The Green Servo: Refurbishing And Repurposing Your Factory Motors

Industrial & Manufacturing Blog

Every servo motor will start to give the operator signs that it needs to be rebuilt. And every servo motor can be easily refurbished and used in a new application. Here's what you should know about recognizing servo motor problems, what to expect from a rebuild and how you can effectively and sustainably repurpose your servo motors.

SIGNS OF IMPENDING MOTOR FAILURE

There are certain key signs that, even if they only happen occasionally, tell you that your servo motor may not function adequately for much longer. These signs are:

  • Overheating
  • Abnormally noisy operation
  • Slipping or non-moving rotor
  • Switching issues
  • Motor locking up

Because these issues can be caused by everything from bad bearings to loose bolts to clogged motor parts, it's best to have a professional such as Boise Electric Motor Company perform an overall inspection and rebuild of troublesome servo motors. If the issue is wiring, an inspection and repair will ready the motor for smooth operation with any previous or new control process.

THE SERVO INSPECTION CHECKLIST

A motor repair specialist takes time with each unit to perform a number of checks. Both the mechanical and the electrical performance are thoroughly tested and calibrated. Specific control processes are simulated to be sure the motor is configured to operate in its intended role.

A servo motor inspection and rebuild will include the following:

  • Shaft rotation check
  • Encoder analysis
  • Old bearings removed and replaced
  • Voltage test
  • Surge test in all phases
  • Tachometer readings of motor shaft
  • Simulated factory controller testing

Your motor repair specialist will give you a detailed report on the problems that led to the motor failure. If there are operator mistakes or environmental impacts harming the motor, you can take steps to train staff and minimize location issues.

SUSTAINABLE SERVO USE

Even if you plan to upgrade a malfunctioning servo motor, chances are good you can use it in a different location once it's professionally refurbished. As long as the motor can exceed the horsepower/torque requirements of a given process, it can replace stepper motors or inadequate servo units.

With today's advances in local, customizable controls, you can now use smartphones, tablets and handheld control modules to direct your servo motors on the line. It's also easier to reconfigure operating parameters when retooling.

Even if you can't use an extra servo motor on your line, refurbish it anyway and then donate it to a school or use it to experiment on innovative ideas for your facility.

Be a green giant: don't let any good servo be left behind.

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28 December 2014

Planning a Construction Project Without all the Stress

Planning a large construction project can be stressful as the project leader. As a consultant for large construction companies, I see project planners buckle under pressure all the time – usually because the right support systems and resources are not put into place. It takes more than a good plan to pull together an effective and stress-free construction project. Finding the right service providers, laborers, and plan developers is just as important. This blog was designed to provide those in the construction world with tips and tricks for getting a job done in a straight forward and profitable manner. From project supply ideas to support service options, hopefully you can find some answers to your pressing questions here.