Plan maintenance in advance - this goal is pursued by global leading manufacturer of energy chain systems and polymer plain bearings, igus, with its intelligent smart plastics products for monitoring energy chains, cables and plain bearings, but manufacturers of machines and systems are also offering increasingly more solutions with their own condition monitoring tools.

The company’s partner, a Swiss automation specialist, Güdel, uses sensors like EC.M and EC.W for its linear robots. Richard Habering, Head-Smart Plastics Division, igus explained, "The sensors measure the movement and wear of the four energy chains used and send the measured values via the icom data concentrator to Güdel's condition monitoring computer.”

By connecting to the igus cloud, the data is evaluated using AI and machine learning. The integration of the analysed data takes place via the Güdel Condition Monitoring System. "With the tool, the user can monitor the status of the energy chains and rollers in use. Maintenance can be planned by collecting and evaluating the data," said Daniel Bangerter, Head-Customer Care, Güdel.