LOOKING FOR SERVICE ENG. FOR WESTINGHOUSE DRIVE

[fala]

I AM LOOKING FOR A SERVICE ENG. FOR A WESTINGHOUSE PAPER MACHINE DRIVE. DRIVE IS A 1970 TECHNOLOGY ANALOG.
RAPCON 500 WITH A UNICONVERTER UNIT RECTIFIER UNIT.
CAN SOMEONE GIVE ME NAMES ? I ALREADY ASKED WESTINGHOUSE, THEY DON'T SERVICE IT ANYMORE, THE SUBCONTRACTOR THEY GAVE ME CAN'T HELP ME MUCH ON THIS PARTICULAR DRIVE.

 

[bklauba]

Can you tell us where the machine is located?

BK

 

[fala]

wE ARE A PAPER MILL IN QUEBEC, CANADA, (kENOGAMI MILL)

 

[Skogsgurra]

If there are documents showing the inner working of the controllers, you should be able to find someone (near you) that can handle it. Those drives were quite simple and there is plenty of modern components that can replace the original transistors and opamps, which can be difficult to find.


Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

 

[fala]

WE HAVE 3 IN HOUSE ENGINEERS WITH A LOT OF EXPERIENCE, WHAT WE NEED IS A SPECIALIST FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND TROUBLE SHOOTING

 

[Skogsgurra]

Is this for immediate troubleshooting or for an upgrade?

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

 

[davidbeach]

Please don't SHOUT.

 

[Skogsgurra]

I think that VanDentech should be able to help you out.

http://www.vandentech.com/mfg.htm

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

 

[fala]

VANDENTECH IS NOW A TEACHER AT SCHOOL ! IS AVAILABLE TIME IS NOT WHAT IT WAS, WE WERE USING HIM A LOT

 

[Skogsgurra]

Is that so? We are all getting old. I used to handle some of those drives over here in Europe.

Hey, use "small" letters. Easier to read - some people are offended by the "big" letters.

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

 

[DickDV]

In my view, every dollar spent on a drive of that vintage is simply wasted. Better to spend your $ on an evaluation and purchase of newer hardware.

Even if you have a first class serviceman, the diagnosis is exactly correct, you will not likely find any replacement parts or will find them only at extortion prices.

Powerful reason to modernize.

 

[Skogsgurra]

Yes Dick, I agree.

I have kept old drive systems running all over the world. Siemens, ASEA, Westinghouse, GE and others. All these assignments have started as "put on track and make it run again" assignments but they have later turned into evaluation and replacement with new systems. Actually got an Egyptian paper mill change their old Modulpac C to a modern computerised system this year. Not yet commissioned.

The problem with paper machines is that it takes some time and lots of money to rebuild a system. They cannot be closed down in the meantime. It is necessary to keep them up and running.

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

 

[jraef]

I think that's the only valid argument against DickDV's point Gunnar. Downtime usually costs more than the cost of an entire new system, that's why they want to limp along on repairing antiques (my wife says the same about me). The downside is that you fix the problem, and you have 3 new components out of a total of 3000, 2997 of which are old and failing.
To paraphrase a humorous "anti-inspirational" poster regarding the Consulting business,

"When you can't find a solution there's money to be made on prolonging the problem!"

Eng-Tips: Help for your job, not for your homework Read faq731-376