In this episode, host Mike Murphy is joined by Andrew Soltau, Program Manager for Drive Services, to discuss some of the benefits of the ABB Drives Services Workshop. Listen today to learn about the life cycle management model and workshop offerings.
Learn more about ABB services
In this episode, host Mike Murphy is joined by Andrew Soltau, Program Manager for Drive Services, to discuss some of the benefits of the ABB Drives Services Workshop. Listen today to learn about the life cycle management model and workshop offerings.
Learn more about ABB services
Welcome to the ABB solutions podcast where we discuss challenges facing our industry. I'm your host, Mike Murphy, coming to you from Greenville, South Carolina. We'll be continuing the Drive Services Podcast Series with today's episode on the Drive Services Workshop. With us today is Andrew Soltau, Program Manager for ABB Drive Services. Andrew, it's great having you with us today.
Andrew Soltau:Why Thanks, Michael. Thank you for having me. You bet.
Mike Murphy:All right, so the Drive Services Warehouse. So talk me through this. So I'm a customer, I just filled out a return authorization form to repair my drive. Can you walk me through the roadmap on what the product can expect to see?
Andrew Soltau:Absolutely. So once the drive equipment is received at ABB, we literally go into system and check the system for the customer order, and check that against the serial number and the type of service to be performed. We then inspect, diagnose and clean the drive. Next step is to perform
the requested service which is:functional test, load test, final inspection and shipped back to the customer.
Mike Murphy:Okay, great. So is there a difference between like a standard or traditional repair and premium repair?
Andrew Soltau:Oh, absolutely. major difference here. For your standard repair, it is typically the drive equipment that is less than seven years old, where we replace only the defective component or components, do a functional test, load test, final inspection and ship the drive equipment back to the customer with a one year warranty. As for the premium repair, the premium repair is typically performed in drive equipment seven years and older, where we replace defective component or components, any material with collateral damage, semiconductors and replace all aging components, according to the preventive maintenance schedule. A complete reconditioning is done to bring that drive equipment back to almost like new condition. And that comes with a two year warranty.
Mike Murphy:Okay, great. So you brought about some of the aging equipment. So let's expand on that how can a customer work more with ABB on some of their dated equipment?
Andrew Soltau:Well, ABB has what we called Drives Lifecycle Management. And that's basically supporting the customer throughout the entire lifecycle of the drive equipment. The ABB Lifecycle Management models provides you with the information about the support and services that your drive equipment can receive throughout its life. There are four lifecycle phases that ABB has for all their products: you have the active phase, classic phase, the limited phase and the obsolete phase. Within the active phase, the product is active in the manufacturing phase with full support. Then we drop down to the classic phase, where we see that production has ceased. Still with full support, such as spare modules, spare parts etc. Then we get to the limited phase, that product is no longer available, and service is limited. And this would be a good time for a replacement, and end of life service. And you get to the obsolete phase where the product or service is no longer available, and it's time to make that replacement.
Mike Murphy:Okay, great. So let's shift to the drive exchange program. How can a customer benefit from using this offering?
Andrew Soltau:Well, you know, we've established this exchange program for one reason and one reason only - we do have customers that find themselves a lot of times in a jam so to speak, okay, so we offer the drive exchange program. The drive exhange program service provides a fully functional low voltage or ACS 2000 phase module in exchange for the customer's failed module. The module can be new or reconditioned, meaning the one we send out could be new or reconditioned. Drive Exchange Service will require customers to return the failed module back to ABB and the return module must be in repairable condition. This program allows us to offer the customer a shipment within 24 hours from the time the order is placed. However, it does not guarantee availability at the time of failure. The exchange inventory will be available on exchange basis only not as a direct sale. Therefore, you have to have a failed drive unit in order to do an exchange.
Mike Murphy:Okay, so obviously it's got to be available but that sounds like an awfully quick turnaround time. So that's great. So Andrew, can you talk to me about some of the steps a customer can take to avoid delays when they go to remanufacture their drive?
Andrew Soltau:Oh, absolutely. And they are, you know, several things that can be done to avoid delays, you know, the three top ones that I see, and I try to express to the customer. Do not just place the drive equipment on an unprotected skid with just, you know, shrink tubing or, you know, shrink wrapped around on a pallet. That is no good, that will cause damage to the equipment and when it gets to ABB that cause a delay. Because at that point, we have to make a phone call to the customer, the customer has to make that decision, you know, what they would like to do at the time. Now, in that situation, always check the drive exchange list for availability, as this would be the best option for an urgent need. Also, if an exchange is not available, ask is the priority scheduling available at this time? Those three things will help a whole lot to avoid delays. Those are the three major things that I see happening.
Mike Murphy:Okay, excellent, excellent. Okay, so Andrew, Where can someone go to find out more information?
Andrew Soltau:In my opinion, the best way to get more information is to contact your local ABB outside sales and service representative. What I'm talking about today, they have that information at their fingertips and they will be able to assist you that same day.
Mike Murphy:All right, excellent. All right. So this is a great place to stop. So remember, just like Andrew said, if you got any other questions about ABB Drive Services, contact your local ABB sales rep, or search for ABB Motion Services in your favorite search engine. That's all we have for today. If you want to stay tuned for the latest podcast episodes, search for ABB solutions podcasts. Thanks and have a great rest of your day.