Innovative motor upgrade causes a stir

By Fraser Lynch, Technical Manager
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Our engineers came up with an innovative solution when they were presented with a paint-stirring machine that could run at only one speed.

The machine's owners needed to diversify their paint offering, but the bespoke, single-phase agitator was not up to the job. A cost-effective way was required to upgrade the unit to run at variable speeds to reduce over-agitation of certain paints and to increase it for others.

​Electrical engineer Adam Daffern, supported by our workshop manager Steve Ormondroyd, proposed an engineering solution, pictured above.

As single-phase motors have limited and expensive vsd controls, a progressive output three-phase motor and single to three-phase IP66 inverter from Invertek was offered. The existing gearbox was retained as it was perfectly serviceable. 

The customer was delighted with this neat and effective solution and was able to adapt to present and future requirements with only 24 hours of down time. 

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