The 2023 EASA Convention, June 25-27, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD. EASA showcased companies involved in the service and sale of electric motors, pumps, drives, controls, gearboxes and other rotating machinery. Highlights included synchronous motors, machine reliability, leadership, sustainability, EASA's 90th birthday bash, motor maintenance, pump repair, supply chain issues and more. Here's a recap of some of the technology on the show floor:

Nidec Motor Corporation 

Nidec’s “Super Premium” and above variable frequency drive (VFD) motors and all-in-one, integrated motors and controls are leading the industry with efficiency ratings of IE 4 and IE 5 for remarkable energy savings compared to traditional single speed motors.  

As energy costs climb, the need for the highest level of energy-efficient pumping equipment has never been more critical. Nidec continues to respond to that demand with its introduction of SynRA, an innovative, patent-pending, permanent magnet-free synchronous motor. Most ratings do not require additional permanent magnets to achieve excellent performance. When paired with the ID300 Perfectspeed integrated drive, the new motor offers one of the highest efficiencies available for today’s commercial pumping and HVAC equipment.

In addition to showcasing their cutting-edge motor technology, Nidec is also featuring the vertical HOLLOSHAFT motor which is backed by a century of ongoing innovation and is still the go-to product for agricultural, industrial and municipal pumping needs. 

ABB 

ABB offered a full lineup of NEMA, IEC and large AC induction motors, alongside variable speed drives and ABB Ability Smart Sensors for condition monitoring. Highlights included the new ABB NEMA SD200 severe duty motor, the HydroCool XT water-cooled motor and the SDX 450, part of ABB’s IEC low-voltage, severe-duty, offering for the U.S. market. 

ABB has added a new line of motors, including GP (general purpose), SD (severe duty), XP (explosion proof) and DP (definite purpose) to its portfolio. The new ABB NEMA Motors line is available from 1-800 hp, 140T-5013 NEMA frame sizes.

Did you know that all ABB Baldor-Reliance three-phase motors are inverter duty? Running a motor with a variable speed drive reduces power consumption, increases process control and extends equipment life. 

ABB aims to reach carbon neutrality in its operations by 2030 and to partner with customers and suppliers to reduce emissions and waste throughout the entire supply chain and product lifecycle. ABB takes care of its people, promotes social progress and embeds circularity in all business practices.

Schaeffler 

Schaeffler presented a variety of advanced innovations for electric motor manufacturers and rebuilders at the EASA 2023 Convention and Solutions Expo.

Commenting on Schaeffler’s array of products and innovations on display at EASA 2023, Ryan Lynch, power transmission business unit director for Schaeffler in the Americas, said, “Motor reliability and motor uptime are key issues for our customers, which is why we are so excited to offer solutions such as our hybrid ceramic bearings. Their ability to prevent the passage of electrical current can significantly extend grease life, thereby increasing the reliability and mean time between bearing and, by extension, electric motor failures.”

Schaeffler Angular Contact Ball Bearings

Dr. Felix Tenner, vice president for Schaeffler Lifetime Solutions in the Americas, added, “We are also very proud to introduce the EASA audience to our ingenious Optime Ecosystem, which combines Schaeffler’s longstanding expertise in the fields of bearing technology, vibration analysis and lubrication with a user-friendly product design that is geared toward the day-to-day tasks of maintenance teams.” 

Among the Schaeffler highlights at EASA 2023:

Current-Insulating Bearing Solutions 

Electrical current passing through bearings can lead to premature bearing failure and expensive machine downtime. FAG current-insulating bearings – including hybrid ceramic or ceramic-coated versions featuring the company’s proprietary Insutect coating – have been specially engineered to stop stray electric current in its tracks. 

Schaeffler Optime Ecosystem

Schaeffler has combined its Optime condition monitoring system – featuring the Optime 5 and Optime 5 Ex sensor variants that enable wireless condition monitoring in a variety of manufacturing settings, including hazardous environments – with the company’s intelligent, automated Optime C1 lubricator to create a versatile all-in-one solution: the Optime Ecosystem. This cost-effective predictive maintenance solution efficiently and sustainably minimizes downtimes and high maintenance costs in production facilities.

FAG X-life Angular-Contact Ball Bearings

FAG X-life single-row angular contact ball bearings from Schaeffler offer up to 30 percent higher dynamic load rating, as much as 50 percent longer rating life, and up to 10 percent less friction vs. conventional bearings.

Schaeffler Induction Heaters

Available in tabletop and floor-standing versions, Schaeffler’s versatile Heater-Smart and Heater-Basic series of induction heaters offer installation professionals from the electric motor repair industry the ability to safely heat workpieces ranging in weight between 20 kg/44 lbs. and 1,600 kg/3,527 lbs.

Tools for Safely Mounting and Dismounting Bearings

Schaeffler’s portfolio of devices for mounting and removing bearings includes tool sets for the safe and proper mounting of ball bearings on a shaft – complete with mounting rings, recoilless hammer and impact bushings. For removing small and medium-size bearings, Schaeffler offers self-centering mechanical pullers with up to 110 kN of pulling force. Larger bearings are easily removed with Schaeffler hydraulic pullers that can generate up to 490 kN of pulling force.