Condition-based maintenance for ropeways with ZF ProVID

Whether skiing, hiking or even as a means of transportation within a large city: cable cars are used in all of these situations. They are often located at places that are difficult to access. Nevertheless, these systems must are regularly checked and maintained. From time to time, wearing parts also need to be replaced. Wouldn't it be practical if service departments could carry out basic checks remotely without having to be on site every time?

ZF: Ropeway - Smart data management — Source: https://press.zf.com/press/de/releases/release_2918.html

Remote system inspection with condition-based maintenance

Due to the different characteristics of cable cars and their surroundings, each station is unique. For example, there is a Variable number of stationsat least one mountain and valley station, but possibly also one or more middle stations. The Cable car drive can be arranged either in the valley or on the mountain, and the routing in particular is strongly dependent on the topographical conditions characterized.

The Operating conditions for lift systems can be very different: ski lifts are often exposed to icy temperatures, while urban cable car systems sometimes have to operate in tropical heat.

In order for the high investment costs to pay off for the operating companies, maximum availability of the systems is necessary. One Condition-based and careful maintenance is a must for such systems.

ZF offers the ZF Performance Management System ZF ProVID a solution: Through a Permanent condition monitoring of the complete drive systems are Potential damage on gearboxes and drive components Recognized at an early stage and corresponding Preventive maintenance measures initiated. In addition Downtimes reduced and the Maximum availability of the systems significantly. The term "ProVID" stands for visionary intelligent diagnostics. [1]
As a strategic IT partner, doubleSlash, in close cooperation with the IT Innovations division of ZF Friedrichshafen AG, was able to develop this system for Condition-Based Maintenance for its first productive use in the shortest possible time.

Commissioning in record time thanks to agile, cloud-based approach

Thanks to a agile process model the new digital service was transferred to a productive system within just three months. The technological foundation is the ZF Cloud on the basis of Microsoft Azure. This meant that services such as user authentication and sensor data transfer to the cloud no longer had to be developed in-house. ZF-specific extensions guarantee the Security of the processed dataespecially in a multi-operator environment.

ProVID records parameters such as oil properties, vibration data from the gearbox bearing and other elements of the drivetrain such as motors and pulleys. This data is stored in a High-performance data center in Witten a detailed analysis subjected to.

All processed data and information is stored on a user-friendly dashboard is displayed. The generated condition assessment is then used to create a meaningful report including a Recommendation for further operation of the system.

The first lift systems already equipped with ZF ProVID in Austria confirm the positive results of ZF performance management for industrial gearboxes. [1]

Conclusion

Especially in areas where Maintenance or breakdowns very time-consuming and costly are, the use of digital services for system monitoring is worthwhile: This can reduce the Optimal control of a wind farm be or also the Monitoring cable cars in a ski resort.

Thanks to ZF's many years of know-how in transmission development and doubleSlash's expertise in software development, such services can be developed from prototype to production in a short time. production-ready solution expand.

Co-author: Nicky Grassmann

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Source:
[1] https://press.zf.com/site/press/de_de/microsites/press/list/release/release_40024.html