Since 1983 Touchsone Research Laboratory has provided fast, accurate and affordable failure analysis to a wide range of industries – from underground mines to advanced spacecraft.

Drive Shaft Motor Failure

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.

Failure Analysis Examples

If you don’t see a case study related to your interests, please contact us, as we likely have solved the same or similar problem in the past.