Developing an Automated Core Rolling Machine for the Metering Unit’s Current Transformer

The emergence of automation has brought positive impacts on the development and production of goods in industries by turning difficult processes into simple, efficient, and time saving. Unlike the developed countries, most of the industrial processes in developing countries are unautomated and hence fail to win the world market due to low production. Taking a case study of Tanzania electrical equipment company (TANELEC) in Tanzania, the manufacturing of metering units is a challenge due to the difficulties of rolling the core steel of the metering units’ current transformer (CT). Most of the tested metering units are not qualified due to mis-dimensions and gaps in the rolled core because of the current manual, tiresome, and dangerous process. So, the industry does not reach customers’ needs. The findings from the respondents showed the need for a machine that automates the rolling of the core of the metering unit’s CT which is the objective of the study. The study employed a qualitative research method to have a better understanding of the present process using Agile software development methodology based on the Extreme programming agile method. The developed machine has the intelligence of accepting and rolling only the required material which is ferromagnetic iron. It also allows the user to enter the dimensions and number of the core needed. The developed system can produce up to 60 cores per hour which eases the burden of production. So, the TANELEC industry can increase the metering units’ production and hence meet the customers’ demands on time.