18 project updates
PROOF THAT VIBRATION MONITORING MAKES SENSE WHEN ENGINEERS ON A NORTH SEA platform reported that an 800kW Ex de certified induction motor was exhibiting high vibration levels Quartzelec’s Aberdeen service centre was approached to investigate and undertake any necessary repairs on an urgent basis before the issue led to a major machine failure. High vibrations in rotating electrical machines can indicate issues with operational performance which will impact machine availability so, with the 800KW production critical motor displaying increased vibration levels, Quartzelec advised that it was quickly removed from operation and sent to
Aberdeen workshop for investigation. The motor was stripped and inspected to determine the repairs needed. All repairs were then completed within an agreed timeframe, and it was then immediately returned to the platform. Commenting on the project, Paul Oliver, Quartzelec’s business unit manager in Aberdeen, said: “We had successfully repaired the sister machine on the North Sea platform two years earlier after catastrophic bearing failure. On that machine, the bearing failure also led to further damage and a full rotor and stator rewind was required. Whilst the first motor repair was costly to the
customer in terms of financial outlay and the resulting lead times, following our recommendations, they incorporated ongoing vibration monitoring which helped them spot problems developing before the failure occurred. This resulted in them saving considerable time and money; whilst maintaining a safe working environment without impacting output. “When budgets are tight, condition monitoring can sometimes be sacrificed, but this is a perfect case which proves that investing in the correct condition monitoring system makes perfect business sense,” concluded Paul. www.quartzelec.com
In-situ machining of a traction motor EARLIER THIS YEAR MERSEN POWER TRANSFER Technologies UK, working with Mersen Benelux, started the in-situ machining of more than 90 brushed MA set DC motors at the customer depot. The MA Set commutators had started to show signs of wear and tear after many years of service, with some motors flashing over and failing on the Class 455 locomotives, causing train availability and reliability issues. Mersen deployed its Motor Maintenance and Services (MMS) team, in very strange times due to the ongoing pandemic, and started the machining of the DC commutators to return them to a nearly new state. The project should be completed by the end of this year. www.mersen.co.uk
CAUSING A STIR ENGINEERS AT WESTIN DRIVES came up with an innovative solution when they were presented with a paintstirring machine that was only able to run at one speed. Fraser Lynch, Technical Manager at Westin Drives, explained that 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 solution was needed to enable them to upgrade the unit so it could run at variable speeds to reduce over-agitation of certain paints and to increase it for others. Quarter 4 2020
Because single-phase motors have limited and expensive variable speed drive controls, a progressive output three-phase motor and single to threephase IP66 inverter from Invertek was offered as a suitable engineering solution. Because it was still perfectly serviceable, the existing gearbox was retained. 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 downtime. www.westindrives.com www.theaemt.com
