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Cloud app boosts drive productivity and reliability
Published:  01 November, 2018

Siemens has announced a digital platform for evaluating and using data gathered from networked drive systems in ratings up to several megawatts. The cloud-based Sidrive IQ application is available for medium- and high-voltage motors and drives, and is claimed to open up an array of benefits, ranging from optimised maintenance and availability, to increases in productivity across the entire lifecycle.

At the SPS IPC Drives exhibition in Germany in November, Siemens will be demonstrating how Sidrive IQ can help to reduce downtimes, optimise inspection intervals and maximise plant performance, using the example of a LV drive system consisting of its new Simotics SD Next Generation motor and Sinamics S120 Chassis-2 frequency converter.

Sidrive IQ can be linked to HV motors and MV drives via connectivity modules such as Simotics Connect 500 and 600, and the new Simotics HV C air-cooled motor comes equipped with a Connect 600 module. These modules also allow simple, standardised connections to MV drives such as Sinamics GM150 and Sinamics Perfect Harmony GH180.

The Sidrive IQ Services portfolio includes the latest generation of Siemens’ Remote and Condition Monitoring Services, which offers fault-fixing and preventive maintenance functions.

The interaction between operating data and digital twins provides plant and machine operators with data including measured values, status and operating KPIs, service messages, location positioning, technical product data and spare parts information.

Siemens claims that its Sidrive IQ system will benefit drive systems up to the megawatt range, throughout their lifecycles

New Expert Assistance and Expert Diagnostics functions for MV and HV applications support cloud-based and expert-based data analysis. Expert Diagnostics allows service experts to monitor components continuously and thus to minimise unscheduled downtimes. If any vulnerability is detected in a drive system, the user is notified. Reports are also drawn up containing detailed condition assessments and service recommendations.

If an unexpected error occurs, Siemens can also provide direct remote support via the Expert Assistance service. Its experts are informed automatically via MindSphere – Siemens’ open, cloud-based Internet of Things (IoT) operating system – and contact the customer to help fix the fault.