Distribution centers are a seldom-seen but hugely important component of the modern economy. These invisible titans, along with data centers, make mass e-commerce possible, and arguably play as big a role as Santa Claus in getting presents under the tree. (Hint-hint.)
Distribution Center Automation: The State of the Industry
Industrial automation saves both time and money, but most distribution centers are still labor-intensive. As of 2024, only 20% of had implemented any automation. As machine learning and robotics progress, that fraction is sure to increase.
Automation, VFDs, & Electrical Bearing Damage
Controlling motors with variable frequency drives (VFDs) is a large part of automation, from conveyors to robotics. These drives allow the precise control of motor speed required for coordinated motion. Unfortunately, without protective measures, drives also cause electrical damage to motor bearings, leading to premature failure. Along with repair or replacement costs, this can even cause unplanned downtime and the huge expense of lost productivity. So if not well-implemented, automation can cancel out its promised savings.
Protect Uptime by Protecting Motor Bearings
To realize the savings promised by automation, electric motors must be protected from electrical bearing damage. One easy means of protection is to ground the shaft with an AEGIS® Shaft Grounding Ring. An AEGIS ring provides a low-resistance path between the motor shaft and frame, so any stray current flows through the ring preferentially to the bearings. The bearings are thus protected from electrical damage, and operations are protected against unplanned downtime.
In many cases, facilities/maintenance workers can retrofit AEGIS rings to installed motors. In more complex machines, distribution center personnel may not be able to get to the motors within. In this case, they would need to request that the machine manufacturers use motors with AEGIS rings factory-installed.
Summary
- Automation levels in distribution centers are low but rising
- VFDs are useful in automation because of how precisely they can control motors
- VFDs cause electrical bearing damage and premature failure in unprotected motors
- AEGIS Shaft Grounding Rings protect motors from electrical bearing damage, and so protect distribution centers from unplanned downtime.
AEGIS Rings come with a 2-year extended warranty against bearing fluting damage. No other form of protection against VFD-caused bearing damage offers a warranty like this.
To learn more about AEGIS shaft grounding and best practices for electrical bearing protection, sign up for a training. We offer monthly live training webinars, and we can also visit your facility to review your exact application.
