NOVUM hopes to overcome the current labour-intensive, slow production process, as well as intensify resource efficiency and reduce energy consumption and operation costs.
Production of electrical insulation components used in oil-cooled power distribution transformers is said to be B$1.19 business globally. NOVUM aims to develop and demonstrate a compact and feasible pilot line concept based on novel processing technologies for the rapid, design-driven production of advanced cellulose-based electrical insulation components.
The idea is that manual production will be replaced by an automated manufacturing concept, with increased resource efficiency. NOVUM claims this will include a 40% reduction in labour time and a 60% reduction in waste generation, 20% lower energy consumption and a 40% decrease in operating costs.
NOVUM’s focus is on the 3D printing of cellulose-based materials with thermoplastic features as well as foam forming and thermoforming of cellulose fibres. The team explain that these technologies will be developed in parallel with each other, together with the cellulose materials, in order to reach an optimal combination for the pilot line concept.
Besides technical feasibility, the decision on the pilot line concept will be based on the end use requirements as well as on economic, social and environmental impacts, including circular economy considerations.
NOVUM believe its manufacturing concept will enable the exploitation of the full potential of design in generating form and as a result, novel functionalities of cellulose-based electrical insulation components.
According to the team, the concept will be based on multipliable technologies, which they hope will enable their transition and wide adoption for cellulose-based materials across the process industry and applications in other industrial areas.