Straight answers, without the asterisks
Common questions about direct drive, energy storage, our delivery model and how to start. Where an honest answer depends on your site, we say so and tell you what data settles it.
PMDD and direct drive
What is a PMDD system?
PMDD stands for permanent magnet direct drive: a low-speed, high-torque permanent magnet motor coupled directly to the driven equipment — such as a conveyor drive pulley — without a gearbox, high-speed coupling or external lubrication system in the drivetrain. The motor is controlled by a variable frequency drive.
How does direct drive differ from a conventional motor and gearbox?
A conventional drivetrain uses a high-speed induction motor, a gearbox to reduce speed and multiply torque, and couplings between them. Direct drive produces the required torque at the required speed electromagnetically, removing the gearbox and its maintenance from the mechanical chain. The engineering trade-offs move into motor design, drive control and interface engineering rather than gear maintenance.
Does eliminating the gearbox mean zero maintenance?
No. Direct drive removes gearbox maintenance — oil management, gear wear and associated specialist work — but bearings, cooling systems and power electronics still require a competent maintenance regime. The maintenance task changes and typically shortens; it does not disappear.
Can an existing conveyor be retrofitted to direct drive?
Often, yes — but every retrofit is an engineering project. The assessment covers shaft and foundation interfaces, structural loads, electrical capacity, control integration and the physical envelope of the drive station. Our PMDD page lists the application information needed to evaluate a specific conveyor.
What efficiency or savings can I expect?
We do not quote generic percentages. The defensible answer comes from comparing the complete drivetrain arrangements against your site's measured duty cycle, energy price and maintenance records. Any specific figure should be traceable to the actual equipment under consideration, not industry averages.
Energy storage
What types of BESS projects does MotiraTech work on?
MotiraTech configures, integrates and delivers battery energy storage for industrial and commercial applications — including commercial & industrial systems, containerized arrangements, larger-scale installations and hybrid power systems combining storage with renewables or generation. We do not publish generic specifications; each system is configured against the application.
Can a BESS reduce our peak demand charges?
Peak demand management is a common BESS application, but the achievable outcome depends entirely on your utility tariff, interval load data and the configured system. We analyse your actual load profile and tariff before any outcome is discussed — and we do not quote generic reduction percentages.
What information do you need to assess a storage application?
Interval metering data, the utility tariff, site electrical single-line information, the objective (demand management, resilience, renewable integration, remote power), space and siting constraints, and any interconnection requirements. Our BESS page details the full list.
Services and delivery
What does MotiraTech do directly, and what is subcontracted?
MotiraTech directly scopes, manages, supervises, documents and technically supports work within its own operating scope — engineering, commissioning support, troubleshooting and coordination. Licensed trade work, transportation and heavy haul, cranes, camps, and OEM-restricted work are performed by qualified third parties under our coordination. The distinction is stated explicitly in every proposal.
Does MotiraTech operate aircraft, trucks or camps?
No. MotiraTech does not own or operate aircraft, trucking fleets, camps, heavy equipment fleets or satellite networks. Where a project needs them, we coordinate qualified providers. We also do not perform licensed trade work in our own name.
Do you guarantee response times or 24/7 support?
We do not publish guaranteed response times or around-the-clock availability commitments. Support arrangements are defined per project and documented in the scope of work.
Working with us
Where is MotiraTech located?
MotiraTech Industrial Solutions Inc. is based in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, and supports industrial projects in Canada and, where projects require, internationally.
Can you share customer references or project results?
Project experience is disclosed selectively. Some references are public; many are shared in anonymized form; some are confidential under NDA or client requirements. Performance data is available for qualified discussions where disclosure is permitted. See our Projects page for the disclosure model.
Are your products certified (CSA, UL, ISO, Arctic ratings)?
Equipment is specified against the standards applicable to each project's jurisdiction and application, and project-relevant certification documentation is provided during delivery. We do not display certificate marks on this site unless the certificate — holder, scope and number — is verified for the exact configuration offered. See our Certifications page.
How do I start an application review?
Contact us with your application, site conditions, project stage and any available duty-cycle or electrical data. An engineer will respond with the questions that matter for your specific case.
Still have questions?
Send us a message with your application and site context — an engineer will respond.