100% service for 1% of the motor market

Of all the motors in operation in the UK, less than 1% are DC motors. But that doesn’t mean they deserve service that’s anything less than 100%. And simply because they are old technology doesn’t mean there’s no scope for innovation and improvement. So even as the major motor manufacturers abandon support for their own products, ERIKS continues to offer commutator and slip ring know-how, to repair, refurbish and revitalise the performance of your DC motors.

"Repair, refurbish, revitalise"

As part of the nationwide ERIKS network, Lambeth Commutators supports customers and ERIKS branches nationwide, with a service that’s unique in the UK.

Manufacturing and repairing all sizes from 100-1000mm. It mills its own copper segments on-site – saving time and, with no minimum order requirement, enabling the cost-effective production of one-offs.

It maintains its own stock of mica insulation, rather than forcing customers to endure a six-week delivery lead-time for insulation from India. And lastly, for customers who demand new steel and for new manufacturing, it keeps a stock of steel on-site, to cut lead times and speed-up turnaround and final delivery.

But manufacturing and repairing commutators isn’t just about how quickly it’s done. It’s also about how well it’s done.

"Cut lead times and speed-up turnaround and final delivery"

Success under pressure

One innovation that helps ensure a higher-quality product is the unique Lambeth Commutators pressing procedure.

Developed and tested in-house, and proven during numerous manufacturing operations, the procedure provides greatly improved results compared with the traditional rotary seasoning used by other manufacturers and repairers.

By pressing under a heavy tonnage until?stabilisation is achieved, the procedure eliminates the bar lift which can occur with rotary seasoning. The result is a higher quality, more robust and more reliable commutator.

Drawing on experience

Whether it’s a commutator or slip ring you need repairing or replaced, coming to ERIKS will give you a head start. That’s because Lambeth Commutators holds a large library of manufacturers’ drawings.

So all work can be carried out to the precise OE specifications.

If the drawings are not in the files, Lambeth Commutators can acquire the required dimensions from the original component, for reverse engineering. Even a burnt, collapsed or worn slip ring can provide the necessary information for accurate reproduction.

With over 50 years of experience behind them, the company’s technical engineers ensure that the motor is rebuilt to an even higher standard and better quality than the original. Or if there’s a recurring fault, instead of simply replacing like-with-like, the engineers can propose, design and manufacture a special or redesign.

When the going gets tough...

It doesn’t matter how well-designed or well-engineered a commutator is if it’s manufactured with poor-quality materials. So Lambeth Commutators are made using only high-quality metals and insulation.

For example, the copper component of each commutator includes 0.03 – 0.1% silver. This enhances the ability of the copper to withstand heat and stress even for prolonged periods.

Whilst inferior commutators may use a variety of different materials for insulation, those made by Lambeth Commutators use only epoxy binder mica, which is the most effective material for insulating the copper segments from each other and from the steel body. The mica beads are manufactured on site, and where required can withstand test loads as high as 7,500V.

Equally robust, the steel bodies of the commutators employ steel with a tensile-strength of 40 tons/sq. in

DC motors may be only 1% of those in operation. But if yours fails it’s 100% of the problem. Depend on ERIKS and Lambeth Commutators to provide the solution.

"Higher quality, more robust and more reliable"

We’re really motoring

A high-quality repair should go without saying – or you could find that your commutator is back in the workshop again far sooner than it ought to be. But sometimes, speed is just as important as quality.

That was the case with a customer in Sweden, whose motor failed on a Friday due to blown insulation on the commutator. With downtime ticking away and the costs of lost production rapidly racking up, they realised that flying the failed asset to the UK for repair was their quickest and most cost-effective option.

Thanks to Lambeth Commutators’ technical expertise, dedicated engineers, and in-house stocks of mica insulation, the repair was completed over the weekend and the good-as-new commutator flown back to the customer by Monday morning.

For more information on?Engineering solutions, contact your local ???ERIKS Service Centre,?who will be happy to discuss your options.

This article is also featured in the latest KNOW+HOW Publication.

If you want to get your copy, download it here ?? KNOW+HOW Issue 51

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