Design World

  • Home
  • Articles
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
  • 3D CAD Models
    • PARTsolutions
    • TraceParts
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
  • Resources
    • DIGITAL ISSUES
      • EE World Digital Issues
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
    • MC² Motion Control Classroom
    • Motion Design Guide Library
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
  • Women in Engineering
  • Ebooks / Tech Tips
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • COVID-19

Smart plastics from igus raise the bar on machine maintenance

By Paul Heney | July 16, 2019

Share

Concepts such as “Industry 4.0”, “Internet of Things” and “Smart Factory” are no longer a vague promise. Companies are already benefitting from the use of intelligent systems and products.

At EMO 2019, one of the world’s leading trade fairs scheduled for Sept. 16-21 in Hannover, Germany, igus will demonstrate how machine tool manufacturers and customers can drastically reduce their machine’s maintenance needs while also reducing costs by using smart machine components. igus, which is based in Cologne, Germany, runs its North American operations out of Providence, R.I.

Maintenance in the Industry 4.0 era has shown a clear paradigm shift. Instead of personnel carrying out maintenance at fixed intervals or reacting to a failure or fault, predictive maintenance allows workers to continuously monitor a machine’s status. Repair or replacement is executed only when necessary and the timing of maintenance tasks can be planned precisely.

The concept of smart plastics
Unplanned shutdowns and the cost of equipment failure can be nearly eliminated by condition monitoring. igus has developed sophisticated smart plastics by using diverse sensors and monitoring modules for energy chains, plain bearings, linear bearings and slewing ring bearings.

For example, sensors can measure abrasion or wear of the pin/bore connections of energy chains. Sensors can also detect breakages and the push/pull forces being applied. By networking with the new igus communication module (icom.plus), which igus will be showing on Stand E01 in Hall 8 at the EMO trade fair, the sensors are integrated into the customer’s IT infrastructure.

Flexible data integration
The icom.plus is programmed with initial service life algorithms based on igus configuration tools and, at the customer’s request, can be operated offline without an update function after online installation. The user can therefore decide how the module is connected and how the data is managed, while establishing a balance between runtime maximization and IT security. If online connection of the icom.plus is chosen, the service life information is continuously compared with the igus cloud in order to enable maximum machine run times with a minimum risk of failure.

The data in the cloud draws on the 10 billion annual test cycles of energy chains and cables performed in the company’s 3,800 square meter test laboratory. Based on these tests, the results of which are incorporated into the service life calculator, customers can precisely predict how long an e-chain, for example, will work reliably in the respective machine tool application.

With the isense components, service life is continually updated, giving the customer additional reassurance. Each update considers the current ambient conditions of the application. Thanks to machine learning and continuous improvement, precise information on the durability of specific components in real applications can be obtained.

This information can be viewed on the screen of the machine control system and, if online connection is chosen, SMS or e-mail can provide critical details if unexpected operating states occur or maintenance is impending. At an early stage, users are informed if there is a need to procure replacement parts. A wide range of scenarios, such as automatic initiation of maintenance work or the ordering of replacement parts can be implemented.

igus
www.igus.com

 

About Paul Heney

Paul J. Heney, the VP, Editorial Director for Design World magazine, has a BS in Engineering Science & Mechanics and minors in Technical Communications and Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech. He has written about fluid power, aerospace, robotics, medical, green engineering, and general manufacturing topics for nearly 25 years. He has won numerous regional and national awards for his writing from the American Society of Business Publication Editors.

MOTION DESIGN GUIDES

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Drilling Rig OEM Benefits from a PLC with Edge Computing Technology: IIoT Case Study
  • #1 Reason for Retaining Ring Failure & How to Overcome It
  • Motion controllers: design from scratch or buy ready-made?
  • 4 Key Trends in Machine Engineering
  • Configuration Management: Configuration Integrity IS A Core Driver for Business Success
  • How to Choose a Linear Actuator
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Tweets by @DesignWorld
Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP Awards

Copyright © 2021 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Articles
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
  • 3D CAD Models
    • PARTsolutions
    • TraceParts
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
  • Resources
    • DIGITAL ISSUES
      • EE World Digital Issues
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
    • MC² Motion Control Classroom
    • Motion Design Guide Library
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
  • Women in Engineering
  • Ebooks / Tech Tips
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • COVID-19