imc ARGUSfit - The most flexible data acquisition system (DAQ) in the market
Maximum Flexibility for Data Acquisition
Discover imc ARGUSfit - the powerful, ultra-compact and flexible DAQ system where you easily connect the modules with a click mechanism. With high channel density, compact design, and stand-alone operation, it enables precise measurements in a wide range of applications - from prototype testing to monitoring machines and equipment.
imc ARGUSfit - Highlights
The modular design of the DAQ system with its DAQ modules including precision amplifiers and Fieldbus interfaces gives you the flexibility you need for your daily tasks. Synchronously capture a wide variety of signals: analog and digital data, Fieldbus, audio or video data at a total sampling rate of 5 MS/s and process them directly in real-time within the device.
Modular
Quick and easy to customize
Distributable
over hundreds of meters via fiber optic
Fast
High sampling rates up to 500 kS/s per channel
Universal
Inputs for all common sensors
Autonomous
Measuring without PC
Intelligent
integrated real-time analysis platform
Compact
Small and robust housing
Precise
24-bit AD converter and high-end analog inputs
An Ideal System for Every Measurement Task
The modular concept of imc ARGUSfit offers measurement and test engineers the flexibility to reconfigure their system at any time, no cables, no tools, but simply by docking modules directly. The fast ARGUSfit amplifiers with up to 500 kHz per channel are particularly suitable for data acquisition of vibrations, sound, accelerations, and voltages. Furthermore imc CANSASfit DAQ modules can also be docked onto the base unit, best suited for slower measurement signals such as temperatures. For even more flexibility, the imc ARGUSfit can be operated in a distributed installations. The fast measurement and Fieldbus modules can be connected to the base unit via fiber optic connections: across hundreds of meters and 100% robust against any electromagnetic interference. And also the CANSASfit modules can not only be directly docked but also be distributed: connect a cable to the imc CANSAS interface of the ARGUSfit base that supplies and communicates them via CAN.
The ultra-compact and robust housing of imc ARGUSfit allows measurements on machines and systems with limited space and offers many channels in a very confined space. In combination with its stand-alone capability, the DAQ system is ideal for 24/7 monitoring tasks or mobile data acquisition in vehicles and machines.
Clever Click Connection
Engineers and technicians value modular systems that enable them to perfectly adapt their data acquisition system to their changing tasks at any time. But a common source of frustration and potential errors is any extra cable connections between modules. At imc, we listen to our customers and turn their wishes into innovations, by developing the imc clicking system for module connections. What makes it special is that it connects the modules not only mechanically, but also electrically and data-wise, completely without tools. Goodbye, unnecessary cables - welcome, click connection!
Innovative imc LEMO Plug
This terminal connector utilizes the widely used 7-pin LEMO.1B connection technology. 7-pin LEMO.1B connection technology, especially popular in the automotive industry, easy and efficient. It eliminates the need for complicated cable assembly, such as soldering or crimping. Instead, you can simply connect stripped cable ends manually using screw terminals.
Designed and patended (pending) by imc, the ACC/FGG.1B.307-TERMINAL is not only suitable for imc measurement systems series ARGUSfit and CANSASfit but also for other systems. It includes a separate shield connection, strain relief with cable ties, and a 45° angled cable outlet. This design ensures a robust and compact setup, making it ideal for flexible and quick solutions, such as prototypes and temporary setups.
Software: User-friendly & Easy to Use
Thanks to the intuitive and comprehensive measurement software imc STUDIO, imc ARGUSfit can be set up particularly conveniently and even complex measurements are easy to perform. With imc STUDIO, you have full control over your complete measurement process: Whether you want to configure your imc ARGUSfit for fast mobile testing in "black box" mode, set up live monitoring for hundreds of channels, or create complete testing applications with control panels - imc STUDIO combines all the required tools from data acquisition, visualization, analysis, and automation in one modular and fully integrated DAQ software.
imc SIMPLEX – Cloud Sensor Data Base
Suited for the imc ARGUS systems imc presents a new cloud sensor database. It is based on a 24/7 cloud service in conjunction with a smartphone app (iOS and Android) and a connection in the imc STUDIO measurement software and provides the following:
- Management of sensors and measuring points in the cloud database:
In addition to scaling and calibration information, this also incorporates the configuration parameters of the data acquisition system such as mode, measuring ranges, filters and sampling rates. - Identification of sensors during the installation process:
By smartphone via wireless RFID/NFC tags or QR and barcodes. The possibility to assign multiple tags per measuring point also allows easy matching of the sensor and the associated connector even within confusing cable bundles or across long cable routings. - Configuration of the measurement system by simple drag & drop:
A specifically identified sensor is assigned to a measuring channel of the DAQ system. Integrated logic ensures that an assignment is only possible to channels that are compatible with the selected sensor.
This approach thus offers significant simplifications for the user:
- Drastic simplification of the installation and configuration process.
- Avoiding errors and providing secure traceability
- Separating the process of the management and preparation of a measurement from the practical instrumentation and installation - even by specifically qualified personnel in each case
- Convenient, centralized and multi-user management of sensors, calibration data and their validity.
All this, in contrast to previous TEDS-based solutions, is completely independent of special TEDS-capable measurement equipment and sensor technology: All information is available without physical access to the sensor and without any special hardware.
imc SIMPLEX consists of four elements:
- Cloud database
- Assistant
- Mobile app
- imc STUDIO plug-in
The role-based and web-hosted cloud database, is where sensors and configurations are stored and edited. Entry is via the imc SIMPLEX Wizard, a browser GUI that can be operated from any web-capable device. Here the user can create database entries by defining, editing and managing sensors. The wizard also includes logic that recognizes all suitable measurement amplifiers that are compatible with the respective sensor and setting.
The mobile app for Android and iOS smartphones is used to read and retrieve sensor information from the cloud database. It helps with installation by identifying the sensors via attached RFID or QR code tags. Multiple tags, for example on both the sensor and its connector plug, facilitate correct matching and assignment, even if there are long distances or intransparent installations between the two corresponding ends. In addition to primary sensor parameters, the app can also display other supporting information from the database, such as data sheets, pdf documents or images with installation instructions.
The imc STUDIO plugin completes the functionality and workflow of imc SIMPLEX. It connects the measurement and operating software for the data acquisition system with both the imc SIMPLEX cloud database and the smartphone app. Thanks to coupling through a logged-in account, a sensor just identified with the smartphone is immediately displayed in imc STUDIO with all its parameters and can then be assigned to a measuring channel in the simplest way using drag & drop. In the process, it is automatically configured with all its parameters. There is no need any more for extensive clicking through manual configuration steps or even typing in calibration values. The process is extremely fast and safe and accurate thanks to the integrated logic, which only allows compatible assignments.
Real-time Analysis within the Device
Get results while the measurement is still running. With the integrated imc Online FAMOS signal analysis platform, you can calculate and analyze your measurement data in real-time. Use a convenient wizard to create your personal real-time analyzer: simply drag and drop from a comprehensive collection of mathematical and statistics functions as well as ready-made analyses such as FFT, classification and order tracking. This makes it possible to create your own evaluation algorithms and set up smart data analysis without any programming at all.
This means that reduced, refined and intuitive results are available during the live running measurement - bevor it has even completed. Thus, during a test drive for example, you get direct feedback on the test in progress, allowing the user to immediately respond to it, like adapting driving maneuvers accordingly.
Typical Applications
Monitoring Machines and Equipment
To ensure the smooth operation of expensive or safety-critical machinery and equipment such as wind turbines, turbines, valves, etc., continuous monitoring is crucial. This task places high demands on measurement technology, especially with regard to reliable and failure-proof operation. ARGUSfit provides you with a solution that is based on a robust real-time operating system and has been specially developed for stand-alone 24/7 operation.
Thanks to the imc Online FAMOS real-time platform, ARGUSfit offers the possibility of performing real-time analysis and monitoring critical values autonomously. This enables early detection of any abnormalities and a proactive response to potential problems. In addition, there is the option to distribute the components and amplifiers of the ARGUSfit system via optical fiber connections, immune to any electromagnetic interference. This allows measurements to be made with just one single system even in extensive facilities or across multiple sites.
Prototype Testing
Whether car, motorcycle, construction machine or electric bike - in prototype testing, it is often a great challenge to place and install a DAQ system. With the particularly compact housing and high channel density of the imc ARGUSfit systems, this task is now easier than ever before. Even for 100 temperature channels, no more space is required than for a usual shoe box. The stand-alone operating system allows data to be stored directly on an SD card, so no additional PC is required. In addition, thanks to the GPS connectivity, position data, distances, and speeds can be recorded in real-time.
A clickable UPS module protects your measurements and data from unexpected power failures, buffering up to 30 seconds or with outages beyond that time, shutting down in an orderly fashion.
Another advantage of imc ARGUSfit is the availability of a clickable CAN-FD fieldbus module. This allows you not only to record data from analog sensors but also from the vehicle bus. This comprehensive recording and analysis of vehicle data is required to provide deeper insights into the behavior of a prototype. The modular expandability with further such interface modules makes the imc ARGUS system particularly flexible for responding to growing test requirements with very many buses. The spatial distribution of these CAN interfaces via fiber optics also allows installation close to the signal sources to avoid potential EMI interference or limitations of Baud rate. In this way, ARGUSfit helps users in vehicle testing to identify potential for improvement more quickly and to gain valuable insights that drive further development of the product.
Vibrations & Shock Measurements
Vibrations and shocks are often undesirable in vehicles, machines, and infrastructures, as they stress structures and materials, lead to premature wear, and can potentially cause serious damage. To minimize these issues during product development or monitor them during operation, precise vibration measurements are essential. They enable the determination of resonant frequencies, the evaluation of material stress, and an estimation of service life.
The low-noise ICP data acquisition module from imc ARGUSfit, which offers a sampling rate of up to 500 kHz per channel, provides you with the ideal equipment for multi-channel vibration measurements. Even over long distances of hundreds of meters, you can use the system in a distributed manner to perform comprehensive measurements. Extensive NVH analysis functions provide additional support and facilitate the evaluation of the test results.
With imc ARGUSfit, you have a powerful tool at hand to effectively record and analyze shocks and vibrations. This enables you to identify potential problems at an early stage, take appropriate measures, and improve the reliability and service life of your products and systems.
imc ARGUSfit Base Unit
imc ARGUSfit-BASE
Base unit for fast, compact, and modular expandable DAQ system
imc ARGUSfit Module
B-4 for imc ARGUSfit
Universal isolated bridge mode and strain gauge amplifier with sensor supply.
UTI-6 for imc ARGUSfit
6-channel universal voltage amplifier with sensor supply, supporting voltage, 20 mA current, temperature (RTD) and resistance (NTC)
imc LEMO Terminal Plug
(patent pending)
The fast, flexible and easy-to-assemble LEMO.1B connector for ARGUSfit module UTI-6 and B-4 and for CANSASfit-UTI-6 series
ICPU-6 for imc ARGUSfit
6-channel amplifier with up to 500 kS/s, for voltage and IEPE sensors and microphones
CAN FD Interface for imc ARGUSfit
Flexible, clickable interface module for imc ARGUSfit
Fiber-Converter for imc ARGUSfit
Extender and media converter for the imc ARGUSfit system bus: allowing spatially distributed system topologies
UPS-NiMH for imc ARGUSfit
Battery buffered UPS for imc ARGUSfit (ARGFT) and imc CANSASfit (CANFT)