Industrial Equipment Rebuild Servicesin Northwest Indiana
Quick overview
An equipment rebuild is a full teardown, inspection and reassembly of a machine, with worn parts replaced or machined new, so it runs to manufacturer spec again. SSI rebuilds gearboxes, pumps, fans, presses and conveyor drives in our Portage, Indiana machine shop and makes parts that are no longer available.
What equipment do we rebuild?
| Equipment | What we do | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Gearboxes and reducers | Teardown, gear and bearing inspection, shaft and housing repair, seals, reassembly | Correct backlash and contact, quiet running, longer service life |
| Pumps | Impeller, wear ring, seal, bearing and shaft replacement or repair | Restored flow and pressure, fewer seal leaks |
| Fans and blowers | Blade and impeller repair, bearings, shafts and dynamic balancing | Smooth running and steady airflow |
| Motors (mechanical side) | Bearings, shafts, end bells, fits and couplings | A motor that runs cool and true on its base |
| Presses | Hydraulic and mechanical press rebuilds, including refractory brick presses | Consistent force, timing and product dimensions |
| Conveyor drives and rollers | Rollers, bearings, pulleys, reducers and drive alignment | Smooth operation and fewer stops on the line |
- In-house machine shopShafts, bushings, sleeves and housings made here.
- Built to specOEM spec or your plant standard.
- Installed and alignedLaser aligned when it goes back in.
How does an equipment rebuild work?
Step 1: Assess
Inspect the machine, review its history and record vibration, heat and visible wear.
Step 2: Disassemble
Careful teardown with every part tagged and measured.
Step 3: Inspect and quote
Check fits, gears, bearings and seals. You get a written scope before we rebuild.
Step 4: Rebuild
Replace worn parts with OEM or quality aftermarket parts, or machine new ones in our shop.
Step 5: Install and align
Set the machine, laser align it and check the coupling and base.
Step 6: Test and report
Run it, verify it and hand you the records.
Signs it needs a rebuild
When should you rebuild instead of repair?
Consider a rebuild when you see more than one of these.
- Rising vibration or new noise
- Bearings or oil running hot
- Leaks that come back after seal changes
- The same failure, over and over
- Lost flow, pressure or output
- OEM parts that are obsolete or on long lead times
Specialties
Equipment Rebuilds we handle
What is an industrial equipment rebuild?
An equipment rebuild is a full teardown, inspection and reassembly that returns a machine to manufacturer spec or better. Worn parts get replaced or machined new, fits get restored, and the machine goes back in aligned and tested. It is more than a repair, and usually far less than buying new.
Our rebuild work covers gearboxes, pumps, fans and blowers, the mechanical side of motors, hydraulic and mechanical presses, and conveyor drives. We do it from our shop in Portage, Indiana, and in the field across Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland.
What do we rebuild?
We rebuild the rotating and reciprocating equipment that keeps a plant running. The table below shows the main groups. Each has its own detailed page.
| Equipment | Typical work | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Gearboxes and reducers | Gears, bearings, shafts, seals, housing repair | Gearbox rebuilds |
| Pumps | Impellers, wear rings, seals, bearings, shafts | Pump rebuilds |
| Fans and blowers | Impellers, blades, bearings, balancing | Fan rebuilds and balancing |
| Presses | Hydraulics, guides, drives, molds | Refractory press repair |
| Conveyor drives | Rollers, pulleys, reducers, bearings | Conveyor systems |
| Motors (mechanical) | Bearings, shafts, fits, couplings | This page |
On motors, our work is the mechanical side: bearings, shaft and housing fits, end bells, couplings and the base the motor sits on.
Why does an in-house machine shop matter for rebuilds?
An in-house machine shop means we do not wait on someone else to make the part that is holding up your job. We machine shafts, sleeves, bushings, keys, couplings and housing repairs in Portage. That keeps the schedule in our hands and the parts fitted to your machine.
Our machine shop also handles reverse engineering. When a part is obsolete, the manufacturer is gone, or the lead time is measured in months, we measure the worn part, work out its original dimensions and fits, and make a new one. That is how many older presses, gearboxes and fans in this region stay in service.
How do you decide between rebuild and replacement?
Rebuild when the housing, frame or casing is sound and the wear is in parts that can be replaced or machined. Replace when the structure itself is cracked, the design no longer fits the process, or parts can’t be made at a sensible cost. We show you what we find and tell you plainly.
Things we weigh with you:
- Condition of the housing or frame. This is the expensive part. If it is good, a rebuild usually wins.
- Parts availability. Our shop can make many parts, which changes the math on older equipment.
- Downtime. A rebuild avoids new foundations, piping changes and controls work.
- Failure history. Repeat failures point to a root cause, like misalignment or soft foot, that we fix during the rebuild.
Read more in gearbox rebuild vs. replacement.
What happens after the rebuild?
The job is not done until the machine is back in, aligned and running. Our crews set the equipment, check the base and coupling, and laser align it to OEM tolerance or your plant standard. Then we run it with your team and hand you the records.
We see rebuilds as a reset. Pair one with a preventive maintenance plan and the next failure gets caught early. If a machine is down now, see our emergency repair service or call (219) 386-1506. Done right the first time.
Equipment Rebuilds across the Region
Tell us about the equipment
Send the make, model and what you're seeing. A crew lead will call you back with next steps.
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Equipment Rebuilds FAQs
What does an industrial equipment rebuild include?
A rebuild includes a full teardown, cleaning, inspection and measurement of every part, replacement or machining of worn components, and reassembly to manufacturer spec or your plant standard. We then install the machine, laser align it and test it. You get a written scope before work starts and records when it is done.
How long does an equipment rebuild take?
It depends on the machine and the parts. Many rebuilds take 1 to 2 weeks. Parts lead times and the amount of machining are the biggest variables. If we need to machine a part instead of waiting on an OEM, that can shorten the job. We give you a timeline with the written scope.
Can you rebuild equipment from any manufacturer?
Yes. We rebuild gearboxes, pumps, fans, presses and conveyor drives from many manufacturers. We source OEM or quality aftermarket parts, and our machine shop makes parts that are obsolete or on long lead times. We work on all makes and models of refractory presses.
What is reverse engineering for replacement parts?
Reverse engineering means measuring a worn or broken part, working out its original dimensions and fits, and machining a new one. We use it when a part is obsolete, the OEM is gone, or the lead time would keep your line down. The new part is made to fit your machine as it really is.
Is rebuilding cheaper than replacing equipment?
Often, yes, when the housing, frame or casing is sound. A rebuild reuses the expensive structure and replaces the parts that wear. It also avoids new foundations and piping changes. We tell you plainly when replacement makes more sense, and we can install new equipment too.
Do you offer emergency rebuild services?
Yes. We provide 24/7 emergency support for urgent rebuilds and repairs. Call (219) 386-1506. We will ask what failed and what spares you have, then tell you how fast we can turn it around. Our machine shop can make parts while the rest of the job moves forward.
Do you laser align equipment after a rebuild?
Yes. Every rebuilt machine that couples to a motor or driven unit gets aligned when it goes back in. We check soft foot and pipe strain first, then laser align to OEM tolerance or your plant standard and give you before-and-after readings.
Can you rebuild equipment on site or does it come to your shop?
Both. Smaller units usually come to our Portage shop, where the machine tools are. Large or fixed equipment, like presses and big fans, is often rebuilt in place by our field crews, with parts machined in the shop. We pick the approach that keeps your downtime shortest.
Related services
All services
Machine Shop Services
Custom machining, replacement parts and worn-part repair.
Laser Shaft Alignment
Aligned to spec, with a written report.
Fan Rebuilds & Balancing
Fans balanced in place or in the shop, rebuilt and aligned.
Refractory Press Repair & Service
Brick presses, molds, stackers and feed systems. All makes.
Request a equipment rebuilds quote
Tell us what's running rough. We'll tell you how fast we can be there.