Condition monitoring and cloud-based data acquisition platforms are set to revolutionise the way railway operators address their asset management obligations.

SKF and Siemens have signed a partnership agreement that will focus on improving train operators’ asset management efficiencies. The partnership will see the implementation of SKF’s Insight Rail condition based maintenance solution in combination with Siemens' Railigent Application Suite that is linked with the Internet of Things operating system MindSphere.

This new cooperation between SKF and Siemens, which leverages the resources of SKF’s Digitalization initiative, will facilitate on-line monitoring of several important components such as wheelset bearings and wheels via Siemens’ Railigent Application Suite for mass transit and infrastructure operators. The goal of this project is to help customers anticipate issues with individual components, and allow them to schedule maintenance only when it is required using one single monitoring system.

SKF Insight Rail is SKF's first fully wireless, condition based monitoring system for railway rolling stock operators. Easy to install and operate, the solution provides local measurement, data analysis and display of actionable information via an intuitive app. Railigent is a Siemens cloud-based Application Suite that provides a single interface for data collected from many different infrastructure and vehicle system components. Dubbed the ‘Internet of Trains’, Railigent gives operators the tools required to increase train availability by leveraging the power of the Industrial Internet Of Things.

Filip Rosengren, Director, Railway Industry at SKF comments: “With Railigent, Siemens offers a powerful platform for a multitude of digital services. In particular, the system simplifies data access, enabling operators to gather essential data about the condition of their rolling stock components from a single access point."

Johannes Emmelheinz, CEO of Customer Services at Siemens Mobility Division, comments: "Wheelset bearings are critical components for any rolling stock operator. Together with SKF we seek to move the industry toward the objective of one hundred-percent availability with safe, efficient service.

SKF is a world leader in the bearings business and we are delighted to be able to offer SKF’s innovative Insight Rail solution to customers via our Railigent Application Suite. SKF is a provider of solutions and services, including the design of axlebox and drive system bearings and condition monitoring systems for the railway industry.

The Siemens Mobility Division is a leading global provider of rail solutions, including vehicles, infrastructure and automation solutions for all passenger rail segments. This new partnership between the two companies was signed in March 2018.