Machines and drives from Dowding & Mills - market leaders in Engineering, Calibration & Electronics services.

The failure of even the smallest motor can, on occasions, create a serious problem in any production environment.

Dowding & Mills offers a complete service for the full range of machines from the simplest AC induction motor through to DC motors, transformers, traction motors and hazardous area motors with an experienced and fully trained workforce operating from the world-wide network of branches.

The service can also extend to the drives and controls for the machine as well as the driven unit such as a gearbox, pump or compressor. This gives the customer the added value of approaching the complete problem through the integrated services provided by Dowding & Mills and where required extend this service to full asset management.

Through the engineering design & support team Dowding & Mills can also recommend ways of upgrading your complete drive system to meet todays efficiency and environmental standards.

AC and DC ELECTRIC MOTOR REPAIRS

Dowding & Mills has dedicated personnel and facilities at each branch to satisfy the needs of the local market, for low voltage ac and dc motors, and permanent magnet servo motors, pumps, geared units, fans and compressors. The capability extends to hazardous area motor repairs by qualified and approved personnel and to the rewind and repair of higher efficiency motors and transformers for applications such as welding.

Dowding & Mills Round the Clock service will ensure each repair is collected and returned in the shortest possible time. Not only is the electrical fault located and repaired, but all mechanical components are also checked and repaired. The machine is only returned to the customer when it has been thoroughly tested and is working to at least its original specification. With Class F insulation as a minimum standard, many rewinds are returned to the customer with enhanced service life.

COIL PRODUCTION

Each branch manufactures its own coils for wire-wound machines including transformers. Some also have facilities for producing formed coils up to 3.3 kV.

For larger high voltage coils, a dedicated coil shop facility within the Group manufactures formed coils to cover all requirements.

DRIVE REPAIRS

Electronic services has a network of branches throughout the UK, which work closely with the engineering branches to provide responsive solutions for a wide range of electronic drive problems.

Repair Services
Each branch has an unrivalled expertise in the repair of variable speed drives, including Inverters, Flux Vector, DC, Stepper Drives, AC/DC Servo drives and Switched Reluctance.

Commitment to in-rack functional testing assures successful repairs for most PLC types, from a wide range of manufacturers.

Integration
The integration of the electronics with the motor repair within a single company ensures that customers from all industries can use one source for the repair of all types of equipment within their production facilities. This ensures continuity of service, reduced administration and a more cost-effective solution.

HIGHER EFFICIENCY MOTOR REPAIR

Dowding & Mills has been at the forefront of research investigating the effects of repair processes on induction motor efficiency. Working with the Association of Electrical and Machine Trades (AEMT) and the Department of the Environment the research, covering motors up to 22kW lead to the publication of a Good Practice Guide.

The main areas covered by the Guide are

• The importance of accurate data recording before the repair is started
• Close control of the stripping and cleaning processes
• Changes to the design of the windings as well as the winding procedure itself
• The final assembly
• Testing before and after repair

When the guide is followed the efficiency of the motor will not be affected during the repair process. This guide has now been adopted by the Electrical Apparatus Service Association (EASA) in the USA, with over 3,000 members.

Dowding & Mills will take a prominent role in further research, funded by AEMT and EASA together with DETR (UK), DoE (USA), RN (UK) and several industrial sponsors to broaden the investigation to IEC and NEMA induction motors up to 225kW.

With this leading position any Dowding & Mills branch can ensure your motors efficiency meets the original OEM specification after it has been repaired.

HAZARDOUS AREA MOTORS

Dowding & Mills Engineering Services has been involved in the repair and overhaul of hazardous area machines for over 50 years, gaining considerable experience in the gas, chemical, mining and marine industries. The network of repair facilities located throughout the UK and an on site repair capability for both land based and off shore environments, ensures that Dowding & Mills is well equipped to provide a comprehensive repair service for the special needs of hazardous area machines, whatever the application.

The standards covering hazardous area motors have risen dramatically in recent years and the key to maintaining these standards is regular examination and inspection. Using the trained skills of its workforce, Dowding & Mills can use a wide range of methods from vibration analysis and thermal imaging to visual inspections using the experience of its technicians.

Dowding & Mills will carry out the inspection procedures from the interim visual inspection to the more extensive planned maintenance routine every 12 to 18 months. Branches will also respond on a 24 hour, 365 days a year basis for breakdowns which usually occur as a result of not carrying out regular checks.

Any repairs will be carried out under strict regimes that will ensure the integrity of the machine is maintained. As an approved repairer Dowding & Mills and its technicians meet the repair codes of practice and training standards laid down in IEC 60079/19 and the more recent BS 7924:1999.

REPAIR OF ELECTRIC TRACTION MOTORS

Dowding & Mills has over 30 years experience as a specialist in the repair of traction motors, generators and auxiliary equipment used by railway operators. The skilled workforce is qualified to handle all types of traction motors used in railway systems, world-wide.

It also offers a repair service for motors used in lift truck applications

Range of services

The comprehensively equipped facilities provide:
- The manufacture and repair of commutators, slip rings and "V" rings.
- Coil manufacture to allow the fast and efficient rewind of complete field systems and armatures for all types of traction equipment.
- Machining and welding for the refurbishment of field frames and the manufacture of new shafts.
- TIG welding of armatures.
- Vacuum pressure impregnation.
- Dynamic balancing.
- Rotary seasoning of armatures and commutators.
- DC load testing facilities.
- Controls and monitoring systems enable
- Design testing to OEM standards.
- Supply of component parts e.g. brushes, laminations, and pinions.

Offering a complete electric traction motor repair service ensures Dowding & Mills retains direct control over quality, delivery and costs for its customers.

Dowding & Mills - Engineering, Calibration & Electronics Services