News At Fd

 
News Item - 28 May 2008

SUBJECT:    Upgrade Fan Test Equipment

In a move that will further improve quality assurance as well as production efficiency, Fans Direct have invested over $50,000 in specialised equipment for run testing single and three phase fans.  A new variable frequency drive (VFD) and data logging process makes normal run testing of fans faster while delivering more detailed performance information.  The upgrade ties in with Fans Direct's business wide quality management system that demands continuous improvement in all of the company's processes and procedures.

According to John Paterson, Operations Manager at the Melbourne plant, "the new frequency drive and logging system means fans can be tested much faster than before with easy access to the database of test results if requested by customers". To ensure complete safety of the test facility for production workers and visitors to the plant, a sophisticated barrier system was intstalled with electronic lock-outs. "The whole testing procedure was redesigned from the ground up allowing safe testing of even the biggest fans".

The installation follows a similar upgrade applied to testing of fans at the company's Chicago Blower heavy industrial fan plant in Sydney. 

 

                   
The new frequency drive showing three phases in test.                           The test barrier.




Close up of the drive controls