Optimization of Node Placement using Wireless Mesh for Machinery Facility Environment

In industrial facilities, Condition Based Monitoring (CBM) using wireless sensors has become essential for maintaining operational efficiency and preventing machinery failure. However, signal interference and data delays can hinder performance. This study addresses the challenge of optimizing the placement of vibration sensor nodes in a wireless mesh network. The testing involved transmitting detailed on demand vibration data from sensors to an IoT platform via an industrial gateway. The system's total latency was measured in both standalone and simultaneous data transmission scenarios to ensure efficient data flow under practical operating conditions. The results show that total latency for standalone transmissions ranged from 7.6 to 13.5 minutes, while simultaneous transmissions resulted in latencies ranging from 13.5 to 30.0 minutes, with the mesh network still performing robustly. Although this study was conducted in a simpler machinery facility, the findings demonstrate that strategic node placement can optimize network performance, ensuring stable connectivity and reliable data delivery, with potential applicability to more complex setups involving dense metal machinery.