FOCUS:CHITTARANJAN LOCOMOTIVE WORKS

Indigenous and innovative

SUHRID SANKAR CHATTOPADHYAY

ONE of the main reasons why the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) has been able to cut down its cost of production is the indigenisation of the new generation electron beam irradiated cross-linked (EBXL) cable. The cable was first developed by Nicco Corporation Ltd at its plant in Shyamnagar, West Bengal. The plant is equipped with a 3.0 MeV electron accelerator imported from Radiation Dynamics Inc, United States, and a state-of-the-art polymer compounding plant. The cable is used by CLW for the manufacture of high-power three-phase locomotive, for which it has entered into a transfer of technology agreement with ABB of Sweden. Nicco is one of the main suppliers of EBXL cable to the Railways.

Cross-linking of polymers with electron beam is an innovative process, which makes the cable more durable than the conventional chemically cross-linked cables. EBXL cables have superior electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The design is compact, smaller in size, lighter and does not emit toxic and corrosive gases - properties that eliminate the need for replacement during periodic overhauling of the locomotives.

Nicco has other clients, including the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai and the Diesel Locomotive Works in Varanasi.

Nicco Corporation Ltd. started manufacturing cable, conductors and wires in 1942 at Shyamnagar, and later set up a unit in Baripada, Orissa.

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