VAHLE presents extended functions of the Smart Collector at SPS

Paul Vahle GmbH & Co. KG is attending this year's SPS (Smart Production Solutions) trade fair in Nuremberg from November 14 to 16 with several upgrades to its Smart Collector. Among other things, the Kamen-based system provider has recently equipped its globally unique intelligent current collector system with a thermal sensor. This makes it possible to detect temperatures on the conductor rail in order to localize potential hotspots at an early stage. In addition, the phase spacing of the predictive maintenance tool has been extended so that it can now also be used in high-bay warehouses and sorting systems. For the first time, trade fair guests will also have the opportunity to see the Smart Collector live in action on a large electric monorail system. At the VAHLE stand in Hall 4, Stand 336, they will also learn all about the latest product features and upgrades at first hand.

"With the recently implemented improvements, we can present a Smart Collector at SPS that is even more powerful and at the same time more versatile. We see the predictive maintenance approach, which is an integral part of our system, as the key to the future of industrial automation," says VAHLE Product Manager Jessica Genz. The innovative solution for the energy supply of mobile systems makes it possible to prevent unplanned production downtimes and make the manufacturing process more worry-free.

VAHLE recently equipped the Smart Collector with new functions, including making it IDAA-capable. This is a method in which the entire system is continuously measured and analyzed for its condition in real time, parallel to system operation. The intelligent pantograph has now received further upgrades - in the form of a thermal sensor that continuously measures the temperature of the conductor rail during travel. In this way, assembly errors or defects, for example at transitions or poorly contacted connection points, can be detected at an early stage.

The use of the thermal sensor can therefore significantly increase the safety and efficiency of systems. "Our main unit already has a slot for the thermal sensor, so customers don't have to purchase new hardware components or replace existing parts," explains Genz. The main unit analyzes the data from the thermal sensor in real time and sends a warning message to the data center as soon as it detects thermal peaks. Similar to the already familiar movement data messages, this message is then displayed in a traffic light system for the user. "And the best thing about it: customers who purchase the software package in the early bird concept by the end of 2025 will not incur any additional costs for this high-quality extension," continues the product manager.

Another new feature is the Smart Collector's extended range of applications. It can now also be used in areas such as high-bay warehouses and sorting systems, and by extending the phase spacing, the predictive maintenance tool can now also monitor systems with a phase spacing of 18 mm and 26 mm, such as those found in the VAHLE conductor rail systems VKS and U20.

VAHLE will also be presenting innovations outside of its product portfolio. This year, the VAHLE trade fair stand will have a completely new look. For the first time, the leading system provider for mobile industrial applications is installing an electric monorail system to present the Smart Collector live and in action. Visitors to the trade fair will have the opportunity to experience the innovative technology and its benefits up close. VAHLE is offering an expert webinar entitled "VAHLE Smart Collector: Knowing today what will happen tomorrow" for those who would like to get to know the Smart Collector before the trade fair. 
The webinar will take place on October 26 at 11 a.m. and will last 30 minutes.

Interested parties can register free of charge using the following registration link: link.vahle.de/seidabei

Further information about VAHLE can be found at: https://www.vahle.de