The mining industry presents the greatest demand for the significant cost- and time-saving Cable Vulcanizer from Gauteng stainless steel and steel products manufacturer IMS Engineering.

When using electrical cabling, damage is unavoidable, says the broad-based black economic-empowerment Level 2 company.

Established in 2005, IMS Engineering developed the product to meet the need for a cost-effective, locally produced alternative to expensive imports, as well as to promote job creation.

Exported throughout Africa and to Australia, the demand for the Cable Vulcanizer is driven by the need to improve the ease of replacing and repairing electrical cables on site and eliminating the need to replace an entire cable drum, says Impact Measurement Solutions technical marketing director Ken Falconer.

Not only does the product decrease cable wastage, as short lengths can be joined to new cable lengths, but it also helps limit downtime to improve productivity and, thereby, the profitability of an operation.

IMS Engineering recently delivered two Cable Vulcanizers each to two African customers, one of which is a South African mining operation. The orders comprised electrical controllers, moulds, vulcanising kits, tape and operating and instruction manuals to facilitate the repair and joining of damaged electrical cables on site.

The 220 V, 3 000 W Cable Vulcanizer comprises 165 x 510 platens, a 400 mm x 510 mm work bench, a 150 °C set temperature, temperature adjustable up to 120 °C/175 °C, an Acme screw with a 38 mm thread, a 150 mm standard throat opening and a 250 mm high back throat opening.

The vulcanizer is equipped with moulds manufactured to cable size, is easy to load and unload, offers sturdy construction to withstand harsh industrial and mining environments, has easy open front access and a snap-on temperature probe with an easy-to-read temperature output.

“Our steel frame Cable Vulcanizer is favoured inside many repair shops. With our sturdy steel frame unit weighing in at 70 kg, it is a portable and mobile unit. We also offer a light aluminium frame model that allows for easy transportation and remote setup,” says Falconer.

The Cable Vulcanizer is manufactured at the company’s Alberton factory, with the production rate dependent on demand.

All IMS Engineering Cable Vulcanizers can be custom designed to customer specifications, as “we are often requested to customise units depending on customer’s specifications and needs”, explains Falconer.

Launched four years ago, the product comprises 100% local content, with no imported materials or components used in its design, he adds.

“The use of locally sourced components and materials is very important for manufacturing and turnaround time when servicing and replacing broken parts or for modification.”

The company has continued to make improvements to its Cable Vulcanizer over the last two years but has found the cost of material to be most challenging in this regard. This has further promoted the use of locally sourced materials to prevent production of the Cable Vulcanizer becoming too costly, concludes Falconer.