Laser Alignment, Vibration Analysis, and Thermal Imaging are offered by A.R.&E. of Hagerstown Maryland

First Quality ~ First Time

Apparatus Repair & Engineering, Inc.

A.R.&E. is the Premier Electric Motor Sales, Service, and Repair facility in the quad-state region of Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia. This business began in 1927, and we are proud to continue the efforts of the founding partners who have served the local Commercial and Industrial markets over these many years. Times have changed in the many years since the inception of this business, and A.R.&E. is growing and changing with the times. Today the use of AI, computers, and factory automation is necessary for businesses to remain competitive in the global market, and A.R.&E. is here to assist with those challenges. And we promise our work will be... First Quality ~ First Time.

Open for Business

A.R.&E is Open For Business! Monday through Friday, 8:00AM until 5:00PM, and 24/7 for emergencies. Call us at (301) 739-8285

NEW Location

We're OPEN for business but at a DIFFERENT location. Come to 17500 York Road, Hagerstown, MD 21740 (the Halfway Area) for the same excellent service you've been used to receiving.

Did I Mention We're Open?

Apparatus Repair & Engineering is Open for Business... 8 to 5, Monday through Friday and 'round the clock service for emergencies. (301) 739-8285 gets you all the help you need.

Coronavirus - Covid-19

What the virus looks like under atomic magnification. (Photo courtesy CDC.gov)

Turning the Corner in Asia

Looks like China and South Korea have turned the corner on NEW cases of the virus. That's what Social Distancing will do for us, too. Let's all get with the program.

Latest Worldwide Stats

This chart is the top 10, of 204, countries listed in the world by ranking of total infections. You can click this slide photo to be taken to the full list on the web. While it's not appealing to be #1 on this list, other columns show that our stats are certainly not as bad as some, when you consider our population compared to others.

Did You Hear? We're Open For Business!

Social distancing and use of hand sanitizer is key to protection. (Photo courtesy CDC.gov / Amanda Mills

Social Distancing

This is not some "pie in the sky" theory! This really works! Look at the results in China and South Korea. But EVERYONE has to participate. Beach goers bring the virus BACK to the folks that are fighting in the trenches and ruin everything we're trying to do. Get with the program, folks!

Social Distancing

This is not some "pie in the sky" theory! This really works! Look at the results in China and South Korea. But EVERYONE has to participate. Beach goers bring the virus BACK to the folks that are fighting in the trenches and ruin everything we're trying to do. Get with the program, folks!

There's Hope!

We're in this together isn't just a slogan... it's a fact! We'll get through it but we've all got to do our part. Have Faith, and remember that "We're in this Together".

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First Quality ~ First Time
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Miscellaneous Services

Thermal Imaging

A technology that is catching on but not as prevalent as Laser Alignment and Vibration Analysis is "Thermal Imaging".

This tool is used to find "hot spots" on an operating system. It can be overheated wire connections in a switchboard or panel board, or a bearing on a turbine. In either case, the heat signature of the equipment is measured and recorded using a "gun" type device that emits an infrared band of energy. This infrared "reader" converts the data into a visual signature, complete and in color, designating the temperature of the spot being targeted.

In turning to the "Wikipedia.org"© website, the following quick explanatory paragraph may be helpful.

Infrared thermography (IRT), thermal imaging, and thermal video are examples of infrared imaging science. Thermographic cameras usually detect radiation in the long-infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum (roughly 9,000–14,000 nanometers or 9–14 µm) and produce images of that radiation, called thermograms. Since infrared radiation is emitted by all objects with a temperature above absolute zero according to the black body radiation law, thermography makes it possible to see one's environment with or without visible illumination. The amount of radiation emitted by an object increases with temperature; therefore, thermography allows one to see variations in temperature. When viewed through a thermal imaging camera, warm objects stand out well against cooler backgrounds; humans and other warm-blooded animals become easily visible against the environment, day or night. As a result, thermography is particularly useful to the military and other users of surveillance cameras.

The "hot spots" may be caused by various problems, either mechanical, electrical, or environmental in nature. For example, an overloaded motor will become "hotter" and an imaging reading may afford the customer the ability to either solve the overload or modify the production process to reduce the load. Or, in the case of an "electrical" signature, a "hot" wire connection may be an "overload" also, like the motor, or it could be a "loose connection" of the terminal lug. Certainly a "fixable" solution. Environmentally speaking, taking thermal images of the exterior (or interior) of your home can give you a real "picture" of the air infiltration of the windows and walls of the home. You may be able to find walls with "missing insulation" or windows with leaking weather seals.

All of these examples are simple in nature, but critical to factory operations and in cases like your home... money saved by solving energy wasting problems. So if you feel that "Thermal Imaging" might be a solution to one of your problems, give a call to our "Service Department" to schedule a service tech to visit your facility. If you just want to discuss the possibilities... call our "Sales Department" and see if we can help. We'll do what we can...!

Crane/Hoist Inspection

Crane and hoist inspection services have come up a number of times and A.R.&E. personnel have been trained in the inspection of these devices. The inspection requirement by OSHA is real and needs to be accomplished for overhead devices on a routine and regular basis.

The services offered include (but are not limited to:

  • Link chain inspection and verification
  • Roller chain inspection and verification
  • Wire rope inspection and verification
  • Hook spread dimensions and verification
  • Hook latch presence and operational characteristics
  • Gearbox oil level (if available)
  • Control cable and operator's station integrity
  • Power cable connections and integrity
  • Load brake operation and integrity
  • Total operational integrity of hoist system
  • Other miscellaneous tests and inspection
  • Load test is available in "limited" instances

So if you have overhead cranes and hoists, you need to consider having A.R.&E. perform annual (and/or semi-annual) inspections. Inspection result details are recorded and submitted to your company for record purposes on company designed forms. These forms are also kept on file at our offices in Hagerstown, MD.

Give us a call to schedule your next crane inspection. We're here to help...