Legacy Drive Support: Why OEM Discontinuation Doesn’t Mean Game Over



When a critical drive or controller fails and the OEM no longer supports it, it can feel like your entire production line is at risk. Equipment that once ran reliably for years now leaves you scrambling for answers—and facing a tough decision:

What do you do when your legacy automation hardware goes unsupported?

At Delta Automation Inc., we specialize in turning that dead end into a fresh start.

The Problem with OEM Obsolescence

Most major automation manufacturers eventually phase out older product lines. Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Yaskawa, and others regularly discontinue legacy drives, PLCs, and HMIs as newer technologies emerge.

This creates real challenges for facilities and maintenance teams:

  • Replacement parts are no longer available from the OEM
  • Support documentation becomes harder to access
  • Upgrading requires costly reprogramming and retraining
  • Production stalls while alternatives are sourced

But here’s the good news: Obsolescence doesn’t have to mean downtime—or a full system overhaul.

Delta’s Solution: Expert Legacy Support

For over 30 years, Delta Automation has supported discontinued and hard-to-find industrial automation hardware. Whether you’re dealing with a 1990s-era PLC, a legacy inverter, or a proprietary HMI, our team knows how to diagnose, repair, and restore it—fast.

1. Deep Inventory Access

We maintain strong sourcing relationships and a curated inventory of legacy parts—drives, boards, controllers, and modules—that are no longer manufactured. Can’t find it anywhere? We probably can.

2. In-House Repair Expertise

Our technicians repair hundreds of discontinued parts every year using professional-grade test benches and real-world load simulation. We specialize in:

  • Allen-Bradley 1336 PLUS, PowerFlex 70/700, and legacy PanelView units
  • Siemens Micromaster and Simovert drives
  • Mitsubishi FR-A, FR-E, and MR-J2/J3 servo series
  • Yaskawa SGDH, SGDB, and older VS series

We back all repairs with a 1-year warranty and reliable turnaround times.

3. Support Without the Sales Pitch

Unlike OEMs pushing costly upgrades, our goal is to maximize the value of your existing system. If your hardware is still viable, we help you keep it that way—without pressure.



Why Repairing Legacy Drives Makes Business Sense

Many manufacturers assume a discontinued part means a mandatory upgrade. But in most cases, repairing or sourcing a refurbished unit is faster, cheaper, and less disruptive.

Benefits of repair:

  • Avoid extended downtime during installation or reprogramming
  • Preserve infrastructure and operator training
  • Save 40–70% versus new systems
  • Keep production running amid supply chain delays

When to Upgrade—and When Not To

Not every part is worth saving. If your hardware has:

  • Severe board damage
  • Incompatible or obsolete firmware
  • Recurring failures or instability

We’ll let you know. And if a modernization path truly makes more sense, we’ll help you plan it—on your terms, not the OEM’s.

Real Results, Real Reliability

We’ve helped manufacturers, processors, and facilities across multiple industries get their equipment back online without requiring system overhauls. Whether it’s a single drive or a full panel of legacy hardware, Delta is your long-term support partner.

Still Running Legacy Equipment? Let’s Talk.

If your OEM no longer supports your automation hardware—or pressures you into an unnecessary upgrade—contact Delta first. We provide honest advice, fast repairs, and dependable support for legacy drives, PLCs, and HMIs.

Reach out to our team today to get a quote or troubleshoot your issue →

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