Hello everyone,
I've got a very broad question but looking for some maintenance or engineering advice. How to upgrade from contactors to a drive on an old motor system?

I have an ancient straightener with a single speed DC motor, start stop, and reverse buttons, but I would like to get into this century with a variable speed drive so i can slow it down and make it safer. i would like the operator to be able to change the speed with a potentiometer on the operator panel. It is a 15HP DC motor with brushes and a 240VDC field voltage.

Is there some methodology to this? or a procedure that I should follow to upgrade from contactors to a drive?

Thank you!