Reverse Engineering in Practice: From Legacy to Marine-Grade Performance

On the left, an original Leroy Somer electric motor, purpose-built for a YORK compressor. Specs: 325 kW – 3574 RPM – B35 – IP23 – 660V – 60Hz – Frame 315

On the right, a newly manufactured motor by Valiadis Hellenic Motors, the result of a full reverse engineering process. Although visually similar, it is in fact a new machine—engineered from the ground up, not merely replicated.

This version incorporates:
• A custom-designed shaft for compressor integration
• A bespoke flange adapted to precise mounting requirements
• A reengineered winding layout for thermal and operational optimization
• Full upgrade to marine-grade specs, including materials and insulation systems suitable for vessel operation

Reverse engineering, when done responsibly, is not about imitation—it’s about re-understanding. In this case, our task was to interpret a specific historical design, adapt it to current needs, and align it with modern marine standards. The result is a drop-in replacement motor that not only respects the original application but is also technically and structurally enhanced for more demanding conditions.

These projects are not uncommon in the field, especially when legacy equipment must be maintained but original parts are obsolete or no longer supported. Recreating such motors requires access not only to design capability and machining infrastructure but also to the unwritten know-how of how machines behave over time in real-world environments.

We approach such cases not as vendors but as colleagues—engineers supporting engineers—where the goal is continuity of operations, technical clarity, and enduring performance.