Bearing Failure Repaired Before It Became a Costly Breakdown
When an aluminium extrusion supplier in Alberton experienced excessive bearing noise from a Modrol SMM3012315-4WREB1-Hs servo motor, the unit was sent to Motion Tronic for a full assessment before the problem could result in an unexpected production stoppage. The repair followed the standard Motion Tronic case study capture process.
The Challenge
The customer reported that the servo motor bearings had become extremely noisy during operation. Early intervention was critical to prevent further mechanical damage and avoid the high cost of replacing the motor.
Inspection & Diagnosis
During the initial inspection, our technicians found that both the drive end (DE) and non-drive end (NDE) bearings had expelled grease, indicating bearing failure. The DE end shield showed significant impact damage, while the NDE end shield displayed pitting. Both end shields required precision re-sleeving to restore correct bearing fitment.
The Repair
The servo motor was completely stripped and rebuilt. The repair included:
- Replacing both bearings.
- Precision re-sleeving of the DE and NDE end shields.
- Resolver alignment to ensure accurate motor feedback.
- Surface preparation and a fresh protective paint finish, restoring the motor to an as-new appearance.
Testing & Results
Following assembly, the motor successfully passed comprehensive internal testing against OEM specifications. A full run test confirmed smooth operation throughout the speed range with no abnormal noise or vibration.
Customer Outcome
The repaired servo motor was returned to service, helping the customer avoid unnecessary replacement costs while restoring reliable operation and supporting continued production with confidence.
Key Technical Lesson: Bearing failure can quickly damage bearing housings if left unchecked. Early diagnosis and precision machining of end shields can restore OEM performance and significantly extend the service life of critical servo motors.
Motion Tronic carries out servo motor repairs to all brands, including precision machining of end shields, bearing replacement and encoder alignment.