Condition-Based Monitoring: Machine, how are you?

Norderstedt, June 27, 2017 – A soft clack, a dull clang, and the system knows that something’s out of whack here. The acoustic signals provide precise information about the state of the machine – even before anything happens, because if you wait until it grinds to a halt, it’ll be too late. Production losses in industry, faulty procedures in logistics, or annoyed passengers at the airport: every failure, every delay means high expenses and creates dissatisfied customers.

Machines that constantly report their state make it possible to optimize maintenance intervals, prevent breakdowns, and detect room for improvement in logistics and production. Dr. Holger Schlüter, Associate Director Industry 4.0/IoT at Lufthansa Industry Solutions, is reporting at the “Forum Digitalisierung Transport & Logistik” (Digitalization Transport & Logistics Forum) on how sensor systems, intelligent networks, and data analysis can also optimize logistic processes and open up new perspectives.

Possible failures and impending breakdowns of machine components can be avoided by permanently monitoring their state and evaluating the data. It also becomes possible to schedule the best point in time for maintenance work. This is enabled by modern sensor technology, intelligent data analysis, digital networking, and communication between machines, workpieces, and the components in an Industry 4.0 environment. IoT projects can help deal with the high pressure for efficiency and from competition. By using them, logistics companies can achieve ongoing optimization of their core processes, as well as enhance transparence and minimize down time for their machinery and vehicle fleet.