When a pump experiences excessive vibration, has operational issues during specific plant operations, or has/causes other plant operating problems, quickly responding with the right resource(s) is critical.
Field service cannot address many pump issues on-site. Plus, many repairs are simpler to perform when utilizing shop servicing capabilities. The ideal solution is to find a facility to manage all your full-service industrial pump repair needs regardless of the pump manufacturer, size, or application.
With this in mind, let's dive into three essential reasons why it's advantageous to find an Industrial Pump Distributor equipped to handle the service and repair of your equipment:
1. Ability to Supply or Manufacture Obsolete Parts
Suppose your pump has older parts that are no longer available. In that case, the repair shop you choose must have expert machinists that can adapt and create parts to replace the old component to increase the performance and lifespan of the older pumps. And, if a pump repair will get you back in service but not provide the added capacity you need, it is valuable to have engineers who can design a customized total system pump solution to meet your plant's specific requirements.
It is also necessary that a pump shop has experienced sales engineers and machinists trained in multiple sealing methodologies—from standard packing to mechanical seals.
2. Ability to Provide OEM Expertise
Another benefit is having a pump repair shop offering Original Equipment Manufacturers' (OEM) expertise for various pump products and brands to ensure proper repair and maintenance activities. OEM experience provides invaluable benefits in a repair facility, such as:
A. Reliable Quality
As their name implies, original equipment manufacturers manufacture new parts based on original designs. As such, they're capable of building necessary components from scratch. It also makes OEM manufacturers well-equipped to provide remarkable levels of customization for their customers.
B. Competitive Pricing
One of the highlights of OEM manufacturers is the competitive prices they offer. In addition to providing excellent support and service, manufacturing parts with an OEM is well within the budgets of most businesses. While aftermarket parts are sometimes cheaper, their low prices often come at both quality and customization costs. Plus, when you buy OEM parts in bulk, you can save even more. You may even match the prices of top aftermarket manufacturers.
C. Faster Production
You probably wouldn't expect the production of physical parts to happen very quickly, but with an OEM, production times can be short. OEM manufacturers try to keep designs on hand for as many parts as possible, including older components that are no longer in production. The benefit? They can often find blueprints for needed parts immediately and immediately start production.
D. Excellent Support
OEMs work closely with their customers to ensure each component works as intended. Precise manufacturing is vital, so manufacturers go above and beyond to meet customer demands. Furthermore, OEM companies often offer excellent warranties on their products. If you ever get a part with defects, your manufacturer should make it right.
E. Return on Investment
The functionality and lifespan of OEM products are usually excellent because OEM parts are specifically designed from the ground up to fit their applications. As a result, businesses working with an OEM can expect to save money and reduce downtime in the long run.
3. Ability to Repair Corrosion and Erosion Damage
Understanding how destructive corrosion and erosion can be to your pump is essential. This damage can occur on stationary pump components and the rotating impeller. If your pump has suffered extensive damage, you need experienced technicians to assess it and determine the best plan to get it up and running again. It would be best if you also had a team to suggest preventative measures to help protect your pump from future corrosion and erosion damage.
Repairing damage falls into three general categories. Of course, many repairs involve a combination of these three:
Coating repairs – involve applying protective coatings to the pump
Machining repairs – involve reshaping the metal
Welding repairs – involve joining two pieces of metal with a welding rod
These repair methods have advantages and drawbacks, so selecting the right one for the particular damage is essential. Coating repairs are the most direct and often the easiest to implement of the three approaches. The application of these products varies, and following the manufacturer's instructions is crucial. Surface preparation is critical; most products require a clean but rough (sandblasted) surface. If the pump application dictates that damage is inherent, a hard-top coating can be applied over the base repair to reduce the damage rate in future use. Some compounds, designed with that in mind, will improve the pump's efficiency.
We hope you found this blog helpful. Being a regional equipment distributor of a multitude of brands, Estabrook has experience with the service and repair of most all manufacturers, including but not limited to Goulds, Ingersoll-Rand, Worthington, Flowserve, Byron Jackson, Hazelton, Flygt, KSB, Delaval, Fairbanks Morse, Union, Blackmer, Galigher, ASH, Morris, Peerless, Kinney, Nash, Busch, Roper, Deming, Allis Chalmers, Alfa Laval, Tranter, ITT, Roots MDPneumatic, Lightnin, Philadelphia, Chemineer, Wilden, Warren Rupp, ARO, Viking, Warman, Aurora, Gorman-Rupp, Vanton, Gusher, Lawrence, and ARO.