Proper shaft specifications and bearing fits are key to reducing vibration in fan and blower applications.

The Problem: A large pharmaceutical company had a catastrophic failure on a fan unit. The failed bearing and shaft assembly was brought into our shop and a Failure Analysis was conducted. The drive end (DE) bearing was a 2 15/16”, solid housed, spherical roller pillow block with a set screw locking device. The inner ring of the bearing had fractured. Most bearing inner rings are through hardened which makes them very brittle.  This unit had…

Troy Industrial Acquiring B&J Electric Motor Repair

A tip from a vendor led Jason Smith to the first acquisition in the 150-year history of his family’s company in upstate New York. Smith, as president and CEO of Troy Industrial Solutions, is buying a motor shop in southwest Connecticut. He expects the purchase to close early next month. The purchase signals that Troy Industrial Solutions views geographic expansion as the best way to drive growth. The acquisition also enables Smith, age 35, to…

Still Water Runs Deep

Water always finds a way to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. At least when it comes to electric motor and drive reliability. Moisture settling on the insulation of your electric motor will reduce the resistance-to-ground and increase the capacitance-to-ground readings. These facts are well known. Not as well known, is the fact that a poor ground wall insulation condition can also be detrimental to the operation, reliability, and life expectancy of…