Item Checklist
Before you begin, please ensure you have the items shown below.
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Current Clamps x2 Sensors to measure the electrical current draw of your machinery |
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MachineLink x1 The main computational unit that securely sends your data to the FourJaw Platform |
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SensorBox x1 Plugs into Current Clamps to collect and send data to the MachineLink via USB |
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Power Supply x1 Powers the MachineLink from a 3-pin (UK) socket |
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Wi-Fi Antenna x1 Plugs into the MachineLink to increase Wi-Fi signal strength |
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Extension Cable x3 To extend the reach of the current clamp sensors |
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USB Cable x1 To connect the SensorBox to the MachineLink |
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Cable Clips x6 To keep cables tidy and route them safely around your machinery |
Click here to get a visual example of how the system works.
bEFORE YOU GET Started
IMPORTANT
Installation of the MachineLink should be conducted by a competent person who can safely install equipment inside an electrical cabinet.
FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics Ltd is not responsible for any installation actions or omissions. These guidelines provide recommendations only and do not cover all aspects of electrical installation, which require the expertise of a qualified installer.
Each machine is different, and it is the installer's responsibility to ensure all actions are safe for the specific machine. The customer is solely responsible for selecting a competent installer.
FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics Ltd accepts no liability for product failure due to improper installation.
Watch the MachineLink Installation Video
Installation Steps
1. Isolate the Electrical Supply
Locate the Machine you want to install the MachineLink on and fully isolate the electrical supply.
2. Identify the correct MachineLink Kit
Each FourJaw MachineLink is pre-configured for a specific machine. The machine name is labelled on the box and printed directly on the MachineLink.
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3. Install Energy Sensor Clamp
GOOD TO KNOW: CLAMP SIZING
Occasionally, you may find that the wires in your machine are too large for the provided current clamps. If this is the case, please email support@fourjaw.com and we will send you larger current clamps.
Select either of the two current clamps from your kit to use as the Energy Clamp. Attach it to a single phase of the machine’s main incoming power supply.
The easiest way to identify the correct wire is at the machine’s ON/OFF isolator switch (see photo below). Clip the clamp around one of the phases, typically the middle wire (L2).
IMPORTANT: Do not put the clamp around the Earth cable.
4. Install the Utilisation (Activity) Sensor Clamp
Clip the Activity Clamp around a wire that draws a higher current when the machine is running.
This is typically a motor active only during production, such as:
- The chuck motor on a lathe
- The cutting tool motor on a drill or mill
- The drive motor for a saw blade or grinding wheel
- The in-feed or out-feed motor on a production line
Now, proceed to the detailed guidance based on the options below:
Skip to 4A: If the activity of your machine can be measured from a single motor. For example, a single spindle mill, lathe or drill.
Skip to 4B: If your machine’s productivity is derived from numerous motors, any of which might show productivity. (e.g. a twin spindle CNC machine, a lathe with live tooling, or a combined sawing/drilling machine).
Skip to 4C: If your machine does not have any obvious motors that indicate activity. For example, a furnace with only a heating element.
Our support team is here to help - If in doubt, please call: (+44) 0114 400 0158
4.A - Single Motors
Locate the drive unit for your chosen motor. Drive units are typically large rectangular units with three wires exiting from the bottom.
Clip the Activity Clamp around one of the three phases. If unsure, the largest drive unit is usually the correct one.
4.B - Multiple Motors
If your machine has multiple independently running motors, place the Activity Clamp on a shared wire supplying power to all motors.
The best location is a shared power supply unit that feeds individual drives.
For example, in the photo below, Unit 1 supplies power to Units 2, 3, 4, and 5. The clamp should be placed on one of the cables beneath Unit 1.
IMPORTANT:
DO NOT do this If you can’t locate a shared wire for all your motors, instead please follow the instructions under Step 4C.
4.C - Other Machinery
If the correct placement of the Activity Clamp is unclear due to your machine’s wiring, attach it to another phase of the main supply, alongside the Energy Clamp installed in Step 03.
Why not place the Activity Clamp on the main supply from the start?
The main supply carries signals from various components like pumps, cooling fans, and computers, making it harder for our algorithms to accurately detect machine uptime and downtime.
To ensure the best data accuracy, the Activity Clamp should be placed on a motor directly linked to machine productivity whenever possible.
5. Plug in the Current Clamps
Take the small black SensorBox from your MachineLink kit and plug the current clamps into the coloured jacks.
IMPORTANT - You must plug in the clamps as follows:
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The pink input (left) is for the Activity Clamp. The green input (right) is for the Energy Clamp. |
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GOOD TO KNOW:
If you need to extend the sensor cables, please use the extra extension wires included in your kit.
6. Attach and Power SensorBox
| Mount the SensorBox using the provided fixings. It is typically installed inside the machine’s electrical cabinet. Next, connect the micro-USB cable to the SensorBox and pass the other end outside the cabinet through a suitable opening. Once done, close the electrical cabinet. |
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7. Fit and Locate MachineLink
| Position the MachineLink high on the machine—for example, on top of the electrical cabinet—to ensure a strong Wi-Fi signal. Where possible, maintain line-of-sight to a Wi-Fi access point within 30m. Alternatively, connect via an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi. Once a suitable location is found, secure the MachineLink using the provided fixings. If using adhesive strips, clean the surface first for better adhesion. |
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IMPORTANT: The MachineLink should also be within reach of the USB cable from the SensorBox.
8. Install Antenna
| Insert the Wi-Fi antenna into one of the blue USB ports on the MachineLink. The other USB ports are blanked out and should not be used for the antenna. Position the antenna high up in an open area to ensure a strong signal, with both aerials pointing upward. |
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9. Plug In and Power On
| Connect the MachineLink to power using a nearby 3-pin plug socket (UK customers). Turn on the power and check for the red power light, visible through the two holes on the back of the MachineLink, to confirm it is powered on. |
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10. Run Machine
| Run the machine through a normal operational cycle for at least one minute, then let it sit idle for at least one minute. This data will be used to calibrate the FourJaw signal before resuming normal operation. |
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11. Log In to begin Testing
| Log in to your web app portal and confirm that the machine appears in the MachineLink workspace. Then, contact the FourJaw support team to proceed with the data classification phase of the installation. |
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FINISHED - The MachineLink should now be up and running. If you have any questions or need further help, please contact our Customer Success Team at support@fourjaw.com