Predictive Maintenance

Predictive Maintenance is a maintenance strategy that uses real-time data to calculate when a component (e.g. the cooling compressor) is likely to fail, so that it can be serviced proactively beforehand.

Function and area of use

Instead of waiting until the vending machine breaks down (reactive maintenance) or replacing parts unnecessarily early (preventive maintenance), predictive maintenance uses sensor data. If, for example, the cooling performance drops slightly over several days or the power consumption of the spiral motor rises slightly, the algorithm detects an impending problem.

This technology is used mainly for large vending fleets, where downtime is expensive. In hospitals or railway stations, where 24/7 availability is critical, predictive maintenance ensures uptime of almost 100%. Technicians are sent out with the right spare part before the customer notices a fault.

Analysing the life cycles of wear parts makes it possible to optimise spare parts stocks and significantly extend the overall service life of the vending machines.

Advantages

• Avoiding unplanned downtime and lost revenue
• Extending the service life of valuable components (e.g. the cooling system)
• More efficient route planning for technicians (no emergency call-outs)
• Lower overall maintenance costs through targeted interventions
• Higher customer satisfaction thanks to units that always work
• Transparent condition reports for the entire vending fleet
• Reducing consequential damage by intervening in good time

Technical details

The system requires machine learning algorithms in the cloud that compare historical data with live sensor data (vibration, temperature, power consumption). Communication is via the vending machine’s IoT interface.

Frequently asked questions

Is predictive maintenance expensive to retrofit?

For modern vending machines, it is often just a software add-on to the existing telemetry. The costs are quickly recouped through savings on repair costs.

Can the system predict every defect?

Many mechanical and electronic signs of wear are predictable. Sudden external influences (vandalism) cannot, of course, be calculated in advance.

Related terms

• Vending machine cooling system
• IoT vending machine
• Vending machine remote maintenance
• Telemetry system
• Spiral motor

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