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Fixing and Installation Methods for Smart Trac
Fixing and Installation Methods for Smart Trac

Learn how to attach, clean, adhere or screw your Smart Trac sensors correctly.

Updated over 3 weeks ago

The correct positioning and fixing of the Smart Trac sensor are essential to ensure the accuracy of insights generated from vibration and temperature data. Below, we present the main installation methods, each suitable for specific temperature, vibration, and accessibility conditions. If you need guidance on sensor positioning, click here.


Safe and Recommended Mounting Methods

  • Structural Adhesive

  • Structural Adhesive + Holder

  • Screwing

Surface temperature and the vibration level of the asset are the two main factors to decide which method to use.

In situations of higher vibration or elevated temperatures, screwing may be more suitable; for surfaces within moderate temperature ranges and with controlled vibration, structural adhesive tends to be sufficient. The use of a Holder can be helpful in environments with limited access or in low-temperature conditions.


Important note: it is necessary to assess whether the environmental conditions and the condition of the machine structure allow for the selected method.

Resistance of the sensor to chemicals

It is important to check the sensor's resistance to chemicals. Below you will find the degrees of resistance, valid for sensors installed by the screw method. They range from 1 to 4:

  • 1: Excellent resistance

  • 2: Good resistance

  • 3: Medium resistance

  • 4: Low resistance



Installation of Smart Trac

Smart Trac can be installed in several different ways:

  1. Structural Adhesive

  2. Adhesive + Holder (also in cold locations)

  3. Screwing


Structural Adhesive

Required Materials

  • Loctite® AA 330 adhesive

  • Loctite® SF 7387 activator spray

  • Sandpaper or coarse file

  • Degreaser or isopropyl alcohol

  • Clean cloth

  • PPE: safety goggles and gloves

Step by Step

  1. Prepare the surface

    • Sand or clean the area, removing loose paint and oxidation.

    • Use degreaser or isopropyl alcohol to remove oils.

    • Dry completely with a clean cloth.

  2. Apply the activator spray

    • Spray Loctite SF 7387 on the area where the sensor will be attached.

  3. Apply the adhesive

    • Place a small amount of Loctite® AA 330 on the sensor’s base.

    • Avoid touching the adhesive nozzle to surfaces already activated.

  4. Attach the sensor

    • Press the sensor onto the surface for 5 to 60 seconds.

    • On inclined or curved surfaces, maintain pressure for longer if necessary.

  5. Wait for curing

    • Full cure occurs in 24 hours.

Note: If it is necessary to reinforce the sensor’s fixation (depending on its position and orientation relative to the machine), we offer the Smart Anchor. This installation accessory serves as an anchoring point for the sensor. Contact our support team to request it.


Structural Adhesive + Holder

Required Materials

  • Holder

  • Loctite® AA 330 adhesive

  • Loctite® SF 7387 activator spray

  • Sandpaper or coarse file

  • Degreaser or isopropyl alcohol

  • Clean cloth

  • PPE: safety goggles and gloves

Step by Step

  1. Prepare the surface

    • Sand or clean where the Holder will be glued.

    • Apply degreaser/isopropyl alcohol and dry.

  2. Glue the Holder

    • Remove the adhesive.

    • Attach the Holder to the asset, pressing it firmly for a few seconds until it adheres.

  3. Apply the activator spray

    • Spray Loctite SF 7387 inside the Holder.

  4. Apply the adhesive to the sensor base

    • Place Loctite® AA 330 on the sensor’s magnetic base.

  5. Fit the sensor into the Holder

    • Immediately after attaching, press the sensor into the Holder for 5 to 60 seconds. The advantage is not having to hold the sensor directly on the housing, as the Holder keeps it in position.

  6. Wait for curing

    • Full cure takes 24 hours.


Structural Adhesive + Holder in Cold Locations

Required Materials

  • Holder

  • Loctite® AA 330 adhesive

  • Loctite® SF 7387 activator spray

  • Heat gun (or another heat source)

  • Pyrometer

  • Sandpaper or coarse file

  • Degreaser or isopropyl alcohol

  • Clean cloth

  • PPE: safety goggles and gloves

Step by Step

  1. Heat the area

    • If the surface is very cold (below ~77 °F), use a heat gun to raise it to about 86 °F – 95 °F.

    • Measure with a pyrometer if available.

  2. Prepare the surface

    • Sand or clean where the Holder will be glued.

    • Use degreaser/isopropyl alcohol and dry.

  3. Glue the Holder

    • Remove the adhesive.

    • Press it firmly onto the asset.

  4. Apply the activator and the adhesive

    • Spray Loctite SF 7387 inside the Holder.

    • Apply Loctite® AA 330 to the sensor base.

  5. Fit the sensor

    • Immediately after applying the adhesive, press the sensor firmly into the Holder for 5 to 60 seconds.

  6. Full cure

    • Full cure takes 24 hours.


Screwing

M8 Screwing

Required Materials

  • Drill

  • 6.8 mm drill bit (to achieve a 7 mm depth)

  • M8x1.25 tap + tap wrench

  • Two 13 mm wrenches (to loosen/adjust the locknut and magnetic base)

  • Brush (for cleaning shavings)

  • Cutting fluid (optional, helps with threading)

  • Punch and hammer (to mark the drilling point)

  • Ruler or tape (to mark the 7 mm depth on the drill bit)

  • Degreaser or isopropyl alcohol (to clean the surface)

  • Clean cloth (for drying)

  • PPE: gloves and safety goggles

Step by Step

  1. Mark the drilling spot

    • Use a punch and hammer to make a small crater on the surface where you want to install the sensor. This prevents the drill from slipping.

  2. Define the drilling depth (7 mm)

    • Using a ruler or tape, mark 7 mm on the 6.8 mm bit to control the depth.

  3. Drill

    • Drill until you reach the 7 mm mark. Use a 6.8 mm diameter drill bit.

    • Ensure that the asset’s thickness is sufficient.

  4. Cut the thread

    • Run the M8x1.25 tap into the hole, turning one full turn clockwise and then half a turn counterclockwise to clear the shavings. Repeat until reaching 7 mm.

  5. Clean the hole

    • Use a brush or compressed air to remove chips and debris.

    • Clean the area again with degreaser or isopropyl alcohol and dry it.

  6. Initial sensor adjustment

    • Loosen the locknut using the two 13 mm wrenches:

      • Turn the locknut clockwise to loosen it.

      • Turn the magnetic base counterclockwise to free it.

  7. Screw the sensor

    • Screw the M8x1.25 bolt of the sensor into the hole until it bottoms out, turning clockwise.

    • For fine orientation adjustment (aligning X, Y, Z axes), slightly turn the magnetic base counterclockwise.

    • If perfect alignment is not possible, consult the manual’s instructions.

  8. Final locking

    • With the sensor aligned, use a 13 mm wrench to tighten the sensor nut until it touches the surface of the asset.

    • Then, turn the nut approximately an additional 10° to ensure it’s secure.


M10 Screwing

Required Materials

  • Sensor (with M10x1.25 or M10x1.5 base – according to your model)

  • Drill

  • 8.5 mm drill bit (to achieve a 12 mm depth)

  • M10x1.25 or M10x1.5 tap + tap wrench

  • 17 mm wrench (to turn the sensor base)

  • 40 mm wrench (if you need to remove the sensor, according to the removal guide)

  • Brush (for cleaning shavings)

  • Cutting fluid (optional)

  • Punch and hammer (to mark the drilling location)

  • Ruler or tape (to mark 12 mm depth on the drill bit)

  • Degreaser or isopropyl alcohol and clean cloth

  • AA 330 structural adhesive + SF 7387 activator (if indicated for reinforcement)

  • PPE: gloves and safety goggles

Step by Step

  1. Mark the drilling spot

    • Use a punch and hammer to make an initial mark where the sensor will be installed.

  2. Set 12 mm depth

    • Use a ruler or adhesive tape to indicate 12 mm on the 8.5 mm drill bit.

  3. Drill

    • Drill down to 12 mm depth.

    • Make sure the equipment’s housing is thick enough.

  4. Cut the thread

    • Run the M10 tap (could be M10x1.25 or M10x1.5, depending on your sensor) into the tap wrench.

    • Turn one full turn clockwise, then half a turn counterclockwise to expel shavings.

    • Repeat until the desired depth is reached.

  5. Cleaning and preparation

    • Use a brush or compressed air to remove shavings.

    • Clean the surface with degreaser or isopropyl alcohol. Dry it well.

  6. Adhesive application

    • Apply Loctite AA 330 on the M10 thread and on the contact point with the asset.

    • Spray the SF 7387 activator on the asset before applying the adhesive, if indicated.

  7. Screw the sensor base

    • Use the 17 mm wrench to turn the M10 base of the sensor until it touches the asset’s surface.

    • Apply a slight torque of about an additional 25° turn, as indicated in the brochure.

      Removal guide: If you need to remove the sensor in the future, use a 40 mm wrench on the sensor’s metal part, turning counterclockwise. The base will remain in place and can be reused later.

Important notes:

  • Always check if the asset’s thickness can accommodate a 12 mm hole.

  • When reusing the base, check if the adhesive is still in good condition (in case it was used).


Installation of Smart Trac Ultra

Smart Trac Ultra can also be installed in various ways:

  1. Structural Adhesive

  2. Adhesive + Holder (also in cold locations)

  3. Screwing


Structural Adhesive

Required Materials

  • 3M™ DP8805NS adhesive + applicator + mixing nozzle

  • Sandpaper or coarse file

  • Degreaser or isopropyl alcohol

  • Clean cloth

  • PPE: safety goggles and gloves

Important Note: The surface must be between 61 and 151 °F for ideal curing.

Step by Step

  1. Prepare the surface

    • Sand or clean the area, removing rust and oils.

    • Apply degreaser/alcohol and dry well.

  2. Prepare the adhesive

    • Attach the 3M™ DP8805NS cartridge to the applicator.

    • Attach the mixing nozzle.

    • Discard the initial portion of the adhesive to homogenize the mixture.

  3. Apply the adhesive

    • Place a layer on the Ultra sensor’s magnetic base.

  4. Position the sensor

    • Press for 5 to 60 seconds for initial fixing.

    • On curved surfaces, maintain additional pressure.

  5. Cure

    • Full cure occurs in 24 hours.


Structural Adhesive + Holder

Required Materials

  • Holder

  • 3M™ DP8805NS adhesive + applicator + mixing nozzle

  • Sandpaper or coarse file

  • Degreaser or isopropyl alcohol

  • Clean cloth

  • PPE: safety goggles and gloves

Step by Step

  1. Prepare the surface

    • Sand or clean the location where the Holder will be glued.

    • Apply degreaser/alcohol and dry.

  2. Glue the Holder

    • Remove the Holder’s adhesive backing and press it onto the surface for 5 seconds.

  3. Apply the adhesive to the sensor base

    • Use the mixing nozzle, discarding the initial portion.

    • Apply 3M™ DP8805NS to the Ultra sensor’s base.

  4. Fit the sensor into the Holder

    • Press for 5 to 60 seconds. after application.

  5. Cure

    • Total cure takes 24 hours, keeping the surface between 61 and 151 °F.


Structural Adhesive + Holder in Cold Locations

Required Materials

  • Holder

  • 3M™ DP8805NS adhesive + applicator + mixing nozzle

  • Heat gun (if temperature is below 61 °F)

  • Pyrometer

  • Sandpaper or coarse file

  • Degreaser or isopropyl alcohol

  • Clean cloth

  • PPE: goggles and gloves

Step by Step

  1. Prepare the surface

    • Sand and clean where the Holder will be glued.

    • Apply degreaser/alcohol, dry.

  2. Heat the surface

    • Check the surface temperature with the pyrometer and use a heat gun to reach about 77 °F - 89 °F.

  3. Glue the Holder

    • Remove the Holder’s adhesive backing and press it onto the surface for 5 seconds.

  4. Apply the adhesive to the sensor

    • Attach the mixing nozzle, discard the initial portion of the adhesive.

    • Deposit the adhesive on the Ultra base.

  5. Fit the sensor

    • Press into the Holder for 5 to 60 seconds.

    • Keep the temperature above 61 °F during initial cure.

  6. Complete cure

    • It takes 24 hours with minimal vibration and without abrupt temperature drops.


Screwing

Required Materials

  • 6.8 mm (17/64") drill bit

  • 17 mm (11/16”) and 40 mm (1-9/16”) open-end wrenches

  • M8x1.25 tap

  • Drill

  • Cutting oil

  • Hammer

  • Punch

  • Marker pen

  • Adhesive tape

  • Deburrer

  • Ruler

  • Brush

  • PPE: safety glasses and gloves

Step by Step

  1. Mark the Drilling Location

    • Use a punch and a hammer to create a small indentation on the surface where the sensor will be installed. This prevents the drill bit from slipping.

  2. Set the Drilling Depth

    • Using a ruler or tape, mark 12 mm (or 15/32”) on the drill bit to control the drilling depth.

  3. Drill the Hole

    • Drill a hole 12 mm (or 15/32”) deep using a 6.8 mm (or 17/64”) drill bit, applying cutting fluid or cutting oil.

  4. Tap the Thread

    • Run the M8x1.25 tap through the hole, turning it one full turn clockwise and then half a turn counterclockwise to remove metal shavings. Repeat this process until reaching 12 mm (or 15/32”) depth.

  5. Clean the hole

    • Use a brush or compressed air to remove shavings and debris.

    • Clean the area again with a degreaser or isopropyl alcohol and let it dry.

  6. Adjust the Base and the Sensor

    • Using a 17 mm (or 11/16”) open-end wrench, loosen the magnetic base by turning it counterclockwise.

    • At the same time, use a 40 mm (or 1-9/16”) open-end wrench to turn the sensor clockwise.

    • Screw the sensor in completely by turning it clockwise. The bottom face of the sensor should make light contact with the surface of the asset.

  7. Final Torque

    • Using the 40 mm (or 1-9/16”) open-end wrench on the metal part of the sensor, apply a final torque of 15 N·m (or 11 lb·ft) by rotating the sensor 10° clockwise.

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