The economic downturn has delivered a heavy blow to the industrial manufacturing sector in North America. Manufacturers are indicating sales drops of 30 percent to nearly 60 percent compared to that of 2008. Despite the economic downturn, the continued threat of manufacturing moving offshore, low priced imports and the technology's general maturity, the North American motors market has several key factors that should allow it to quickly return to pre-2008 growth levels.

Tags: Energy Efficiency , Motors , motors market

Energy efficiency and reduced consumption are important issues in the pump and motor marketplace. Over the long term, electricity costs will continue to increase regardless of our actions. This will be due to increasing fuel costs and inflation, but if programs that limit CO₂ emissions are enacted, energy costs will skyrocket. I belong to that group of those "not-so-green" scientists who do not believe that anthropogenic CO₂ emissions have any measureable impact on global temperatures. That said, I am completely in favor of reducing energy consumption, but for a different reason-economics.

Tags: Joe Evans , March 2010 Issue , Motors , Pump Ed 101

In the February 2008 issue, we discussed various ways to lift water ("Lifting Water: What Are Your Pump Options?", Pumping Prescriptions). Starting with the 4,000-year-old Archimedes Screw, we touched on the advantages and disadvantages of options including the vertical sump, wet submersible pump, dry submersible, dry well close proximity design and dry well U-jointed shafting option.

Tags: February 2010 Issue , Motors , Pumping Prescriptions

A number of choices are available  when connecting pumps, fans and other rotating equipment to an electric motor. There are numerous mechanical and fluid coupling designs and, in some cases, a belt drive option is available. Although a belt drive can be more forgiving, all mechanical couplings share the requirement for precise alignment. Since couplings provide a direct physical connection between the motor and the rotating machine, misalignment will create vibration and other stresses that can lead to premature coupling, seal and bearing failure. Misalignment can be due to poor alignment practices or suction and discharge piping stresses.

Tags: December 2009 Issue , Joe Evans , Motors , Pump Ed 101

Innovation

Introduced February 8, 2008, the RPMAC PM Direct Drive Cooling Tower Motor and VS1CTD Drive for wet cooling towers replaces an existing motor, jack shaft and gearbox with a more efficient and environmentally responsible variable speed motor and drive with the motor mounted directly under the fan.

Tags: December 2009 Issue , Motors , Product Innovation of the Year