I hope someone out there has some ideas on a problem we are having on a newly modernized duplex. The OEM is Otis/Beckett using an overhead 22CT machine roped 1:1, no deflector. Speed is 350 Ft/min, Capacity 2500 LBS, empty car weight 3300 LBS, there are 4 5/8" ropes and 22 stops, whisper flex compensation. The controller we installed is MCE M4000 using the KEB drive and new Reuland motor. We retained the machine. We replaced hoist ropes, compensation (was chain), slipper guides with Elsco rollers on the car and cwt.
The issue we are having is a vibration that you can feel in your feet throughout the travel of the car. It seems like rope vibration so we isolated the hitch plate but it made no difference. We checked roller guides but we cannot figure out the source. The machine seems ok and we tried adjusting drive gains but again no difference. Both cars have the same problem. When there is 500 LBS or more in the car there is a dramatic improvement. The sling is made out of formed steel similar to Dover design.
Any ideas would be welcome!
It sounds like you may be getting a ripple voltage thru the drive output, considering when you add weight it seems more a balanced output.
How do your isolation & tie down pads look?
Is there any debris between the bed plate and machine beam?
Are the bolts to the tie downs & isolation pads installed correctly?
If you back off spring tension one roller at at time on the rail guides is there any change?
Did you change the ropes?
Is the vibration different in opposite directions?
Are the new compensation chain the same weight as the old chains?
Also, Can you post a picture of the motor mounted to the machine?
Hoist ropes have been replaced both cars. The original motor was DC and was replaced with a flange mounted Reuland AC. There does not appear to be vibration at the machine, only felt in the car. I will be going back to site to take another look. We did re-adjust roller guides to minimum spring pressure. Vibration is fairly constant in both directions and feels as though it is coming up from the platform. We may look at replacing platform isolation rubber next .... I will try the drifting method to rule out electrical - a good idea.
Thanks again for everyones input!
For science, I recommend placing the bottle on the equipment at different points (motor, gear box, brake, machine beam, you could even tape it to the ropes). It's not sophisticated but it is effective.
I'm leaning toward the machine vibration transferring through the ropes. If it is I would check the motor alignment, thrust, brake & and root clearance.
Let us know how you make out...
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