EuroWire January 2021

ISSN 1463-2438

RAYEX S XT • Easy and quick set up for new products • Fast eccentricity and diameter measurement • Added longevity due to high-quality xray source Precision Wall Thickness Measurement

Family owned since 1957, Zumbach is a global leader in the industry. Driven by innovation and experience. We are here for you and ready to build the future together. www.zumbach.com • sales@zumbach.ch

Made in Sweden: Engineered For Success

No Twist Coiler 1200

Continuous Production Abilities Package used as Undriven Payoff

Wire Packs of up to 2 tons in Inverted Carriers

Fully Automatic Precision Layer Winder

Fully Automatic Spool Exchange

Precise to a 100th of a millimeter

Speeds of 35m/second

Drawing Machines Flexible Block Set-Up

Adjusted Tilted Table Design Automatic Wire Height Filling

Visit www.lamnea.se or contact us at info@lamnea.se for more information

Quality Made in Sweden

THE NEW INDUSTRY STANDARD IN COAT WEIGHT CONTROL

The latest generation of automatic zinc coating control systems for the steel wire industry AutoCoat by QED Wire Lines Inc.

• Precision coating control • Superior Product Uniformity • Significant Cost savings in Zinc or Galfan ® • True closed loop control • Real Time Pad Wipe Coating Measurement nitrogen wiping operation and offers our customers significant advantages including: The QED AutoCoat™ system can easily be incorporated into an existing

+1.450.458.1200 | www.qedwire.com | sales@qedwire.com

1.

Editor ....................................................................................... David Bell Editorial Assistant .......................................... Christian Bradley Design & Production ............................................... Lisa Wright Advertising/Marketing ........................................ Jason Smith UK, Italy, ROW, USA & Canada Linda Li 中国 Advertisement Coordinator .............................. Liz Hughes Accounts Manager ......................................... Louise Jennings Subscriptions ......................................... Louise Jennings Publisher ................................................................ Caroline Sullens Founder .......................................................................... John C Hogg

NewYear, new owners

There is nothing quite like starting the NewYear with good news – especially for French lubricant producer Condat. The company, based in Lyon, has expanded through the acquisition of Italian company Kemno. The deal will increase Condat’s diversification strategy, especially in relation to the fasteners and machining industry, whilst giving Kemno the backing of an international group. A family business, Kemno – founded in 2004 – specialises in the production of neat and soluble coolants. Turn to page 8 for the full story. Also investing in the future is another French company – Contrôle Mesure Systèmes – which has moved to newly built premises in Burgundy after outgrowing its premises of more than 20 years. The move will allow CMS to expand its team and hire new talent as it continues to grow. With plans already in place for a developer to join the IT team, a designer for the mechanical design office and a marketing department will allow the brand to reinforce its communication and digital strategy. See page 10 for more details. Also in this issue is the return of our popular ‘Focus On’ feature, in which we feature companies from a country or region. Starting 2021 is a ‘Focus On Italy’, with many companies highlighting their technology, products and expertise in an important sector of the European market. This feature starts on page 36. Avantus Aerospace – a supplier of C-class and composite parts for the aerospace and defence industry, has announced the acquisition of Fastener Innovation Technology Corporation (FIT).

Europe

Advertising/Marketing & Editorial 46 Holly Walk, Leamington Spa Warwickshire CV32 4HY, UK Tel: .................................. +44 1926 334137 Fax: ................................. +44 1926 314755 Email: ............................ wca@intras.co.uk Website: ...................... www.read-wca.com

USA

Intras USA – Doug Zirkle Danbury Corporate Center 107 Mill Plain Road Danbury, CT 06811, USA

Tel :................................... +1 203 794 0444 Email: ............................ doug@intras.co.uk

US copies only : EuroWire (ISSN 1463-2483, USPS No: 022-738) is published six times a year, January, March, May, July, September and November by Intras Ltd and distributed in the USA by Asendia USA, 701 Ashland Ave, Folcroft PA. Periodicals postage paid at Philadelphia, PA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER : Send address changes to EuroWire, Intras Ltd, C/O 701 Ashland Ave, Folcroft PA 19032. This publication and its full contents of layout, text, images, and graphics is copyright protected. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any other storage or retrieval system without the publisher’s written permission. The publisher, owners, agents, printers, editors and contributors cannot be held responsible for and hereby exclude all liability whatsoever for errors, omissions or the accuracy and claims printed or inferred in the editorial or advertisements published in this, previous or subsequent editions or for any damages, costs or losses caused thereby. EuroWire reserves the right to edit, reword and subedit all editorial submissions in accordance with editorial policy. EuroWire expressed graphically or by text is a registered name and style trademark of Intras Ltd, UK. All matters relating to this Disclaimer are governed by the laws of England. EuroWire is published six times per year and incorporates the title and publishing rights only of the former series of publications known as ‘ Transfil Europe ’. EuroWire is circulated to engineers, managers and personnel in the wire, cable, fibre optic and wire product industries upon receipt of a completed subscription form. An annual subscription is available from Intras Ltd, UK, at Euros 140.00, £120.00, US$195.00.

FIT manufactures high-strength speciality fasteners for military and commercial aerospace applications and has a natural fit with other companies in the Avantus group. Full story on page 51.​

David Bell Editor

Front cover courtesy of Mixer SpA showing a range of compounds

ISSN 1463-2438

For more details: Tel: +39 0545 47125 Fax: +39 0545 47038

Email: info@mixercompounds.com Website: www.mixercompounds.com

All rights reserved © 2021 Intras Ltd ISSN 1463-2438

www.read-eurowire.com

4

January 2021

Dates for your diary . . .

25-27 March 2021 wire India Trade exhibition Mumbai, India Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf India Pvt Ltd

Next Issue Getting Technical

info@wire-india.com www.wire-india.com

Implementing fibre cleaning to ensure network reliability Featuring ■ wire India – show issue ■ Focus On Asia (China, India, Japan & Indonesia)

8-10 June 2021 wire Russia Trade exhibition Moscow, Russia Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf

info@wire-russia.com www.wire-russia.com

22-24 September 2021 wire Southeast Asia Trade exhibition Bangkok, Thailand Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf Asia Pte Ltd wire@mda.com.sg www.wire-southeastasia.com

Subscribe today!

5-7 October 2021 wire South America

Trade exhibition São Paulo, Brazil Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH

info@wire-south-america.com www.wire-south-america.com

26-27 October 2021 Interwire Trade exhibition Atlanta, Georgia, USA Organisers: Wire Association International

ISSN 1463-2438

sales@wirenet.org www.wirenet.org

31 October – 3 November 2021 IWCS Technical symposium and exhibition Orlando, Florida, USA Organisers: IWCS www.iwcs.org

Visit us online at: www.read-eurowire.com

As with all shows, and with the continuing coronavirus pandemic, please check to ensure the event is going ahead

Contents January 2021

Photo by Christian Nordmark, Unsplash

8

61 Technical Article

Corporate News

Improving the circularity of crosslinked cable insulations with neural network models Nonlinear Solutions Oy & Maillefer Extrusion Oy, Finland

22 Technology News

36 Focus On Italy

64 Editorial Index 64 Advertisers Index

49

Corporate News

▲ ▲ Condat’s headquarters near Lyon, France

Expansion plans as Condat acquires Italy-based Kemno

Condat SA has acquired Italy-based company Kemno. The acquisition will give Kemno new means to expand, backed by an international group. It will also allow Condat Group to strengthen its diversification strategy in Italy, particularly in the fastener and machining industry. Established in 1854 and headquartered near Lyon, France, Condat formulates and produces a wide range of lubricants. As a multi-specialist, the group has earned recognition for its lubricants dedicated to a wide range of applications such as wire drawing, tunnel boring,

forging, glass, machining, heat treatment and industrial maintenance. With responsible performance as a main objective, Condat develops lubricants with a reduced environmental impact, without compromising either their performance or the safety of users. Like Condat, Kemno is a family-owned company. Created in 2004, the Italian firm specialises in the production of neat and soluble coolants. Mainly active in the cold heading business, Kemno also offers metal working fluids, maintenance oils and greases, and quenching oils. With continued partnership with OEM and

tooling providers, its lubricants range is described as a reference on the Italian market for its ability to increase tool life and decrease oil consumption. Showing its commitment to the new deal, Condat has decided to formalise the venture with the creation of a 100 per cent subsidiary, named Condat Italia. The company will ensure continuity and quality of service locally. With the two ranges being complementary, Italian customers will benefit from a larger choice of lubricants dedicated to specific needs in many fields of application. Condat SA www.condat-lubricants.com

8

www.read-eurowire.com

January 2021

Corporate News

CMS invests in new premises For more than 30 years, Contrôle Mesure Systèmes (CMS) has been designing and manufacturing products and decided to invest for the future with the construction of new premises.

The production capacity will also be increased, since the company will double its working space – the new premises will extend to 2,000m 2 . All system construction activities (pro- duction, handling and assembly) will be able to take place in a single location, allowing the design of benches and control lines up to 70m long. In this project, the company also wanted to emphasise its ecological commitment. A 60m-long water storage and retention basin will allow the preservation of the local ecosystem. In addition, an area at the rear of the building will be developed to meet environmental standards and preserve the wildlife present on-site. Contrôle Mesure Systèmes has invested nearly €3mn in the project. The director of the company commented, “CMS is a family business; I am delighted to see this project evolve and I am impatient to discover all the possibilities that this new space will bring us.” Contrôle Mesure Systèmes www.cmseddyscan.com

equipment for non-destructive testing by eddy current and ultrasound, and also combining these two methods of control in complete inspection benches. After more than twenty years in its current premises, and following the growth of its activity, the company

Located in Burgundy, France, the new site will allow CMS to expand its teams and to hire new talent. A developer will join the venture in order to enhance the IT team; a designer will join the mechanical design office; and a marketing department will allow the brand to reinforce its communication and digital strategy.

▼ ▼ The design of CMS’s new premises

10

www.read-eurowire.com

January 2021

I t i s w i t h g r e a t p l e a s u r e t h a t I i n t r o d u c e t o y o u o u r n e w , e x c e p t i o n a l d i a m o n d d i e s .

M P D A BETTER PRODUCT THAN PCD

C o n v e n t i o n a l P CD , w h i c h i s p o l y m e r i z e d u n d e r h i g h t e m p e r a t u r e a n d p r e s s u r e i s m a d e f r o m d i a m o n d a n d m e t a l p o w d e r . T h e c o a r s e r d i a m o n d p a r t i c l e s h a v e b e t t e r w e a r r e s i s t a n c e , b u t t h e y a r e e a s y t o s c r a t c h t h e w i r e ; t h e f i n e d i a m o n d p a r t i c l e s a r e l e s s d a m a g i n g t o t h e w i r e , b u t t h e a d d i t i o n o f m o r e m e t a l p o w d e r c a u s e l o w e r a b r a s i o n r e s s t a n c e .

MP D c o n s i s t s o f o n e m i c r o n d i a m o n d p o w d e r , b u t n o m e t a l p o w d e r i s a d d e d , a n d o n l y a s m a l l a m o u n t o f c a t a l y s t i s u s e d . T h e h a r d n e s s a n d w e a r r e s i s t a n c e w i l l b e s u p e r i o r t o t h e t r a d i t i o n a l P CD , t h e s u r f a c e o f t h e s t r e t c h e d w i r e i s s m o o t h a n d f i n e . I t w i l l s h o w o u t s t a n d i n g

MPD

Product No.

Recut Size Up to

Stone Size Size EC D1.8 x 0.9T 0.02~0.50 ES D2.5 x 1.5T 0.20~1.00 EB D4.0 x 2.5T 0.40~1.50 EA D4.5 x 3.1T 0.70~2.00 EM D5.0 x 4.0T 1.00~2.70

0.7

1.15

1.9

2.35

p e r f o r m a n c e f o r d r a w i n g s t r e t c h i n g s p r i n g w i r e w i t h s o l i d l u b r i c a t i o n .

3

mm

E P D A POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND GLASS THAT IS HARDER THAN NATURAL DIAMONDS.

T h e s u r f a c e o f t h e w i r e d r a w n w i t h n a t u r a l d i a m o n d i s s m o o t h a n d s h i n y , b u t t h e u n e v e n h a r d n e s s a n d o r i e n t a t i o n o f t h e s t o n e w i l l o f t e n c a u s e w i r e d e v i a t i o n a n d c o l o r f l i c k e r i n g a f t e r a p e r i o d o f u s e . E P D i s a n i m p r o v e d p r o d u c t a i m e d a t t h e i n h e r e n t w e a k p o i n t o f n a t u r a l d i a m o n d s . I t i s f o r m e d b y u s i n g d i a m o n d p o w d e r s m a l l e r t h a n o n e m i c r o n u n d e r h i g h t e m p e r a t u r e o v e r 2 0 0 0 ° C a n d u l t r a - h i g h p r e s s u r e . D u e t o i t s t r a n s l u c e n t , i t i s c o mm o n l y k n o w n a s d i a m o n d g l a s s . I t s h a r d n e s s c a n b e t w i c e t h a t o f n a t u r a l d i a m o n d .

T h e s u r f a c e o f t h e E P D - d r a w n w i r e i s s i m i l a r t o t h a t o f a n a t u r a l d i a m o n d . W i t h i t s f i n e p o l y c r y s t a l l i n e s t r u c t u r e a n d h i g h h a r d n e s s , t h e w h o l e s e t c a n l a s t 6 - 7 t i m e s l o n g e r t h a n n a t u r a l d i a m o n d u n d e r n o r m a l u s e . I t i s m o r e e f f e c t i v e w h e n t h e y a r e u s e d o n m u l t i - w i r e d r a w i n g m a c h i n e s .

EPD

Product No.

Recut Size Up to

Stone Size

Size

E7 E9

D1.0 x 0.7T 0.01~0.40 D1.2 x 0.9T 0.10~0.50

0.5 0.7

E11 D1.5 x 1.1T 0.20~0.70 E15 D2.0 x 1.5T 0.40~1.00

0.85 1.15

mm

www.diamond-dies.com

Germany : tienchen.die@tienchen.com.tw English :

Corporate News

Pakistan Cables wins award for innovation in e-commerce

The e-store of Pakistan Cables has won the eighth Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Achievement award for being the first to enter the e-commerce segment in the wires and cables industry of Pakistan. The awards ceremony was hosted by FPCCI in recognition of contributions in the development of different sectors of national economy. The president of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi, presented the award

to Mariam Durrani, head of marketing and brands at Pakistan Cables. The company’s e-store was launched in September 2019 to offer customers a convenient way of buying general wiring, delivered directly to their premises. The service is now offered in 50 cities and towns. “We launched the e-store anticipating the evolving needs of our customer base, even well ahead of COVID-19,” said Fahd Chinoy, CEO of Pakistan Cables. “We knew that as a leader we wanted to be disruptive and truly empower our customers through innovation.” This was the company’s second consecutive win, having also been recognised by FPCCI in 2019 for introducing technological advancement through ACCC® conductors in Pakistan. Founded in 1953, Pakistan Cables has a history of international affiliations, including British Insulated Callender’s Cables and General Cable. It is ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certified and has had various cables type tested by KEMA, Netherlands. The company has a presence in more than 190 cities and towns in Pakistan. Pakistan Cables Ltd www.pakistancables.com

▼ ▼ Pakistan Cables’ e-store won the FPCCI award for innovation in e-commerce

12

www.read-eurowire.com

January 2021

Stranding Wire & Cable with Large Cross Sections up to 500 mm²

The new machine types D 1252 , D 1602 and D 2002 for the production of conductors and conductor ropes for energy cables with cross sections between 6 and 500 mm² like all machines of the D series contain all crucial features modern bunching and stranding machines have to offer. But we don’t just settle for that. In the D machines all machine data are transferred via telemetry. An automatic traverse unit enables perfect winding and paying-off from the spool. Sensors monitor the production process without interruption. Additionally, the wires can be compacted. And the list could be continued. The new larger machines of the D series can produce class 2 conductors (round standard and compacted) as well as sector-shaped conductors with 90° and 120° (Cu and Al). They are capable of producing class 5 & 6 flexible conductors as well as automotive/battery cables according to IEC 60228 and insulated conductors of diameters up to 25 mm, even in layer construction. Benefit from all advantages the machines offer: a perfectly reproducible product quality, minimum materials usage and energy consumption as well as outstanding efficiency – for your fast return on investment.

Convincing Quality

Innovative Solutions

Worldwide on Site

Expertise, Customer Driven, Service – in Good Hands with NIEHOFF

Maschinenfabrik NIEHOFF GmbH & Co. KG Walter-Niehoff-Strasse 2, 91126 Schwabach, Germany Phone +49 9122 977-0/Fax +49 9122 977-155 info@niehoff.de

www.niehoff.de

Corporate News

Masterbatch with smaller pellet size for improved dilution

Delta Tecnic, a specialist in the production and distribution of colour concentrates and raw materials for plastics, cables, inks, paints and cosmetics, has reinforced its commitment to the automotive industry through Micromasterbatch, a type of masterbatch with a smaller pellet size that improves dilution when extruding cables. Micromasterbatches are applied to both PVC and polyolefins, and are claimed to provide better control and optimal colour homogeneity, improved product quality and increased cable production speed. To facilitate this move, Delta Tecnic has opened a new plant in the town of Querétaro, Mexico, becoming the Supermac Industries, in an exclusive strategic tie-up with Siemens India, now offers a fully managed Siemens Mindsphere IIoT solution to integrate with its extrusion lines. CE-certified Supermac states that it is the first Indian cable extrusion machine manufacturer to roll out its equipment with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) solutions. The first order received is in the process of delivery, said Vivek Kohli, director at Supermac Industries, with the customer excited to receive the first Supermac user-centric IIoT system. With the strategic tie-up with Siemens, Supermac offers a fully managed Siemens Mindsphere IIoT solution that allows users to easily and securely connect and manage data from production lines/ assets. The high-end technology will offer customers real-time monitoring of critical line and process parameters and line uptime-downtime analysis, along with OEE monitoring. Customers will be able to access real-time process traceability of critical process parameters to establish machine learning/analytical capabilities. With a global trend towards automatic manufacturing, Supermac is committed to conform to Industry 4.0 standards, and can now offer IIoT as part of its modern extrusion lines. Customers can have access to their equipment and processes at all times and from anywhere in the world.

first manufacturer in that country to specialise in colour concentrates for automotive cable. The factory leverages all the knowledge that the company has acquired over more than three decades, which is key to optimising the production and distribution of its products throughout the Americas. “Delta Tecnic is proud to have a resilient model based on innovation that allows us to grow in strategic industries,” said Eric Xirinachs, CEO of Delta Tecnic. “Our commitment to Micromasterbatches is essential to offering a new and sustainable product that can speed up production processes while lowering costs.”

Delta Tecnic distributes raw materials from brands in Spain and Portugal, and markets its colour concentrates in more than 60 countries, including Spain, Mexico, India, Morocco, Russia, Germany and the UK. It has two production plants in Sant Celoni, Barcelona, Spain. Delta Tecnic SA https://deltatecnic.com ▲ ▲ Eric Xirinachs, CEO of Delta Tecnic

Revolutionising extrusion lines with IIoT applications

The first of these – an optical fibre rewinding line – was commissioned in Texas, USA, during a lockdown phase. This was followed by the successful charging of a sheathing line for a customer in India, and a high-speed insulation line in Bangladesh, also during lockdown. The Supermac team was able to upload all drives’ software etc, working remotely. All of the equipment was commissioned with online support by engineers and technical support, concluding with successful start-up. Supermac is actively working on its next project, to offer a “plug and switch” service on equipment at the customer’s site without sending commissioning engineers. This will be possible by performing all online trials at Supermac’s premises before sending the equipment to the customer. Customers are increasingly demanding features such as online negotiation for equipment procurement, and com- missioning support for the equipment they order. Supermac states that it is capable of meeting new requirements and has a strong commitment to meet customer needs. Supermac Industries (India) Ltd www.supermacindia.com

This innovation can provide benefits in process optimisation, quality control, cross-vendor shop-floor integration, energy efficiency, predictive maintenance and data security, among other features. pandemic, Supermac Industries is focused on adopting new ways of working and progressing with advanced automation and new technologies for a competitive edge. Breaking the convention of equipment being commissioned only by a supplier’s engineer visit to the customer site and charging the equipment on-site, Supermac has remotely commissioned three sets of equipment online. ▲ ▲ Jasvinder Singh, managing director at Supermac Industries Amid the coronavirus

14

www.read-eurowire.com

January 2021

Corporate News

Metalube introduces Salesforce software Lubricant specialist Metalube Ltd has made a significant investment by introducing new Salesforce customer relationship management (CRM) software across its business. The latest online platform is a scalable CRM system that aims to transform the business model, allowing the company to manage a 360° customer service channel from one dashboard. It will reduce customer response time and enable Metalube to build its client relationships in a market where expectations are rising. Salesforce will enable Metalube to efficiently track products and orders, improve communication and better anticipate the needs of customers. Commenting on the new system, commercial manager Matthew Buffin said, “This Salesforce investment will help us to not only increase sales and reach more customers, but more importantly improve our all-round customer service. “The advanced analytics, reporting and forecasting features are state of the art. We are confident that they will allow us to work more efficiently across the board.” Metalube Ltd www.metalube.co.uk

▲ ▲ Metalube has implemented Salesforce customer software

Chicago rolling mill Automazioni Industriali Capitanio (AIC) has successfully supplied and commissioned the process automation solution for the rolling mill of CHS Chicago Heights Steel in Chicago Heights, Illinois, USA. The project included the automation system and equipment for the revamping of the rolling mill, starting rougher group and going through the takeout of the bar on the cooling beds. Automazioni Industriali Capitanio Srl www.aicnet.it

Micro surface defects become visible !

Fine wire/tube analysis

Full surface coverage

High speed measurement

Designed for fine wire/tube manufacturers, SQM detects, localises and characterizes surface defects during manufacturing.

FEATURES :

200 000 lines/sec

360° measure

Ø : 20µm to 2.0mm

An innovative and patented technology to enhance fine wires quality

SQM is now available ! Please contact your local agent for more information

www.cersa-mci.com sale@cersa-mci.com

15

www.read-eurowire.com

January 2021

Corporate News

LLFlex acquires armouring tapes segment

new cable wrap production cell in North Carolina, LLFlex can now provide the widest range of coated and bare steel, copper and aluminium cable wraps and armouring solutions in the marketplace,” said Victor Dixon, CEO of LLFlex. “These unique assets and capabilities make LLFlex even more versatile with the technical leadership, expanded product range and global supply chain network to develop, produce and deliver new, innovative products for evolving industry needs.” Among innovations already underway at the new plant, LLFlex is initiating a touchless packaging process that eliminates edge damage due to manual handling, and is pioneering a slitting technology that results in flat edges for improved processing and weldability on cable lines. The facility houses high-speed equip- ment for custom laminating, coating, embossing and slitting, with module diversity, automation and robotics combining to shorten turnaround times and improve production efficiency, even for large orders and customised products. LLFlex has manufacturing operations in Kentucky and North Carolina, USA, with sales and supply chain offices in the USA, the UK and China, and markets its products through a network of global agents and partners. LLFlex, LLC www.llflex.com Web Industries www.webindustries.com safety, worker wellness and wellbeing. Workforce safety is paramount, and we consistently work towards the highest safety standards. These awards provide us with the checks and balances to make sure we are always striving for better for our business and our employees.” Metalube is part of the Bishopdale Group of industrial lubricants brands – Metalube, Molyslip and UOP. The company exports 95 per cent of its production to more than 90 countries worldwide. Metalube Ltd www.metalube.co.uk

▲ ▲ LLFlex copper shielding

Packaging materials and industrial laminate solutions provider LLFlex has acquired the wire and cable metal armouring tapes segment of Web Industries, an international materials converter and contract manufacturer. The move includes the slitting and related assets for the production of coated and uncoated copper and aluminium cable wraps and armour tapes. The acquisition comes as LLFLex begins production at its new 73,500ft 2 fully integrated manufacturing facility in High Point, North Carolina, USA. The site will now integrate the acquired assets of the bare metal armouring tapes slitting division into its production infra- structure, in order to increase production capabilities and output.

LLFlex’s comprehensive portfolio includes bare and coated steel, aluminium and copper, in custom widths and lengths, with quick-ship capabilities. The company can also produce the industry’s largest diameter coils – an advantage that can increase yield and minimise changeovers and downtime for customers. For the wire and cable industry, the company’s line of cable armour, wraps and tapes includes mono and co-ex layered film formulations using proven, high-quality resins throughout the structure for consistent, reliable long-term performance. “With Web Industries bare copper and aluminium armour slitting and production assets integrated into the

Metalube awarded ISO 45001 Lubricant manufacturer Metalube has been granted the seal of approval, securing its latest international standard accreditation in occupational health and safety (OH&S) management systems ISO 45001.

This complements the company’s existing ISO 9001 and 14001 accreditations, and was achieved due to greater OH&S performance, which involved integrating additional aspects of health and safety into the business, such as injury prevention, ill-health and worker wellness and wellbeing. Brown commented, “We’re extremely proud to have achieved these certifications. In times like these, it is important for us to be fully committed to health and Managing director Robert

▼ ▼ Metalube has gained accreditation for its health and safety systems

16

www.read-eurowire.com

January 2021

Corporate News

Continuous customer service Upcast® customer service provides technical service, spare parts and consumables to maintain the smooth operation of Upcast lines. As the exclusive source of original Upcast parts, Upcast OY ensures reliable operation of casting lines, and keeps a stock of spare parts and consumables available for dispatch within 24 hours – or within the same working day for urgent cases.

The team’s understanding of production- and maintenance-related challenges makes it available for assistance in any technical issues, via phone, email, remote access or site visit. The new Upcast®UPtime maintenance software provides clarity in the maintaining of casting lines.

▲ ▲ Upcast OY is the source of original Upcast parts and consumables

The modular construction of Upcast lines allows them to be expanded and updated. With continuous product development, many components can be replaced with the most recent

technology, and solutions are available for increasing capacity or using copper scrap as raw material. Upcast OY www.upcast.com

Wire solutions partnership Schlatter Industries AG, in Schlieren, Switzerland, and WiTechs BV in Hengelo, the Netherlands, have started a long-term partnership in the field of system solutions, sales and after sales service of equipment for wire production.

The partnership is focused on the creation of plant concepts that set new standards in terms of economy and quality. The high-performance Schlatter drawing plants are complemented by high-quality WiTechs machines for wire cleaning and wire coating. With these complementary products, a comprehensive and modular range is being created, enabling system solutions to be tailored to individual customer requirements.

Worldwide distribution networks have also been consolidated, and customers will benefit from having a contact person in their vicinity providing support in consulting and project planning for new system solutions.

Schlatter Industries AG www.schlattergroup.com WiTechs BV www.witechs.com

Both companies are experts in plant engineering and construction, and their goal is to offer customers productive systems and solutions for the production of high quality wire.

17

www.read-eurowire.com

January 2021

clients receive the maximum publicity. Our readership is from the boardroom to the shop floor, with many companies retaining copies of our magazines down the years as technical journals.

With an unrivalled global distribution in both print and digital formats, we have a firm belief in supporting businesses through combining editorial excellence and targeted advertising to reach the far corners of the globe. Our magazines and staff can be seen at numerous exhibitions worldwide every year, ensuring our

Intras Ltd - independent publishers of Tube & Pipe Technology, Wire & Cable ASIA, EuroWire, Tube Products INTERNATIONAL and wiredInUSA magazines – has a proud tradition of supporting the wire, cable, tube and pipe industries since the 1980s.

At the heart of the wire and tube industries for 40 years

www.marcegaglia.com Telephone: +44 1926 334137 Email: intras@intras.co.uk JOIN US Get our app Meet us at TUBE December 7 - 11, 2020 Düsseldorf, Germany ARO STEEL s.r.l. Via Cavour, 39 - 43100 Parma (Italia) - Tel.: +39 0521 391411 - Fax: +39 0521 285747 - www.arosteel.com (dimensions up to 500X500x20mm) Black welded gas and water pipes, hot galvanised with smooth end 235 quality pipes, round, square and rectangular, black, hot galvanised Pipes made of hot galvanised strips Black, pickled, galvanised sheet steel Steel, naturally HALL 8A - STAND B60 EN 10219 - EN 10210 round, square and rectangular structural pipes, produced to S355J2H quality level and 3.1 certified

Innovative • Reliable • Smart The new generation of NIEHOFF multiwire drawing lines

Titel_WCA_Sept2020_210x222.indd 1

The trade magazine for tube and pipe products www.read-tpi.com

Maschinenfabrik NIEHOFF GmbH & Co. KG Walter-Niehoff-Str.2, 91126 Schwabach, Germany Phone +49 9122 977-0 / Fax +49 9122 977-155 info@niehoff.de www.niehoff.de

Published for the first time in 1998, EuroWire (EOW) is the leading international magazine for the wire and cable industries. Covering corporate and technology news, technical articles, and informative news from

INTO THE FUTURE OF STEEL TUBES

September 2020

26.08.2020 22:18:04

YOUR favOURite paRtneR in steel

The World of Tube & Pipe Products, Materials & Ancillaries

www.read-tpi.com

www.read-eurowire.com

Wire & Cable ASIA – aimed at the increasing Asian market – was published for the first time. Now issued five times per year, it includes industry news, technology news, informative columns on telecom news and a glance at the American market, as well as

January 2008

WWW.IDEAgency.it

the Americas.

Tube Products INTERNATIONAL, reporting on specialist areas of tube and pipe products for applications such as aerospace, automotive, civil, energy, OCTG, structural and mechanical, published for the first time, and now

John hogg, founder of Intras Ltd, was also a co-founder

of the International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA) and the International Tube Association (ITA). he played an instrumental role in the negotiation and establishment of international wire and cable shows, including the founding of ‘ wire’ – the leading international wire and cable exhibition, now organised by Messe Düsseldorf.

1998

www.read-wca.com

produced five times per year.

technical articles.

www.read-tpi.com

1992

1970s

2008

Intras Ltd was founded by John hogg as a management company to administrate the activities of IWMA and ITA trade associations. Intras begins to create a worldwide database of companies and products involved in the wire, cable, tube and pipe industries. 1984

Like many publishers, we also embrace the use of digital and web-based technology and actively encourage engagement with us through our Twitter and Facebook

promotional marketing, enhancing sales and promoting

individually serve the company’s growing international

www.read-eurofasteners.com www.read-fastenersasia.com 2020

Euro Fasteners & Fasteners ASIA first published in 2020. In-depth feature sections dedicated to the fasteners industry within our wire magazines.

client base. Through its range of publications and

Intras Ltd employs a dedicated team of staff, who

industry services, Intras provides clients with unrivalled support in terms of corporate and

A commitment to the future

Tube & Pipe Technology (TPT) was first published in 1988. Covering technological developments concerning tube and pipe manufacturing methods, production machinery and processing equipment, it is now published six times per year. www.read-tpt.com 1988

technological awareness.

social media sites.

Here to serve the industries we helped to shape

Embracing the digital world, wiredInUSA – the monthly online ezine and web-based publication – was published for the first time. A vibrant and informative ezine, this has now become a well-

wire Düsseldorf, Tube Düsseldorf, wire and Tube China, wire and Tube India, wire South America, Tubotech, wire and Tube Southeast Asia, wire Russia, Tube Russia, Wire & Cable Guangzhou, IWCS, FAbTECh, Valve World Expo, Steelfab, MACh, EurobLECh, TOLexpo, Made in Steel, Lamiera, Interwire, Saw Expo, boru, TEL, EMO and FAbTECh Canada.

Although an independent publisher, we have strong ties with the many leading international exhibitions worldwide, and our staff attend or our magazines can regularly be seen at:

respected format aimed at the Americas.

www.wiredinusa.com

VOL 33 NO 5 US$33

SEPTEMBER 2020

The international magazine for the tube & pipe industries

2011

wiredIn USA

Corporate News

New appointments to Inductotherm Italy board

Inductotherm Group Italy has appointed new members to its board of directors to further reinforce its Italian capabilities. The company, based in Turin, provides local representation for the global Inductotherm Group. The new members of the board have been appointed to help develop the roles and operations in Italy across the heating and welding sectors, which include the brands Thermatool, Banyard and Radyne. The Italian company has been operating for five years, and will be increasing its presence in the markets of Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria with additional sales and service support. “Particularly during these times, investment into strategic growth is critical for future stability and continued customer support,” commented Wayne Hine, president of Inductotherm Group Italy’s board of directors. The additions to the board will provide added focus to cement long-term

▲ ▲ Vincenzo Tosetto

▲ ▲ Adrian Wood

▲ ▲ Wayne Hine

business relationships and provide additional business strategy support. Vincenzo Tosetto, director: With more than 20 years of induction heating experience, Mr Tosetto was employed by the Inductotherm Group in 2014 and was responsible for establishing Inductotherm Group Italy within Europe, delivering the group’s latest technologies to Italian customers.

Adrian Wood, director: Appointed as head of sales for Inductotherm Heating & Welding in 2018, and then promoted to director of sales in 2020, Mr Wood brings knowledge of developing sales and marketing strategies, and implementing and managing new sales activities. He has 15 years of technical induction heating and welding expertise, predominantly dedicated to the Thermatool brand. Wayne Hine, president of Inductotherm Italy board of directors: Employed by the Inductotherm Group since 2008, initially in business development on the merger of the Thermatool, Radyne, Banyard and Newelco brands to form Inductotherm Heating & Welding Ltd, UK, Mr Hine then took leadership of sales. He joined Inductotherm Heating & Welding’s board of directors in 2016 and was appointed managing director in 2018 – a position he will retain while taking Inductotherm Group Italy forward. Inductotherm Group Italy Inductotherm Heating &Welding https://inductothermhw.com

Continued growth Inosym Ltd, a supplier of reels and drums to the wire and cable market, is continuing to see sales growth.

“Our factories have robust social distancing and hygiene practices in place, our freight team has developed relationships with freight forwarders to ensure minimal lead times, and our sales team have been busy on the phone and zoom calls to understand and help the customers to ensure the correct reel or drum is specified and quoted.” Inosym Ltd www.inosym.com

Managing director Philip Young said, “Focus has shifted from reacting to the current global pandemic and the effect this has had in our factory, our shipping network and our sales team, to actively managing the situation to ensure we continue to supply world class wire and cable reels.

19

www.read-eurowire.com

January 2021

Corporate News

NISCO rolls first bar on Kocks’s largest three-roll RSB 5.0 The Chinese company Nanjing Iron & Steel Co Ltd (NISCO) has modernised its 800,000 t/a medium bar mill, incorporating a reducing and sizing block (RSB®) 500++/4 in 5.0 design by Friedrich Kocks. The RSB 500++/4, which is the largest Kocks three-roll reducing and sizing block to date, operates as the finishing unit for the production of straight bars within a dimensional range from Ø 50 to 160mm. Apart from the RSB 5.0, Kocks is also responsible for the thermo-mechanical rolling process, including five water boxes and full automation package. The low temperature rolling process is applied for sizes up to Ø 130mm. With the modernisation of its medium bar mill, NISCO consolidates and further expands its market share in the SBQ market.

▲ ▲ Kocks RSB 500++ at NISCO

Friedrich Kocks GmbH & Co KG www.kocks.de

Island cable in the sun Nexans will design, manufacture and install a 335km subsea high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable system for Ariadne Interconnection SPSA, owned by the Greek state grid operator IPTO.

Bremen as well as in our subsidiaries around the world. Their achievement made this result possible. “By focusing on technical innovations as well as expanding our global sales and service network and the simultaneous concentration of research, development and production at our location in Bremen, we create the conditions for future, constant growth.” More than 4,000 companies, from all industries, with an annual turnover between ten million and one billion euros were evaluated by the Munich Strategy Group. The Top 100 companies were determined on the basis of their long-term growth and profitability. The for sensor applications. The near-shore sections of the cable, to be installed at water depths down to 100m, will feature an aluminium conductor core with a cross-section of 1,800mm². The deeper sections of the cable, installed at depths down to 1,200m, will have a 1,500mm² cross-section aluminium conductor. The cable will be protected by trenching into the seabed using the Nexans Capjet water jetting system down to 600m water depth. The HVDC cable will be manufactured in the Nexans plant in Holden, Norway, and/or its plant in Futtsu, Japan. It will be installed by one of the company’s own dedicated cable vessels – either Nexans Skagerrak or Nexans Aurora . Nexans has also announced a contract with SSE Renewables to design, manufacture and install high voltage

onshore and offshore export cables for Phase 1 of the Seagreen offshore wind farm, 27km off the Scottish coast. Work will begin this year on what will be the largest offshore wind farm in Scotland. The French oil and gas company Total has a 51 per cent stake in the project. The Nexans facility in Charleston, South Carolina, USA, recently expanded to manufacture HV subsea cables, and will supply three 65km-long offshore export cables. Three 20km onshore export cables will be manufactured at the company’s facility in Charleroi, Belgium. The company expects to use its latest cable laying vessel for the project. Aurora , currently under construction, is scheduled for delivery during the second quarter of 2021. Nexans www.nexans.com

Sikora AG has again ranked among Germany’s 100 fastest growing medium-sized companies, and improved from place 61 to 18. This is the result of a study carried out by the management consultancy Munich Strategy Group. Dr Christian Frank, CEO of Sikora, commented, “I am delighted that we are among the ‘Top 100’ again this year. The award once again shows that we belong to the elite of the German medium-sized companies. We set significant trends and play a leading role in the field of innovative measuring, control, inspection and sorting technologies. I am particularly proud that we worked our way up from rank 61 to rank 18. My special thanks go to our colleagues in The interconnection will link Crete to the electricity network on mainland Greece, providing security of supply and enabling the transition to renewable energy. The cable will span 335km from the Attica region on the Greek mainland to the Herakleion area in Crete. Over the 35-month project, Nexans will provide a 500MW HVDC subsea cable system to form half of the total 1,000 MW bi-pole interconnection. The 500,000V Nexans cable is based on the mass impregnated non-draining (MIND) design for HVDC cable systems and will integrate fibre optic elements

Sikora ranks in top 100

▲ ▲ Dr Christian Frank, CEO of Sikora AG

basis for selection is the performance of the companies during the last five years. Sikora AG www.sikora.net

20

www.read-eurowire.com

January 2021

Supermac – Global Solution Provider in Extrusion and Process Technology along with IIOT applications

Supermac Industries established in the year 1974 is a leader in manufacturing of high end systems and process technology for the wire & cable in Power and telecom sector and related Industries. The ISO 9001 and CE certified company specializes in offering customized and tailor made solutions to fulfil specific needs of the variety of customers all across the globe. With a highly skilled design team, with the best of manufacturing and highly talented commissioning team, trained experts in cable processes and technology, we offer design to process expertise to bring in the best product for you.

IIOT screen

Supermac has expertise providing on line commissioning from remote. Post commissioning customer service support is provided

from both on site as well as from remote. In our endeavour to conform to industry 4.0 norms, Supermac has taken strong strides forward in implementing several digital initiatives and can provide IIOT enabled extrusion lines supported by Siemens Mind sphere software

The company has three established and running units near New Delhi and are adding another unit under our expansion program.

The state-of-the art facilities are equipped with international and indigenous machinery to carry out the process of manufacturing as per the customer’s requirements. Supermac has strategic partnership with German Companies – M/S Scholz to cover CCV Lines, M/S Rubicon to cover Rubber extrusion Lines and Simpack USA for Coiling machines and Solutions.

High speed building wire line

Supermac specializes in the following areas: • State of the art CCV Line with

• Rubber extruders for Insulation and sheathing materials • Silicone extrusion lines with infrared vulcanization system • Cat 5.6 and 7 Lines • FTTH drop cable lines • Fluoropolymer – FEP, PTFE /ETFE Lines • Loose tube/Secondary coating lines for fibre optics • Extruders for variety of applications – up to 175 mm • Cross-Head Single/Dual/Triple • Haul-Off Caterpillar • Capstan • Take-up and pay-off of all types and sizes and as per requirement above 4.5 meters and 40 MT

Scholz Vulcanization system for Power Cables up to 132 KV XLPE and 33 KV for Rubber • Specialized Medical Tubing extrusion lines • Proven Triple Extrusion Line for SIOPLAS (XLPE) cables • High speed Insulation Line and Sheathing Line for House Wiring & Control Cables and medical equipment sector. • High output and best in class Insulation Line and Sheathing Line for Power and Optical fiber Cables. • HCV insulation and sheathing line • Hybrid and composite CCV lines for both XLPE and Rubber.

Supermac CCV Line

www.supermacindia.com

SUPERMAC INDUSTRIES (INDIA) LIMITED

UNIT-I : Plot No-2, Sector-6, IMT Manesar, Gurgaon Haryana, INDIA Ph.: +91-0124-4690500 | Fax: +91-0124-4690501 E-mail: jasvinder@supermacindia.com, vkohli@supermacindia.com

OFFICE : A-28 & 29, NARAINA Industrial Area Phase-1, New Delhi-110028, INDIA Ph.: +91-11-45574317 E-mail: office@supermacindia.com

UNIT-II : Plot No. 18-19, Sector-2A, IMT Manesar, Gurgaon, Haryana, INDIA

Technology News

▲ ▲ Force measuring rollers and amplifier module

Future-proofing basket- style stranding machine

The project team of Acoteq GmbH has carried out the upgrading of a basket- style stranding machine, to meet future process requirements, with a downtime of only a few days. The Krupp KVR 8x1400 stranding machine with reverse twist was originally constructed in 1977. The identified customer requirements were: • Measurement of the current strand tensions prior to the stranding point • Automatic tension control, from full to empty spools, during production runs • Simplification and reduction of operator settings and changeover times through a recipe system • Recording and documentation of production parameters • Replacement of the pneumatically operated spool brakes, which can only adjust the braking forces equally for all of the spools in a given cage • Installation of a disc brake system for precise torque control of each individual spool

• Machine Stop functionality should the strand tension be outside the limit values set for that process • Ensure consistently highproduct quality, independent of the machine operator The project also involved the develop- ment of a mechanism to transfer the linear motion of the RTM X42 brake actuators to the disc brake systems. For the selection of components, Acoteq chose FMS (Force Measuring Systems) from Switzerland. For 15 years, FMS has been capable of offering a complete range of technologies for force measurement, data processing and radio transmission of signals in stranding machines. The RTM X42 telemetry system consists of the wire tension measuring system, the control centre and the brake system. The FMS brake actuators used are powered by rechargeable batteries, and do not require expensive and maintenance-intensive slip rings to provide the required torque at

each individual spool. Data transmission is handled by radio (also with a rechargeable battery/no slip rings) in the 2.44 GHz band, so the wiring on the rotating side of the machine was kept to a minimum. The main advantages resulting from the modernisation are the measurement and display of an actual tension value for each individual strand; reduced set-up time, and reproduction of critical process parameters, during product changeovers through the use of recipes; and improved quality and throughput with the constant closed-loop tension regulation of the individual strands. All of the production parameters over the course of a complete product run can be recorded and documented. FMS Force Measuring Systems AG www.fms-technology.com Acoteq GmbH www.acoteq.com

22

www.read-eurowire.com

January 2021