Steve Ormondroyd, Workshop Manager Here's part of a 4kW Friedrich vibrator motor that we received for repair. After dismantling and inspecting it, significant electrical and mechanical damage was found. The windings had failed, both the male and female spigots were significantly worn and the bearing housings showed evidence of wear. We could have repaired this vibrator to the best of our ability, and that may have been more cost-effective than replacing it. But there is always an element of risk in doing such significant mechanical repair work on a vibrator motor – and on this occasion we decided the risk was too great. Due the massive mechanical stresses these vibrators are subject to, any mechanical weakness will quickly lead to failure. For us, clear and honest communication with the customer – perhaps, on occasion even talking ourselves out of a job – is the best policy, It helps to establish a good working relationships and build trust which is critical. So we have offered to replace the vibrator motor with a new model and we await the customer's response.
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By Steve Ormondroyd, Workshop Manager We recently repaired a 200kW WEG compressor motor which was removed due to increasing vibration. During routine bearing failure analysis, evidence of electrical discharge was found – despite an insulated bearing at the non-drive end. This had causing fluting on the raceways, the cause of the increasing vibration readings We can only speculate that some damage to the insulating coating was allowing the current to pass through the bearing and causing the raceways damage. The motor was subjected to our usual high standard of repair and extra care was taken when fitting the new SKF Insocoat bearing at the N.D.E to ensure the insulating coating wasn’t damaged. We also fitted an additional grounding brush there. This motor can be returned to the customer safe in the knowledge that it will run correctly for years to come. Lenze has announced the phasing out of its 8400 frequency controller series. The last chance to place an order is December 31, 2025, with the final delivery two years later. Spares can can be ordered until December 2030 if materials are available. The phase-out covers the following products:
Lenze gives the following reasons:
For the future, Lenze is recommending the standard Lenze i-series controllers: i5xx frequency controllers, suitable for in the control cabinet and in the field, the multi-axis i750 and i950 servo controllers. Westin Drives is a Lenze Distribution Partner. If you have any questions about present or future Lenze products, please contact Adam Daffern, our Technical Services manager, on 01484 453399. Apprentice Oliver Lowe introduces work experience student Dylan Smith to a WEG motor in our new products assembly area. It's being flanged up, then coupled to a Radicon gearbox, replacing a faulty bespoke DC geared motor on an accumulator infeed in the textile industry. Dylan, 15, has thoughts of becoming an engineer after leaving Netherhall High School – and Britain urgently needs more engineers. A recent report by EngineeringUK found that demand is predicted to grow faster than for other occupations. Dr Hilary Leevers, EngineeringUK's chief executive, said: “Given the soaring demand for engineers across all sectors, it’s essential that the UK has a robust plan and funding in place to train the future workforce, bringing more young people from all backgrounds into engineering and technology.' At Westin Drives, we are helping to find the engineers of the future by encouraging school pupils and college students to apply for work experience. Several of our team joined us that way and have progressed through the company. We also go into schools to explain what sort of work we do and to answer general questions about a career in engineering. Dylan's father, Wayne, has been a skilled engineer with Westin Drives for 20 years and is happy to see his son follow in his footsteps. A Serfilco air-operated double diaphragm pump (AODD) came in for urgent repair. However, the parts required were on a two to three week lead time. Being an authorised distributor of SAMOA’s flow division, we were able to specify and source a replacement unit within two days from SAMOA HQ in Spain. The SAMOA unit is a plug and play solution for the customer, critically including its performance, flanges and footprint. This unit pumps diluted sulphuric and hydrofluoric acid, for a West Yorkshire company in the renewables industry, so the specification of the materials was crucial. In this case it has ATEX approved, polypropylene manifolds with PTFE internals, capable of up to 200L/min at five metres head. By Michael Limb A customer requested an urgent repair of a Siemens programmable logic controller which had failed, stopping one of their main production lines. On receiving the faulty unit, our expert electronics engineers rapidly diagnosed a fault with the internal power supply. The required parts were in stock so we were able to complete the necessary repairs within hours and return the unit to the customer to restore operations with minimum downtime. The customer later commented: 'Thanks for the brilliant response today, much appreciated.' Our versatile team has extensive experience of a wide range of inverters and industrial electronic equipment and specialises in repairing obsolete equipment. Westin Drives is an authorised distributor for Samoa Pumps, Europe’s largest manufacturers of air operated pumps and systems for fluid measuring, control and management. The product range covers air operated double diaphragm pumps, which are interchangeable with most other manufacturers pumps, transfer pumps, extrusion pumps, lubrication pumps, pressure washers and sprayers. Its products are suitable for food and beverage, textile, mining water and most other industrial sectors as well as marine, industrial and oil and gas exploration markets. With their patented flow technology, Samoa pumps deliver outstanding performance, are very easy to service and are competitively priced. Samoa also offers a free 30-day trial before purchase and attractive incentives for full or partial plant conversions. Please send us your enquiries and we will respond promptly. By Wayne Smith A Westin Drives repair engineer puts the finishing touches to this 55kW ac motor. The motor, which had been sent to us for repair, was rewound by one of our experienced team and special thermistors were fitted for each phase. On inspection, it was found that the rotor shafts were worn, so these were metal sprayed by our sister company Westin Engineering. The housing was checked and the motor is now ready for return to the customer. |
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