Continental ‘Make Power Smart’
New app ensures correct selection, calculation, tensioning, alignment and installation of drive belts
CONTINENTAL have developed a mobile app which, they say, represents a new way of working with belts. ‘Make Power Smart’ has been running successfully in the North American market since summer 2021, and customer feedback has been consistently positive. Now the app is launching in Europe for Android and iOS smartphones.
‘The app is another important step into the digital age to help our customers do their work more easily and efficiently,’ explained Mariano Alvaro, who is leading the development of the app. ‘Make Power Smart' is a versatile on-site 'first aid' tool. With just a few clicks, the user gets a digital and interactive analysis of the belt, as well as important data on its condition. The benefits are ease of use, less downtime, longer belt life, and lower costs.’
The ‘Make Power Smart’ app digitizes the information and most common tools used to analyse and set up a belt drive, allowing users to improve belt drives themselves on site. Those responsible for machines and systems with belt drives, as well as sales professionals or application consultants, can find the most important tools bundled in an app on their mobile device.
‘Make Power Smart’ consists of various modules with special functions: Gathering information on the spot; identifying and selecting the best belt according to the requirements; measuring drive geometry such as centre distance, pulley diameter, and wrap angle; checking drive alignment; calculating drive systems; and checking and setting the correct tension, which is analysed by the smartphone’s built-in microphone. This allows Continental’s customers to make their own rapid adjustments, instead of having to hire an external team for troubleshooting.
‘Our app offers important maintenance functions that our customers can access at the touch of a finger. ‘Make Power Smart’ is designed not only to save costs while extending the life of belt systems, but also to improve their operation,’ said Mr Alvaro. ‘This app represents a revolution because it allows our customers to troubleshoot their drive belts on their own without having to call the technician directly or interrupt the production process.’
The app was conceived as part of Continental’s internal innovation competition and was later chosen as the winner. For European retailers, it is now available free of charge for Android and iOS.
