Condition monitoring can be expensive. Which is why up to 95% of all machines inside factories are only sporadically monitored – or often not at all. This can lead to unplanned breakdowns and downtime.
Schaeffler's OPTIME Condition Monitoring and Smart Lubrication solution helps prevent unexpected downtime and operational surprises by offering comprehensive machine monitoring. Developed by the Schaeffler Group, a global leader in motion technology, this solution ensures greater reliability and efficiency for industrial operations.
The OPTIME Ecosystem – which has won numerous European and US awards, including IOT and Industry 4.0 categories, plus an international Red Dot Design Award – is a revolutionary condition monitoring system, designed to transform the landscape of industrial maintenance across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, food and beverage production, packaging and processing, energy, resources, mining, machinery, and materials handling.
Primarily targeting rotating machinery, it functions effortlessly across a diverse range of speeds, from 120 to 5000 rpm, and is also suitable for hazardous environments. The system's foundation lies in its wireless, battery-operated sensors that are remarkably easy to install. After the installation, the data collected by wireless OPTIME sensors is transmitted to a digital service via a gateway. This setup enables continuous monitoring and early detection of potential machine issues, thereby preventing costly unplanned downtimes.
Intuitive design
A distinguishing feature of the OPTIME Ecosystem is its user-centric design, which makes it accessible to a wide range of users, from beginners to maintenance experts. Its affordability further enhances its appeal, breaking traditional cost barriers associated with advanced monitoring systems.
Features of Schaeffler's OPTIME Ecosystem include:
- All the benefits of automatic lubrication with award-winning smart technology. The truly intelligent OPTIME system eliminates tasks such as lubricating by hand or having to manually check on many lubrication points.
- Simple installation and a quick return on investment for entire plants and production facilities. Plug-and-play functionality makes it easy to install, set up, and integrate with hundreds of machines very quickly.
- User-friendliness, featuring an intuitive mobile app that makes it easy to use by operators ranging from beginners to advanced personnel, a feature that helps to ease skills shortage pressures and costs. OPTIME's intuitive operation via mobile app ensures smooth operation ranging from machines and to facilities.
- Easy to scale. OPTIME Ecosystem's ease of use and affordability make it easy to scale up and expand the scope of particular applications in just a few steps. The ecosystem offers a complete overview of all machines and lubrication points. Easy-to-understand alarms and automatic analytics make it simple to know what to do next.
- Backed by experience. OPTIME is based on Schaeffler's long-standing expertise in bearing technology, vibration analysis, and lubrication. Its product design is consistently geared towards the day-to-day tasks of maintenance teams.
- Prompt return on investment. By reducing the risk of unplanned downtime, OPTIME Ecosystem offers a quick return on investment. Its cost efficiency also makes comprehensive condition monitor and smart lubrication affordable.
Real-time monitoring
OPTIME's 24/7 monitoring capability offers real-time data and analysis and allows maintenance technicians to tackle emerging issues promptly, which is a key factor in saving time and resources.
An integral component of the system is the OPTIME ExpertViewer digital service. This service is compatible with OPTIME and "OPTIME-ready" data, including data from Schaeffler SmartCheck and Schaeffler ProLink. ProLink, like SmartCheck, is part of Schaeffler's range of innovative monitoring tools designed to work seamlessly with OPTIME. This compatibility ensures a comprehensive approach to condition monitoring, allowing users to leverage the strengths of different Schaeffler products in a unified manner. Additionally, the OPTIME C1 wireless automatic lubricator and the integrated digital lubrication management ensure optimal machine performance by continuously monitoring lubricator devices, alerting maintenance teams to critical lubricant levels and enabling remote adjustments, further enhancing operational efficiency.
Furthermore, OPTIME forms a key part of Schaeffler's broader Lifetime Solutions suite, offering an extensive approach to machine lifecycle management. This suite combines monitoring, analysis, and maintenance support into a cohesive package, addressing various industrial maintenance needs.
"Schaeffler's OPTIME is a groundbreaking development in condition-based monitoring. Its amalgamation of cutting-edge technology, ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and integration with a broader suite of tools, including ProLink, positions it as an indispensable asset in modern industrial maintenance," says Schaeffler.
"By implementing OPTIME, industries are poised to significantly improve their maintenance processes, resulting in enhanced efficiency, minimised downtime, and substantial cost savings. The OPTIME Ecosystem exemplifies Schaeffler's commitment to driving innovation and excellence in industrial maintenance solutions."
About us:
About Schaeffler Schaeffler Group – We pioneer motion: The Schaeffler Group has been driving forward groundbreaking inventions and developments in the field of motion technology for over 75 years. With innovative technologies, products, and services for electric mobility, CO₂-efficient drives, chassis solutions and renewable energies, the company is a reliable partner for making motion more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable – over the entire life cycle. Schaeffler describes its comprehensive range of products and services in the mobility ecosystem by means of eight product families: From bearing solutions and all types of linear guidance systems through to repair and monitoring services. Schaeffler is with around 120,000 employees and more than 250 locations in 55 countries, one of the world's largest family-owned companies and one of Germany's most innovative companies.
