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Predictive Maintenance

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2025-04-01

Autonomous Inspection

For a few years now, Spot—the agile, mobile robot—has been surveying show floors at Automate, CES and Promat. Last year, Boston Dynamics presented a slew of additional technologies at IMTS 2024, showcasing robotic innovations key to scaling autonomous industrial inspection for components such as bearings, motors, pumps, gearboxes and conveyor systems.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2025-03-19

SmartSights Helps Industrial Teams Improve Response Times

SmartSights, a provider of operational intelligence software that helps industrial teams improve response times, is integrating WIN-911 autonomous alerts notification software with PEER," an issue management and resolution accelerator.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2025-03-01

Food and Beverage Customer Tackles Operational Challenges with Dodge OPTIFY

In the fast-paced world of industrial operations, efficiency and cost savings are paramount. Enter OPTIFY, Dodge's complete portfolio of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions, designed to revolutionize how global manufacturers manage their operations. With advanced sensors, breathers, automatic lubricators, gateways, and a robust condition monitoring platform, OPTIFY sets new standards for operational excellence.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2025-02-27

Brushed vs. Brushless DC Motors

Which motor type is right for your application? This whitepaper from Dunkermotoren presents an in-depth comparison of brushed and brushless motor technologies, exploring their construction, operation, efficiency, performance characteristics, and real-world applications. By analyzing key parameters such as power efficiency, maintenance requirements, and cost-effectiveness, engineers and designers can make informed decisions when selecting the appropriate motor technology for their specific needs.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2024-10-10

ZF and Irish Rail Extend Repowering Partnership

Updating existing rail vehicles with a modernized drivetrain helps to improve fleet efficiency while keeping costs and service interruptions down. This approach is known as “repowering”. At this year’s InnoTrans, the international trade show for transport technology, ZF and Irish Rail signed a Memorandum of Understanding about a potential new repowering project starting in 2025. The partnership revolves around ZF’s new EcoWorld 2 six-speed powershift transmission, which decreases fuel consumption, improves ride comfort and reduces maintenance efforts.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2024-10-08

Continental Highlights Conveyor Technology at MINExpo 2024

At MINExpo 2024, Continental recently highlighted solutions tailored for the mining industry, including conveying systems, digital monitoring platforms, fluid hose solutions, and more. These products are designed to withstand the toughest environments while boosting efficiency and productivity. 

REVOLUTIONS | 2024-09-27

Bigger Shows, Better Technology

Coverage of IMTS and MINExpo International will continue on the PTE website through the end of the year and into 2025. We're excited to share the stories and new technologies discussed at both trade shows in September.

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FEATURE ARTICLES | 2024-09-13

Technology and Reports Help Optimize Operations

Digital Transformation. IIoT. Industry 4.0. While they may seem like trending buzzwords, the technologies are critical to operations being efficient and competitive, and reducing unplanned downtime. Every industry strives for maximum efficiency; be that manufacturing, oil & gas, or water/wastewater. For capturing production data, the days of the clipboard and manual data analysis are gone.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2024-08-16

HBK Offers Optical Solution for Railway Monitoring

To help railway engineers maintain their catenary system - the circulatory system that keeps everything moving - Hottinger Brüel & Kjær (HBK) has created its Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) Pantograph Measurement System.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2024-08-15

Liebherr Shares Innovations for MINExpo International 2024

Liebherr will be sharing its latest news, products, services, and innovations for the mining sector at the world’s largest mining exhibition, MINExpo International, this September. Visitors will experience over 29,000 sq. ft of Liebherr exhibits at Booth #7832. Daily masterclasses and live demonstrations will take place at the Liebherr booth each day, showcasing the company’s latest product updates and providing insights into these technologies and services with the latest information from the field. 

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2024-08-05

Next Steps in Automation at IMTS 2024

Predictive analytics will be all over IMTS 2024 including the Automation Sector, accelerated by SPS—smart production solutions. Visitors will find a broad range of digital solutions at IMTS 2024 at McCormick Place in Chicago on Sept. 9–14.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2024-08-05

Conveyor Consistency

A roller chain can handle a lot of weight, but it has some significant downsides. It’s noisy and needs regular maintenance. It’s expensive, and when it breaks, workers can be injured. Even its performance is a problem.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2024-06-21

Regal Rexnord Launches Next-Gen Perceptiv for Condition Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance

Regal Rexnord Corporation has launched the next generation Perceptiv Intelligent Reliability and Maintenance Solution for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance in industrial manufacturing.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2024-04-10

Siemens Mobility Expands Partnership with Metrolinx

Siemens Mobility has been chosen by Metrolinx, the regional public transit operator for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, to handle their track, signal, and right-of-way maintenance for the Central Region of Toronto's passenger railway infrastructure system. This partnership builds upon Siemens Mobility's existing maintenance services in the West Region and signal and communications services at the Metrolinx Network Operations Center. 

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PRODUCT NEWS | 2024-03-21

ABB Showcases Motor Solutions at AGG1

ABB will showcase its innovative solutions at AGG1, the top exposition and education resource, in Nashville on March 25-27. Attendees are invited to visit Booth 717 to learn about the company’s motor line, designed to meet rigorous demands and harsh conditions reliably and efficiently while achieving lower life cycle costs. 

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2024-03-01

Mobile Harvesting

While the factory has received a modern makeover in recent years, it’s no surprise various industrial segments are taking advantage of digital tools to promote efficiency, sustainability, and productivity. The farming and agriculture community has embraced automation, robotics, IIoT, drones and autonomous vehicles to address global food demands and production limitations.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2024-01-02

Mitsubishi Electric Automation to Highlight New Tech at AHR Expo 2024

Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. is proud to be in attendance at the AHR Expo 2024! Mitsubishi Electric has been demonstrating at AHR for almost two decades as one of the leaders in the HVAC industry. The AHR Expo this year will be held at the McCormick Place in Chicago, IL to showcase the industry’s newest technologies and innovations.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2023-09-28

ABB Releases OptiFact Software Platform

ABB Robotics has released its new modular OptiFact software platform, which streamlines data collection, visualization, and analysis in automated production facilities. The platform enables users to collect, manage, and analyze data from hundreds of factory devices, including ABB robots, to determine key performance indicators including cycle time and overall equipment efficiency (OEE). By speeding up diagnostics and decision making, OptiFact increases the production line uptime with less engineering effort, ensuring production can keep pace with customer demand.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2023-09-28

Repowering the Future: Data-Driven Wind Farms

There is growing financial risk to maintaining operational wind turbines. The average lifespan of a wind turbine is around 20 years and as components within turbines begin to approach the end of their lifecycle, performance can decline resulting in reduced productivity. Meanwhile, recent reports have highlighted that new, larger capacity machines could lead to a rise in component failures and mechanical breakdown issues as manufacturers push to develop bigger turbines, faster.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2023-09-05

Five Crucial Steps to Minimize Wear and Tear of Motion Components

Mechanical motion components, though relatively small, contribute immensely to the safety of multiple systems like automobiles, manufacturing systems, elevators, water treatment facilities, etc. Motion components experience wear and tear over time caused by:

  • Friction as motion surfaces come into contact with adjacent components.
  • Corrosion due to exposure to chemicals, humidity, and corrosive gasses
  • Fatigue emanating from repetitive stress and strain.
  • Improper lubrication and system overloads
PUBLISHER'S PAGE | 2023-08-03

Smart Components are Getting Smarter

After reading Senior Editor Matt Jaster’s article this issue (“Advancing Technology for MRO,” p. 18), I have visions of the maintenance engineer of tomorrow. He’s not wearing a hard hat and steel-toe boots. No, he’s wearing ripped jeans and a ball cap (backwards), and he’s holding a game controller, because he’s operating the drone system your company is using to do visual and thermal inspection of your equipment, saving you enormous time and effort in your predictive maintenance routine.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2023-08-03

Desktop Belt Drive Services with Gates

Gates Design Power and Gates Design Power Mobile combine unique functionality to provide an end-to-end solution that can help from basic troubleshooting and site surveys to full site chain-to-belt replacement and create your most complex power transmission (PT) design applications.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2023-08-03

Advancing Technology for MRO

The prediction and prevention of catastrophic failures and unplanned downtime has vastly improved areas like mining, energy, off-highway, and other industrial segments for MRO departments across manufacturing thanks to cutting-edge condition monitoring technology and predictive maintenance. 

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2023-07-20

Nearthlab Expands Partnership with ONYX Insight

Nearthlab, a leading provider of autonomous drone technology, announced that the company is scaling up its strategic partnership with ONYX Insight, a global provider of predictive maintenance solutions (PdM) beyond North America to Europe and APAC. The expansion comes a few months after the initial kick-off in March.  

PRODUCT NEWS | 2023-07-18

Heidenhain Announces EnDat 3 Encoder Interface

Heidenhain announces EnDat 3, a new version of its popular absolute position encoder interface. The new EnDat 3 interface has all the benefits of previous versions, but is even faster and more robust, with simplified functional safety features.

REVOLUTIONS | 2023-07-10

Pumped Up Efficiency and Reliability

When older equipment starts to affect the output from the power plant – operators need to act fast, to avoid production risks escalating. This is especially true for legacy pumps. However, sourcing new units to fit the surrounding infrastructure and application requirements of the plant can be challenging. When a major thermal power plant in Rajasthan, India, faced multiple issues with an aging boiler infeed pump, the energy player overcame supply and technical challenges through their partnership with Sulzer. Sulzer provided a custom solution under its OEM-X line service, that cushioned the impact to production, while offering the assurance of reliable associated support, spanning maintenance and spares for decades to come.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2023-06-15

ADS Uptime Condition Monitoring System Featured at Cleanpower

ADS Uptime is an extremely useful condition monitoring system for encoders. With local wireless service check-up or system integration with ADS Link, you have maximum flexibility to access data and diagnostics. With ADS Uptime, you can access live data and secure production uptime by making application health monitoring part of your proactive maintenance routine. Knowing things before they happen has never been easier. It was recently featured at the Heidenhain booth during Cleanpower 2023.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2023-05-19

Sulzer Examines Cost-Effective Solutions for Pumps and Mixers

Pumping systems are responsible for over 20 percent of the world’s electrical energy demand, and in some industrial plant operations, they can account for up to 90 percent of energy usage. Improving the energy efficiency of pumping and mixing systems is crucial in reducing production costs and supporting a more sustainable future. Several options can be available and with energy prices reaching new heights, the return on investment is rapidly reducing.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2023-05-04

Gates Announces Mobile Version of Design Power

Gates announces the launch of the mobile version of the award-winning Gates Design Power, putting advanced digital design tools to support the engineering of belt drive systems on customers’ mobile devices.  

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2023-05-03

Sulzer and Siemens Collaborate on Digital Pump Solutions

Sulzer and Siemens Large Drives Applications (LDA) are using their collective expertise to provide operators of large centrifugal pumps with an enhanced digital value proposition: Bringing together their respective IoT-platforms and services, Blue Box and Sidrive IQ, the two companies are collaborating to deliver an integrated solution that improves equipment reliability and cuts operations costs.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2023-05-03

SKF Adds Microlog Analyzer dBX to Condition Monitoring Portfolio

SKF has extended its Microlog Analyzer family of data collection devices with a new model that offers faster measurement collection and greater diagnostic power. 

REVOLUTIONS | 2023-04-26

Conversations at Hannover Messe

Deutsche Messe is reporting 4,000 exhibitors in 2023 and 130,000+ attendees searching for the latest developments in electrification, sustainability, and digital solutions. While one might wonder if the show will ever reach pre-pandemic levels again, it was obvious there’s still a very focused global manufacturing network looking to solve climate, energy, and automation challenges in the coming years.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2023-04-19

Production Line Sensor Wins Hermes Startup Award

This year, the Hermes Startup Award goes to the Netherlands. The young company MantiSpectra from Eindhoven was awarded the coveted Startup Award for its ChipSense product by the jury.

REVOLUTIONS | 2023-04-10

A Thirst for Automation

The growing demand for drinks at convenient locations: work, school, gym, transport, leisure – is being driven by the global trend towards urbanization, fueled in turn by inexorable population growth. Inevitably, snowballing consumption increases the pressure on manufacturers, and also on the machines upon which they rely. 
PRODUCT NEWS | 2023-04-04

Continental Takes to the Sky for Inspection System

Continental offers the CONTI ConveyorInspect drone-based inspection system to allow operators to easily know the condition of their belts and idlers, quickly locate the exact position of failing idlers, and track changes in rotating components over time. With this real-time reporting, operators can better estimate their system’s component life and plan their maintenance. This helps prevent costly damage of conveyor system components and minimizes downtime.

REVOLUTIONS | 2023-02-17

Ansys Offers Multiphysics Simulation for EV Motor Development

EV developers are finding a competitive edge through efficiency gains not only in new battery pack technology and electronic components, but also through new developments in electric machines.  

PRODUCT NEWS | 2023-02-16

TSN Plays Role in Network Technology Expansion for Servo Drives

The capabilities of servos are advancing at an accelerating pace, driving the rapid growth of next-level motion control systems. These devices can enable innovative industrial automation applications and processes thanks to cutting-edge hardware, software and, most importantly, communications technologies that support data-intensive operations.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2023-02-13

Elgeti Engineering Offers Online Bearing Seminar Spring 2023

Elgeti Engineering once again is offering its online bearing seminars for Spring 2023. Special packages are available for online 90-minute sessions.

REVOLUTIONS | 2023-01-17

Iwis Examines Predictive Maintenance for Drive and Conveyor Chains

Industrial maintenance consists of keeping equipment running as long as possible. Corrective, preventive and now predictive maintenance has taken a long time to be recognized as an activity in its own right. Since then, it has shown its importance and added value to the point of being a lever for continuous improvement and development in companies.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2022-05-11

Sulzer Enhances Pump Control Technology

The latest in control technology from Sulzer allows pumping stations and wastewater treatment facilities to talk to each other, providing a better picture of real-time conditions and enabling smarter, more proactive management of the whole network.

REVOLUTIONS | 2022-05-09

The Constant Push for Lubrication and Seal Technology Upgrades

The range and flexibility of lubrication and sealing technologies continues to expand as companies look to scale down production times while increasing productivity. The industry is focused on environmental impact, automation and compact systems. Here’s just a few of the latest technologies in the industrial market: 

PRODUCT NEWS | 2022-05-03

SKF Offers Compact Oil Filtration System

SKF RecondOil’s technology, which removes even the smallest impurities from circulating oil, is now available in a compact form.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2022-05-02

Miki Pulley “Sliced” ASK Couplings Compensate for Misalignment

Stainless steel ASK Couplings from Miki Pulley feature a unique “sliced” body structure making them an effective low-cost corrosion resistant solution that can accommodate many types of misalignments. The stainless-steel design makes them ideal for use in food and chemical applications.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2022-04-14

NORD DRIVESYSTEM’s Sealed Surface Conversion System Provides Optimal Protection for Demanding Environments

NORD’s nsd tupH sealed surface treatment is available as an option with a variety of their modular products and provides an easy to clean surface suited for harsh processing and manufacturing environments.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2022-04-12

Breaking the 4th Industrial Wall

Manufacturing is facing constant challenges stemming from labor shortages and disrupted supply chains to productivity declines and the high replacement and maintenance costs of legacy equipment. Trends today include equipment upgrades, e-commerce, a push for more robotics and automation and faster software and IIoT solutions.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2022-04-12

The Flexibility Factor

A flagship coupling in the Huco range, the Oldham solves the problem of side forces due to misalignment. Misalignment couplings that bend or flex do cause some side loading on bearings and shafts as the coupling tries to spring back. Of course, over prolonged use this can result in rapid deterioration of bearings, extra load on the motor, and eventual coupling fatigue.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2021-10-01

Linear Motion Components Take Flight in Aerospace and Defense Industry

Key advantages of linear motion components in aerospace applications.
TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2021-08-01

The Influence of Rolling Bearing Profiling on Rigidity and Rating Life

An explanation of the detailed calculation of rolling bearings in the FVA-Workbench based on consideration of the profiling of roller bearings.
INDUSTRY NEWS | 2021-04-01

Industry News

The complete Industry News section from the April 2021 issue of Power Transmission Engineering.
INDUSTRY NEWS | 2021-03-01

Industry News

The complete Industry News section from the March 2021 issue of Power Transmission Engineering.
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2021-02-01

How Predictive Maintenance Can Unlock Offshore Wind Growth

A practical guide to adopting digital technology in wind energy applications.
| 2021-01-21

Smart Moves with Bosch Rexroth

Extrusion press hydraulics upgrade uses phased approach to improve results

The extrusion press is one of today’s most valuable and hardwo...
| 2020-12-01

Bosch Rexroth Celebrates 30 Years of Linear Motion Innovations

Bosch Rexroth began developing linear bushings, shafts, slides, and transfer tables as prototypes in the 1960s. The first two complete linear modul...
| 2020-10-28

A Look at Hannover Messe Digital Days

Photo courtesy of Deutsche Messe. Early October brought the next collection of training and technology seminars from Hannover Messe Digital Days...
| 2020-10-15

2020 and Beyond with Bonfiglioli

Company offers new geared motor platform while navigating unusual business environment

What’s a product launch look like during a pandemi...
| 2019-09-12

What Does the Future Hold for the Automotive Industry?

We all want to know the answer to this question as it tells us as a business where to invest our R&D development, steers us to consider what ke...
| 2019-08-28

SKF Examines the Power of Data & Machine Learning

Data is fast becoming one of the most important assets for companies throughout industry. In particular, it holds the key for developing a new gene...
| 2019-06-18

Getting Your Hands on Smart Tools

Forget the IIoT and Industry 4.o buzzwords. We're not interested in 10 to 15 years down the road or what the factory of the future is going to look...
| 2019-06-03

Morgan Advanced Materials Examines Wind Turbine Mechanics

Reliance on wind power is increasing, so the industry must continue to find ways to operate more efficiently, while reducing maintenance and costs....
PRODUCT NEWS | 2019-03-01

Product News

The complete Product News section from the March 2019 issue of Power Transmission Engineering.
INDUSTRY NEWS | 2019-02-01

Industry News

The complete Industry News section from the February 2019 issue of Power Transmission Engineering.
| 2018-11-27

SPS IPC Drives 2018

SPS IPC Drives (November 27-29 in Nuremberg, Germany), covers the entire spectrum of smart and digital automation - from simple sensors to intellig...
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2018-08-01

The Clean Cut

JBT Corporation benefits from Kollmorgen Hygienic motor design in food and beverage application.
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2018-06-01

A Mechanical Healthcare Plan

Motor Operation Gets Big Boost from Smart Technology (Here's How to Take Advantage)
| 2018-05-22

Automotive: On the Road to Disruptive Technology

The future of the automotive industry looks complicated. Urbanization, energy regulations, the electrification of vehicles, autonomous driving and ...
TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2017-06-01

Vibration Analysis Goes Mainstream

Using vibration analysis to evaluate machine health has many benefits, and with advances in sensor, recording, and analysis technology, vibration analysis is now within the reach of even small organizations.
| 2017-05-09

Hannover Messe: A New Perspective in Manufacturing

The rumors are absolutely true. The factory floor is changing at an incredible pace and the digitalization of manufacturing systems (Big data, Indu...
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2016-04-01

Nasa Glenn Research Center - A Look Back

In 1941, the federal Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory set up shop in Cleveland, Ohio. This year, and several name changes later, what is now the NASA Glenn Research Center celebrates its 75th anniversary. As part of the year-long festivities, Glenn’s adjunct Lewis Field main campus will be open to the public May 21 and 22, and Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio will hold its open house June 11 and 12.
VOICES | 2013-06-01

Predictive Maintenance - There Is an App for That

Implementing a predictive maintenance (PM) program can be tough. Despite its proven success, many companies have been operating the same way for over 50 years and don’t know where to start. Understanding where to start and where to focus is critical. The intention of this article is to give insight to start and sustain an effective program using today’s technology and devices.
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2013-06-01

Boilermakers Announce Bearing Technology Breakthrough

Student research project at Purdue could revolutionize predictive bearing failure.
TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2013-02-01

Rolling Bearing Steels - A Technical and Historical Perspective - Part 1

This paper summarizes the chemical, metallurgical and physical aspects of bearing steels and their effect on rolling bearing life and reliability.
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2012-06-01

Predictive Motor Maintenance (PdM): Use it or Lose it (Money)

Regardless of where you do business, when discussing, analyzing or worrying about “The Economy” these days, you’re not thinking Main Street - you’re thinking global. With that stipulation, it is also accepted wisdom that quality products and sharp pencils are not enough to be and remain competitive. Accordingly, everyone is looking for an edge, an advantage, in order to beat back - or at least keep up with - the competition.
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