IMPACT: Improved machinery performance using active control technology

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 97.0305-1

Key words (English)

Diagnosis; smart machines; supervision; intelligent control; magnetic bearings

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 4. Frame Research Programme - 2.1 Industrial and materials technologies

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

TU Darmstadt (D) , IC London (UK), BOSCH (D), Mecons Traxler (CH), Mecanizaciones Aeronauticas S.A. (E), Austrian Energy Environment (A)

Abstract (English)

During the last two decades, the field of 'Mechatronics' has emerged, combining components and technologies from three different areas: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Sciences.
A large number of modern machines and products are based on this technology. While the technology has been maturing, it has become evident that there is a large unused potential in many of these machines. This potential lies in the ability to process more extensively the information which is already available within the machine and to react to sensor signal inputs in an intelligent way.
IMPACT is aiming at exploiting this potential and developing a new generation of mechatronic products, so-called smart machines. To this end, the available sensor signals are first used for process monitoring and fault detection. If a fault occurs, a prognosis for the development of the fault is made. Finally, a corrective measure is chosen and applied to the system via its actuators. By means of this technology, it will be possible to build machines that run safer with longer operating cycles and shorter maintenance times.
In this project, ETH developed and implemented this technology together with their partners. ETH and MECOS Traxler were responsible for adapting their Active Magnetic Bearing technology to these advanced requirements. The actual examples include an AMB water pump and a magnetically levitated spindle for internal grinding.
The concept pursued within this project is especially appealing since the new functionality is based on making better use of hardware that already exists in the systems. Since most of the new developments consist in software, they are easy to implement on existing systems, yielding a greatly enhanced functionality at only little additional cost.
The project ended successfully. Due to the promising results and the good cooperation, the partners decided to apply for a follow-up project which has been accepted by the EU in the meantime.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 97.0305-1