EuroWire July 2021

Technology News

Re-using dies Ajex & Turner has developed a vertical tungsten carbide die polishing and re-grinding machine. The air-cooled model TCD-11 has a working range of 0.6 to 50mm. Re-polishing and re-sizing allows dies to be re-used, in some cases for years. The new machine is useful for welding wire, and low- and high-carbon wire drawing units, to save time with the regular use of old dies. The estimated processing times for a die of up to 5mm are 15-20 minutes for shaping, and 20-25 minutes for polishing. The times for a 5-10mm die are 20-30 minutes

Maillefer’s new longitudinal taping tech- nology for aluminium, polyester, woven, non-woven and water swellable tapes pro- vides water blocking and mechanical pro- tection for a variety of cable constructions, including high-voltage and fibre optic. Tape application as part of the sheathing process must be fully functional within a production line. Longitudinal tape form- shaping and 30-40 minutes polishing; and for a 10-15mm die, 30-60 minutes shaping and 45-120 minutes polishing. The machine runs on an electrical spindle at 24,000 rpm, with stroke length for wire dies of 0 to 30mm. It operates on a principal where both the reduction and the bearing zones of the die can beworked in one setting, producing concentric dies. Accurate and precise CNC marking allows users to obtain perfect angles. Ajex also manufactures consumables (diamond paste, diamond slurry, diamond

▲ Ajex & Turner’s TCD-11 tungsten carbide die polishing and re-grinding machine

powder and die polishing pins), as well as go/no-go die measuring pins. Ajex & Turner Wire Technologies www.ajexturner.com

Longitudinal tape forming

ing allows capacity for cable sheathing and tape forming to be increased; cable manufacturing is smoother and more reliable, with reduced risk of scrap production. The solution is single-sourced and packaged with know-how about the forming tools available. Maillefer SA www.maillefer.net

▲ Longitudinal tape forming technology

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July 2021