EuroWire July 2020

Technology News

Flexibility is key to success Swedish wire machinery manufacturer Lämneå Bruk offers three different drawing machines, a wire drawing straight line, loop line and control line.

The company’s drawing machines are all equipped with a double cooling system for effective prevention of in- and outside block overheating. Lämneå Bruk aims to increase its machines’ user-friendliness, and customises the machines according to customers’ requirements.

The drawing lines have a flexible set-up: it is possible to start on, bypass and finish on any block. In addition, the wire height filling is fully automatic. The wire height can be easily adjusted in the operator interface for constant wire filling.

▲ ▲ Wire drawing straight line

All of the machines can handle different wire types from low to high carbon, welding and stainless steel wires. The loop and straight wire drawing lines can be combined into one machine. The same die-box set-up allows changing between the two systems without mechanical adjustments. The switch can be performed conveniently by simply adjusting the PLC control screen. This option allows for high flexibility and adjustability. Although the whole world is currently facing challenging times, and some industries have come to a standstill, Lämneå Bruk is aiming to deliver and set up its machines almost as usual. Due to worldwide travel restrictions, the company now performs full-scale commissioning online. In combination with augmented reality, the company has supervised and commissioned complete drawing lines, spoolers and no-twist coilers at customer workshops in Japan, the USA, China and the UK. This flexibility and customer service allows Lämnea Bruk’s international customers to run their operations without interruption. ACI managing director Chris Hellier said, “Until now, the removal of the residual moisture film from water-cooled insulated wire/ cable and extruded products has been difficult to achieve effectively and consistently, resulting in high rates of quality test failures, especially with very small diameters where the majority of quality check failures occur.” Mr Hellier added, “This is a huge issue for the sector, leading to vast product wastage, unnecessary over-production due to remanufacturing requirements, avoidable energy use and disposal costs.” ACI designs and manufactures industrial air movement products for the cable, wire and extrusion industries. Based in Devon, UK, ACI has an extensive network of distributors, as well as a sister company in Maine, USA, established in 2008 to support increased demand in North America. Air Control Industries www.aircontrolindustries.com Lämneå Bruk AB www.lamnea.se

▲ ▲ Sales engineer Magnus sets up a machine with a customer from his home office

Drying solution for cable and wire manufacturing

UK-based ACI (Air Control Industries) is launching a new range of cable drying products for the cable, wire and extrusion industry. Engineered to remove residual moisture from water-cooled insulated wire, cable and extruded products, the new Cable Dryer and Profile Dryer combination atomises water and then collects residual moisture. Particularly effective in small diameter production – where quality failure is common due to the presence of moisture – ACI’s solution is claimed to enable reliable production rates of up to 1,200m/min. Designed to achieve both running cost savings and improved cable and wire drying efficiencies, ACI’s blower-driven units bring the added benefit of reduced energy consumption, compared to air wipe alternatives. Capable of drying cable ranging from 0.2 to 65mm in diameter, the drop-in Cable Dryer unit, which is only 950mm long, can be used independently of the Profile Dryer, which is of most use in the production of small diameter cable, wire and extrusion.

56

www.read-eurowire.com

July 2020