Mr. Bladh, why are data-driven models the future of air purifi­ca­tion?

Air is a dynamic medium – just as change­able as the envi­ron­ments in which our customers work. Produc­tion processes are evolving, and there are new legal require­ments and sustain­ability targets to be met. Static solu­tions simply cannot keep up. Data-driven models, on the other hand, create complete trans­parency because they enable proac­tive control and predic­tive main­te­nance in addi­tion to real-time obser­va­tions. Our Zehnder CARA solu­tion combines all of this, creating an IoT plat­form that digi­tally models our air puri­fiers and various sensors to enable optimum digital moni­toring services.

Data-driven models create complete trans­parency because they enable proac­tive control and predic­tive main­te­nance in addi­tion to real-time obser­va­tions.

Magnus Bladh, Head of Tech­nology at Zehnder Clean Air Solu­tions

Is this type of data collec­tion and use a new approach for Zehnder?

At the level of detail we are achieving with CARA, yes – but at its core, it is a logical further devel­op­ment of our service concept. We have always seen ourselves as problem solvers for our customers. They expect more than just clean air, and with digital solu­tions, we can support them even more effec­tively in achieving the best. We deliver our promise more precisely and consis­tently, site by site and day by day.

Free INFO PACKAGE

The new age of air tech­nology is here!

Meet the chal­lenges of your industry with Digital Services. Find out more in our info package about how you can take your venti­lation, air handling and refrig­er­a­tion systems to a new level – thanks to digitalization.

Benefit from digital solu­tions now

Free Whitepaper about Digital Services by ebm-papst

Zehnder CARA and NEXAIRA were devel­oped jointly by Zehnder Clean Air Solu­tions and ebm-papst. How did that come about?

Our two compa­nies have a long-standing rela­tion­ship, and we share the view that data is not an end in itself, but rather the basis for better deci­sions, greater effi­ciency, and also more trust.

Zehnder had been looking for a solu­tion to make air puri­fiers more intel­li­gent for several years. To do this, we needed a partner who under­stood air tech­nology and had IoT exper­tise – and that turned out to be ebm-papst with ebm-papst neo, its digital forge. From 2021 onwards, we pooled our exper­tise. We provided the appli­ca­tion concept, the require­ments, and the target vision, while ebm-papst neo devel­oped the tech­no­log­ical infra­struc­ture for the digital connec­tion. The cloud and control system became NEXAIRA – and CARA was created as a joint devel­op­ment for Zehnder Clean Air Solu­tions as a plat­form for intel­li­gent air purifi­ca­tion.

A Clean Deal!

Zehnder Clean Air Solu­tions supplies the indus­trial laundry company Rentex in the Nether­lands with clean air using CARA and NEXAIRA.

Read more

How does Zehnder CARA work, and what data is collected in the process?

The air purifi­ca­tion unit contains an EC centrifugal fan, a RadiCal that reli­ably draws in air through several filters. We use a stan­dard fan from ebm-papst that comes with a MODBUS inter­face. This allows para­me­ters such as speed and current draw to be read out. Addi­tional sensors measure other vari­ables such as temper­a­ture, humidity, and fine dust in the ambient air. Each box contains an Intel­li­Gate gateway from ebm-papst for data collec­tion and trans­mis­sion. The gateway uses the inte­grated mobile connec­tion to send a constant stream of encrypted data collected from the fan and the air to the cloud plat­form, where it is analyzed and visu­al­ized. The dash­board can be accessed by customers and our service team. The data is also being analyzed by Zehnder R&D and ebm-papst, to opti­mize existing digital services and work on even better product launches in the future.

The Next Era of Air Tech­nology

Learn more about NEXAIRA – the Digital Ecosystem for the Future of Air, Heating, and Cooling Tech­nology by ebm-papst.

Discover NEXAIRA

And what’s in it for customers?

Secu­rity through trans­parency and control.

What does this mean specif­i­cally?

Firstly, Zehnder CARA reveals in real time how good the air quality really is, which creates trust and enables customers to provide veri­fi­able docu­men­ta­tion, for example for certi­fi­ca­tions or audits. Secondly, the system reacts auto­mat­i­cally to changes in the read­ings. If the fine dust content rises, the fan speed is increased until it is back within the optimum range. Thirdly, we always know when it’s the perfect time to change the filter thanks to the sensor data. Customers don’t have to worry about anything, and there are no unex­pected fail­ures. And finally, data-based control obvi­ously enables cost savings because the devices operate at optimum effi­ciency, meaning that the service life of the compo­nents is also extended. At the same time, energy consump­tion is mini­mized when output is reduced during periods of inac­tivity – for example, on week­ends or at night.

What do you think digital solu­tions like Zehnder CARA and NEXAIRA offer as their greatest added value?

Ulti­mately, Zehnder Clean Air Solu­tions, and also ebm-papst with NEXAIRA, offer customers peace of mind. Digital solu­tions manage complexity and enable customers to concen­trate on their core busi­ness. From our perspec­tive, digi­tal­iza­tion means being closer to our customers: listening in real time, oper­ating proac­tively and co-devel­oping the next solu­tions together.