EuroWire November 2022

Technology News

A sharper picture In photography, fast-moving subjects must be captured with a short exposure time if the image is to succeed. Exposure times that are too long result in undesirable blurring. For the technology used to measure diameters during cable production, a short exposure time is decisive for accuracy and ultimately for the quality of the manufactured cable. Gauge heads from Sikora’s Laser Series 2000 precisely measure the diameter and ovality of conductors, wires, cables and other products without contact. The devices are based on measuring the diameter using diffraction analysis, together with a pulse-controlled laser diode with an extremely short exposure time of 0.25 µs. This combination provides continually precise measurements, even in the

With short exposure times, the Laser Series 2000 records each measured value with high image sharpness

Measuring methods with long exposure times result in blurring of the image

presence of production-related vibration or rotating oscillation of the sample. Each of the 500 measured values per second is recorded in the three-dimensional measuring field with full image sharpness, ensuring measuring accuracy. Alternative measuring methods with long exposure times can result in considerable blurring of the shadow image in the case of vibrating products. This leads to inaccurate measurement results with deviations that cannot be completely compensated for, even by the formation of average values. Sikora AG www.sikora.net

The Laser 2025 T measures the diameter and ovality of cables

Replacing standard PA66 GF materials with PP GF

“Teknor Apex Germany is one of the most important European manufacturers of engineering thermoplastics and thermoplastic-elastomers for high performance applications,” said account manager Joseph Leforestier. “The range of our products is articulated in a huge range of formulations, ready to use or tailor-made on request, and are exported worldwide for the electrical and electronics, industrial and automotive and transportation sectors.” Teknor Apex www.teknorapex.com

process material, even through existing moulds; similar shrinkage to PA; no need to pre-dry the material; and the melting temperature, processing temperature and mould temperature are all lower than those of PA. With good dimensional stability (no water or moisture absorption), they are temperature resistant (130°C/3,000h) and UV stabilised. To date, the Teknor Apex modified PP has replaced several glass filled PA66 and PA6 applications on existing moulds.

Teknor Apex, an expert in compound manufacturing, has developed a range of glass filled engineering polypropylene with E-modules that reach 11,000 MPa and an HDT that reaches 160°C. The purpose of this development was to replace glass filled PA66 and PA6 with modified glass filled PP, in an effort to offer customers alternative solutions that have similar properties to glass filled PA but that are more economical. Advantages of the Teknor Apex engineer- ing glass filled PP include an easy-to

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November 2022