Like the self-maintaining robots of science fiction, modern machines have become more intelligent, and in some ways also more human. They are incorporating more decentralized intelligence, which operates like a human’s autonomic nervous system. This makes it possible for a packaging machine, for example, to protect itself from expensive breakdowns through quick reflexes, in the form of error diagnostics and reactions handled in the drive. Without any detour through the “brain,” or control sys

tem, intelligent variable frequency drives (VFDs) can diagnose machine problems and perform predictive maintenance before failure occurs or production quality slips. Such innate intelligence supports high levels of machine reliability, availability, throughput and precision.

　　Packaging machines for pharmaceuticals and surgical instruments - products with a high dollar value - can benefit from the increased uptime provided by predictive maintenance performed in intelligent drives.
　　“The constant goal of automation is to increase output and reduce maintenance costs,” says Ralph Maguirewww.cechina.cn, principal engineer for Bosch Rexroth. ”If the torque of a feed chain is monitored, for example, the mechanical system can be checked for excessive friction or blockage. If the position is monitored on a ball screw, when the direction of rotation or torque is reversed, such as occurs during backlash, it can be diagnosed. Detecting these changes before a mechanism fails and causes a breakdown can prompt for a scheduled correction.”
　　Dan Throne, Bosch Rexroth sales and marketing manager, adds, “Based on the parameters you setCONTROL ENGINEERING China版权所有, intelligence in the drive keeps you fully aware of the health of each axiswww.cechina.cn, predicts if that health is degrading控制工程网版权所有, and lets you apply the right 'medicine’ before the damage grows severe. If damage is developing inside the machine, similar to illnesses or injuries in peopleCONTROL ENGINEERING China版权所有, drive-based intelligent functions detect the problem early and appropriate remedies are implemented