Bauer TorqueControl4.0 converts 130-year old technology into a smart drive

Bauer’s TorqueControl4.0 converts a passive asynchronous geared motor into a smart drive, communicating valuable data via IO-Link. By integrating geared motors into the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), operators can benefit from greater precision, energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.

The benefits of the IIoT are
well documented, with manufacturers around the world investing in smart factories to enable them to improve production flows. However, most small or medium sized manufacturers don’t have the resources to commit millions of pounds to completely rebuild their factories. So, wherever it may be possible to integrate
traditional passive technology into a smart network, many manufacturers are asking the question: ‘How can I upgrade my existing infrastructure?’

Bauer Gear Motor’s contribution to the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ (Industry 4.0) began when a long-term customer asked just that question, as Development Engineer, Simon Seybold, explains:


“A customer that we have previously worked very closely with asked us to investigate an alternative to mechanical overload clutches. They were looking for a solution that would be more efficient for torque monitoring and control of conveyor systems, ideally offering improved performance during operations and reduced
reaction time in the event of torque overload. We quickly identified that an electronic solution was the best way to achieve their requirements, and that it could offer the added advantage of communicating real world data to the cloud via IO-Link.”

Read the full article in the January 2020 issue of DPA.