(INMR, Vol. 16, No. 2, Issue-80, 2008, p 40)
During the past 15 years, the number of manufacturers of composite long rod insulators for overhead line applications has literally exploded. By some estimates, there are already some two hundred such firms scattered throughout the world - mainly in China. Yet, surprisingly, during this same time interval, the number of suppliers of hollow core composite insulators has remained more or less the same - little more than a handful.
It is hard to know for certain whether this unusual situation developed because the demand for hollow core composite insulators was relatively small. Or, alternatively, whether this comparatively low demand was due to the fact that only a small number of suppliers were actively promoting this technology.
Whatever the case, there are efforts now to make the manufacturing process for hollow core (as well as other types of polymeric components) far more productive - something which is expected to expand the number of suppliers and potentially also significantly increase their market penetration.
INMR visits a Swiss-based supplier of production equipment for insulators and looks at a new technology intended to increase productivity by shortening the molding cycle.
