Corporate
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July 13, 2006
Advanced Energy’s new motor-stand test shortens time-to-market cycle for OEMs
RALEIGH – Advanced Energy’s upgraded motor-rig test shortens the time-to-market cycle for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) clients. The ability to accommodate a greater number of motors and a wider range of experimental conditions, the stand offers the ability for quick decisions to be made confidently. Currently, the new rig is in the middle of a trial run on accelerated-life motor testing. “For many OEM clients, the motor is one of the most expensive or critical parts of the product,” said David Berkowitz, Advanced Energy’s director of OEM test services. “Manufacturers need to make sure they’re achieving the best performance for the best price. Both the reputation and profitability of the companies are at stake, and Advanced Energy can reduce their risk by conducting meaningful accelerated endurance tests to justify that a change is the right decision to make.” A reliability rig test is performed by conducting side-by-side tests, featuring incumbent and challenger motors. Challenger motors are considered to explore alternatives of lower cost or higher performance; a requirement for change might also be necessary. Under identical conditions, comparisons of the two prototype motors are evaluated. Possible circumstances include temperature, load or frequency of operation. The tests are intended to mimic real-life application of motors and takes between two and six weeks, depending on the cycle length and individual customer needs. Emmanuel Agamloh, design and development leader of the new rig, said there were two goals of the testing system upgrade. The first was to facilitate the decision process regarding motor reliability among Advanced Energy’s OEM clients. “Getting our [OEM] client’s products and services to the marketplace faster gives them a competitive edge and greater profit margin,” Agamloh said. The second goal was providing flexible testing conditions. “We created a rig that will help our customers simulate all kinds of testing conditions relating to the demands of their respective applications,” Agamloh said. One company who has obtained solutions is Hennessy Industries, a Danaher Company. They have conducted several head-to-head motor endurance tests at Advanced Energy in which alternative motors were evaluated as possible additions or replacements to their incumbent motors. “The information we’ve obtained from these tests has been invaluable,” said Brian LaBorde, Hennessy’s vice president of engineering. “It has enabled us to make informed decisions about our performance objectives and on behalf of our customers, who expect a trouble-free, quality product from us.” As an unbiased and independent testing facility, Advanced Energy collaborates with clients to help them make more informed decisions about their motors and motor-driven systems. This is achieved through providing experimental data. Advanced Energy has been running reliability tests since May 2004. The mission of Advanced Energy’s motors and drives group is to improve the application and operation of motor and drive systems for maximum reliability and efficiency. The sector promotes U.S. competitiveness and the jobs that are tied to it. For more information, visit the Motors and Drives website at http://www.advancedenergy.org/motors_and_drives/, or contact David Berkowitz at 919.857.9047 or dberkowitz@advancedenergy.org.
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