Patent ID: 7451538

Claim:
A method of assembling a rotor having a plurality of rotor laminations disposed between first and second end rings, comprising: supporting the rotor on a seating surface of a base structure having a arbor extending from the base structure such that the arbor extends through a shaft chamber of the rotor; providing insertion forces to a first set of diametrically opposite securing members positioned with respect to the first end ring to drive securing members axially inward with respect to the rotor, about conductor bars of the rotor and into end slots of the first end ring; and providing insertion forces to a second set of diametrically opposite securing members positioned with respect to the first end ring to drive securing members axially inward with respect to the rotor about conductor bars of the rotor and into end slots of the second end ring; wherein each of the securing members has an interior section dimensioned to receive the conductor bar with a press fit to secure the conductor bar to the securing member, and an exterior section dimensioned to be press fit in the end slots of the end ring to secure the securing member to the end rings.