Coburg-based Kaeser Kompressoren SE is building digital twins of its networked compressors using Aucotec’s Software Engineering Base (EB). The operating data can thus be monitored in real time, allowing technicians to recognize in advance when a system threatens to fail. However, Kaeser is also leveraging the data to improve the range and technology of its systems.

All machine data is collected and analyzed in EB; among other things, the software is also a powerful database, while forwarding the data from the control system to the predictive maintenance system. EB provides the latter a list of all possible measuring points. EB then determines which sensors are relevant for predictive maintenance as well as how often and with which level of accuracy the control system should transfer its operating data. EB also stores information on the type of data, for example, whether it comes from pressure, temperature or level sensors and the units being used. As compressed air systems are often customized, EB also stores the customer’s inventory data and requirements.