08 Aug 2017

Hospitals running out of oxygen

In an urgent emergency, Berlin-based motor manufacturer Menzel Elektromotoren saved the day by delivering a spare motor on extremely short notice. June 2017, Cuba: the island state's only compressor drive for producing oxygen for all hospitals nationwide stopped working. Because human lives were at stake and a quick solution was desperately needed, Menzel converted a motor from their stock according to the requirements, delivered it to Cuba and put it into operation in record time. Just seven days after the manufacturer in Berlin received the emergency call, the motor had been commissioned in Cuba.

"Because it was not possible to carry out modifications on-site in Cuba, our replacement motor had to be a perfect fit. Not even a screw could be out of place," says Managing Director Mathis Menzel. Even while he was discussing technical details in long calls with the plant operator, his engineers were already moving the connections for cooling water and lubrication oil to ensure a quick and seamless replacement of the old failed motor. "Fortunately, we had a suitably large and adaptable motor on hand, that could cope with the required 3600 rpm at 60 Hz. Only a handful of suppliers stock them. Once again our comprehensive stock-keeping came in handy." Because there are no cargo flights to Cuba, the 6.3ton motor was dismantled for transport on a passenger plane. After landing, Menzel employee Henrik Phillip and all the equipment were personally guided through customs by the Cuban Minister of Health. Phillip then reassembled the motor including the sleeve bearings and commissioned it. "We are very proud to have helped with our know-how and motors in an emergency such as this."