The demand for reliable vibration monitoring is growing rapidly. Predictive maintenance, AI models and Application performance management systems require more and better data, yet traditional solutions are often complex, expensive, or insufficient in their data provision. VibSys® breaks through these barriers with a compact, powerful and future-proof solution. Lucas, Technology and Innovation Manager at Istec, is closely involved in the development and offers a look behind the scenes.
From Concept to Hardware and Features
The core idea behind VibSys® is clear: it should serve as a gateway to vibration analysis. “By positioning the device this way, you essentially define what it will be and what it won’t be,” explains Lucas. The main goal? Complete condition monitoring at an affordable price. The hardware reflects this philosophy: VibSys® is built in a compact housing with four analog inputs, one for each channel, and two digital outputs, complemented by a CAN bus for standardized communication, crucial for markets such as wind energy.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) makes installation easy and reduces infrastructure costs. Under the hood, a quad-core processor runs all signal processing and extractions locally. “We’re currently using only a fraction of its capacity,” says Lucas. “This leaves room for future expansions.”
While VibSys has a shutdown function, it is not a SIL-rated protection system, but a dedicated vibration monitoring system and cloud gateway. “That separation is deliberate,” Lucas adds. “Protection requires entirely different internal processes and certifications, which would make the system much more complex and expensive. So adding this would keep us away from our aim: making affordable monitoring available for any rotating machine.”
Signals & Sensors
VibSys® is designed to directly connect with accelerometers and comes with its own sensor line that is affordable and widely applicable. Other sensor types sensors can also be connected. For special applications with eddy current sensors, external power supplies that isolate the signal, can be used to connect to the VibSys.
On the output side, VibSys® goes beyond raw data. The system delivers up to 64 standard extractions per measurement point, directly available at local interfaces via Modbus or external locations through an API. “We can also transmit everything via Modbus,” Lucas emphasizes. This makes integration with IoT platforms easy and lowers the barrier for engineers. The big advantage? All processing happens onboard. “The processor performs the entire analysis of the incoming signal. We already produce a lot of extractions,” Lucas explains. “This enables engineers to gain valuable insights instantly.”
Data Transfer and Analysis
All signal analysis takes place locally, but VibSys® is designed to forward data intelligently and flexibly. Customers have complete freedom of choice: data can be sent to Istec’s Vibration Analysis Platform, to existing servers, or to proprietary analysis environments. This flexibility is enabled by VibSys®’s configurable API, which allows seamless integration with third-party servers and platforms. This makes integration simple and fully aligns with VibSys®’s open architecture.
The Vibration Analysis Platform is a powerful option: it combines automation and AI analysis, enabling engineers not only to collect data but also to receive actionable information immediately. “It will be the a cloud platform to process large-scale, high-quality verified data combined with automation and AI,” Lucas explains.
A Cautious Look at the Future
Although VibSys® is currently available only for condition monitoring, the hardware is prepared for future development. Think modules for shaft vibration measurements and analysis, such as orbits or shaft centreline. It would also theoretically be possible to run AI routines locally in the future. “All future functions can be added via firmware,” says Lucas.
This future-proof approach aligns with Istec’s philosophy: openness, flexibility, and scalability. No vendor lock-in, but an ecosystem where customers decide how and where data is used.
Conclusion
VibSys® combines robust hardware, smart software and an open architecture to make vibration analysis simple and affordable. The system is designed for the mid-market but offers flexibility for complex applications. For companies seeking reliability and insight without the complexity of traditional systems, VibSys® is a game-changer.
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