Wilec has upgraded and expanded the polyimide film-covered and paper-cov­ered conductor production plants at its Olifantsfontein manufacturing facility.

The expansion and upgrade of the polyimide film-covered copper conductor plant, commenced late 2014 and com­pleted in February 2015, comprised the purchase and installation of two new state-of-the-art production lines to add to three existing lines.

“Production capacity has increased dramatically. The new machines produce a better and neater product and incorporate automatic in-line testing,” said Howard Eldridge, Wilec’s Operations Executive.

The upgrade also included installa­tion of pressurised cells to provide a dust-free environment around all the machines, which are being used exclusively at present for the pro­duction of Kapton-covered conductor for traction motors currently in produc­tion for new electric and diesel locomo­tives on order by Transnet Freight Rail to replace and extend its aging fleet. Four new paper-covering machines will be commissioned around the end of November.

They have boosted the plant’s output of this product, which is used mainly in the production and repair of distribution transformers.

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