Novel encapsulation keeps motors safe from chicks

Exico and County Rewinds have combined to provide a solution to making electric motors work for six months in an application that can destroy a standard device in as little as 6 days.

How do you make electric motors work for six months in an application that can destroy a standard electric motor in as little as 6 days? Exico and County Rewinds based in Brackley have provided the answer with a fast, flexible response and an innovate solution.

County Rewinds has been servicing the large Descenda Group chicken preparation plant with replacement and rewound motors for several years.

Chris Baker Engineering Manager at County Rewinds explains: "Due to the speed of production and the harshness of the environment, avoiding unplanned downtime is a constant challenge.

For example just 10min downtime can cost far more than a replacement motor.

Applications such as conveyors require daily washdowns with hot disinfectant water and others are frequently enveloped in hot corrosive steam, the result is that some electric motors often survive only a matter of weeks or even days".

In an attempt to extend the working life of motors on the site while still meeting strict cost criteria for replacement items, most of which are below 3kW, County Rewinds turned to the Exico M-Series range of cost competitive AC motors.

Once in the workshop, County Rewinds uses a method developed in-house for encapsulating the units and their terminal boxes and attaching waterproof cabling.

Motor bearings are also replaced with sealed stainless-steel items to give added protection.

The result is a cost competitive solution that, so far, has lasted six months in one of the harshest areas.

Says Baker: "We have used all sorts of motors in these applications, including some aluminium frame motors that actually corroded through the body, not in an area where it could affect the food line, I hasten to add.

We had to find a good quality motor from a trusted supplier that would withstand us making our slightly unconventional modifications and last; while still offering value.

The M-series from Exico does exactly that, allowing us to provide the type of flexible, fast and knowledge based service that is demanded by customers today".

All M-range motors have bolt-on feet and are available with foot, face and flange mounting options.

Enclosures are sealed to IP55 as standard and are approved under the CE LVD and EMC Directives.

The manufacturing is TUV certified ISO9001.

M Series motors join the growing range of Exico branded power transmission products including: cast iron motors, in-line gearboxes and worm gearboxes, all guaranteed and supported by one of the UK's most successful power transmission supply specialists.

Back to top