Drive Shaft in Motor – Failure Analysis Example from Touchstone Research Laboratory

A coal mine experienced a failure of a drive shaft in an electric induction motor. The failure occurred early in the life of the motor.

Touchstone engineers were asked to determine the cause of this motor / shaft failure and suggest a solution to the problem.

Analysis showed an insufficient radius was provided at the location of a change in shaft diameter where the ball bearing fit onto the shaft. The resulting stress concentration caused the shaft to fail catastrophically after only a short service life.

Should you need to determine the cause of failure of a part, or the failure of a system of parts – please contact us.

For a PROMPT response, e-mail info@trl.com, call 304-547-5800, or visit us - we are conveniently located less than an hour from Pittsburgh International Airport and two hours from Columbus, Ohio.