ebm‑papst Group, the world’s leading manufacturer of fans and motors, now also provides digital Air Technology solutions. Through Digital Services, companies can address industry challenges and elevate the performance of their ventilation and refrigeration systems to new heights.

Businesses today face numerous challenges, including cost pressures, sustainability demands, and a shortage of skilled workers. In this context, air conditioning and refrigeration systems play a critical role. They significantly contribute to operational safety, a comfortable working environment, air quality, and energy efficiency. While modern EC fans serve as essential components for efficient and reliable systems, optimal hardware alone is no longer sufficient to achieve substantial energy and cost savings or to meet increasingly stringent requirements. Digital solutions that integrate operational and environmental data with software and artificial intelligence provide a host of added benefits. ebm‑papst’s offerings now include the ebm‑papst Service App for customers and installing partners, the digital platform epCloud, as well as accompanying basic functions and digital services.

Maximizing Value with Sensors and Gateways
To fully harness the benefits of digitalization, sensors and gateways are essential. These tools can even be retrofitted to existing systems, enabling digital networking in no time. Once connected, they facilitate the systematic collection of operating data, such as fan performance metrics, air temperature, and humidity levels. Using this data and existing system information, systems can be optimized based on data-driven insights and conclusions.

Making Systems Smarter with Base Functions and Digital Services
By utilizing IntelliGate gateways and the epCloud, users gain access to two base functions: Condition Monitoring and Cloud-2-Cloud Communication. These functions drive further energy savings and enhance operational reliability. In addition, ebm‑papst offers three advanced Digital Services: Demand-Controlled Ventilation (DCV), Vibration Analysis, and Heat Exchanger or Filter Clogging Detection. DCV enables intelligent, demand-based operation of EC fans. For instance, the system can adjust fan speeds to maintain optimal indoor air quality or to match the precise air volume required. Vibration Analysis helps diagnose unwanted fan vibrations, enhancing operational safety. Meanwhile, Heat Exchanger or Filter Clogging Detection identifies clogging and facilitates predictive maintenance (e. g. cleaning of heat exchangers or replacement of filters), preventing unplanned downtime. This streamlines the maintenance of condensers, recoolers, or AHUs, ensuring continued efficiency and reliability.

Streamlining Commissioning for Maximum Efficiency
Fan commissioning is set to become quicker and more cost-effective. With the ebm‑papst ´Service App for customers and specialist partners´ OEMs, installers, and fitters can manage the process effortlessly via their smartphones. Even complex systems can be configured in just a few clicks. The app supports real-time monitoring and diagnostics through Ethernet, Wi-Fi, GSM, and Bluetooth Low Energy. Additionally, it performs a multi-stage fan check automatically, summarizing the results in a clear, concise report.

ebm‑papst has summarized more details on the solutions described, how the new Digital Services work, and the technical basics in a comprehensive white paper. It can be downloaded at ebmpapst.com/digital-services