Bearing manufacturer collaborates on IIoT based automated diagnostics for electric vehicle drive trains
Bearings are subjected to complex loads and stresses that occur in electric motors so having an accurate picture of diagnostics provides a crucial indicator of the overall condition and reliability of a motor. In addition to developing condition monitoring systems for operators, Schaeffler is now also working with OEM customers such as Siemens on joint offerings to increase the availability of machinery and equipment.
According to Dr Stefan Spindler, CEO Industrial of Schaeffler, both companies are playing an instrumental role in driving digitalisation forward in the industry while keeping their focus on customer value.
Services seamlessly integrated in one platform
The collaboration combines Sidrive IQ, a digital platform for drive systems from Siemens, with Schaeffler’s experience and expertise in designing, manufacturing and servicing bearings. Sidrive IQ integrates a number of functions into one system and augments drive systems with AI-based analytics and digital content.
The integration of Schaeffler’s analysis service for automated bearing diagnostics in Sidrive IQ makes it possible to determine the bearing condition with greater certainty and precision. “This cooperation and automated exchange of algorithm-based diagnostic data is one of the first of its kind in the industrial IoT. It’s a great example of a new dimension of cooperation among established technology companies,” says Hermann Kleinod, CEO of Siemens Large Drives Applications.
With the help of well-founded insights and specific information, operators can quickly determine whether the drive system can continue to operate or whether, in the event of impending damage, the bearing needs to be replaced immediately or can wait for the next maintenance interval. This reduces maintenance effort and cost, and most importantly, unplanned and costly downtimes can be prevented.