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Smart maintenance solutions for energy chain systems and bearing technology from igus

Prevent downtimes ... extend product operating times ... save maintenance costs ...
with smart plastics

With i.Sense continuous condition monitoring, you can keep an eye on your systems at all times. With i.Cee, you can connect your production system to the Internet of Things (IoT) or your local network and have the option of predictive maintenance.

With smart plastics - energy chain systems, chainflex cables, linear guides and plain bearings equipped with smart sensors - we are pursuing the goal of making complex automation solutions as Industry 4.0-capable as possible.

Make an appointment now for your introduction to smart maintenance!

Condition monitoring + predictive maintenance = smart maintenance

smart plastics infographic
smart plastics infographic

The key to success: smart maintenance offers a wide range of options for making applications as simple as possible and as smart as desired.

Condition monitoring (i.Sense)

Condition monitoring is the easiest and quickest way to turn many igus parts into self-monitoring smart plastics products. By attaching sensors, operators can measure forces during operation. If they exceed predefined limits (e.g. sudden peaks caused by a blockage or chain break), the system issues an alarm or at least a notification. This information provides the basis for next steps, maintenance or shutdown. If required, values outside defined limits can trigger a system shutdown immediately to avoid expensive damage. At igus, we use the term "i.Sense" to refer to condition monitoring.

To the condition monitoring system - i.Sense

Predictive maintenance (i.Cee)

Predictive maintenance uses sensors, software and the elements of condition monitoring to create a system that allows dynamic service life calculation and determines the best times for the maintenance of igus products. This makes predictive maintenance the next step in achieving a comprehensive concept for smart energy supply and bearing technology. This system offers a wide range of designs and a high degree of customisation. The goal is always to maximise system and user safety as well as product service life. At igus, we call our predictive maintenance system i.Cee (derived from "I see ahead").

To the predictive maintenance system - i.Cee

These igus products can be equipped with smart plastics technology

Predictive maintenance smart plastics
smart energy supply + cables
smart plain bearings
smart bearing technology

Smart maintenance: examples from the industries

CranesCranes
Machine toolsMachine tools
Agricultural engineeringAgricultural engineering
Woodworking industryWoodworking industry
AutomotiveAutomotive industry
Material handlingMaterial handling
RobotRobot
Bulk handlingBulk handling
OffshoreOffshore
All applicationsExplore all smart plastics applications
Predictive maintenance in automotive production

Automotive production

In automotive production, the assembly lines never stand still. Intelligent production concepts in the style of predictive maintenance have long been established in these production lines.

Find out more
Condition monitoring of cranes

Crane industry

Heavy loads, long operating times, a wide range of weather conditions - cranes have to deliver top performance. To guarantee this at all times, reliable condition monitoring concepts are required.

Find out more
Smart condition monitoring of wastewater treatment plants

Wastewater treatment plants

Wastewater treatment plants demand a lot from the components used: continuous operation, weather and dirt. Our intelligent energy chain systems are designed to run reliably at all times under all conceivable conditions.

Find out more

Knowledge Base

Knowledge base

Here you can find:

  • Current news in the blog
  • Manuals/ operating instructions
  • 3D CAD models of smart components
  • i.Sense assembly instructions
  • Online seminars/video tutorials
  • EPLAN data for CAE software
To the knowledge base

Applications with smart plastics

Bread packaging machine

Bread packaging machine

Bread packaging machine:

Avoid cable breaks with smart plastics

Smart prevention of cable breaks
Engine factory

Sensor system monitors energy chains in engine plant in the automotive industry

The Austrian automotive supplier therefore relies on smart plastics from igus® to avoid unplanned failures and plant downtimes.

Smart maintenance in the automotive industry
Bread packaging machine

Predictive maintenance in train wash systems

The full smart plastics package, which optimally combines condition monitoring and predictive maintenance

 Predictive maintenance in train-washing stations
Güdel

Güdel relies on condition monitoring for the energy chain on linear robots

Güdel avoids breakdowns on its linear robots thanks to real-time measurement of movement, temperature and wear in the energy chain.

 Güdel relies on condition monitoring for the energy chains on linear robots
Sewage treatment plant

Condition monitoring in wastewater treatment plants

smart plastics prevent the plant from being stopped in the event of a malfunction to prevent expensive consequential damage

Condition monitoring in the sewage treatment plant
Robust and smart – how digitally networked energy chains enhance STS cranes in the Port of Rotterdam

Robust and smart - how digitally networked energy chains strengthen STS cranes in the port of Rotterdam

This case study illustrates how EMO B.V. was able to achieve running performances of over 375,000km on its STS cranes with igus chains for cranes®.

To PDF download

What new products are there?

Industry 4.0: new smart plastics products
smart news 2024

3D CAD portal for smart plastics

Designing intelligent energy chain systems faster. CAD models for all smart components.
Our intelligent e-chain systems are already being used reliably in many hundreds of thousands of applications worldwide - from beverage vending machines and CNC machines to steelworks. Unsupported lengths can be bridged with ease and long travels are conceivable for a wide range of industries.

Design smart energy chains in the 3D CAD portal

Further information material:

Download smart plastics catalogue

smart plastics catalogue
Always the latest PDF catalogue online for download:

Download here
Order entire print catalogue
Test laboratory for igus® energy chains

Tested!
Over 3,000 tests are carried out every year to collect sufficient data for the service life algorithm.

To the test laboratory for e-chains
Recycling program for energy chains

Recycling program
Energy chains, regardless of the manufacturer, can be recycled at igus. How does it work?

Find out more about chainge
smart plastics online seminar

Online seminar
Benefit from the experience of our experts:
Interactive✓ informative✓ free of charge✓

Go to the online seminars

Consulting

I look forward to answering your questions

Denis_Yap
Han Song (Denis) Yap

Senior Product Manager for e-chain® ASEAN

+65 9834 4953Write e-mail

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