Measuring bearing loads.
Monitoring lubrication.
Preventing damages.

Success story
Sumitomo Drive Technologies

Monitoring of actuators for robotics applications

Together with our partner Sumitomo Drive Technologies , we are integrating our HCP-Sense-sensor technology into actuators for robotics applications to generate data for an enhanced performance.

The client

Sumitomo Drive Technologies Logo

Sumitomo Drive Technologies has almost 100 years of expertise in drive technology. Known for its precision and reliability, its drives are integrated into plants and machines all around the world. The core competencies of the mechanical engineering company lie in the development and manufacture of customized industrial drives. Thus, these are in line with the latest technical standards and with the research of new processes and technologies that expands the industry-wide know-how. With the development of the TUAKA series, the next generation of precision actuators for robotics as well as similar fields of application is being created at the EMEIA headquarters (Europe, Middle East, India and Africa) in Markt Indersdorf near Munich.

Goal

In an actuator of the TUAKA series, the lubrication of the main bearing is optimized. To enable rapid evaluation of different variants, a test setup was set to measure the lubrication condition during operation. With this measurement technology, the lubrication can be further improved during the development process.

Implementation

In the first stage, we at HCP Sense carried out a feasibility study on the main bearing of the TUAKA series. For this purpose, we used a prototype with impedance measurement technology. In order to keep manufacturing costs low and to progress quickler, the insulation and contacting elements were designed in such a way that no design changes to the prototype were necessary. The first tests were carried out together with Sumitomo Drive Technologies at HCP Sense. Hence, the influence of various component properties on lubrication was measured. Furthermore, we were able to monitor critical operating conditions. Thus, further dedicated tests in these conditions were carried out to achieve an even stronger validation depth.

Together, we are working on precisely estimating the remaining service life of the TUAKA actuators based on the operating condition monitoring approach.

Many thanks to Sumitomo Drive Technologies for the close and good cooperation! We are extremely grateful that we were able to deliver important results and are looking forward to further mutual projects.

Read more about the successful collaboration with other partner companies

Success story

Ein Bild von dem Logo von Knorr Bremse

Our customer Knorr-Bremse relies on HCP Sense lubrication monitoring system to optimize the design of its bearing lubrication without expensive service life tests. HCP Sense innovative solution reduces testing efforts and increases development speed.

Success story

THWS Logo

To investigate the behavior of the rolling bearing impedance and its applicability potential for condition monitoring, tests were carried out in cooperation with HCP Sence under different rotation speed and damage conditions.