A large copper mine operator fitted non-genuine replacement friction discs in a large 34-inch Wichita Standard Ventilated Clutch with catastrophic consequences.
Following an open tender for genuine Wichita spares, the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder.
The new parts were installed in the Wichita clutch during a scheduled service period. Shortly afterwards the clutch caught fire.
Investigations by the mining company revealed they had been supplied with non-genuine parts even though it had specifically requested genuine Wichita parts.
The clutch was rebuilt with genuine Wichita replacement friction discs and is now functioning as per the original specification.
The use of non-genuine parts purchased from other can be of inferior quality and manufactured from materials that do not conform to the original manufacturer’s specification. Non-genuine parts often perform poorly, wear quickly, fail prematurely and can damage other, more expensive, parts of the clutch or brake.
The problem for some Wichita Clutch customers is that non-genuine parts can often look similar to the genuine part. While they may look similar, they do not perform in a similar manner.