EuroWire July 2024

Technology News

Cable manufacturing with advanced moisture-curable compounds

safety is always among HK Electric’s top priorities. We have been promoting automation and innovation as tools to improve productivity and safety in our business activities. Our cable drum inventory management has become more efficient thanks to our cooperation with Lödige Industries.” Lödige Industries provided support at each step, from planning, permits and construction to testing and training. Lödige Industries GmbH www.lodige.com Hongkong Electric Co, Ltd www.hkelectric.com The new design aims to simplify and speed up the production process while also making it more flexible, meeting the real needs of consumers. Mixer states that its history demonstrates its ability to introduce technological innovations, from producing compounds in pellet form instead of strips to developing in house equipment to have full control. The company is ready to meet the high demand for ambient curable compounds with the new EKOgraft series. With a focus on meeting real customer needs, the Italian company will continue to offer customised solutions. Mixer SpA www.mixercompounds.com

German VDE 0276 part 604 and the international standard IEC 60502-1. New compounds are being developed for railway and offshore cables, to offer more effective and innovative solutions to customers. With new machinery fully designed and assembled by the company’s production team, a new line has been dedicated to the making of the EKOgraft compounds, ensuring homogeneity and cleanliness.

Logistics Lödige Industries has installed an automated storage and retrieval system at The Hongkong Electric Co, Ltd (HK Electric) Electric Tower in Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong Island. The system incorporates an elevating transfer vehicle (ETV) to handle heavy cable drums and transformers. This solution not only maximises warehouse space utilisation and enhances safety, but also improves material handling efficiency and streamlines inventory management processes. With the ability to control, retrieve and monitor cable drum storage, the system provides a foundation for future expansion. HK Electric has a long record of providing an electricity supply to customers on Hong Kong and Lamma islands. The implementation of modern storage systems helps the company to consistently deliver stable services. As the available storage area of 800m 2 is not extendable, a multi-storey solution was required to meet growing demand. The cable drums, weighing 5.3 tons each, are susceptible to damage if stored incorrectly. Retrieval and stock tracking posed an additional challenge. The new, fully automated four-level system serviced by an ETV enables the customer to store significantly more stock on the same footprint in a safe and systems supplier The EKOgraft® series of moisture-curable compounds was recently launched by Mixer SpA for the worldwide wire and cable market. The new brand offers a range of products with formulations that were re-imagined from the very beginning. This began with intensive research work guided and managed by Mixer’s team. The result is a completely in-house design. The EKOgraft brand includes solutions that meet the requirements for photovoltaic applications, according to EN 50618, IEC 62930 and TUV specifications. The portfolio of moisture curable products has also been extended to energy cables, eg according to the

Moisture-curable compounds from Mixer

Automated storage system supplied for cable drums

damage-free manner. Up to 293 storage positions can now be managed in the warehouse. The customised system comprises high quality hardware components such as powered decks and conveyors, as well as intelligent control software. With the introduction of automated processes, physically difficult manual labour for transporting and storing drums is reduced. The system provides HK Electric with real-time visibility and control over inventory, while improving work routines for staff. Alan So, head of commercial services at HK Electric, commented, “Health and

The automated storage system uses an elevating transfer vehicle

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July 2024