Motors that let you know when it’s time for a service
Third Quarter 2019Editor's Choice
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
A new smart sensing solution from ABB can reduce downtimes of low voltage motors by up to 70% and extend their lifetime by up to 30%.
Until now, the monitoring and preventive maintenance of low voltage motors has been time consuming and expensive. New technology from ABB transforms simple motors into intelligent machines that tell you when they need servicing. Smart sensors attached directly to the motor supply information regarding operating and condition parameters via wireless transmission.
The innovative sensor technology offers plant operators not only huge potential savings on maintenance and repair, but will henceforth also make it easy to utilise the Internet of Things, Services and People (IoTSP) for millions of motors. The IoTSP is ABB’s concept for enabling its customers to take advantage of the opportunities of digitalisation. With the new solution, small and mid-sized companies can also benefit from the advantages offered by the IoTSP.
The smart sensor provides information on operating and condition parameters such as vibration, temperature or over-load and calculates power consumption. The data are analysed by a specially developed software program and provided to the plant operator in the form of graphics for maintenance planning, thereby enabling downtime reductions of up to 70%. At the same time, the lifetime of the motors can be extended by up to 30 percent and energy consumption reduced by as much as 10%, so that the investment in this innovative form of condition monitoring pays for itself in less than a year.
“This innovative solution makes condition monitoring the new standard for low voltage motors,” says Pekka Tiitinen, president of ABB’s Discrete Automation and Motion division. “Optimised maintenance schedules help reduce maintenance costs greatly. Unscheduled outages are reduced considerably or even eliminated completely. Increased availability significantly boosts our customers’ productivity.”
This innovative solution is not restricted to new motors made by ABB. The sensors can be installed at the factory or retrofitted on already operating low voltage motors within minutes. “The sensors will also be available in the Middle East and can be used on any low voltage motor, in any industry, from food and beverage to steel and chemical plants,” adds Gus Abboud, lead division manager, Discrete Automation and Motion, Middle East and Africa.
Cybersecurity is guaranteed at all times with the new sensor technology from ABB. The sensor is not electrically connected to the motor, so unauthorised parties cannot access the motor via this route. The smart sensors wirelessly transmit the data via encryption protocols to a secure server where they are analysed using special algorithms. The cloud-based server implementation fulfils all of ABB’s strict specifications for cybersecurity. The data are stored in the cloud in encrypted form. The Internet-based customer portal also uses a role-based access protocol to make the data securely accessible.
From the editor's desk: A new era Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice
After fifteen years as editor of Motion Control, the time has come for me to hand over to Andrew Seldon. It has been a privilege to be part of this publication and to witness not only the remarkable advances in motion control, fluid power and automation, but also the enormous changes in the world around us.
Read more...OMRON Robotics demos next-generation autonomous mobile robots
Editor's Choice News & events Robotics & Mechatronics
Advancing smarter material flow with the all-new LD-150 and LD-300 AMRs, OMRON Robotics demonstrated the next generation of its flagship LD series autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) at Automate 2026 in June.
Read more...The hidden heroes who shape Africa’s industrial future Bosch Rexroth Africa
Editor's Choice News & events
Behind every industrial success story, there’s a human one. Their names may never appear on a project signboard or in a headline. Yet their expertise and determination keep industries moving every day.
Read more...Bühler Southern Africa leads industry dialogue on apprenticeships
Editor's Choice News & events
Bühler Southern Africa brought together representatives from industry, government and international organisations on 30 June 2026 to explore how quality apprenticeships can help bridge the gap between high youth unemployment and industry demand for skilled technical workers.
Read more...Why lubrication fails in mining and what to do about it
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Lubrication Engineers explains the recurring failure points behind mining lubrication problems and how the right product, storage and application practices can improve equipment reliability.
Read more...Solving common automation challenges with Festo’s servo drive and servo motor solutions Festo
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Automation projects face challenges that include limited installation space, the need for precise and repeatable linear motion, rising cycle-speed demands, and seamless integration with existing control architectures. Festo’s servo portfolio directly addresses these issues with compact, modular drive and motor solutions designed for specific applications.
Read more...Inside the Giant Magellan Telescope with mechanical engineering at astronomical scale
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope, set to become the world’s largest Gregorian optical infrared telescope, is well underway. While its scientific mission is to transform astronomy, its performance depends heavily on advanced mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic engineering.
Read more...Jendamark catalyst shrinking technology leverages SEW-EURODRIVE precision SEW-EURODRIVE
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Innovative technology for shrinking catalytic converters, designed and built in South Africa by Jendamark Automation for the global market, relies on the precision of SEW-EURODRIVE’s highly dynamic servo-geared units and software.
Read more...Motion control for flight simulators Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Turkish specialist, SANLAB is a leader in motion platforms and simulation technologies. At the heart of these platforms are application-specific servo drives, servomotors and industrial PCs for real-time control, which are supplied by Beckhoff.
Read more...PC-based control for additive machine tools Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
IRPD is a specialist in additive machine tools. Development is heavily focused on high system throughput and consistently high process quality. This goal was achieved with the help of PC- and EtherCAT-based control and drive technology from Beckhoff.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version