Page 11 - Industrial Technology EXTRA 7th June 2021

various suppliers to source a replacement. However, with minimal modification. An express, four-day
the best lead time for a rebuilt gearbox was six build would ensure that the geared motor was
weeks, which was an inadequate turnaround for the delivered the week before the busy and highly
plant during such a busy time of year. The gearbox profitable festive season.
was then sent to a local rewind company, which
identified that the failure had been caused by Festive logistics
damage to the main pinion gear and mating first The replacement geared motor was completed a
gear. Again, the quoted lead time for new gears was day ahead of schedule. However, the next challenge
six weeks. These long lead times were in part due was to ensure that the unit reached the food
to the gearbox being ATEX-rated for use in processing plant. Ports had been closed due to the
potentially explosive application environments. global pandemic, which with additional driver
With downtime costs increasing, the Group testing, congestion and customs delays, held up
Engineering Manager at the food processing plant delivery by 24 hours. The Rotamec team called the
called Rotamec to provide urgent support. German logistics company delivering the geared
motor every couple of hours to ensure the food
Sourcing a suitable gearbox processing plant knew exactly when the unit would
Darryl Beecham, Business Development Executive arrive. These updates carried on around the clock so
at Rotamec, took the call: “We are a leading the plant could plan production around the delivery.
provider of electromechanical engineering services Despite the multiple logistical challenges, the
for rotating equipment in the UK. Our specialty is new geared motor arrived in time. Rotamec
responding to critical breakdowns for customers in supported plant engineers who worked through the
pressurised sectors such as food and
beverage. We operate a 24/7, 365 days-a-
year repair service. Our teams are often on-site
within hours, which backed by our in-house
engineering capability, ensures we can offer
greatly reduced lead times on repairs or
replacement equipment.
“After close discussions with engineers at
the plant regarding the mixer application and
any flexibility in available solutions, it was
discovered that the mixer had been moved
from its original location in an ATEX rated area
into a non-ATEX rated zone. This meant the
replacement gearbox didn’t require such a
specification, expanding available options.”
The Rotamec team set about trying to
source a suitable replacement gearbox on a
reduced lead time. They were able to find a 45
kW helical bevel geared motor from a German
manufacturer which would slot into the mixer

June 2021 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA • p11