n TECHNOLOGY May 2025 www.drivesncontrols.com 16 SIEMENS HAS ANNOUNCED a version of its Industrial Copilot generative AI-based assistant that supports every stage of the maintenance cycle, from repair and prevention, to prediction and optimisation. It says that the development will redene industrial maintenance strategies by helping users to move beyond traditional maintenance practices toward an intelligent, data-driven approach. Initial pilot applications have shown that the Industrial Copilot for Maintenance can cut reactive maintenance times by an average of 25%. The maintenance tool is one of a suite of Industrial Copilots that Siemens is developing for users in discrete and process manufacturing. It extends the company’s existing Senseye Predictive Maintenance technology with two new packages that oer generative AI-driven insights to enhance decision-making and eciency: n An Entry package that provides a cost-eective introduction to predictive maintenance, combining AI-powered repair guidance with basic predictive capabilities. It is designed to help businesses to transition from reactive to condition-based maintenance, oering limited connectivity for sensor data collection and real-time condition monitoring. With AI-assisted troubleshooting and minimal infrastructure requirements, companies can cut downtime, improve maintenance eciency, and lay the foundations for full predictive maintenance. n A Scale package, designed for enterprises wanting to transform their maintenance strategies. It integrates Senseye Predictive Maintenance with full Maintenance Copilot functions. It allows customers to predict failures before they happen, improve uptime, and cut costs with AI-driven insights. It oers enterprise-wide scalability, automated diagnostics, and sustainable business outcomes. The package will help companies to move beyond traditional maintenance practices, optimising their operations across multiple sites, while supporting long-term eciency and resilience. “This expansion of our Industrial Copilot marks a signicant step in our mission to transform maintenance operations,” says Margherita Adragna, CEO of customer services at Siemens Digital Industries. “By extending our predictive maintenance solutions, we’re enabling industries to seamlessly shift from reactive to proactive maintenance strategies and drive eciency and resilience in an increasingly complex industrial landscape.” www.siemens.com A UK CONSORTIUM has developed a prototype rare-earth-free synchronous reluctance motor which uses aluminium hairpin windings instead of copper, resulting in a robust, low-cost and sustainable alternative to conventional permanent magnet machines. Called the Alumotor, it has been designed to remove up to 60% of the cost of a standard motor. The motor has been developed by a consortium led by the environmental and engineering consultancy, Ricardo, and including Aspire Engineering, Brandauer, the Warwick Manufacturing Group, Phoenix Scientic Industries and Global Technologies Racing. The project has been funded by the government’s Innovate UK organisation. The oil-cooled, 214kW motor operates with a maximum eciency above 92%, and is designed to power light commercial and o-highway vehicles, although it could be scaled to suit other applications. The 400V motor is intended to address issues related to the environmental impact of materials for electric motors. As well as removing up to 12kg of rare-earth magnets, it is free from other critical raw materials such as cobalt. “We are excited to be at the forefront of testing aluminium-hairpin windings, and are achieving strong performance data that will support future go-to-market activities,” says Dr Dragica Kostic-Perovic, Ricardo’s chief engineer responsible for the Alumotor project. “This is a signicant development, showing true innovation, and supports our reputation as experts in the design and development of future sustainable technologies.” www.ricardo.com/en Low-cost, rare-earth-free UK motor uses aluminium windings Generative AI tools can cut industrial maintenance times by 25% Siemens’ generative AI tools support every stage of the maintenance cycle The Alumotor is claimed to remove up to 60% of the cost of a standard motor.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=