SKF choose LumenRadio’s innovative wireless technology to enhance their automated machine monitoring solution
SKF, leader in the bearing business, has by collaborating with LumenRadio, developed a new wireless sensor as part of a condition monitoring system for improving rotating equipment performance on a scale previously considered uneconomic.
LumenRadio’s MiraOS technology is an enabler for SKF’s new wireless monitoring system, measuring vibration and temperature. The “SKF Enlight Collect IMx-1 System” combines SKF’s knowledge in machine health monitoring with LumenRadio’s patented wireless network technology.
When fitted to rotating equipment, the SKF Enlight Collect IMx-1 system can economically automate vibration data collection. Predictive maintenance programs can be expanded, with data captured more often, which increases defect detection rates and leads to avoidance of costly unplanned machine shutdowns.
LumenRadio’s wireless technology, MiraOS, provides a number of benefits to the SKF Enlight Collect IMx-1 system – a “mesh network” protocol enables sensors to exchange data, navigating around obstacles, such as pipework and liquid storage tanks, instead of trying to punch through them. LumenRadio’s patented cognitive coexistence technology scans the radio spectrum and switches frequencies to avoid ‘busy’ channels and overcome interference. The technology also provides high-precision timestamping of the sensor data and minimizes energy usage by knowing exactly when to switch the radio on and off. All this means increased radio reliability and less retransmissions – significantly reducing the power consumption of the battery in a small device.
The self-forming sensor network requires no existing infrastructure like Wi-Fi, and can be deployed on a scale sufficient to cover the monitoring points of today’s “walk-arounds”. And the precise timestamping of the vibration data enables wider analysis capabilities in SKF’s strategy of reliable rotation as-a-service.
Chris G. James, Product Manager at SKF says “Low power consumption was one of the main reasons SKF chose to work with LumenRadio. The possibility for sensors to run on a single battery for many years, usually its entire lifetime, creates a perfect solution for harsh environments, such as paper mills or food manufacturing plants where you want to avoid unnecessary battery maintenance.”
Christian Sahlin, Business Area Manager Industry at LumenRadio says: “It is a privilege to be a part of the SKF journey – shaping the future of automated machine monitoring and rotating equipment performance. Bringing the wireless expertise from LumenRadio together with the hundreds of years of experience within rotating equipment from SKF creates a strong foundation for the next industrial phase.”
The patented wireless technology from LumenRadio enables a robust Future-Proof product platform for harsh industrial applications, as it will coexist along with other wireless technologies, not being interfered or causing interference.
For further information, please contact:
Christian Sahlin, Business Area Manager – Industry, LumenRadio +46 703 40 89 00
About LumenRadio
LumenRadio, founded 2008, pioneers ultra-reliable wireless connectivity technology for business-critical applications. They develop device-to-device connectivity software and hardware, helping companies build future-proof wireless products. LumenRadio is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden with sales offices in Frankfurt and Boston. www.lumenradio.com
About SKF
SKF’s mission is to be the undisputed leader in the bearing business. SKF offers solutions around the rotating shaft, including bearings, seals, lubrication, condition monitoring and maintenance services. SKF is represented in more than 130 countries and has around 17,000 distributor locations worldwide. Annual sales in 2018 were SEK 85 713 million and the number of employees was 44,428. www.skf.com
