Current predictive maintenance solutions for bearings often rely on a limited range of monitored parameters, often covering only temperature, which hampers effective failure analysis and subsequent customer support. The standard wired sensors present challenges also in the implementation, being highly dependent on the specific customer infrastructure. To fill these gaps, SKF seeks innovative, small wireless modular sensors that integrate seamlessly into the bearing setups, enabling enhanced monitoring capabilities while maintaining the functionality and performance of existing systems.
Opportunity overview
Bearings play a critical role in rotating equipment in countless industries, yet failures often occur without clear diagnostics due to limited data availability. In these situations, it can be difficult to arrange a solution if the source of the failure is unknown. Current wired solutions are difficult to implement without significant infrastructure modifications, making the scaling of the solution more difficult. By introducing small, wireless, modular sensors ideally capable of measuring multiple parameters such as temperature, vibration, load, and RPM, SKF can provide its customers with more reliable diagnostic tools. This would enable better failure prevention, improved machine performance, and more informed customization of bearing solutions.
Summary of the requested solution
The main focus of the request lies in enabling non-intrusive monitoring of bearings, located in steel boxes, through wireless sensors that are compact, lightweight, and modular. The sensors need to be small enough to fit within housings or otherwise near bearings (mounted on the side of a bearing for instance) without disrupting balance or performance. Ideally, the sensors could be mounted directly on the bearing without any further structure aside of it, but we are open to a broad range of options that solve the core problem. Both self-powered sensor solutions and systems based on long-battery life are of interest, along with monitoring solutions of different levels of precision. Ideally, sensors will enable modular data collection for temperature, vibration, load, and RPM but also sensors that only focus on either of these parameters are of interest if they can fill the rest of the request. The systems also need to be compatible with clean lubricants and operable at temperatures up to 70–80°C.
Your opportunity with SKF
SKF is the world’s leading bearing manufacturer, with 17,000 distributors in 130 countries. Collaborating with SKF on providing wireless condition monitoring solutions offers an opportunity to contribute to making industries reduce downtime, improving equipment longevity and making industrial operations more resource efficient. We want to work together and provide you with valuable learnings that enable your company further opportunities within the industry.
Examples we're looking for
Wireless sensors
Miniature wireless sensor that seamlessly fit for monitoring of small bearings. These sensors should measure critical parameters like temperature, vibration, load, and RPM, ideally but not necessarily all at once. The solution should prioritize low maintenance needs while functioning wirelessly, offering ease of installation and requiring no changes to existing customer infrastructure, such as mounting locations or mechanical setups.
Self-powering solutions
Energy-harvesting solutions that leverage e.g, piezoelectric, thermal, or vibrational energy sources to power wireless condition monitoring sensors are also of complementary interest. An ideal design integrates seamlessly with the existing infrastructure, enabling autonomous operations over long periods without requiring maintenance. By eliminating the need for external power supplies or frequent servicing, self-powering systems significantly enhance the operational efficiency.
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