Rolling bearings experience all the loads and stresses that occur in the engine. For this reason, rolling bearing diagnostics provide a decisive indicator of the overall condition and reliability of an engine. In addition to the portfolio development of condition monitoring solutions for operators, the automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler is also working with OEM customers such as Siemens on joint offers to increase the availability of machines and systems.

"The partnership between Schaeffler and Siemens is based on a solid foundation of product knowledge and expertise. With their focus on customer benefits, both companies are making a significant contribution to advancing digitalization in industry," adds Dr. Stefan Spindler, Member of the Board of Management of Schaeffler Industrial con.

Services seamlessly integrated in one platform

The collaboration between Siemens and Schaeffler combines Sidrive IQ - a digital platform from Siemens for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and in particular for drive systems and solutions - with Schaeffler's decades of experience and expertise in the design, manufacture and service of bearings. Sidrive IQ combines several functionalities in one solution and enhances drive systems with AI-based analyses and digital content. This provides customers with the certainty that they can always make the right choice when making operating and maintenance decisions as well as maintenance measures for drive systems.

Collaboration in the industrial IoT

The integration of the Schaeffler analysis service for automated bearing diagnostics in Sidrive IQ makes it possible to determine the bearing condition with greater certainty and precision. "This form of collaboration and the automatic exchange of algorithm-based diagnostic data are still very rare in the industrial IoT. They exemplify a new dimension of cooperation between established technology companies," says Hermann Kleinod, CEO of Siemens Large Drives Applications.

Based on sound findings and specific information, the operator can quickly decide whether the drive system can remain in operation or whether damage is imminent and the bearing therefore needs to be replaced at the next maintenance interval or immediately. This reduces maintenance work and costs and, above all, avoids unplanned, costly downtime.