measurements or speeds, and some allow manual input.
Data can also be scaled using a data multiplier if the sensor counts aggregated units rather than individual items. This allows production metrics to match the desired unit of measurement.
Speed parameters help define performance expectations. The validated speed represents the machine’s technical capability, while the expected speed represents the realistic operating speed, including normal downtime.
Sensor data visualization settings control how the data appears in charts and dashboards. For example, the system may display raw impulses or show an averaged trend line.
Stop detection can also be configured. The system analyzes gaps in production signals to detect machine stops and categorize them based on duration and thresholds.
KEY TERMS / COMPONENTS
Sensor name:
The label used to identify the measurement point and describe the data the sensor represents.
Naming convention:
A structured naming format is used to make sensors easier to identify across factories, areas, processes, and measurement points.
Sensor type:
The configuration that determines how incoming signals are interpreted, such as counts, speeds, measurements, or manual inputs.
Counter Accumulate (Recommended for Factbird DUO):
A sensor type that continuously accumulates counts over time and is recommended for reliable data collection.
Counter:
A counting sensor that sends counts measured since the last transmission.
Counter Speed:
A sensor type that measures speed and converts it into counts.
Measurement:
A sensor type used for direct measurements such as temperature, pressure, or speed.
Manual Process:
A sensor type used for manually entering production counts or downtime events.
Data multiplier:
A scaling factor applied to sensor data when the sensor counts grouped items instead of individual units.
Validated speed:
The maximum production speed specified by the machine manufacturer for a given product.
Expected speed:
The realistic operating speed is expected during normal production conditions.
Data chart filter:
A setting that determines how sensor data is visualized in charts, such as raw impulses or averaged trends.
Stops Finder:
A feature that detects machine stops by analyzing gaps in production signals.
Minimum stop duration:
The minimum amount of time a machine must be inactive before the system records it as a stop.
Stop registration threshold:
The duration above which a stop event is logged for operator attention.
Data chart filter:
This filter configures how the sensor data view is presented. For example, selecting "Average speed" will show an average trend line for the speed, while "None" will display the data as impulses.
COMMON MISUNDERSTANDINGS
Sensor settings do not change how the physical sensor measures data. They control how the system interprets and displays the incoming signal.
The validated speed should reflect the machine’s true capability, not a lower operating target.
A data multiplier does not change the sensor signal itself; it scales how the data is interpreted in the system.
Enabling stop finding detection does not rely on manual input. It is calculated from gaps in production signals.
For processes that are slow (< 1 pcs/min), subtracting the cycle time from the stop duration should be enabled to improve data precision.
- We recommend setting the minimum stop duration to 10 seconds, meaning that all stops below 10 seconds will be considered speed loss.