Expert Restoration Saves a Servo Motor from Premature Replacement
A leading aluminium extrusion supplier in Alberton experienced the failure of a Modrol SMM3012315-4WREB1-Hs servo motor after it had been exposed to water. Although the motor had previously been stripped and reassembled, it remained non-functional. Motion Tronic was entrusted with diagnosing the fault and restoring the unit to reliable operating condition using its structured repair and testing process.
The Challenge
The customer reported that the servo motor stopped functioning after water ingress and a previous strip-down. Rather than replacing the motor, they opted for a professional assessment to determine whether it could be successfully repaired.
Inspection & Diagnosis
Our technicians carried out a complete assessment and found extensive rust on both end shields, with light corrosion beginning to form on the rotor. The grease in both the drive end (DE) and non-drive end (NDE) thrust bearings had deteriorated, becoming black and tacky, indicating contamination from moisture. Fortunately, the remaining internal components were found to be in good condition, making the motor an excellent candidate for refurbishment.
The Repair
The servo motor was fully stripped, cleaned and restored. The repair included:
Replacing the DE and NDE bearings and seal.
Professional wash and bake process to remove moisture and contaminants.
Complete reassembly and servicing.
Surface preparation and a fresh protective paint finish to restore the motor’s appearance.
Testing & Results
Following reassembly, the motor successfully passed all internal testing against OEM specifications. A full-speed run test confirmed smooth operation with no abnormal noise, vibration or performance issues, verifying that the servo motor was fully restored for service.
Customer Outcome
By repairing rather than replacing the servo motor, the customer avoided unnecessary replacement costs, improved equipment reliability and quickly returned the machine to production.
Key Technical Lesson: Water ingress does not always mean a servo motor is beyond repair. Prompt inspection, thorough cleaning, replacement of contaminated components and comprehensive testing can often restore reliable performance while significantly reducing replacement costs.
Water-damaged motors are routine work in our lab. Motion Tronic carries out servo motor repairs to all brands, including cleaning, rewinding, bearing replacement and full run testing.