EuroWire January 2023

Technology News

Low-smoke flame-retardant PVC compounds as alternatives to fluoropolymers

The new compounds cover a range

and knuckling, making them easier to install, particularly in tight plenum spaces. Some of the latest innovations have even lower smoke and higher oxygen indexes, compared to the previously commercialised products, enabling larger, higher density cables to comply with NFPA 262 requirements. “These features are critical in applications such as data centres, wireless infra- structure for buildings and campuses and security systems,” said David Braun, wire and cable industry manager for the vinyl division. “Cables used in these

Teknor Apex has introduced newly developed FireGuard® PVC compounds for a variety of cable types, from copper data cable jackets to fibre optic, speciality and security cables. The compounds, which provide low smoke generation and low flame propagation, have enabled cables tomeet and exceed all applicable performance testing requirements of UL Subjects 13, 1424 and 444, including those of NFPA 262 for Flame Travel and Smoke. In addition, cables made with these lower flexural modulus compounds resist kinks

of applications, including copper data cables

sections compliant with EU regulations, the Advance range is also UKCA-marked in compliance with UK regulations on construction products. Self-protecting and durable weathering steel is suitable for a range of outdoor structures in exposed locations, including bridges, buildings and catenary gantries on railway lines. The low corrosion rate is claimed to allow structures fabricated from unpainted weathering steel to achieve long lifespans – in some cases up to 120 years – with only minimal maintenance. British Steel’s S460M high strength structural steel grade is designed for use in multi-storey and high-rise buildings, as well as other commercial and industrial uses. British Steel www.britishsteel.co.uk Other advantages include process alarm logging, real-time and historical data trending, auto and self-tuning of heat zones for quick die changes, and an on screen display of individual zone heaters. The DS-XEL also addresses connectivity requirements with a simple connection to ERP/MRP or upper-level supervisory control using a standardOPC-UA interface. Davis-Standard, LLC www.davis-standard.com minimum, maximum and average motor load is captured during each production run. Recipe creation and storage allows for repeatability of multiple products on the same line. spaces are subjected to rigorous, large scale flame testing to ensure their safety performance. Teknor Apex works closely with UL and other regulatory bodies so cable manufacturers can be confident the materials they are using have been fully tested and comply with applicable requirements.” Teknor Apex www.teknorapex.com

Elevating control functionality The new DS-XEL control system from Davis-Standard, as a replacement for ma ture discrete controls, implements high performance HMI features to facilitate the data and process information require ments of themanufacturing environment. and HMI offerings to enable an operator friendly package with greater attention to detail,” said John Clemens, Davis Standard’s director of extrusion controls. “It also incorporates key features only available with larger system control- lers for troubleshooting and process improvement.”

With attention given to active functions for a better operator experience and improved connectivity, the DS-XEL will be the new standard control for Davis Standard’s Super Blue® and HPE extruder lines, and is compatible with the DS Activ-Check™ cloud-based platform. It is also available as an upgrade to existing extruder controls.

The DS-XEL provides on-screen graphic trending of essential extruder parameters, visually tracking temperature, barrel pressure, motor speed and motor load. Speeddeviation fromsetpoint is displayed along with an extruder maintenance run timer and heater zone alarms, indicating deviation, process temperature, power failure, heater load and sensor break. The

“This controller merges the latest PLC

Extended range of structural sections British Steel has enhanced its offering to the construction sector by extending its range of Advance® structural sections. Manufactured in the UK, Advance structural sections provide design

British Steel’s commercial director, con- struction, Ben Cunliffe, said, “The wide range of sizes and gauges available in our Advance structural sections range gives designers and engineers the flexibility to achieve the most effective structural solutions for their clients. Optimising steel structures by precisely matching often difficult-to-find dimensions has the potential to provide sustainable, efficient and cost-reducing solutions through savings in structure weight, fabrication effort and logistical costs. Using our high strength S460M grade, which is available across most sizes, doubles these benefits and allows further optimisation such as wider spans and reduced structure weight.” Initially developed to reflect structural design practice for CE-marked structural

flexibility due to the inclusion of often difficult-to-find intermediary dimensions. The range has been extended by 71 additional beams and columns, and is available in both standard grades and in British Steel’s premium S460M and weathering steel grades.

Advance sections

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January 2023