Machining Spindle Operating-Time Monitoring for Predictive Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machining spindles lack efficient management systems for rationalizing revision and preventive replacement, leading to suboptimal handling and maintenance planning.

Innovation Solution

A machining spindle equipped with sensors and electronic circuits to monitor wear, functional state, and operational data, enabling predictive maintenance and dynamic management of spindle fleets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If machining spindles are managed without real-time monitoring systems, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and maintenance efficiency deteriorate due to inability to dynamically adapt handling and replacement plans

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spindle system monitors its own operational parameters (temperature, vibration, current) and automatically transmits status data without requiring external inspection, enabling self-diagnosis and self-reporting that improves maintenance efficiency while adding minimal complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously collects operational data from sensors and provides feedback through communication interfaces to external systems, allowing dynamic adjustment of maintenance plans based on real-time spindle condition, thereby improving productivity through informed decision-making

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If traditional manual monitoring methods are used, then device complexity is minimized, but loss of information occurs regarding spindle wear and functional state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespindle status informationVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Manual inspection methods are replaced with electronic sensors and automated data transmission systems that continuously monitor spindle parameters, eliminating information loss while keeping the system relatively simple through standardized communication protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Communication interfaces act as intermediaries between the spindle's sensor systems and external management systems, enabling accurate transmission of operational data without requiring complex direct integration, thus reducing information loss while controlling system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If preventive replacement is performed without predictive data, then reliability is maintained through regular maintenance, but loss of time occurs due to unnecessary replacements and suboptimal scheduling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespindle availabilityVSAvoidmaintenance planning time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring and analysis of spindle condition trends before failure occurs, enabling advance planning of maintenance activities based on actual wear patterns rather than fixed schedules, thus maintaining reliability while reducing unnecessary interventions and time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Maintenance schedules are made dynamic and adaptive based on real-time spindle condition data, allowing optimization of replacement timing according to actual wear rates and operational demands, thereby improving spindle availability while minimizing unnecessary maintenance downtime

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3610339B1Machining spindle
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 BONI MARTIN
  • EP3610339B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3610339B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3610339B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a spindle (1) for machining, comprising a casing (10) enclosing an electric motor (11) rotating a machining tool (12), said machining tool being mounted with respect to the casing by means of at least one bearing (16). The spindle also comprises an electronic operating time counter (20) comprising a first electronic circuit (24, 240, 241, 242) arranged to determine a state of rotation of the motor (11) and/or of the machining tool (12). A second electronic circuit (22) of the counter is configured to carry out a counting of the operating time of the spindle based on signals provided by the first electronic circuit, while a communication module (21) enables a transmission of the operating time via a, preferably wireless, communication interface.