How sensors coupled with Industry 4.0 technology will enable predictive maintenance of industrial robots
Machine maintenance can sometimes seem like one of the black arts, according to experts at Infineon Technologies. A seemingly reliable machine suddenly stops working and, despite everyone’s best efforts, cannot be brought back to life. Along comes a member of the maintenance team and, after some beard-scratching, tinkering inside the machine and a few words of encouragement, the machine springs back to life.
The reality is often more pragmatic. Schedules of work are arranged to optimize uptime and undertake preventative maintenance during periods that have the least impact on manufacturing. However, there are still times when maintenance engineers seemingly ‘sense’ impending failure of their robots and automation equipment.
Could the implementation of sensing technologies, beyond the sensors needed for process monitoring, deliver improvements in predictive maintenance? [Read more…] about Technical insight: How to improve uptime in industrial robotic systems