Setup VibCloud online for BluVib

Overview

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for configuring VibCloud to work with Sensor-Works BluVib wireless sensors (Wireless Vibration Sensors & Condition Monitoring | Sensor-Works).

1. Set up the client's online sensor type

On client creation, ensure the online sensor drop-down is set to "Sensor-Works".

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2. Create client structure

Navigate to Database setup → Structure and create your desired hierarchy, ensuring you have equipment in the tree nodes.

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3. Create sensor types

1. Go to Administration → Online settings → Sensor type

2. Ensure settings align with the sensors that will be used (usually supplied by the vendor)

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4. Create sensors

Navigate to Administration → Online settings → Sensors list

Important notes:

• Obtain sensor UUID beforehand – This can be problematic as the UUID is not physically marked on the sensor. For now, use BluVibeCheck, but a better solution is needed.

• No need to add parent UUID for Sensor-Works sensors

• Use the same UUID for temperature

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Create sensor schedule

After creating a sensor, a sensor schedule must be created (mandatory for BluVib sensors).

Schedule settings:

• All zeros except the wakeup interval

• Wakeup interval is in seconds (e.g., 600 = 10 minutes)

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Note: If you amend the signal processing set for the sensor used, you will need to:

1. Remove the measurement point from the structure

2. Delete the scheduler in the admin to remove the initial No. Set samples

3. Add the sensor again to the structure

5. Create default features

1. Go to Administration → Online settings → Feature design

2. Click the "Create default features" button

3. All default sample features will be created

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6. Create processing sets for online sensors

1. Go to Database setup → Processing sets

2. Click the "Create new Vib Signal Processing Set" button

3. Populate the form with the following settings:

   • Set "Sensor type" dropdown to "Online"

   • Ensure remaining settings align with the sensors used and the sensor type is online

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7. Add online sensors to structure

1. Go to Database setup → Structure

2. Right-click on the equipment where you want to add the sensor

3. Click "Add new on-line vibration"

4. Populate the form accordingly and select the respective processing sets

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Note: If adding a triaxial sensor, three measurement points will be created under the equipment. Important: Make sure to set the processing set on the other two points created, as by default it only links the first (x) sensor.

8. Link all predefined features

1. While in the Structure module, refresh the parent of the equipment you just created so the system recognises the online sensor attachment

2. Right-click on the equipment that you just added the sensor to

3. Choose the "List of features" option

4. In the pop-up screen, click the "Link all pre-defined features" button

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9. Set sensor location

1. While in the Structure module, right-click on the equipment

2. Click the "Set sensor location" option

3. Upload a photo (drawing)

4. Drop the sensors on the photo

5. Click the arrow on the sides of the sensor icon to indicate where the sensor is oriented

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10. Repeat for additional sensors

Repeat steps 7, 8, and 9 for every sensor you want to add to the structure.

Raspberry Pi configuration

Prerequisites

• Raspberry Pi 4 and above

• BluVib API installation files

• VibCloud Raspberry Pi deployment package

Step 1: Initial setup

1. Turn the device on and note its local IP address (e.g., 192.168.50.178)

Step 2: Install BluVib API

1. Copy the files to the Raspberry Pi folder (e.g., /home/{user}/blu-api)

2. Open a terminal window

3. Navigate to the folder:

   cd /home/{user}/blu-api

4. Change the .sh files' permissions:

   chmod 777 *.sh

5. Run the installation:

   sudo ./sensorworks_rpi64_2.0.8_bvapi_install.sh sensorworks_rpi64_2.0.8_bvapi_install.tgz

   Ignore the error about 'can't stop bvapi service'

6. After installation, open the browser (Chromium) and navigate to:

   http://127.0.0.1:8080/view

   You should see a screen from the app.

Step 3: Install the VibCloud Raspberry Pi app

1. Copy the deployment package to the Raspberry Pi (using PowerShell or USB):

   scp .\vibcloud_pi_deployment_20251118_095410.zip user@192.168.50.178:/home/user

2. Unzip files and add them to the desired folder (e.g., /home/{user}/vibcloud-online)

3. Make the setup script executable:

   cd /home/{user}/vibcloud-online chmod +x *.sh

4. Run the setup script:

   ./setup.sh

5. Check configuration settings by opening the .env file:

   • Right-click in the folder and select "show hidden" if you cannot see the file

   • Ensure the following settings are correct:

     • Client ID is correct (provided by iTnnovate)

     • MAX_RETRY_ATTEMPTS=5000

     • SSL is set to TRUE

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Step 4: Run the sensor configuration manager

1. Open the terminal and navigate to the /home/{user}/vibcloud-online folder

2. Run the sensor configuration command:

   python3 vibcloud_manager.py

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3. If adding a sensor is chumbersome please try following the whitelisting process:

   • Take the batteries out of the sensor

   • Run the script to whitelist the sensors

   • Return the batteries

   • Wait until you see the green "True" sign under the Connected column for the sensor in the BluVib API web

   • Run the command again

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Note: This script sometimes requires running multiple times. Ensure all sensors are configured (you will see them with their new nicknames).

Step 5: Run the upload manager

1. Open the terminal and navigate to the /home/{user}/vibcloud-online folder

2. Run the upload manager:

   python3 vibcloud_upload.py

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Important: This command starts a program that will continuously run and upload collected data to the cloud database.

• Leave this on – do not close the terminal or the app

• Make sure there is no sleep mode on the device

• To close the program, press Ctrl+C

• This program needs to be left running

Summary

You have now successfully configured VibCloud to work with BluVib sensors. The Raspberry Pi will continuously collect data from the sensors and upload it to VibCloud for monitoring and analysis.