The latest in apparatus service and repair

A sampling of what will be on display at this year’s convention of the Electrical Apparatus Service Association in St. Louis June 26-28

By the Electrical Apparatus staff

The annual convention of the Electrical Apparatus Service Association, scheduled to be held this year at America’s Center in St. Louis June 26-28 with special pre-convention events June 24 and 25, typically draws around 2,000 attendees and exhibitors for several days of education, networking, socializing, and sightseeing. An accompanying conference features speakers and panels discussing many aspects of the business of servicing and selling rotating machines and related apparatus.

In last month’s Electrical Apparatus, we previewed the conference side of the convention, which appears set to be dominated by the engineering side of electromechanical service and repair, with technical matters accounting for more than half of the educational sessions. Rounding out the program will be sessions on marketing, sales, and management. There will also be networking and social events and several side trips to local attractions.

This month, as Electrical Apparatus does most years — the exception being June 2020, when the convention went virtual — we look at a number of companies that have reserved space in the exposition hall and see what they’re planning to feature. The exhibitors you see on the following pages constitute a snapshot of the industry. They’ll be showing and demonstrating the products and services that matter most to members of the association, from new motors and custom laminations to testing and maintaining systems in operation.

Each year we invite all exhibitors to contribute to this feature, following up with e-mails and even phone calls, but for various reasons we don’t hear back from all of them. The ones who do respond, with descriptions and photos of what they plan to exhibit, provide a good idea of what the exhibits at the EASA Convention are going to be all about. This preview can be used to help attendees plan their visit, but it should also be of interest to readers who aren’t planning to attend but want a glimpse of where the industry’s priorities lie these days.

This year, the convention — which has been held as far afield as Boston and San Diego — returns to St. Louis, the headquarters of EASA itself and the heart of the industrial Midwest. Electrical Apparatus will be there too, at Booth #419, and we invite you to drop by, say hello, and let us know what your company is up to these days.

A new motor said to offer several benefits

The folks at Nidec Corp. are inviting attendees to talk with its experts in Booth 616 “to learn how U.S. Motors brand products are bringing innovative solutions to an energy-efficient world.” Representatives will show visitors the new SynRA variable-frequency motor, which is said to provide the starting benefit of an induction motor, the operating benefit of a pure synchronous reluctance motor, and suitability benefit from the simple volts/ Hz drive. Visitors are also invited to check out Nidec’s full line of electronically commutated motors, which the company says offer “up to 75% better energy efficiency.”

Meanwhile, Nidec Avtron Encoders has developed a new HS35X magnetic encoder, “and we’ve got them available for you,” Nidec tells us. The same rugged features as the company’s heavy-duty encoders are now available in a 3.5O model. Encapsulated electronics and self-diagnostic LEDs provide the user with the durability and reliability the application needs. “The new Avtron Encoders HS35X will meet your target price and it will be available,” Nidec says.

Nidec will also be marking the 100th anniversary of the vertical HolloShaft motor, which is “still the go-to product for agricultural, industrial, and municipal pumping needs,” according to Nidec, which adds, “So join the celebration!”

Meet lamination supplier’s owner and manager

Laser Laminations of Warrior, Ala., has been serving the electric motor community for over 20 years, and the company says it always makes the customer’s schedule its priority. Laser Laminations is inviting EASA attendees to stop by Booth 930 to catch up with the company’s owner, Richard Dutton, and the company’s manager, Danny Watson, otherwise known as Mr. Wonderful.

Commutators, slip rings, shafts, and more

This year will mark the first time Industrias Kirkwood SA de CV will be present at the EASA Convention. Industrias Kirkwood is located in Toluca, Mexico, and has a sales office in Nashville. For more than 45 years the company has served the auto, OEM, aftermarket, aviation, ATV, maritime, and tools industries. The company’s line of commutators, slip rings, and shafts have been used by some of the most demanding customers, “and we are proud of our accomplishments,” the company says.

Company president Alejandro Merikanskas and international sales manager Rolando Gonzalez will be at Booth 128 to welcome visitors and answer questions. “I would like to thank the EASA organization for giving us this opportunity to be present and contact customers as well as potential future customers,” says Gonzalez. Please turn to next page