To meet the growing demand for customised, high-performance specialised electric motors in heavy engineering, electric motor manufacturer Hexagon Electrical announced the expansion of its manufacturing and service capabilities.

The company – based in Brakpan, Gauteng – specialises in both flameproof and nonflameproof equipment, combining mechanical precision, electrical expertise and design innovation to deliver “robust, energy-efficient certified solutions, tailored to exact customer requirements”.

The company’s recent investment in test infrastructure enables motors to be evaluated at full load up to 460 kW and 6.6 kV.

Flameproof inspection is conducted by accredited inspectors and all products undergo mechanical and electrical assessments prior to final assembly.

A dedicated vacuum pressure impregnation system and dual varnishing process ensure quality, durability and performance in extreme operating environments.

Hexagon’s facility is now equipped with four production bays, each with dedicated lifting capabilities ranging from 5 t to 25 t.

In-house machining, lamination punching, coil winding and dynamic balancing are all undertaken using modern equipment, including a 460 kW Schenk dynamometer and high-voltage test systems.

The manufacturing process is also supported by proprietary design software developed in collaboration with tertiary institution University of the Witwatersrand, enabling advanced simulation, stress verification and application-specific winding design.

“Our broad product portfolio comprises motors and transformers, enclosures and switchgear, ventilation fans, scrubber fans and auxiliary equipment, as well as a full range of flameproof equipment compliant with South African National Standard SANS 60079,” explains Hexagon Electrical CEO David Dyce.

Dyce notes that Hexagon offers a range of specialised motors including dual kilowatt and dual speed alternating current motors, slip ring motors and water-cooled flameproof motors.

Additionally, Hexagon’s portfolio of flameproof or standard winch and traction motors, as well as standard or flameproof pad mount motors are ideal for heavy-duty mining applications.

“All motors are offered with optional customisation in voltage, mounting, shaft configuration and thermal protection,” he says.

The company also designs, supplies and services transformers, enclosures, ventilation equipment and auxiliary components for integrated system deployment.

Dyce points out the robust equipment is engineered to ensure high performance and optimum safety in critical applications, including ventilation in hazardous areas, chemical processing, materials handling and in underground mining.

“Through in-house design, manufacturing and testing facilities, our highly-skilled team offers a complete service life cycle, including system design, motor rewinding, mechanical refurbishment, electrical testing and final certification.”

Safe Solutions

Environmental and safety standards underpin the company’s operations, which are fully compliant with standards maintained by industry bodies such as South African Flameproof Association and the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa, as well as certifications in line with Mining and Surface Certification and International Organisation for Standardisation technical standards.

Dyce points out motors and control systems are assembled in accordance with SANS 10242 and inspected against client specifications prior to dispatch.

“Each unit is supplied with a full data book, including balancing certificates, electrical test reports, records of the repair history and traceable calibration records,” he adds.

As part of investment company Montsi Investments, Hexagon maintains a strategic focus on industrial resilience, supplying both manufacturing and repair services to sectors where downtime and failure risk carry high operational costs.