Air compressor drive to the rescue

When the drive failed unexpectedly Menzel was called upon to supply a suitable drive solution from stock within a very short time. Facing extreme time pressures – as lives literally depended upon it – Menzel was able to customise a compressor motor from stock which was delivered to where it was needed by passenger aircraft.

What added to the difficulty was the fact that during the installation and commissioning on site in Cuba no structural modifications would have been possible. The replacement air compressor motor had to fit perfectly.

All details were therefore coordinated directly by telephone between Menzel’s engineers and the plant operator in Cuba.

The customer requested an adaptable 6,000V motor that would be able to cope with the required 3,600rpm  at 60Hz. In record time, the required connections for cooling water and
lubricating oil were moved to ensure a quick and seamless replacement of the old failed motor.

Because there are no cargo flights to Cuba, the 6.3 tonne motor needed to be dismantled to allow for transport on a passenger plane.

On site, the Menzel team was able to coordinate the reassembling and commissioning of the new air compressor drive, including assembly of the sleeve bearings. Just seven days had passed between the initial emergency call and the commissioning of the air compressor drive in Cuba.