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Decision at a glance

Top move

Variable-speed drives (VSD) create common-mode shaft currents that shorten bearing life; require shaft‑grounding devices or motors with insulated bearings in procurement specs to reduce unscheduled maintenance and spare‑part exposure

Key takeaways

Variable-speed drives (VSD) create common-mode shaft currents that shorten bearing life; require shaft‑grounding devices or motors with insulated bearings in procurement specs to reduce unscheduled maintenance and spare‑part exposure.[1]
Recent factory‑automation product rollouts (new cobots, sensors, robotics mass production) broaden supplier choice but can fragment local service and spare footprints—verify local support before shifting LTSA scopes or committing long service terms.[2]
Instrumentation maturity guidance stresses device health diagnostics and verified measurement; include explicit diagnostic, verification and maintenance‑access requirements in LTSA SOWs to avoid hidden integration or uptime costs.[3]

Why this matters for the category manager

Variable-speed drives (VSD) create common-mode shaft currents that shorten bearing life; require shaft‑grounding devices or motors with insulated bearings in procurement specs to reduce unscheduled maintenance and spare‑part exposure. Recent factory‑automation product rollouts (new cobots, sensors, robotics mass production) broaden supplier choice but can fragment local service and spare footprints—verify local support before shifting LTSA scopes or committing long service terms. Instrumentation maturity guidance stresses device health diagnostics and verified measurement; include explicit diagnostic, verification and maintenance‑access requirements in LTSA SOWs to avoid hidden integration or uptime costs. Process Online is a practical Australian technical hub and supplier directory useful for vetting vendors and finding product whitepapers, but it’s publisher content—use it as a starting point, not sole evidence of local service capability

What changed

Added concrete maintenance guidance on VSD-induced shaft currents and bearing mitigation from a technical supplier article (new operational spec implication) .
Recorded a cluster of factory‑automation product availability signals (cobots, sensors, robotics mass production) relevant to supplier choice and service footprint planning .
Reinforced instrumentation verification and device‑health themes as procurementable requirements rather than only project engineering notes .

Category impact

Cost / money

Bearing failures driven by VSD common‑mode voltage shift maintenance cost exposure from routine swaps toward larger corrective maintenance events and spare‑holding needs; budgeting should reflect higher local spare and labour readiness.[1]
New automation products can reduce unit equipment costs but increase integration and local spares complexity, pushing more spend into commissioning and local service rather than pure hardware CAPEX.[2]
Requiring device health diagnostics and preinstalled mitigation (e.g., shaft grounding) is likely to increase initial equipment or test costs but reduces unplanned downtime and emergency mobilization fees over LTSA term.[3]

Supplier / commercial

Suppliers that offer motors with preinstalled shaft grounding or insulated bearings can command advantage in LTSA negotiations; buyers should use that leverage to secure separable pricing and spare commitments.[1]
Automation vendors rolling out new product lines (cobots, sensors, cameras, humanoid robots) may have varying local distribution and service footprints—ask for APAC service maps before awarding long‑term service contracts.[2]
Use the Process Online directory and white papers to build an initial supplier shortlist, but require capability evidence (local spares, field service contracts) before changing LTSA counterparty lists.[5]

Safety / operations

Unmitigated shaft currents are an operational safety and reliability issue: bearing fluting/failure can cascade to unplanned stops and create unsafe maintenance interventions—mandate mitigation in installation and commissioning plans.[1][3]
Automation hardware and new sensing nodes change control architecture and acceptance testing needs; ensure FAT/SAT scopes include safety interlocks, diagnostics validation and rollback plans to avoid compressed acceptance windows.[2][3]

What to watch

Product announcements (e.g., mass production of robotics) are early signals of choice expansion but may not equal mature local service—verify distributor, spares stock and certified field technicians before assuming full APAC support.[2]
Publisher content and directories are useful leads but can overstate supplier readiness; watch for gaps between product availability claims and actual APAC spare/service footprints.[4][5]

Category manager actions

Action detail for this brief

Today's priorities

Ask preferred motor OEMs and distributors for written confirmation of shaft‑grounding options, insulated‑bearing offerings, and local spare availability.

Act because the cited source changes the timing, capacity, or commercial assumptions behind the next sourcing decision.

Due 3d

high

Ops to capture current FAT/SAT acceptance checklist items that cover device health diagnostics and diagnostics data handover requirements.

Act because the cited source changes the timing, capacity, or commercial assumptions behind the next sourcing decision.

Due 3d

high

Contracts to draft an LTSA appendix requiring separable pricing for hardware, firmware/diagnostics updates, and field service mobilization fees; include a clause requiring vendo...

Act because the cited source changes the timing, capacity, or commercial assumptions behind the next sourcing decision.

Due 21d

high

Supplier radar

Processonline

high

Observed supplier signal

Suppliers that offer motors with preinstalled shaft grounding or insulated bearings can command advantage in LTSA negotiations; buyers should use that leverage to secure separable pricing and spare commitments.

Commercial implication

Suppliers that offer motors with preinstalled shaft grounding or insulated bearings can command advantage in LTSA negotiations; buyers should use that leverage to secure separable pricing and spare commitments.

Next step: Validate the source-backed signal with incumbents and alternates before the next award or pricing decision.

Processonline

high

Observed supplier signal

Automation vendors rolling out new product lines (cobots, sensors, cameras, humanoid robots) may have varying local distribution and service footprints—ask for APAC service maps before awarding long‑term service contracts.

Commercial implication

Automation vendors rolling out new product lines (cobots, sensors, cameras, humanoid robots) may have varying local distribution and service footprints—ask for APAC service maps before awarding long‑term service contracts.

Next step: Validate the source-backed signal with incumbents and alternates before the next award or pricing decision.

Processonline

high

Observed supplier signal

Use the Process Online directory and white papers to build an initial supplier shortlist, but require capability evidence (local spares, field service contracts) before changing LTSA counterparty lists.

Commercial implication

Use the Process Online directory and white papers to build an initial supplier shortlist, but require capability evidence (local spares, field service contracts) before changing LTSA counterparty lists.

Next step: Validate the source-backed signal with incumbents and alternates before the next award or pricing decision.

Negotiation levers

Lever

Ask preferred motor OEMs and distributors for written confirmation of shaft‑grounding options, insulated‑bearing offerings, and local spare availability.

Use when

Act because the cited source changes the timing, capacity, or commercial assumptions behind the next sourcing decision.

Expected outcome

Updated supplier responses that list grounding options and local spare lead times for procurement evaluation.

high confidence

Lever

Ops to capture current FAT/SAT acceptance checklist items that cover device health diagnostics and diagnostics data handover requirements.

Use when

Act because the cited source changes the timing, capacity, or commercial assumptions behind the next sourcing decision.

Expected outcome

A short FAT/SAT checklist to attach to RFx and LTSA SOWs to enforce diagnostic handover.

high confidence

Lever

Contracts to draft an LTSA appendix requiring separable pricing for hardware, firmware/diagnostics updates, and field service mobilization fees; include a clause requiring vendo...

Use when

Act because the cited source changes the timing, capacity, or commercial assumptions behind the next sourcing decision.

Expected outcome

Draft appendix that forces price separation and a vendor service‑footprint disclosure requirement for LTSA evaluation.

high confidence

Talking points

Variable-speed drives (VSD) create common-mode shaft currents that shorten bearing life; require shaft‑grounding devices or motors with insulated bearings in procurement specs to reduce unscheduled maintenance and spare‑part exposure.

Recent factory‑automation product rollouts (new cobots, sensors, robotics mass production) broaden supplier choice but can fragment local service and spare footprints—verify local support before shifting LTSA scopes or committing long service terms.

Instrumentation maturity guidance stresses device health diagnostics and verified measurement; include explicit diagnostic, verification and maintenance‑access requirements in LTSA SOWs to avoid hidden integration or uptime costs.

Recommended actions

Do now

Ask preferred motor OEMs and distributors for written confirmation of shaft‑grounding options, insulated‑bearing offerings, and local spare availability.
Why: Act because the cited source changes the timing, capacity, or commercial assumptions behind the next sourcing decision.
Owner: Category
Expected outcome: Updated supplier responses that list grounding options and local spare lead times for procurement evaluation.
[1]
Ops to capture current FAT/SAT acceptance checklist items that cover device health diagnostics and diagnostics data handover requirements.
Why: Act because the cited source changes the timing, capacity, or commercial assumptions behind the next sourcing decision.
Owner: Ops
Expected outcome: A short FAT/SAT checklist to attach to RFx and LTSA SOWs to enforce diagnostic handover.
[3]

Next few weeks

Contracts to draft an LTSA appendix requiring separable pricing for hardware, firmware/diagnostics updates, and field service mobilization fees; include a clause requiring vendo...
Why: Act because the cited source changes the timing, capacity, or commercial assumptions behind the next sourcing decision.
Owner: Contracts
Expected outcome: Draft appendix that forces price separation and a vendor service‑footprint disclosure requirement for LTSA evaluation.
[1][2]
Category run capability checks on shortlisted automation and motor suppliers focused on APAC field service coverage, certified technicians, and spare‑holding commitments.
Why: Act because the cited source changes the timing, capacity, or commercial assumptions behind the next sourcing decision.
Owner: Category
Expected outcome: Verified capability notes for each shortlisted supplier and a prioritized list based on service footprint.
[2][5]

Watch

Ops to update standard LTSA SOW templates to include mandatory installation mitigation (shaft grounding/insulated bearings), diagnostics handover, and acceptance conditions tied...
Why: Act because the cited source changes the timing, capacity, or commercial assumptions behind the next sourcing decision.
Owner: Ops
Expected outcome: Revised LTSA SOW templates that allocate mitigation, diagnostics and acceptance responsibilities to suppliers.
[1][3]
Category maintain a watchlist of emerging automation vendors and update procurement scorecards to weight local spare and service availability more heavily.
Why: Act because the cited source changes the timing, capacity, or commercial assumptions behind the next sourcing decision.
Owner: Category
Expected outcome: An updated supplier scorecard and watchlist that prioritize vendors with proven APAC service coverage.
[2][5]

What to watch

Product announcements (e.g., mass production of robotics) are early signals of choice expansion but may not equal mature local service—verify distributor, spares stock and certified field technicians before assuming full APAC support
Publisher content and directories are useful leads but can overstate supplier readiness; watch for gaps between product availability claims and actual APAC spare/service footprints
Product announcements (e.g., mass production of robotics) are early signals of choice expansion but may not equal mature local service—verify distributor, spares stock and certified field technicians before assuming full APAC support.: Product announcements (e.g., mass production of robotics) are early signals of choice expansion but may not equal mature local service—verify distributor, spares stock and certified field technicians before assuming full APAC support
Publisher content and directories are useful leads but can overstate supplier readiness; watch for gaps between product availability claims and actual APAC spare/service footprints.: Publisher content and directories are useful leads but can overstate supplier readiness; watch for gaps between product availability claims and actual APAC spare/service footprints
Variable-speed drives (VSD) create common-mode shaft currents that shorten bearing life; require shaft‑grounding devices or motors with insulated bearings in procurement specs to reduce unscheduled maintenance and spare‑part exposure
Recent factory‑automation product rollouts (new cobots, sensors, robotics mass production) broaden supplier choice but can fragment local service and spare footprints—verify local support before shifting LTSA scopes or committing long service terms
Instrumentation maturity guidance stresses device health diagnostics and verified measurement; include explicit diagnostic, verification and maintenance‑access requirements in LTSA SOWs to avoid hidden integration or uptime costs
Process Online is a practical Australian technical hub and supplier directory useful for vetting vendors and finding product whitepapers, but it’s publisher content—use it as a starting point, not sole evidence of local service capability

Market pulse

Index	Latest	Change	As of
WTI Crude (WTI)	71.23 /bbl	+0.00 (+0.00%)	Jun 14, 2026, 10:10 PM
Brent Crude (BRENT)	74.89 /bbl	+0.00 (+0.00%)	Jun 14, 2026, 10:10 PM
Natural Gas (NG)	3.12 /MMBtu	+0.00 (+0.00%)	Jun 14, 2026, 10:10 PM
Baker Hughes (BKR)	32	+0.00 (+0.00%)	Jun 14, 2026, 10:10 PM
GE Vernova (GEV)	175	+0.00 (+0.00%)	Jun 14, 2026, 10:10 PM

Baker Hughes: Baker Hughes activity can indicate service and field‑support demand trends relevant to equipment service markets
Natural Gas: Natural gas price direction affects operating margins and CAPEX/OPEX prioritisation for industrial motor replacement and automation projects

Evidence and sources

Inline citations jump here. Expand a source to read stored evidence excerpts.

[1] How to extend the life of your motor bearings

processonline.com.au · n.d.

Original linkExpand

Source excerpts

While there are many different causes of electric motor failures, the most common issue when using a drive is bearing failure caused by common mode voltage. Damage caused by common mode voltage In a 3-phase AC system, common mode voltage can be defined as the imbalance present between the three phases created by the pulse width modulated power of the drive, or the voltage difference between the power source ground and the neutral point of the 3-phase load

Adding a shaft grounding device to the motor prior to installation (or buying a motor with one preinstalled) can be a small price to pay when compared to the price tag of maintenance costs associated with bearing replacement, not to mention the high costs of downtime in a facility

On motors larger than 75 kW, it is generally recommended that an insulated bearing be installed on the opposite end of the motor on which the shaft grounding device is installed, regardless of which style of shaft grounding is used. Table 1: Pros and cons of shaft grounding methods

Open original source

[2] Factory automation :: Process Online

processonline.com.au · n.d.

Original linkExpand

Source excerpts

← Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 116 117 Next →

Chinese humanoid robot manufacturer opens mass production plant 03 June, 2026 EngineAI’s T800 humanoid robots are beginning to roll off the production line for mass delivery

Chinese humanoid robot manufacturer opens mass production plant 03 June, 2026 EngineAI’s T800 humanoid robots are beginning to roll off the production line for mass delivery. Industrial Devices electric linear actuators 01 June, 2026 | Supplied by: Treotham Automation Pty Ltd In heavy industrial environments, electric linear actuators from Industrial Devices can play a pivotal role in applications requiring robust performance and precision

Open original source

[3] what <em Age of Empires</em teaches us about instrumentation

processonline.com.au · n.d.

Original linkExpand

Source excerpts

Measurement devices without verification or health diagnostics can generate misleading data, causing operators to lose trust and eventually ignore them. This is why many operations are data-rich but insight-poor

Measurement devices without verification or health diagnostics can generate misleading data, causing operators to lose trust and eventually ignore them

That is precisely what makes it an effective analogy for instrumentation and process automation in modern plants

Open original source

[4] The Magazine :: Process Online

processonline.com.au · n.d.

Original linkExpand

Source excerpts

Building cyber-resilient energy delivery systems How algorithms can improve our responses to environmental incidents Can Australia lead the world in storage?

Stay on the cutting edge with our weekly eNewsletter delivering top headlines and exclusive content straight to your inbox. Get the latest Process Technology magazine delivered FREE — print or digital

Get the latest Process Technology magazine delivered FREE — print or digital

Open original source

[5] Industry Directory :: Process Online

processonline.com.au · n.d.

Original linkExpand

Source excerpts

Use the Directory to find and contact a supplier, through either the search panel or browsing

Find Process Technology Suppliers The WFM industrial & technology network Directory features hundreds of company, product and brand name listings from across Australia and New Zealand

Find Process Technology Suppliers The WFM industrial & technology network Directory features hundreds of company, product and brand name listings from across Australia and New Zealand. Use the Directory to find and contact a supplier, through either the search panel or browsing

Open original source

[6] Baker Hughes

finance.yahoo.com · n.d.

Original linkExpand

No stored excerpt is attached to this source.

Open original source

[7] Natural Gas

finance.yahoo.com · n.d.

Original linkExpand

No stored excerpt is attached to this source.

Open original source

Protect LTSA Value by Addressing Motor Bearing and Automation Signals

Decision at a glance

What changed

Category impact

Cost / money

Supplier / commercial

Safety / operations

What to watch

Action detail for this brief

Today's priorities

Supplier radar

Negotiation levers

Talking points

Recommended actions

Do now

Next few weeks

Watch

Top stories

How to extend the life of your motor bearings

Factory automation :: Process Online

what <em Age of Empires</em teaches us about instrumentation

The Magazine :: Process Online

Industry Directory :: Process Online

Market pulse

Evidence and sources