Americanmachinist 685 86410am101410bo00000059074
Americanmachinist 685 86410am101410bo00000059074
Americanmachinist 685 86410am101410bo00000059074
Americanmachinist 685 86410am101410bo00000059074
Americanmachinist 685 86410am101410bo00000059074

Drive Extension Improves Machine Uptime, Cost of Ownership

Oct. 14, 2010
Software uses intelligent drive units as sensors to monitor the status of axis mechanics

Productivity Agent software analyzes axis mechanics based on the drive-integrated motion logic and translates it into actionable information.

The IndraDrive Productivity Agent software extension from Bosch Rexroth is offered as a machine performance enhancer, including machine tools, with benefits for productivity, uptime, and cost factors.

The Rexroth IndraDrive family of intelligent drives is a suite of drive-integrated safety functions that have been certified to comply with EN ISO 13849-1:2008, EN 62061:2005, EN 61800-5-2:2007 and IEC 61508:1998-2000. Rexroth IndraDrive drives also are certified to comply with the requirements for machines defined in the EC machine directive 98/37/EC (valid until 2009-12-28) and 2006/42/EC (valid from 2009-12-29).

IndraDrive drive controls, power supply units and auxiliary components are presented as a complete drive hardware platform. Integrated motion and logic, extensive technical functionality, certified safety technology and standardized interfaces enable engineering flexibility and fast, efficient machine configuration.

The Productivity Agent software uses intelligent IndraDrive units as sensors to monitor the status of axis mechanics. It analyzes that information based on the drive-integrated motion logic and translates it into actionable information. Productivity Agent is designed to enhance the performance of a wide range of automation applications including machine tools and micro machining, as well as food and beverage, plastics, and material handling / logistics systems.

Bosch Rexroth indicates the Productivity Agent allows machine operators to:
- Reduce or eliminate costly failures or shutdowns;
- Maintain equipment according to mechanical conditions, not an arbitrary schedule;
- Save costs by eliminating unnecessary maintenance;
- Ensure that the dynamics and precision of their axes are maximized, to reduce wear and cut ownership costs;
- Get advance warning of wear-related damage, without additional hardware;
- Improve quality, quantity and performance of their end products; and
- Lower energy consumption by running equipment at optimum performance.

If the defined tolerance thresholds are exceeded, the Productivity Agent immediately notifies the machine operator of wear before problems or failure. Users can set the tolerance thresholds and sensitivity themselves, based on their specific application and experience with the machine. Retrofitting is possible as a software option.

The software-based Productivity Agent also incorporates an active vibration damping and counteracting function in addition to the diagnostics, so users can address other mechanical issues in a targeted manner and improve the machine’s overall performance.

“The IndraDrive Productivity Agent takes standard preventive maintenance and improves it significantly,” states Bosch Rexroth’s vice president of technology Scott Hibbard. “It turns our intelligent drive architecture into a productivity-enhancing watchdog that’s on the job 24/7/365.”

Latest from Automation and Robotics

BiancoBlue | Dreamstime
Assn. for Advancing Automation
Andreyi Armiagov | Dreamstime
Robotic arm in an automated production cell.
Robotic arm in an automated production cell.
Robotic arm in an automated production cell.
Robotic arm in an automated production cell.
Robotic arm in an automated production cell.