Voith & Siemens Launch Predictive Monitoring for Scharfenberg Couplers

Partnership Overview

This summer, mechanical engineering leader Voith announced a strategic alliance with Siemens Mobility to deliver a condition‑monitoring solution for the Scharfenberg coupler, a widely used automatic railway coupler. Voith will develop the monitoring software, while Siemens will embed it into its Railigent suite, which runs on the MindSphere IIoT platform.

Technology and Data Flow

The Voith application collects data from deformation tubes and dampers inside the coupler. It then streams the information to Railigent, where predictive analytics flag potential failures—such as a broken damper—before they lead to unplanned downtime. This integration provides operators with actionable insights, lowers maintenance costs, and enhances passenger safety.

Demo at Innotrans 2018

A prototype of the monitoring app was unveiled at Innotrans 2018, the Berlin trade fair held 18–21 Sept. The event highlighted how digital sensing can transform routine coupler maintenance into predictive care.

Voith’s Digital Journey

“At our Coupling facility in Salzgitter, we sought to add digital features to our products,” explains Dr. Matheus Habets, manager of strategic design at Voith Digital Solutions. “Partnering with Siemens, whose Railigent platform exemplifies Industry 4.0, allowed us to offer an affordable, sustainable solution that can be scaled across our product line.”

Benefits for Rail Operators

Key advantages include:

• Early detection of component wear, reducing emergency repairs.
• Optimized maintenance schedules that keep fleets on the line.
• Lower operational costs through fewer breakdowns and spare‑part inventory savings.
• Improved safety for passengers and staff.

Industry 4.0 Integration

Siemens Mobility’s Railigent is an open ecosystem that brings together third‑party apps, enabling seamless asset management across rolling stock and infrastructure. As Lena Nicolas‑Kryzhko, head of partner management, notes, “This one‑stop platform eliminates the need for each supplier to build its own IoT solution from scratch.”

Future Outlook

Voith plans to extend digital monitoring to other rail components—gear cases, rail packs, and wheelsets—leveraging the same cloud‑to‑cloud architecture. The collaboration exemplifies how established manufacturers can accelerate digital transformation by combining expertise with proven platforms.