CONNECTIONS
DC is still alive and well, especially the big stuff.
This steel and segment pack are for two extra-large jobs we have in house this month. We have more in the works and more on the way. Every one of these projects is for an international customer, and we couldn’t be more honored to be a part of keeping critical business up and running around the world.
Slot perfection. The final step in the production process, slotting risers. Every solid riser commutator is slotted by hand to meet specific winder preferences. It takes a trained eye and a steady hand and many many hours of training to perfect this trade skill.
Watch an ICC professional in action:
ICC manufactures not only commutators but slip rings as well. Below you'll see some of the steps involved to create a new set of bronze slip rings with G-10 insulation.
Before work can begin on the mill a program is designed by our engineers. After the program is working properly the slip ring is clamped center of the machine and the mill can locate the exact points of machining.
Split Rings after excess has been machined.
The next step is to drill the holes.
G-10 Insulation
G-10 is also machined in house.
Final Step is assembly. In this case the steel hub was reusable, so it was sandblasted and painted back to like-new condition.
The key is steel:
The only time you need a new commutator is when you do not have an existing steel part in good condition to fit the style and size of commutator you need.
• Conversion
• Replacement of damaged parts
• Spare
• Design improvement
Conversion: When an existing unit is molded (i.e. nonrefillable), the commutator needs to be replaced. Either a new molded unit, if available, can be purchased, or a new v-ring or glassband refillable commutator can be manufactured. None of the steel components of molded commutator should be re-used (see Motor Fax Issue 11) due to design limitations and space requirements for maximum stability. Conversions between refillable types also require new steel parts.
Replacement of Damaged Parts: Whether damaged from arcing in operation, galded or warped from removal from the shaft, or cracked due to porous castings, damaged steel parts must be replaced to ensure stability of the commutator in operation.
Spare: With the aim of reducing down time for the future, manufacturing a spare new unit is another circumstance in which new steel is a requirement. Either purchased from the OEM or designed by an aftermarket manufacturer, key dimensions can be obtained from prints or from the existing unit, ideally upon refill. Alternatively, if shaft profile information is available, along with any flange mount details if required, a new unit can usually be designed. As long as accurate and detailed information about the external dimensions of the commutator and its application environment is available, a new commutator can typically be designed to fit.
Design Improvement: In some cases, an existing steel design may cause problems in a specific application. For example, a v-ring commutator with a floating front cap and no spool may prove unstable or particularly susceptible to contamination in the wrong environment.
New steel can be designed to incorporate a front bore fit and spool to address the operational issues. In short, buying a new commutator when a refill is an option is rarely the most cost effective or timely choice. With no sacrifice in quality by re-using good quality steel parts, refilling a commutator typically represents the best option available in motor repair.
Should you or your customer have any questions regarding this issue, contact an ICC representative and we will be happy to assist you in making a decision on your specific
situation.
By giving your winder the style that works best for personal preference... and by knowing where you can safely make changes, and where you can't. Inserted risers come in many different styles... from open, to closed, to straight blade, and with a large number of foldover configurations.
Different winders have different preferences, and generally speaking, risers can be designed to meet those preferences; as long as the overall material remains the same for current carrying capacity and stability in operation.
When working with foldover tabs, the biggest challenge can be in placing the coils. Though it may seem that the top coil should fall entirely between the two sides of the riser, in fact, the short side of the riser should come only halfway up the top coil. This original OEM design may cause problems in aftermarket rewinding, since you'll end up working with a very small amount of the long side of the risers which can be difficult to bend.
The solution? Have your commutator manufacturer make an adjustment to the design. Some of the conversions available (shown below), may fit better within your winders' preferred work scope and may save time in the rewind as a result. Also, if you choose to stay with a full foldover, you can always instruct your comm manufacturer to increase the length of the long side of the riser to make it easier to bend.
Should you change riser material thickness?
Not if it means going thinner. By going from 0.060" to 0.040", you reduce the current carrying capacity of the copper, and also reduce the strength of the material. However, the reverse (0.040" to 0.060" is typically possible, and it is also possible to convert from a double inserted riser of 0.040" material to a single inserted riser of 0.093".
Can I do anything to stop inserted risers from cracking in operation?
Riser cracking is typically due to one of two causes. Vibration can be addressed in some cases by adding a row of lashing to help minimize the effect. Hydrogen embrittlement is seen in copper which contains oxygen. Over time, it will react with the hydrogen in the air and cause the copper to become brittle and crack. Using Oxygen-free copper for inserted risers will solve this problem, and should be specified for virtually all inserted riser commutators.
