News –

Predictive Maintenance and Optimal Use of Resources

NORD DRIVESYSTEMS is developing cost-effective and reliable virtual sensor functionality for condition monitoring.

process data pump drive

Bargteheide, 2017-12-28

The meaning of virtual sensors is explained using lubrication replacement as an example. This is to empower drive technology to schedule maintenance dates based on calculations, with no expense for hardware sensors. The onboard PLC evaluates extensive operational datasets of current, voltage, and speed. From this data available in the inverter, the drive is always able to indirectly detect the current oil temperature. Taking product-specific characteristics of the lubricant into account, oil aging can be determined, allowing for optimal utilization of the lubricant. NORD has validated through testing that the calculated oil temperature curve is nearly compatible with the real, measured temperature. Working up to launch a fully operational solution soon, NORD is currently validating temperature curves under various load conditions. Predictive maintenance functions are expected to be commercially available on all NORD drive electronics with an onboard PLC in late 2018.

AT A GLANCE: Virtual sensors for predictive maintenance

  • Functional in frequency inverters with an integrated PLC
  • Precise definition of maintenance intervals leads to:
    - reduced operating costs
    - increased plant availability
  • Estimated launch: late 2018
  • Pure software solution without hardware costs for sensors/control units