Condition analyses and predictions for machine tool components

27 October, 2017

Condition monitoring systems for machine tools must fulfil complex requirements with regard to the available space and the number of drives components to be monitored. Not only axes, feed drives and spindles, but also ancillary equipment such as hydraulic motors are important subsystems that can cause total failure of a machine tool.

In addition, manufacturers of subsystems and suppliers of ancillary equipment integrate their own measuring systems into machines. A CMS for machine tools must therefore enable sensors from different manufacturers to operate with the machine.

Multi-channel CMS prototype for machine tools

At EMO 2017 in Hanover, Schaeffler presented a functional prototype of a multi-channel CMS for machine tools. In-house systems and sensors such as piezoelectric vibration sensors can be connected to the CMS. Piezoelectric vibration, force and pressure sensors from other manufacturers can also be integrated into the CMS via an IEPE interface. This offers a major advantage in that operators can use the sensors that are available and suitable for the individual measuring point and measurement task. The current prototype has six measurement channels. The system is designed so that, for example, the electronic monitoring of the lubrication conditions in linear recirculating roller bearing and guideway assemblies can also be integrated in the future.

Software intelligence and cloud connection ported from other developments

The software for the prototype is very sophisticated, as most functions, algorithms and the optional connection to the Schaeffler Cloud from other projects can be ported with only minimal outlay. Due to the connection to the Schaeffler Cloud, all digital services offered by Schaeffler for monitoring and detecting damage to rolling bearings are already available in the prototype CMS. As a local solution, the multi-channel CMS facilitates the monitoring of FAG rolling bearings based on the integrated bearing catalogue, as well as bearings from other manufacturers (after entering specific bearing data).

A completely new development is the option to interpret vibration signals from ball screw drives. The beta version of the software module, which is currently in testing phase, will be available to customers shortly.

www.schaeffler.com