Digital maintenance for slewing bearings by Liebherr

With the condition monitoring system for slewing bearings, Liebherr has created a digital monitoring system which enables high-precision wear measurement from a distance.

The integrated wear measurement system, bearing clearance monitoring (BCM), ensures optimum remote monitoring of the slewing bearings in various applications, such as mining, material handling or maritime equipment.

The BCM system can be used to measure bearing wear in axial and radial directions, as well as tilting clearance. Such a remote diagnostics does not only ensure flexibility in measurement, but also reduced downtime, lower costs in maintenance and, above all, higher personal protection.

The focus of digital remote clearance maintenance lies on personnel safety. “A distinct disadvantage of all common wear measurement methods is the necessity for service technicians to mount dial gauges or other measuring devices directly on the slewing bearing in the danger zone under the excavator or other machines,” explained Wolfram Halder, product manager of the slewing bearings business unit. “The Liebherr BCM system makes this unnecessary, as the measuring devices are already permanently installed on the bearing.”

Another advantage is flexibility in terms of time. Currently, machine operators commission external service providers to measure the bearing clearance. This makes them dependent on the experience and schedule of third-party companies. “With digital maintenance for slewing bearings by Liebherr, measurements can be carried out at any time outside the danger zone, independently of external service providers,” added Wolfram Halder.

How does it work? The right technology and the right connection make it happen. The sensor connection box receives the data from the sensors attached to the slewing bearing and supplies the entire BCM system with power.

The gateway stores the sensor data and updates for the BCM. This allows using the system autonomously even in regions without data connection. This is the case in mines, for example, as these often do not have the necessary mobile reception.

A direct connection via Bluetooth makes the measurement process possible from a safe distance and without a network connection. Smart, integrated and remote, the BCM system is a small helper with great effects.