Rotary indexing machine
A connected rotary indexing table or rotary indexing machine supplies condition and operating data on its spindles and indexing units to manufacturer and operator. Maintenance then follows actual need rather than fixed plans, and service visits are better prepared.
Rotary indexing machine at a glance
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Rotary indexing table and machine: condition data in the cloud
BLUE-ZONE installs sensors on critical components and monitors parameters such as spindle speed, current draw, temperature, torque, feed rate and the XYZ position of the spindle. A gateway transmits the data to the user's data centre or preferred cloud, and a dashboard shows deviations immediately. Automatic software updates deliver improved fault detection algorithms. An IT service provider connects rotary indexing tables to the Cumulocity IoT platform. Its modular solution includes a digital machine record, an alarm ticket system, spare parts replacement and predictive analytics, and the manufacturer also analyses the data locally via an edge component.
Both examples come from mechanical and plant engineering with customers in the automotive industry. A special machine builder whose own service company used to inspect spindles manually according to maintenance plans now detects anomalies early with BLUE-ZONE, reduces unplanned downtime and maintains machines as needed. The data also reveals weak points in the design. A premium supplier of rotary indexing tables for car manufacturing launched a digitalisation project in 2019 to improve equipment availability with operating data. Its customers get uniform access to the relevant data, and the manufacturer relies on predictive maintenance to cut storage costs.
Rotary indexing tables: frequently asked questions
How is a rotary indexing machine connected to the cloud?
A rotary indexing machine is connected to the cloud via an IoT platform that collects its operating data and makes it available for analysis. One automation supplier uses an IT service provider's modular solution based on Cumulocity for its rotary indexing tables. Operators get uniform, seamless access to the relevant data and use it to optimise their processes. The manufacturer also analyses the data locally via an edge component.
How does rotary indexing machine monitoring track spindle condition?
Spindle condition is monitored by sensors on critical components that record spindle speed, current draw, temperature, torque and position, among other things. A special machine builder uses BLUE-ZONE's solution for this instead of inspecting spindles manually according to maintenance plans as before. A gateway transmits the data to the cloud or the user's own data centre. The data also reveals weak points in the design of future machines.
How can rotary indexing table maintenance be planned according to need?
Maintenance of a rotary indexing system can be planned according to need when condition data replaces fixed maintenance intervals, saving time and money. Previously, maintaining the rotary indexing machines required planned stoppages and coordination, with service engineers inspecting spindles manually on site. With BLUE-ZONE, anomalies are detected early, before costly failures occur. In future, predictive maintenance is to determine the timing of maintenance through data-based forecasts.
What does an indexing table manufacturer gain from operating data?
The manufacturer gains its own insights into its indexing tables and identifies further optimisation potential. A premium supplier of rotary indexing tables for car manufacturing analyses the data locally via an edge component, in addition to the Cumulocity IoT platform. It relies on predictive maintenance to cut storage costs. Its customers get uniform access to the data and, according to the solution example, benefit from higher utilisation and reliable availability.
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