Networked sensors and measuring systems are increasingly used in industrial production to make manufacturing processes more reliable. So far, acoustic sensor systems have been used in only a limited number of applications. In the ACME 4.0 project, electronic components, sensors and signal processing methods will be developed that are capable of detecting component wear on the basis of the operating noise. Using methods from computer-based acoustic event detection, the goal is to permit detection of abnormalities or faults in the production process more easily and reliably than in the past. The industry partners in the project are the companies Bosch Rexroth AG, Infineon Technologies AG and CoSynth GmbH & Co., supported by Edacentrum GmbH. The research partners are the OFFIS Institute for Information Technology (Coordinator), the Project Group for Hearing, Speech and Audio Technology at the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT as well as the institute division Engineering of Adaptive Systems EAS at the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS.

The application scenario at the industry partner Bosch Rexroth is condition monitoring of large machines in order to detect wear on axial piston pumps in good time. In the previous measuring methods using wire-connected vibration sensors, the position of the sensor on the device is crucial for reliable fault detection. In many cases, it is necessary for experts to perform complex adaptation to the installation form and acoustic environment. In the research project, the goal is therefore to develop a flexible, wireless sensor system that can detect airborne sound and the infrasound and ultrasound frequency range in addition to the structure-borne noise of machines. A compact design and high energy efficiency will ensure that the sensor system can be easily integrated.

For the purpose of quality assurance when testing semiconductor chips at industry partner Infineon, the research partners will develop methods for real-time detection of acoustic events in the high ultrasound range using structure-borne noise sensors. Previous optical methods will be supplemented by acoustic testing in order to permit even more reliable analysis of underlying material layers.

About the Project Group Hearing, Speech and Audio Technology of the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT

The goal of the Project Group for Hearing, Speech and Audio Technology of the Fraunhofer IDMT is to implement scientific findings on auditory perception of normal and impaired hearing in technological applications. Scientists carry out applied research and development on behalf of industrial companies and public institutions in the fields of telecommunications, multimedia, health and care services, building technology, transport, industrial production and security. The project group was established in Oldenburg in 2008 as a branch of the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT. Through scientific cooperations, it has close links with the hearing research facilities in Oldenburg and is also partner in the cluster of excellence »Hearing4all«.  www.idmt.fraunhofer.de\hsa