Measure the power

Rugby-based Converteam UK is a worldwide specialist in power conversion providing customised solutions to convert electrical energy through optimum application of technology in drives, controls, motors and generators.

With over 100 years' experience in electrical technology, Converteam's customers operate in four main markets: marine, oil & gas, energy and industry as well as in a number of smaller niche areas. Its extensive offering – from design only to turnkey systems, installation and commissioning – is backed by a full range of services.

As a specialist in power conversion, power generation is a key market for Converteam and the equipment used is focused on high reliability under variable environmental conditions. Converteam supplies a standard product line of drive systems, start-up frequency converters and static excitation systems as well as tailor made solutions depending on customer requirements.

Recent successes in the power generation sector include an order to supply variable speed drive systems to ClydeUnion for the CEA Cadarache RJH reactor – an experimental reactor dedicated to the research of fuels and materials behaviour for electronuclear power plants. It will also produce radio elements for the nuclear medicine.
Converteam's scope of supply includes three sets of 1.3mW variable speed drive systems to run the primary water motor pump group of the reactor. Each set will include transformers, medium voltage converters and induction motors. The start-up date for all equipment is 2013.

To assist with Converteam's inspection and test requirements, the QA department at Converteam UK has been using the Faro Laser Tracker to measure electrical rotors of up to 4.5m diameter and to help with the alignment of base plates and bearings of the motors. Previously, quality checks were carried out using hand held measurement tools, patterns and templates and on some occasions, contractors were used who brought in their own equipment where necessary in order to carry out more sophisticated measurements.

The Laser Tracker works by directing a laser beam onto a mirror reflector to determine the distance to the object to be measured. The reflector is guided to the object to be measured and projects the laser beam back to the Laser Tracker which traces the movement of the reflector.

According to Faro, there are four good reasons for using the Laser Tracker: it is one of the most precise tracker measurement systems on the market offering a 0.049mm volumetric accuracy at 10m; Agile ADM – the laser beam can be intercepted in the air at any time so that measurement can continue without delay – particularly useful for areas that are barely accessible; Instant-on – the laser tracker is operational immediately without a warm-up phase; Smart warm-up – the broad range of working temperatures combined with temperature compensation enables operation in almost any environment; SelfComp – automated compensation (re-adjustment of encoder) guarantees that the system measures with maximum precision even under difficult conditions.

“We decided to buy the Faro Laser Tracker after we received an on-site demonstration, which proved the product really could achieve accurate measurements quickly,” says quality manager, Peter Evans. “Since the purchase we have been able to achieve significant time and cost savings and the ability to use the product in situ really has made it indispensible. At the moment, the QA team is considering the possibility of purchasing a Faro Gage for the measurement of precision made shafts.”

Faro
www.faro.com