As Australia sails towards a greener future, the industry faces a significant challenge, but Rom-Control is confident its solutions will improve equipment life and reliability.
The maintenance and repair of ageing electronic equipment represented major concerns for many businesses operating in various industries, as obtaining a spare part from overseas when facing a breakdown caused by the failure of electronic equipment can result in long waiting periods and high costs.
This is where Rom-Control, an Australian-based electronic engineering company, steps in, offering innovative and sustainable solutions that are revolutionising the way the industry approaches equipment lifecycle management and obsolescence, while also contributing to the reduction of CO₂ emissions.
Established in 2007, Rom-Control has carved a niche for itself as a leading provider of repair and refurbishment services for industrial electronic equipment.
With a team of highly skilled engineers and a success rate of 98 per cent, the company has garnered a reputation for excellence, serving more than 1000 clients across Australia, New Zealand, and the Asia-Pacific region.
At the helm of Rom-Control is the founder Michael Horovitz, a veteran in the field of process control, electrical engineering, and consultancy. His extensive experience in industries such as power generation, chemical manufacturing, and food and beverage maintenance and engineering has given him a unique perspective on the challenges faced by companies relying on electronic equipment to drive their production activity.
“I realised there was a gap in Australia, where we don’t manufacture much equipment locally,” Horovitz said.
“When companies purchase equipment with process control systems, eventually the electronics will fail. As the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) cease to support old equipment, we offer a plug-and-play solution by repairing and refurbishing the failed modules at a fraction of the cost of buying new equipment.”
Rom-Control’s approach to repair and refurbishment is ground-breaking. Unlike traditional methods that rely heavily on schematics and documentation from OEMs, Rom-Control’s engineers have developed specialised techniques to diagnose and repair equipment without such resources.
This allows them to work on a wide range of equipment, including power electronics and renewable energy components such as converters and inverters, control systems, variable speed drives, and more.
One of Rom-Control’s most significant achievements is becoming an approved supplier for Vestas, a leading European manufacturer of wind turbines.
This partnership has opened doors for Rom-Control to receive repair jobs from various wind farm operators and maintenance providers across Australia, even though the farms under their control comprises of equipment manufactured by other than Vestas.
“Our engineers understand the functionality, fault-find and repair different electronic circuits at component level,” Horovitz said. “We build customised testing rigs for each brand to simulate real-life conditions and ensure our refurbished units perform as intended.”
The company’s commitment to sustainability and extending the lifespan of electronic equipment is exemplified in a recent project with a major pharmaceutical company.
The client had a control system from the 1980s that was still operational but an upgrade was not feasible under the current financial constraints. Rom-Control was approached and asked to provide a solution that would ensure the equipment would be in a solid position to continue being used for another 10 years.
Rom-Control offered its proactive refurbishment service, auditing the entire system, identifying critical components, and refurbishing or replacing them on a rotational basis.
This approach enabled the client to keep the system running for another 10 years without costly replacements.
“It’s hard to estimate the exact savings, but we potentially saved them millions compared to the price of purchasing a new system,” Horovitz said.
Rom-Control’s approach to quality control is equally impressive. All components used in the repair and refurbishment process are brand new and tested thoroughly before installation.
The company has invested in specialised equipment to detect counterfeit parts, ensuring that only genuine components are used in customer equipment.
In addition, Rom-Control has established relationships with various component manufacturers around the world, allowing them to quickly source parts, even for obsolete equipment.
As the renewable energy industry continues to evolve, Rom-Control is well-positioned to meet the anticipated surge in demand for repair and refurbishment services. The company’s systems-based approach and flexible business model allow for scalability, while continuous investment in training and advanced testing equipment ensures that its workforce remains ahead of the curve.
“Our core strength lies in our ability to repair any electronic equipment at the component level, regardless of brand or intended function,” Horovitz said.
“As long as there are electronics involved, we can provide cost-effective repair solutions to extend the lifespan of the equipment sustainably.”
In an industry that has traditionally relied on a “replace and discard” approach, Rom-Control’s solutions offer a feasible and cost-effective alternative. By extending the lifespan of electronic equipment and reducing waste, the company is not only contributing to the bottom line of its clients but also promoting a circular economy and minimising the environmental impact of the renewable energy sector.
“For decision-makers in the renewable industry, partnering with Rom-Control represents a strategic investment in sustainability, cost savings and operational efficiency,” Horovitz said.
With its unique expertise, cutting-edge techniques, and commitment to quality, Rom-Control is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the renewable energy industry, one repaired component at a time.
For more information, visit rom-control.com.au/contact-us
This article featured in the April edition of ecogeneration.
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