EoW July 2009
The International Magazine for the Wire and Cable Industries
Reasons to be cheerful
April’s Interwire was followed so quickly by wire Russia that it may seem a dim and distant memory. It was, perhaps, a quieter event than regulars have been used to, but it wasn’t without its highlights. It’s very easy for an established industry to slip into the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset and, much of the time, that isn’t a problem. Generally, what does a per cent less on the bottom line really matter if a company’s employing one or two extra operators, or admits to over-capacity in the design lab? Right now, of course, it’s different, and the usual cutback measures are taking place alongside some real changes in working practices. So my lasting impression of Interwire 2009 is the interest in, and enthusiasm for, new products. It was evident from the busiest stands that anything that could offer a different way of doing something – a cleaner, cheaper, more efficient machine or technique – was getting noticed. It was gratifying to hear speakers at Interwire’s Executive Panel Presentation confirming the evidence on the stands: that companies who’ve been marketing new products for some time are suddenly finding that potential users aremuchmore open to new ideas. Buyers who previously dismissed change as a distraction are willing to really look at what’s on offer, and find out how they can benefit. Ergo, the developers are bucking the current trend and find themselves getting busier. Allow me a little nationalistic pride; I was particularlygratified tohear fromUKSMEs, working in very different capacities in the wire and cable sectors, that they were delighted with the attention they received at Interwire. These are not necessarily high-tech, high-investment solutions either. It’s yet to be seen how long it will take for interest to translate into sales, but engineering in the UK had been in crisis
* US$33 purchase only Front cover: Euroalpha srl See page 96 for further details E DITOR : ....................................... Gill Watson F EATURES E DITOR (USA) : .........Dorothy Fabian E DITORIAL ASSISTANT : .................Christian Bradley D ESIGN /P RODUCTION : ................Julie Tomlin P RODUCTION : ..............................Lisa Benjamin S ALES M ANAGER : .......................Paul Browne S ALES & M ARKETING : ................Giuliana Benedetto ( I NTERNATIONAL )
Italian speaking sales Hendrike Morriss German speaking sales Linda Li Chinese speaking sales Jeroo Vandrevala Indian sales
A DVERTISEMENT C OORDINATOR : ............................Liz Hughes A CCOUNTS M ANAGER : ................Richard Babbedge S UBSCRIPTIONS : ..........................Liz Hughes P UBLISHER : ..................................Caroline Sullens F OUNDER : ....................................John C Hogg
INTRAS OFFICES
E UROPE :
46 Holly Walk, Leamington Spa Warwickshire CV32 4HY, UK
Tel : +44 1926 334137 Fax : +44 1926 314755
Email : intras@intras.co.uk Website : www.intras.co.uk Website : www.read-eurowire.com
USA :
E DITORIAL Dorothy Fabian
272 First Avenue, Apt 12G New York, NY 10009, USA Tel : +1 212 614 9266 Fax : +1 212 614 9266 Email : dfabian@rcn.com Jintras Ltd , Jeroo Vandrevala Subarna (Ground Floor) P21/N, Block A, New Alipore
I NDIA :
for years before the more general recession we’re experiencing now. At last, it seems there are reasons to be cheerful.
Kolkata 700 053, India Tel : +91 33 2407 07 01 Fax : +91 33 2407 07 00 Email : jeroov@vsnl.com
US copies only : EuroWire (ISSN No: 1463-2438) is published bi-monthly by INTRAS Ltd and distributed in the US by DSW, 75 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437. Periodicals postage paid at Emigsville, PA. Postmaster : send address changes to EuroWire, PO Box 437, Emigsville PA 17318-0437 www.read-eurowire.com © 2009 Intras Ltd, UK ISSN 1463-2438
Gill Watson
4
Whenyouhave finishedwith thismagazineplease recycle it
contents
Technical Articles
Low shrinkage in wire and cable extrusion and the importance of grade selection By James J Henry and Nafaa Mekhilef of Arkema Inc
59
Niedriges Schrumpfen bei Draht- und Kabelextrusion und die Bedeutung der Klassenauswahl Von James J Henry und Nafaa Mekhilef von Arkema Inc
65
10
72
:
.
(«
»)
Retrait réduit du l et du câble après l’extrusion et importance de la sélection de la qualité du matériau Par James J Henry et Nafaa Mekhilef de Arkema Inc
79
Ritiro contenuto del lo e del cavo dopo l’estrusione ed importanza della selezione della qualità di materiale A cura di James J Henry e Nafaa Mekhilef di Arkema Inc
85
29
Deutsch Inhalt 63 Neuigkeiten 96
Contracción limitada de alambre y cable después de la extrusión y la importancia de seleccionar la calidad de material adecuada Por James J Henry y Nafaa Mekhilef de Arkema Inc
91
69 96
Ηο
Inserentenverzeichnis
6
EuroWire – July 2009
Subscribe Now! See our subscription advert on page 32 Show issue wire SE Asia 2009 In The Next Issue
52
8
Diary of events
9
Corporate News
24
Transatlantic Cable
29
Technology N ews
41
Feature 1: Dies & die shop equipment
Feature Steel wire, cable & rod
52
Feature 2: Wire products for the automotive industry
GettingTechnical A New Method for Cable Gel Filling
95
Editorial Index
96
Advertisers’ Index
Français Sommaire 77
Italiano Indice 83
Español Indice 89
Nouvelles du Marché Index des Annonceurs
Notizie del Mercato
Noticias de Mercado Indice de Anunciadores
96
96
96
Indice degli Inserzionisti
7
EuroWire – July 2009
dates for your diary . . .
wire Southeast Asia 2009
October 5–10: EMO Milan – trade exhibition – Milan, Italy Organisers : Ente Fiere Italiane Macchine (EFIM) Fax : +39 0226 255 882 Email : info@emo-milan.com Website : www.emo-milan.com 12: IWMA technical conference – Bangkok, Thailand Organisers : International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA) Email : info@iwma.org Website : www.iwma.org 13–15: wire/Tube SE Asia – trade exhibition – Bangkok, Thailand Organisers : Messe Düsseldorf Asia Pte Ltd Email : wire@mda.com.sg Website : www.wire-southeastasia.com November 2–3: Istanbul Cable &Wire ’ 09 – technical conference, Istanbul, Turkey Organisers : IWMA, WAI, ACIMAF Website : www.iwma.org 9–11: 58 th IWCS – technical conference – Charlotte, NC, USA April 2010 12–16: wire/Tube Düsseldorf – trade exhibition – Düsseldorf, Germany Organisers : Messe Düsseldorf Fax : +49 211 45 6087 7793 Email : wire@messe-duesseldorf.de Website : www.wire.de September 2010 21–24: wire China 2010 – trade exhibition – Shanghai, China Organisers : Messe Düsseldorf China Fax : +86 21 5027 8138 Email : wire@mdc.com.cn Website : www.wirechina.net October 2010 29–31: Wire & Cable India – trade exhibition – Mumbai, India Organisers : CII Fax : +91 22 2493 9463 Email : info@ciionline.org Website : www.ciionline.org Fax : +44 1926 314755 Email : info@iwma.org Organisers : IWCS Inc Fax : +1 732 389 0991 Email : admin@iwcs.org Website : www.iwcs.org
October 13-15: wire SE Asia 2009 – trade exhibition – Bangkok, Thailand Organisers : Messe Düsseldorf Asia Pte Ltd Fax : +65 6337 4633 Email : wire@mda.com.sg Website : www.wire-southeastasia.com
8
EuroWire – July 2009
‘Welcome to Bangkok – Kinnari Statue atWat Phra Kaew’ Photo credit – www.bigstockphoto • Photographer – javarman
corporate news
▲ ▲ Managing director Marc Bender (left) and sales director Harald Pawlick at the Bender Werkzeugbau stand at wire Russia in Moscow
Russian choice for fair debut
Interest at Interwire
PWM’s cold welders generated a good deal of interest at Interwire ’ 09, where visitors were looking for energy-efficient alternatives to electrical welders, according to managing director, Steve Mepsted. “Although Interwire was much quieter than in previous years, and visitor numbers were noticeably down, we still received a number of positive sales leads, particularly for the P1500 and EP500 rod welders. “The USA continues to be an important market for us and although sales this year are slow compared with last year, they remain steady.” PressureWelding Machines – UK Fax : +44 1233 820847
declared itself very satisfied with the results of the trade fair. Products from Germany were sought out, and Bender’s carbide production line in particular received attention. “We wouldn’t have expected such an enormous response,” said Bender. “We can consider both the quantity and quality of contacts as very good,”concluded Pawlick. The company was also able to make fixed arrangements for future meetings with Russian companies. Claus Bender Werkzeugbau GmbH – Germany Fax : +49 6441 44534 Email : info@bender-werkzeugbau.de Website : www.bender-werkzeugbau.de
Situated alongside 52 other German companies at the German Pavilion at wire Russia, Claus Bender took the opportunity to present its latest technology from the drawing tools industry, as well as special tools of all kinds from its carbide production line. It was Bender’s first foreign trade fair. “We consciously decided on this trade fair in Moscow. We see enormous potential for development in Eastern European countries such as Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. These countries are major future markets for us,” said Marc Bender, who runs the company with his brother Jörn. Contrary to the general economic atmosphere, Bender Werkzeugbau
Email : pwm@btinternet.com Website : www.pwmltd.co.uk
10
EuroWire – July 2009
corporate news
$140-million transformers order from China
Change of name for Cable&Wireless Cable&Wireless Europe, Asia & US has changed its company name to Cable&Wireless Worldwide. Jim Marsh, chief executive officer, Cable&WirelessWorldwide, commented; “Our business has gone through significant changes in the last few years. We’re now a truly global company, delivering excellent service to our customers the world over. The name change now reflects the growth, reach and focus of the business.” The IWMA celebrates its 40 th anniversary in 2010, coinciding with the wire Düsseldorf exhibition, and will mark this milestone in a number of ways. Already member organisations are taking advantage of a special offer of two years’ membership for the cost of one year when renewing during 2009. New members applying to join during 2009 can also enjoy the ‘two years for the price of one’ anniversary offer. Currently in preparation, for publication early next year, is a commemorative booklet that will record the history of the IWMA. The main focus of the anniversary celebrations will be a prestigious gala dinner in Düsseldorf on Tuesday 13 th April during wire Düsseldorf 2010. IWMA – UK IWMA’s 40 th anniversary plans Fax : +44 1926 314755 Email : info@iwma.org Website : www.iwma.org
▲ ▲ Conversion from alternating current to direct current and back again is made in the HVDC Light valves
and back to alternating current for distribution, and will be supplied in cooperation with local Chinese partners. Each converter transformer is extremely large, weighing over 500 tonnes. This presents challenges that will be addressed by reducing the width of the transformers for the Ningxia station, located in a remote and mountainous area, so that they can be transported by rail. “These high-specification transformers will enable efficient transmission of a large quantity of power across a long distance and with minimum losses,” said Bernhard Jucker head of ABB’s power products division. ABB Ltd – UK Website : www.abb.com
ABB has won an order worth around $140 million to deliver transformers to the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) for a high-voltage power corridor that will strengthen the Chinese electricity network and help meet rising demand in the Shandong coastal region. The power link will transmit 4,000 mega- watts of electricity at 660 kilovolts over 1,350 km, from Ningxia province to Shandong, China’s second most populous province. This is part of China’s efforts to develop energy-rich regions and transmit power from areas of surplus to centres of high demand. The corridor will use high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology to maximize transmissionefficiency. ABB’s transformers will serve the stations that convert power to direct current for transmission
Cable&Wireless plc – UK Website : www.cw.com
11
EuroWire – July 2009
corporate news
Altana has acquired DyStar The chemicals group Altana has acquired the high-performance addi- tives business of Frankfurt-based DyStar group, effective as of 30 th March 2009. The acquired business, with annual of sales of about €7.5 million, will be integrated into the BYK Additives & Instruments division. It mainly comprises the technologies for the production of additives and for the processing of plastics compounds. The production of the additives will be integrated into BYK´s main factory in Wesel. “With the acquisition of the high- performance additives business of DyStar we continue our strategy to strengthen and further enhance the market position of our individual divisions,“ stated Dr Matthias L Wolfgruber, CEO of Altana AG.
The wire, cable and wiring systems specialist Leoni has been awarded with the PSA Ecotech Award in the category“cost management”. PSA Peugeot Citroën recognized Leoni’s 2008 performance for its remarkable contribution to the car manufacturer’s cost effectiveness. Leoni delivers harnesses and wiring systems for several cars such as the Peugeot 308 and 407 and Citroën C2, C3 and C5. Award for Leoni
Maschinenfabrik Niehoff- News will now appear with a new title: Power &Trends. The first issue of Power &Trends contains reports on the new MSM 224 type intermediate wire drawing machine and the Niehoff exhibits at the Interwire 2009 and the wire Russia 2009 trade fairs. In an interview, RonaldW Reed, the immediate past president of the Wire Association and president of the wire and cable manufacturer, Horizon Wire & Cable, talks about the opportunities now available to wire and cable manufacturers. Power & Trends 1/09 issue is published in English, German and Russian can be obtained from Niehoff headquarters in Germany or any Niehoff subsidiary or service office all over the world. Maschinenfabrik NiehoffGmbH New name for Niehoff News Niehoff’s
Leoni AG – Germany Fax : +49 911 2023 231 Email : info@leoni.com Website : www.leoni.com
accessed by readers in over 89 countries
& Co KG – Germany Fax : +49 9122 977155 Email : info@niehoff.de Website : www.niehoff.de
Altana AG – Germany Fax : +49 281 670 1114 Email : info@altana.com Website : www.altana.com
12
EuroWire – July 2009
corporate news
Madem establishes its ecological park
Madem was founded in March of 1949 in the city of Bento Gonçalves, Brazil. Initially, Madem manufactured wine barrels, but in 1971, it began production of wood packaging, pallets, and reels dedicated to carrying wire and cable. In 1975, the Rio Negro plant was opened to manufacture wood reels. Since the 1970s, with the launch of the Rio Negro operation, the Madem Group has been committed to sustainable development and the preservation of the environment. Firm believers in environmental responsibility and sustainable development, Madem was the first company in the region, and third in the state of Paraná, to attain quality management system ISO 9002 in 1996, and ISO 14000 for environmental management in 2000. Today, the company still believes in ‘Going Green’ and recently demonstrated this commitment to the environment by acquiring a large tract of forest beside its manufacturing plant. The 91,000m 2 tract of pine forest within the Paraná pine forest shelters hundreds of species of flora and fauna, making the area very interesting from a conservationist perspective. The aim of the Madem park is to create a leisure and recreation space to enriching the quality of life of its visitors; to support the conservation and planting of native tree species and to sustain a permanent home for the local fauna.
▲ ▲ Part of the trail through the Madem Eco Park
It will also help develop environmental awareness through the proper use of the community’s special environmental qualities. The Madem Eco Park has a 3,000m trail and suspension bridge, and will be open to the public with a permit from the Agriculture and Environment Secretary.
Madem Reels – Brazil Fax : +55 54 3462 5900
Email : madem@madem.com.br Website : www.mademreels.com
13
EuroWire – July 2009
corporate news
▲ ▲ The first extruder was developed in 1965
Fifty years of cable innovation
In 1997, Rosendahl became a member of the globally active Knill Group. In 2005 Nextrom also became part of the group and together with Rosendahl conjointly serves the market with its technology. Today, the group is among leading global suppliers of fibre, wire and cable manufacturing solutions. Rosendahl continues to invest in its facilities and in technological development. Currently, the group operates in more than a hundred countries, with offices in five locations – Austria, USA, Russia, India and Hong Kong. Rosendahl Maschinen GmbH – Austria Fax : +43 3113 5100 59 Email : office@rosendahlaustria.com Website : www.rosendahlaustria.com
the years, is one of the strengths of Rosendahl. A second large step, in 1971, was the introduction of the SZ-stranding technology, which since then has been implemented in a large number of lines. The technological development in foaming and in the fibre optic segment encouraged Rosendahl to enlarge its product range to serve the evolving market. Later, RF welding and corrugation technology solutions were developed, completing Rosendahl’s current area of expertise. The opening of the facilities in Pischelsdorf, Austria, in 1973 enlarged Rosendahl’s manufacturing capacity. Increasing demand also led to continuous expansions of office and production faci- lities on site and throughout the world.
Ongoing development and technological progress are the fundamental values of Rosendahl’s 50-year history. Within 50 years, Rosendahl has grown to a global supplier of manufacturing technology for the production of power, automotive and fibre optic cables, RF, datacom and coaxial cables. In 1959 Walter Rosendahl had the ambition to become a high-tech cable equipment manufacturer, for a variety of industries. Mr Rosendahl worked hard on his first developments in various segments and he managed to achieve the goals he had in mind by 1965. the development of the first extrusion line. The extrusion technology, which has been continuously developed over A historical milestone was
14
EuroWire – July 2009
corporate news
Sustainable power cable partnership
OES expanding its reach in a key market OES Inc has expanded its global representation for the sale of OES products into China with an agreement with Lode Technology Co Ltd of Beijing. Lode Technology is an established and growing sales organisation representing many foreign companies, with seven offices in key manufacturing regions of China. The company distributes products into a wide range of industries including automotive, aerospace, marine, locomotive and telecommunications. Lode will represent the OES WireWorx™ product line for quality assurance in wire processing, including crimp force monitors, PBT Sensor™ technology, the WireScan™ laser profile analyser for strip and seal inspection, and the new press calibration system. “Lode Technology will be very supportive of our sales development in China, supported by our local OES engineering office already established in Shanghai,” said Michael Reeve, VP of strategic sales and business development for OES Inc. “We are looking forward to excellent results from this new relationship.” OES Inc develops and deploys in-process test and monitoring solutions for a range of applications, including wire crimping, pressing, forming, cutting, stamping, riveting, and welding applications. OES Inc – Canada Email : wireworx@oes-inc.com Website : www.oestechnology.com InnoVites BV has been selected by Red Sea Cables (ResCab) to supply its ERP solution. After a thorough evaluation, the ResCab management selected InnoVites for Cable, based on the specific functionalities for the industry and the industry-specific best practices that are part of the solution. InnoVites will work with a local partner, INC Technologies, to implement InnoVites for Cable and to provide integration to CableBuilder, the cable design software from Cimteq Ltd. ResCab will commence its operations in Saudi Arabia in Q3 2009. The ResCab management decided to support its starting operations with a modern and complete business solution, wanting to benefit from the industry best practices that are fully supported by the software. Hamad Alsourayia, managing director of ResCab, comments: “ResCab is an innovative company that invests in high-end technology. We look for partners that can help us to use this technology in our specific business. InnoVites demonstrated a deep understanding of the industry, and this has materialised in ERP software with an excellent fit for our business processes. I am confident that InnoVites and INC Technologies will help us benefit from this investment in innovative IT.” InnoVites – Netherlands Website : www.innovites.com Red Sea Cables selects InnoVites
Dow Wire & Cable has announced a multidisciplinary project in the United Kingdom focused on the development of sustainable power cable material technologies. Through this project, Dow Wire & Cable aims to identify the next generation of plastic cable materials for the power generation industry, capable of delivering improved whole-life performance with a reduced environmental impact. The sustainable power cable materials project is sponsored by the Technology Strategy Board, an executive non-departmental public body established by the British government in 2007 to stimulate technology-enabled innovation. It will bring Dow’s power cable material experts together with a multi-disciplinary team drawn from three other project partners: National Grid plc, the owner and operator of the high-voltage electricity transmission network across England and Wales; the University of Southampton; and GnoSys UK, a science and technology company established from the Polymer Research Centre at the University of Surrey. The project is initiated at a time when there is a move in the UK and across Europe to place more of the electric power network underground, particularly in areas of outstanding beauty and in major cities. It will seek to provide an answer to the question of whether such cables can ever be considered to be environmentally friendly, with a low carbon footprint. In addition, with the growing emphasis on ensuring the long-term security and reliability of power supply, and the need to improve the amount of power that can be transported around the country, the project will consider whether it is compatible to meet such needs while using a cable that may be recycled at the end of its life. During the course of the project the participants aim to develop new power cable materials and the tools to evaluate all the complex and often competing factors that go into a full life-cycle assessment. Universal Cables, an MP Birla group company, has entered into a strategic technical and financial alliance with Japanese company, Furukawa Electric Co, to manufacture and market optical fibre in India. Universal Cables and its affiliates will hold around 55% of the total paid up capital of the newly floated joint venture. Furukawa and its affiliates will hold the balance. The company will be managed by the MP Birla group. Universal Cables will appoint three directors, and Furukawa will appoint two. As yet un-named, the venture may be called Birla Furukawa Technology Ltd. Universal Cables join up with Furukawa DowWire & Cable – Switzerland Website : www.dowwireandcable.com
Universal Cables Ltd – India Email : headoffice@unistar.co.in Website : unistar.co.in
16
EuroWire – July 2009
corporate news
CableBuilder © at Relemac Cables, Delhi
Single largest order for HTS wire
InnoVites BV has announced that Relemac Cables of Delhi, India has selected InnoVites as its partner to implement CableBuilder, the cable design software of Cimteq Ltd. Relemac Cables has selected CableBuilder to improve the quality and efficiency of the design and quotation processes. Relemac Cables, a renowned name in design and manufacture of high-performance, high-bandwidth cables and wires for telecommunications, has chosen to implement CableBuilder and make its design processes more efficient and to produce high quality quotations with less effort. Vivek Gupta, managing director at Relemac Cables, comments: “The current market requires us to send out more quotations, at higher quality, in a shorter response time to get the customer orders. And we want to do this with the current technical and sales team. InnoVites helps us to use CableBuilder to achieve these objectives. They have a full understanding of our business and their support is instrumental in this project.” InnoVites is the exclusive reseller of CableBuilder in India and sells and supports this solution from its Cable Competence Center in Hyderabad, India. InnoVites also develops and sells ERP software specific for cable manufacturers: InnoVites for Cable. This innovative and complete business solution is based on Microsoft Dynamics AX © . British cold weld equipment manufacturer PWM has re-designed and upgraded its website to enable wire and cable manufacturers to navigate and view its range of high performance machines and dies more quickly and easily. The new-look site has a menu on the left as well as across the top of the page, and includes French, German, Spanish and Russian language options, and a product selector to help visitors select the most appropriate cold welding equipment for their application. The site also includes information about the history of cold welding, brochure downloads and a detailed FAQ section. The locations of PWM’s agents, who provide customers with a personal service, are listed on the ‘Contact us’ page. An Update box on the homepage will alert visitors to the latest news from PWM. PressureWelding Machines – UK Fax : +44 1233 820847 New look for PWMwebsite InnoVites BV – Netherlands Email : info@innovites.com Website : www.innovites.com Cimteq – UK Email : info@cimteq.com Website : www.cimteq.com
American Superconductor Corporation has announced that LS Cable Ltd has ordered approximately 80,000 metres (50 miles) of 344 superconductors, AMSC’s proprietary brand of second generation (2G) high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire. LS Cable will utilise the wire to manufacture a 22.9kV cable system that it will install in Korea Electric Power Corporation’s (KEPCO) commercial power delivery network near the city of Seoul in 2010. Founded in 1962 and based in Anyang, South Korea, LS Cable is Korea’s largest power cable manufacturer with nearly 8,200 employees worldwide and annual sales in excess of US$6 billion. This is the single largest commercial order for 2G HTS wire in the world. Under the terms of the contract, AMSC will deliver the wire to LS Cable by the end of 2009. LS Cable will then strand the wire into a superconductor cable system capable of carrying 50 megawatts of power. The cable system will be nearly a half-mile in length, making it the world’s longest distribution-voltage superconductor cable system. Installation will begin by the middle of 2010 and energised in one of Seoul’s largest satellite cities by the end of 2010. A power cable made with HTS wire can conduct up to ten times the amount of power of the same diameter cable made with copper wire. By replacing copper cables with high-capacity superconductor cables in cities using existing underground tunnels and ductwork, utilities can avoid digging up city streets while also relieving grid congestion and increasing the reliability and security of power networks. “As is the case in many countries around the world, Korea has been experiencing sharp increases in electricity demand and is relying more and more on renewable energy sources to meet that demand,” said KEPCO chief executive officer Kim Ssang-Su. “With their ability to carry a vast amount of power in a small pathway, we see great promise for superconductor cable technology and look forward to energising this first system.” This project builds on the success Korea’s Development of Advanced Power Systems by Applied Superconductivity technologies (DAPAS) programme, which has provided more than $100 million in funding for the development and commercialisation of superconductor systems. In 2006, LS Cable and the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) successfully tested a 30-metre, 22.9kV superconductor cable. In 2007, LS Cable and KERI completed testing of a 100-metre, 22.9 kV superconductor cable system. Both of these projects were powered by AMSC’s first generation HTS wire and funded by the DAPAS programme. American Superconductor Corporation – USA Website : www.amsc.com
Email : pwm@btinternet.com Website : www.pwmltd.co.uk
18
EuroWire – July 2009
corporate news
Sad losses for the industry
Michael (Mike) Murphy
It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Michael (Mike) Murphy. Rea Industrial Handling Ltd, for whom Mike worked for many years, were members of the International Wire Machinery Association and in 1980 Mike was appointed as their representative to the IWMA Executive Committee. He remained in this capacity until 1994. During his term of office Mike was appointed to the Technical Papers Award Team, where his technical experience was invaluable in the selection of the technically most important paper presented at any IWMA conference in that particular year. In 1993, as a result of the merger of Rea Industrial Handling Ltd with Johnson Technology Ltd, Mike transferred his technical skills to Johnson ’ s where he was appointed technical manager, taking on the responsibilities of machine design and development, and technical sales duties.
In 2006, he received the Charles D Scott Distinguished Career award for his dedicated service to the wire and cable industry. He was selected by the Wire and Cable Manufacturers Alliance for his professional attainments and outstanding character. Jim was known to his family as ‘Mr Fix It.’ In his short retirement he spent endless hours at his daughters’ homes doing home repairs. He loved to play golf and enjoyed teaching his ‘son’ Charles, ‘the game.’ He was an avid New England sports fan. Besides his loving wife of over 44 years, he leaves behind his beloved children, Lisa Christensen and her husband Russell of Southington, Leah Bahner and her husband Jeep of Deep River and Gina Waltos and her husband Charles of South Windsor, nine grandchildren, Ashley, Nicole, Zachary and Jillian Christensen, Brad, Karli and Aidan Bahner, and Caitlin and Shamus Waltos. Jim was predeceased by his daughter, Jill Anastasi. He travelled extensively throughout South East Asia and Australasian areas as well as the UK and Ireland. Unfortunately Mike had been ill for a long time, but even so he could always be relied upon to provide a funny story and to act in a jocular manner. He will be sorely missed by his family and his colleagues in our industry. IWMA
James J Anastasi
James J Anastasi, 66, of Windham, USA, beloved husband of Sharon (Moore) Anastasi, died Tuesday, 28 th April 2009 at home, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Jim was born in Medford, MA and was a graduate of Lowell Technical Institute. He worked as an electrical engineer in the wire and cable industry for over forty years.
20
EuroWire – July 2009
corporate news
Catalogue of on-line measuring and monitoring systems Zumbach Electronics has issued a new Profilemaster® catalogue. The brochure informs in several languages about Zumbach’s on-line profile measuring and monitoring systems for any continuously pro- duced profiles of any shape and any material.
▲ ▲ New Profilemaster catalogue
T h e brochure gives an overview of the many different models available from Zumbach Electronics to cover any requirement, considering the best price–performance ratio for any application. Electronic copies as well as free hard copies are available upon request. Zumbach Electronic AG – Switzerland Fax : +41 32 356 0430 Email : sales@zumbach.ch Website : www.zumbach.com Dow price increase for cable products Dow Europe GmbH announced a price increase across Europe of €80 per metric ton for its wire and cable products for telecommunications and jacketing applications. The increase became effective on 1 st June 2009, or as contract terms allow. Dow Europe GmbH – Switzerland Website : www.dowwireandcable.com
21
EuroWire – July 2009
corporate news
€12 million infield cable contract
Nexans has been awarded a €12 million contract by the Norwegian groups StatoilHydro ASA and Statkraft for the supply of 81km of infield cables and equipment for the Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm. This major contract follows a €24 million contract awarded in 2008 for the power export cables for the same wind farm project, located around 20km offshore from the north Norfolk coastal town of Sheringham, England. The contract comprises the design, manufacture and supply of 81km of 36kV XLPE submarine power cable, including 3x1x185mm 2 and 3x1x400mm 2 designs. They are due for delivery from Nexans’ submarine cable factory in Halden, Norway in June 2010 and will incorporate optical fibres manufactured at Nexans’ factory in Rognan, Norway. “We are delighted to be extending our relationship with Scira Offshore Ltd,“ commented Yvon Raak, Nexans’ chief corporate officer for Europe. Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm covers an area of 35km 2 and is located in shallow water averaging 20m in depth. The wind farm will be developed using 88 turbines with a unit rating of 3.6MW. The turbines will be networked via the Nexans infield cables and connected to two substations. Total generation capacity will be 315 MW and in an average year approximately 1.1TWh of power will be exported to the mainland by the two submarine power cables that will connect to onshore export cables.
▲ ▲ Typical offshore wind farm
These will then connect the wind farm to the regional distribution network at Salle, where power lines will extend the connection on to the national transmission network in Norwich. Completion and commissioning of the wind farm is scheduled for the third quarter of 2011. Nexans – France Fax : +33 15669 8484 Email : nexans.web@nexans.com Website : www.nexans.com
22
EuroWire – July 2009
corporate news
Strengthening the Ireland–UK link Eirgrid, the Irish transmission system operator, has ordered a 500-megawatt (MW) transmission system using HVDC Light (high-voltage direct current), an ABB technology with environmental benefits that include neutral electromagnetic fields and low electrical losses. stations at each end that switch AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current) and back. The cable will be encased in extruded polymeric insulation. Rated at 200 kV, this will be the highest voltage HVDC Light link using this type of cable. The system is scheduled to be operational in September 2012.
Prospects are good for EMO 2009
The organisers of this year’s EMO MILANO are reporting 1,250 confirmed exhibitors for the October show, with enquiries still arriving from those companies who, due to the economic situation, have delayed making a decision on exhibiting.
The transmission link will run underwater for 186km and underground for 70km, with minimal environmental impact. The only visible parts will be the converter
ABB Ltd – Switzerland Website : www.abb.com
▲ ▲ Detail of the roof of the fieramilano exhibition area, designed byMassimiliano Fuksas
If the figures are slightly below expectations, the calibre of exhibitors is not and the range of exhibitors will be as wide and comprehensive as usual, with all sectors represented. EMO MILANO, Mr Strepariva, said to expect “a decidedly international EMO, with over 70% of participating companies representing 31 countries.” EMO MILANO 2009, running from 5 th to 10 th October, will take place within the new fieramilano exhibition area. Located just outside the city, the exhibition complex has its own underground station and is easily and directly accessed from main motorways. Ente Fiere Italiane Macchine EFIM – Italy Fax : +39 0226 255 882 Commissioner general of
Email : info@emo-milan.com Website : www.emo-milan.com
23
EuroWire – July 2009
Transat lant ic Cable
service, plus 28 systems due to enter service by 2011. Of these, up to 16 new cables will be activated this year, which would make 2009 the busiest year in the last decade for undersea cable launches. According to new data from the research rm’s Global Bandwidth Research Service, international bandwidth usage grew 64% in 2008, and the new subsea activity is an indicator of a resurgent telecom networks business. It was pointed out that the cables now at the planning stage outnumber those laid in 2001, at the peak of the submarine cable investment bubble. TeleGeography, which specialises in analysis of the long-haul network and submarine cable industry, also noted a cost-consciousness that was absent at the start of the decade. Total spending on submarine cable construction is projected at $2.6 billion this year, with $3 billion more to come in 2010. While this marks a sharp increase from recent years (cable investment over the period 2004-2007 totalled less than $2 billion), it is well below the $13.5 billion invested in new systems during the 2001 building frenzy. “While the number of cables being laid is impressive, this current batch of new cables won’t break the bank,” said TeleGeography analyst Alan Mauldin. “Most of these new cables cover shorter distances and employ simpler designs than their predecessors, helping to keep costs in check.” California, outsize and outré, does not spring to mind as a moderating in uence. But the state – both under- and overpopulated at various points along its 840-mile length, and with a vast network of freeways – is heavily dependent on the motor car and uncommonly vulnerable to the vicissitudes of nature. Thus it was that California became a champion of earth-friendly motoring habits; and has now become, in the view of the Los Angeles Times , “the model for compromise with US car makers and the federal government to curb greenhouse gases.” Reporting from Washington, Times writers Jim Tankersley and Richard Simon declared that President Barack Obama’s announcement of tough new rules on fuel economy and rigorous curbs on vehicle greenhouse gas emissions marks “a potentially pivotal shift in the battle over global warming – and a vindication of California’s long battle to toughen standards.” (“Auto Emissions Deal a Win for California,” 19 th May). A single nationwide standard will impose, by 2016, a 30% reduction in carbon dioxide and other emissions from new cars and trucks sold in the US Full compliance is projected to reduce annual oil consumption nationwide (currently at 7.1 billion barrels) by about 5%. California will essentially adopt the national standard in place of its own tough emissions requirements, but will lose nothing thereby except its earlier deadline for compliance. The Obama standard, designed to achieve the same level of emissions cutbacks as the California rule, gives auto makers more time to adapt. The auto makers will pledge to drop their e ort to block the California rules through legal challenges. In 2002, California passed a law to reduce vehicle emissions, but auto industry lawsuits held up its enforcement. “Everybody wins,” David Doniger, policy director of the Natural Resources Automotive Washington, major US car makers, and the state of California come together on auto emissions
The economy
Some reasons for optimism that the US could begin to pull out of recession before the year is out
“The nancial system, frozen solid for the past nine months, is in a spring thaw,” Washington Post sta writers Neil Irwin and David Cho wrote on 21 st May. They added, “And it’s happening even though many of the Obama administration’s major rescue programs have yet to get o the ground.” The title of the article – “Wider Con dence Lifts Economy from Winter’s Deep, Dark Freeze” – takes note of the long wait for a word of cheer on the US economy. But now, according to the Post , some encouraging news has arrived. To wit: ❈ [Since early May], major banks have raised or said they would raise $56 billion in private capital – the type of surge that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S Bernanke said in March would signal that the nancial system is recovering ❈ The premium that banks charge to lend to one another – another indicator of the system’s health – is at its lowest [ie best] level since the nancial crisis began in 2007 ❈ The Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index was up 34% since 9 th March, and a measure of stock market volatility [in the week of 18 th May] hit its lowest level since the nancial crisis deepened in September, “indicating that investors think the market’s wild gyrations will be more subdued” ❈ Stabilisation of the broader economy has helped the nancial sector right itself. Best of all, in minutes released from their April policymaking meeting, Federal Reserve leaders said the American economy could begin to pull out of the recession later this year Messrs Irwin and Cho acknowledge that private economists still have a number of concerns; among them, that the unemployment rate is likely to remain elevated through at least 2011; that consumers could continue to rein in spending as they save more and borrow less; and that businesses face a glut of investments from the boom years. Even so, the case for optimism was bolstered by the 21 st May report of the Conference Board that its forecast of economic activity rose more than expected in April, the rst gain in seven months and fresh evidence that the recession could end later this year. Strengths among the components of the report exceeded weaknesses for the rst time in more than a year. The New York-based organisation, which conducts business management research, said seven of its leading economic indicators had risen, including stock prices, consumer con dence, average length of the work week, manufacturers’ new orders for consumer goods, and deliveries by vendors. Initial jobless claims dropped, another positive.
Telecom
Notable feature of the big increase in long haul bandwidthworldwide: less costly undersea cables The latest edition of TeleGeography’s global submarine cable map, published in May, shows 93 major cable systems now in
24
EuroWire – January 2006 EuroWire – J ly 2009
Defense Council’s climate center, told the LA Times . “It’s going to cut carbon pollution. The drivers of these cars are going to save money at the pump. It’s going to cut our national oil dependence.”
Fiat and Chrysler
Will the like-minded executives Sergio Marchionne and Bob Nardelli take to double harness?
Fiat and Chrysler are entering an alliance in which Turin-based Fiat will take an initial 35% stake in the troubled Detroit auto maker, with an option to raise its ownership stake to 55% later on. Fiat will not be required to pay any cash to Chrysler right away. Instead, the Italian company will receive equity in Chrysler for investments it will make in retooling a Chrysler plant to produce Fiat models for the US market. The terms of the deal, markedly favourable to Fiat, re ect the relative standing of the two companies. The success of their merger depends to a considerable extent on another combination of not-quite-equals: Sergio Marchionne and Bob Nardelli, whose time at the head of the European and the US auto maker, respectively, had very di erent outcomes. Examining their lives as well as their records, Detroit Free Press business writer John Gallagher even so found more points of similarity than disparity. (“Two Execs Cut from the Same Cloth,” 3 rd May) Noting that both executives “are known for tough calls,” Mr Gallagher wrote that Mr Marchionne has proven just as willing as Mr Nardelli to undertake a top-to-bottom remake of a company in distress. And the Fiat chief, Italian by birth, has deeper roots in North America than is generally realised. Mr Marchionne, a lawyer and accountant, has spent most of his adult life in Canada and holds his Master’s in business from the University of Windsor, in Ontario. In the 1990s he was back in Europe, working for a Swiss company. He joined the Fiat board in 2003 and took over as CEO in 2004, promising – and imposing – “radical surgery” on an “organizational structure that needs to be snapped out of its stupor.” For his part, Mr Nardelli started out at General Electric, then spent several years as head of the big-box US retailer Home Depot. When, in 2007, private equity rm Cerberus Capital Management bought a majority stake in Chrysler from Germany’s Daimler, Mr Nardelli came in as CEO with, according to Mr Gallagher, “a reputation for grabbing an ailing management team and shaking it until it hurt.” It will never be known whether the strong-arm methods would have worked as well for Chrysler as for Fiat if only the US auto industry had not imploded on Mr Nardelli’s watch. But implode it did, and the rest is recent history. The Free Press summarises: “Mr Marchionne returned Fiat to pro tability, reduced its debt, and invigorated product development. Chrysler under Mr Nardelli has slipped from bad to worse, although the collapse of US auto sales gets a lot of the blame for that.” ❈ The Fiat-Chrysler merger will extend the reach of the two auto makers, both relatively small in comparison with the global giants General Motors, Toyota, and Renault-Nissan. Chrysler sold about 2 million vehicles last year, most of them in the US market. Fiat sold 2.5 million cars in 2008, mainly in Europe and Latin America.
25
EuroWire – July 2009
Transat lant ic Cable
harness o shore wind, as interests in New York, Michigan, and Ontario (Canada) push forward with competing studies and projects. “We need the public and the business community to get behind this,” said Mr Richard, whose foundation has invested heavily in the task force e ort. “Being second, third, or fourth will bring us nothing. This is a well-thought-out risk.”
Energy
A project to generate electricity from the Lake Erie winds is driven by interstate rivalry “We are in a race with the rest of the Midwest. Whoever gets in the water rst wins the race.” Cuyahoga County (Ohio) prosecutor Bill Mason was referring to the establishment of an o shore wind industry in his state, involving the placement of three to eight wind turbines on Lake Erie. The turbines, for the generation of electricity, would be clearly visible three miles out from Cleveland’s shoreline. Costs are estimated at $78 million to $93 million. Writing in the Cleveland Plain Dealer , Tom Breckenridge reported that the prospect of radical alteration to the lake vista has drawn little opposition from a populace eager for change in the economic landscape of the region. The results of a year-long feasibility study appear to encourage hopes of an industry in o shore wind utilisation and possibly thousands of new jobs. (‘Wind Turbines on Lake Erie,’ 1 st May) The feasibility study, for which an energy task force paid $1 million to a team led by the German company juwi GmbH, was a thorough job. It examined the technical, environmental, regulatory, and nancial aspects of launching a turbine demonstration project, together with related research, testing, and certi cation concerns. On the strength of the ndings, the task force – made up of city, county, civic, and business leaders – indicated it would le for state and federal permits to erect the turbines within three years, if not sooner. “The task force chairman acknowledges he was staggered by the costs,” wrote Mr Breckenridge, who also pointed out that pro tability is not imminent. Previous studies found average wind speeds over Lake Erie of over 16 miles per hour, the strongest in Ohio. Without subsidies, however, electricity from the pilot project would cost an uncompetitive 23 cents per kiloWatt-hour, as compared with 7 to 9 cents per kWh for electricity from Ohio’s land-based turbines. Mr Mason emphasised that the taxpayers of the county would bear none of the costs of the turbine pilot project, which would be alleviated by grants from the US Department of Energy, federal stimulus money, and the state of Ohio. The task force is pushing for more incentives at the state level to encourage the exploitation of o shore wind. And tax credits could help attract private investment. The Plain Dealer noted that M Torres Group, a company based in Pamplona, Spain, is talking with Ohio development o cials about investing millions of dollars in the wind turbine project, perhaps working out of a warehouse at the Port of Cleveland. Mr Mason said he has talked with a half-dozen large local companies about investing in the project. A likely booster would be Timken Co (Canton, Ohio), already a big supplier of roller bearings to turbine makers. The task force reported that Ohio is home to hundreds of companies selling parts to the wind energy industry. ❈ Cleveland Foundation president Ronn Richard acknowledged to the Plain Dealer that the pilot turbine project would be a “loss leader” – an initial outlay to be o set by future pro ts. But he asserted that Ohio must stay out front in the race to
Aviation
Wi-Fi aloft: the in- ight movie will be an inspirational David and Goliath story
The race to o er wireless networking Internet services to airplane passengers has been won – not by mighty Boeing but by another, much smaller, company, also Illinois-based. Privately held Aircell, with headquarters in Itasca, enables airlines to o er onboard access service within North America at reasonable fees. And airlines including United, American, Delta, AirTran, Virgin America, and Air Canada are speedily having it installed. AirTran (Orlando, Florida), which charges Gogo users $9.95 for ights under three hours, $12.95 for longer ights, will have the service available on its entire eet – 50 Boeing 737s and 86 Boeing 717s – by midsummer. Writing from Boeing’s hometown, David Greising, chief business correspondent for the Chicago Tribune , is well positioned to trace the unlikely success of Aircell’s Gogo over its big rival’s Connexion service. “At one point not long ago,” he noted, “Boeing had the highest aspirations for the onboard access business. Connexion by Boeing was supposed to be at the core of a ‘third leg’ of the company, holding share alongside commercial airplanes, with $28 billion in sales; and defense, with $32 billion.” Alas. Connexion, which bounced signals back and forth among satellites in space and Web-connected airplane passengers, cost $26.95 for a 24-hour period – an awkward block of time for travellers by air. Worse, it set a price- and weight-conscious airline back $1 million to install the cumbersome 800-pound machinery in a plane that had to be grounded for up to two weeks. The service was, said the Tribune, “a non-starter.” In 2006, Boeing gave it up, taking a $320 million pretax write-down of its investment. (“Boeing’s Ambitions Crushed Its Wi-Fi Project,” 19 th May) Meanwhile Aircell, of the “pint-size corporate pro le,” quietly went about developing the service that grew out of its founder’s sketch of arrows pointing from an airplane to a cellular tower to a house, and back. Development criteria were likewise simply stated. The company would rely on o -the-shelf technology. Its equipment would weigh less than 100 pounds. Installation, taking a plane out of service only overnight, would cost less than $100,000. The system is also cost-e ective in operation. Because most of the communication takes place in the air, Aircell can cover the US with only 92 cell towers. The one technological drawback of the land-based system is, of course, that it does not work on overseas ights. This is, Mr Greising said, “a development challenge Aircell will no doubt address as the business grows.”
26
EuroWire – January 2006 EuroWire – J ly 2009
Made with FlippingBook