Condition monitoring can be expensive. Up to 95 percent of all units in a production plant are therefore not monitored or only sporadically. However, this poses high risks and can lead to unplanned downtime. To overcome these challenges, Schaeffler has developed the Condition Monitoring System OPTIME (CM) which is part of the OPTIME Ecosystem, intelligently combining condition monitoring and smart lubrication. Learn more about the role of IoT connectivity in OPTIME.

Background

For over 75 years, the Schaeffler Group has been a global leader in automotive and industrial supply, driving groundbreaking inventions and developments in the fields of motion and mobility. OPTIME (CM) is a quick-to-install and cost-effective solution for comprehensive plant monitoring. It reports irregularities during operation, aiding in the early identification of faults and preventing prolonged production outages. This monitoring solution consists of easy-to-install sensors that can be mounted on existing units without wiring. In 2021, OPTIME (CM) received the prestigious "Red Dot Design" Award in two categories: "Smart Product" and "Industrial Design." The solution communicates with 1NCE.

Challenge

As a globally operating company, Schaeffler offers its OPTIME monitoring solution to international customers. Simplicity and reliability of the solution in all conceivable applications are crucial. The global mobile landscape is highly heterogeneous. Different available mobile standards and a complex pricing structure per region make it challenging for innovative companies to offer their products internationally at consistent terms.

1NCE Solution

Communication occurs through a MESH wireless network with a central gateway, which communicates with the cloud via 1NCE mobile connectivity. The condition data is collected and analyzed on-site via an app on a smartphone or on a monitoring platform on a PC. OPTIME now has access to all mobile connectivity types: 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE-M, and NB-IoT, on a single SIM card. As 1NCE Lifetime Flat adheres to global standards, Schaeffler scales their products quickly and easily, reaching a vast world market, without the necessity of country-specific contracts, terms, or complex pricing structures.