EoW July 2008

taping, armouring & sheathing of cables

Metallic cable sheathing Nexans has developed the UNIversal WElding MAchine to sheath cables with a sealed metallic outer cover.

Special cables can require smooth or corrugated metallic outer conductors to assure crush resistance and high flexibility. A gas tight sheath with helical or annular corrugations protects the cable against moisture, liquid and gases, while the metallic sheath acts as a grounding conductor.

In the UNIWEMA process, a metal strip is introduced into the machine and, in a single operation, the strip edges are trimmed and formed around a cable core and the opposing strip edges are TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welded. The standard UNIWEMA is equipped with a single electrode. In applications where the maximum allowable welding current with one electrode is insufficient (eg for thicker strips or if higher speeds are desired) the UNIWEMA can also be operated with a 3-electrode welding torch system, Polyarc welder. For continuous TIG welding, Nexans has developed the TwinTorch® system. The TwinTorch system consists of two torches, control program and two welding rectifiers. When a used electrode has to be changed the PLC controlled process ignites the second torch; the used electrode can then be exchanged easily. TwinTorch technology achieves an uninterrupted welding seam without welding defects. A split clamp caterpillar capstan, located downstream from the welding station, pulls the sheathed cable through the machine and, if desired, pushes it to the corrugation unit. The coordination of the forming and welding operations with the split clamp caterpillar capstan is a pre-condition for obtaining a uniform welded seam, thus ensuring optimum product quality.

Nexans TwinTorch® system ▲ ▲

One of the range of UNIWEMA units, UNIWEMA 60 is considered most suitable for the sheathing of special cables using tube diameters up to 60mm to produce a sheath with aluminium of 0.4mm to 1.8 mm wall thickness. Nexans Deutschland Industries GmbH & Co KG – Germany Fax : +49 511 6 76 37 77 Email : uniwema.tech@nexans.com Website : www.nexans.de

“Green” colour concentrates Environmental building guidelines have been established by the US Green Building Council (USBG) to further the initiatives of RoHS and WEEE proposals, limiting the use of halogen-containing materials throughout the United States. Ultralor EF, from Breen Colour Concentrates, has been developed in partnership with Delphi Packard Electric Systems to meet the performance demands of halogen free, high temperature, lightweight, thin wall insulation for wire and cable. Tom Taylor, vice president of sales and business development for Breen Color Concentrates, believes that the guidelines of these regulations will impact on applications across numerous wire and cable markets including automotive, hospital, medical equipment, lighting equipment, fire alarm and security products. Available in a range of colors, Ultralor EF products are compatible with flexible PPE compounds for wire and cable. UItralor EF is made using 100% virgin materials that do not contain halogens, lead, hexavalent chromium, cadmium, mercury, PBB, PBDE or other substances known to be hazardous to humans or the environment. The products meet the requirements of Directives 2002/95/EU (RoHS) and 2002/96/EU (WEEE). Ultralor EF has already been approved by a leading automotive manufacturer for use in 2009 platform vehicles. Breen Color Concentrates – USA Email : ttaylor@breencolor.com Website : www.breencolor.com

Films, foils and tapes for cables

Besel Group has been producer and converter of flexible materials for technical applications since 1975. Besel processes 800 tons of films, foils and tapes every month. The company has recently moved to a new 42,000m 2 site, including 10,000m 2 site of stock space and production facilities, equipped with the latest in converting technology. An ISO 9001 certified quality system is in place to ensure product quality and prompt delivery, and skilled staff and management are always on hand to assist customers with order and product advice. Besel Basim San Tic Ltd – Turkey Fax : +90 212 683 22 18 Email : info@beselfoil.com Website : www.beselfoil.com

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EuroWire – July 2008