Drives maintenance service integrated with online data

UK service manager Karl Rigg explains that the CDM databank provides an overview of all drive technology in a factory or group of factories, including all installed drives and those in storage. A user can see at a glance the condition of each drive, access its service history and schedule maintenance by an SEW-Eurodrive engineer, he says. Rigg argues that CDM thus streamlines, simplifies and increases the efficiency of a plant's motor drive technology maintenance regime. It can reduce downtime, cut unnecessary stock, identify potential problems early and target older drives that could be replaced to improve energy efficiency, cut costs and improve uptime. "Because CDM is an interface it's a bit like having SEW-Eurodrive in the factory all the time, as part of the user's maintenance team," comments Rigg. "And, in a sense, that's what it is. It's all about raising the bar, delivering excellence, minimising the total cost of ownership and increasing uptime for customers. We think we've done that. CDM is something innovative and really special," he adds. Rigg gives the example of a manufacturing organisation with two plants and a warehouse. A maintenance engineer, he explains, could log on and select either plant 1, plant 2 or the warehouse – opening a list of all plant and equipment using drive technology at that site. Clicking on one of the production lines would take the user to a list of drive technology installed on that line, with each unit being identified by a unique code – meaning no more crawling around with a torch to read a drive's nameplate. The databank provides the name and location of all the drive components, including any units that have not been manufactured by SEW-Eurodrive. Selecting any one of the components in the list then presents all documentation and information. This includes a 3D CAD drawing of the product as installed on the line, a photo of the installed drive and operating instructions. "There's no chance of mislaying important information any more. CDM takes the hassle out of everything," insists Rigg. "The new service gives users complete knowledge of all the drive technology in their factories in a way that has never before been possible,' he concludes.