Teka, located in Blumenau in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, is one of the leading producers of bed, bath and table linens in South America. As part of its strategic planning, the company has developed two programs: the first concerns replacing burnt-out motors with high efficiency types; and the second, replacement of motors following power consumption audits.

The first of these programs meant that when the original motor on Teka’s yarn starching machine burnt out at the beginning of 2010, the decision to seek a more efficient alternative was automatic. The original motor had brushes that needed to be replaced regularly, and demanded constant maintenance. In addition, the cost to fix the burnt out unit was calculated at 115% of the amount to acquire new and more efficient motor.

After a study conducted by Eletromecânica Standard, a motor maintenance partner, in conjunction with technicians from WEG, Teka chose to install a 15kW WMagnet Motor and its associated variable speed drive system, which allows infinite variation of rotation of the motor system. The benefits of this installation were soon apparent. The replacement WMagnet motor reduced maintenance costs to practically zero, and also machine downtime, at the same time as saving energy and providing more power and versatility in speed control for the yarn starching operation.

The installation of the replacement motor was simple to achieve because the WMagnet is much smaller than the original motor, and also weighs much less: 70kgs, against 360kg for the burnt out unit. These reductions in both space and weight provide additional benefits, in that any maintenance in the future will be that much easier.