Körber Supply Chain is launching a new app that enables preventive maintenance based on real-time data. Using data, AI, and vision technology, the system can eliminate major production downtime by proactively alerting users to critical maintenance needs, Körber Supply Chain said in a press release.
For a long time, there has been a vision that digitalization and data could eliminate unplanned production stoppages. With the launch of an app and the AI- and vision-based system Predictive Eye, Körber Supply Chain has taken a step closer to realizing that vision. The service app collects information from both digital equipment and mechanical units via Predictive Eye, which monitors hard-to-reach locations using a camera solution. For example, the solution can monitor brake lines on cranes, a feature that has saved a major U.S. customer significant costs.
– Their cranes are designed to stop within six meters, but due to wear and tear, the braking distance on all seven cranes had increased to between eight and eleven meters. Normally, this type of wear is only detected during manual inspections or, in the worst case, during a collision. Now the customer receives an automatic real-time notification, so the issue can be resolved long before it becomes critical, explains Jan Kristensen, Head of R&D at Körber Supply Chain, a business unit within the global technology company Körber.
Information makes it easy to take proactive action
The American customer uses Körber's system to measure much more than just braking distances. The app displays comprehensive data on the condition of the automation equipment installed around the world.
“We consolidate all service notifications in one place—from both PLCs and smart sensors—and also add a layer on top of our vision-based system that monitors non-mechanical components. The app aggregates everything, visualizes the information, and provides the customer with a history. Most importantly, it makes it easy to take action and resolve issues,” explains Jan Kristensen.
No more “run to failure”
Jan Kristensen believes that the service app will also bring financial benefits to smaller Scandinavian warehouses and distribution centers.
– We’re putting an end to the “run to failure” mentality. With this solution, we’re making monitoring accessible to everyone. Whether you have a large or small system, even smaller distribution centers can avoid critical failures that are often only detected when it’s too late.
