EuroWire November 2023

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The International Magazine for the Wire & Cable Industries

CENTERVIEW 8000 Eccentricity and concentricity measurement of cables • 4-axis diameter and 8-point ovality measurement • Wide diameter range: 0.1 - 25 mm • Unique auto-positioning of the gauge head to the conductor position; no cable guiding needed • SIKORA exclusive and innovative scatter plot diagram to show the distribution of real-time eccentricity variations • Over 2,100 units sold

sikora.net/centerview8000

RAYEX® D Dynamic X-Ray Measuring System

Benefits: Latest generation of measurement algorithm provides measurement readiness within one second

Micro-focused X-ray beam ensures highest measurement accuracy New generation of X-ray sources with extended lifetime

Direct access to the sensors via the web server

Simultaneous acquisition of all measured values from both measurement axes

mixercompounds.com

DIFFERENTLY BETTER TO BE DIFFERENT, DIFFERENT TO BE BETTER.

EKOgraft®: one-of-a-kind moisture curable compounds, the result of a cutting-edge engineering process completely reinvented according to an innovative vision. Mixer’s attitude, driven by commitment and specific know-how, allows to provide consistent solutions for the cable industry, including photovoltaic application.

Ready to be different?

Editor ....................................................................................... David Bell

Industry plays its part in fibre optic expansion

Editorial Assistant .......................................... Christian Bradley

Design & Production ............................................... Lisa Wright

Advertising/Marketing ........................................ Jason Smith UK, Italy, ROW, USA & Canada Linda Li 中国

The wire and cable industries have long played a decisive role in shaping the future of fibre optic expansion. This high growth is continuing to enable access to the competitiveness of the gigabit age. Germany and the UK are turning to high speed data highways, while Korea, Japan and Spain already have high fibre penetration rates. In a report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, only seven countries have fibre share of 70 per cent or more. The implementation of Industry 4.0 will require powerful data carriers. Even in households, fast Internet surfing is expected, and data rates are rising rapidly. On average, data traffic climbs by more than 30 per cent each year. Fibre optic cables are many times faster than conventional copper cables and can transport significantly more data. One company that classes itself as a one-stop shop for production equipment is Rosendahl Nextrom. Its core competencies include the production of optical glass, the drawing of glass fibres for telecommunications and special applications, the coating of fibres, the production of ribbons, proof tests and the production of glass fibre cables. See more of this by turning to page 8 in this issue of EuroWire , for a special report by Messe Düsseldorf. Sad news for the polymer compounds market with news of the sudden death of Georg Brunstam, CEO and president of Hexpol. Mr Brunstam joined Hexpol as CEO and president in 2008. Since then, both in the role of CEO but also during a period as chairman of the board, he has developed Hexpol into a leading company in the polymer compounds market.

Advertisement Coordinator .............................. Liz Hughes

Accounts Manager ......................................... Louise Jennings

Subscriptions .........................................Louise Jennings

Web Design/Developer .....................Andrew Barnes

Social Media Administrator .............Milly Harrison

Founder .......................................................................... John C Hogg

Europe

Advertising/Marketing & Editorial Intras Ltd Unit 32, Tangent Business Hub, Shirebrook, Nottinghamshire NG20 8RX, UK

Tel: +44 1926 334137 Fax: +44 1926 314755 eurowire@intras.co.uk www.read-eurowire.com Intras USA – Doug Zirkle Danbury Corporate Center 107 Mill Plain Road Danbury, CT 06811, USA Tel : +1 203 794 0444 doug@intras.co.uk

USA

US copies only : EuroWire (ISSN 1463-2483, USPS No: 022-738) is published six times a year, January, March, May, July, September and November by Intras Ltd and distributed in the USA by Asendia USA, 701 Ashland Ave, Folcroft PA. Periodicals postage paid at Philadelphia, PA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER : Send address changes to EuroWire, Intras Ltd, C/O 701 Ashland Ave, Folcroft PA 19032. This publication and its full contents of layout, text, images, and graphics is copyright protected. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any other storage or retrieval system without the publisher’s written permission. The publisher, owners, agents, printers, editors and contributors cannot be held responsible for and hereby exclude all liability whatsoever for errors, omissions or the accuracy and claims printed or inferred in the editorial or advertisements published in this, previous or subsequent editions or for any damages, costs or losses caused thereby. EuroWire reserves the right to edit, reword and subedit all editorial submissions in accordance with editorial policy. EuroWire expressed graphically or by text is a registered name and style trademark of Intras Ltd, UK. All matters relating to this Disclaimer are governed by the laws of England. EuroWire is published six times per year and incorporates the title and publishing rights only of the former series of publications known as ‘ Transfil Europe ’. EuroWire is circulated to engineers, managers and personnel in the wire, cable, fibre optic and wire product industries upon receipt of a completed subscription form. An annual subscription is available from Intras Ltd, UK, at Euros 140.00, £120.00, US$195.00.

Whilst a search is now on for the new CEO, Peter Rosén has been appointed acting CEO and president during this process.

See page 36 for more details.

David Bell Editor

Front cover courtesy of Sikora AG showing their CENTERVIEW 8000 For more details please call:

Tel: +49 421 48900 0 Fax: +49 42148900 90

sales@sikora.net www.sikora.net

sikora.net/centerview8000

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November 2023

Contents November 2023

Corporate News 8

EuroFasteners

ISSN: 2633-9706 print ISSN: 2633-9714 online Photo by: farkas mario, Unsplash

EF 3/51 Corporate News EF 6/54 Products

24 Technology News

www.read-eurofasteners.com

36 People

Focus on Turkey 39

Technical Article 57

What manufacturing looks like with (and without) ERP software By Mike Melzer, VP of operations and service, Global Shop Solutions

Editorial Index 60 Advertising Index 60

Photo by Daniel Burka, www.unsplash.com

Dies, cones and die maintenance 43

IWCS 2023 Review 47

A retrospective look at the event held in Orlando, Florida, in September

3-5 October 2023 wire South America Trade exhibition São Paulo, Brazil Organisers: Fiera Milano Brasil https://wiresa.com.br 8-11 January 2024 Steel Fab Trade exhibition Sharjah, UAE Organisers: Expo Centre Sharjah www.steelfabme.com Diary dates

■ wire Düsseldorf – preview issue ■ Fasteners and spring production, spring forming and bending ■ Taping, armouring and sheathing of cables ■ Getting technical Laser printing materials for wire and cable applications: a technology overview Next issue

6-8 March 2024 AMI Cables Trade exhibition Cologne, Germany Organisers: AMI www.ami-events.com 25-28 March 2024 Global Industrie Trade exhibition Paris, France Organisers: Global Industrie www.global-industrie.com

15-19 April 2024 wire Düsseldorf Trade exhibition Düsseldorf, Germany Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.wire.de

Subscribe today!

15-19 April 2024 MACH 2024

Trade exhibition Birmingham, UK

sikora.net/centerview8000

Organisers: The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) www.machexhibition.com

Visit us online at: www.read-eurowire.com

Shows correct at time of publication, please check to ensure the event is going ahead

Corporate News

Fibre optic cables are faster than conventional copper cables and transport more data

photo credits: Pixabay

Different types of laying are used for fibre optic cables

A quantum leap in speed

of electricity and loses data over long distances. In addition to underground laying and above-ground laying on masts, outdoor fibre optic cables are blown with compressed air into small pipes that were laid in advance in the ground or in jacket pipes. The pipes have an inner diameter of four to eight millimetres and are often designed in a pipe assembly with up to 22 pipes. The fibre optic cables (ø 2.3 to 6.5mm) are blown into these pipes with special air compressors, up to 2,000m at a time. Common fibre optic earth cables include four cables with twelve individual fibres each. Worldwide demand for cables and pipes for fibre optic technology is growing. In order to keep up with this demand, production needs to be expanded and new production facilities set up. For example, egeplast is building a new microduct production hall to ensure reliability of delivery for the expansion of the fibre optic network in view of the increasing demand for tube bundles, which consist of several microduct mono tubes. The new 11,000m 2 production hall doubles its production capacity for microducts. Trends and highlights from the wire, cable and tube industries can be experienced at wire and Tube 2024, from 15 to 19 April 2024 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Fibre optic cables require high preci- sion, and this can be ensured by using measuring and control devices such as those manufactured by Sikora. The com- pany offers a new technology for high precision tensile force measurement in a stand-alone system that employs the principle of birefringence with a measurement rate of up to 10 kHz. Rosendahl Nextrom is a fibre optic specialist that sees itself as a one-stop shop for production equipment. The company’s core competencies include its manufacturing solutions for the production of optical glass, the drawing of glass fibres for telecommunications and special applications, the coating of fibres, the production of ribbons, proof tests and the production of glass fibre cables. For the loose and tight buffering of glass fibres, cable lines are required in addition to hose extrusions for fibre bundles and fibre ribbons. The company also offers systems for the stranding of buffered fibres up to the sheathing process for fibre optic cables. The protection of the glass fibre is also essential. A single fibre has a core, a cladding glass and an outer cladding. “The mantle ensures the guidance of the lightwave signals; the outer sheath gives the glass fibre flexible and robust properties due to its nature of plastic,” explained a spokesperson for the glass fibre provider Telekom. This prevents the fibre from breaking during bending and losing its function as an optical waveguide. The optical signals cannot leave the core, unlike the copper cable that transports data by means

High growth rates in fibre optic expansion are enabling access to the competitiveness of the “gigabit age”, and the cable, wire and pipe industries have long been ready to play a decisive role in shaping this future. Countries such as Germany and the UK are turning to high speed data highways, while Korea, Japan and Spain already have very high fibre penetration rates of 87, 84 and 81 per cent, respectively. Only seven countries have a fibre share of 70 per cent or more of total fixed broadband subscriptions, according to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development). Germany, for example, is behind in the international comparison with a fibre optic expansion rate of less than 25 per cent – 74 th among 84 assessed countries. Its federal government launched a “gigabit strategy” to ensure that fibre optic connections are available nationwide by 2030. In order to make this possible, fast planning and approval procedures are implemented, among other things. In addition, alternative laying techniques are to be used more frequently for fibre optic expansion. The implementation of Industry 4.0 will require powerful data carriers. Even in households, fast web-surfing is expected, and data rates are rising rapidly. On average, data traffic climbs by more than 30 per cent each year. Fibre optic cables are many times faster than conventional copper cables and can transport significantly more data, while requiring little space and consuming less energy.

Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.messe-duesseldorf.de www.wire.de

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November 2023

Stranding Wire & Cable with Large Cross Sections up to 500 mm²

The new machine types D 1252 , D 1602 and D 2002 for the production of conductors and conductor ropes for energy cables with cross sections between 6 and 500 mm² like all machines of the D series contain all crucial features modern bunching and stranding machines have to offer. But we don’t just settle for that. In the D machines all machine data are transferred via telemetry. An automatic traverse unit enables perfect winding and paying-off from the spool. Sensors monitor the production process without interruption. Additionally, the wires can be compacted. And the list could be continued. The new larger machines of the D series can produce class 2 conductors (round standard and compacted) as well as sector-shaped conductors with 90° and 120° (Cu and Al). They are capable of producing class 5 & 6 flexible conductors as well as automotive/battery cables according to IEC 60228 and insulated conductors of diameters up to 25 mm, even in layer construction. Benefit from all advantages the machines offer: a perfectly reproducible product quality, minimum materials usage and energy consumption as well as outstanding efficiency – for your fast return on investment.

Convincing Quality

Innovative Solutions

Worldwide on Site

Expertise, Customer Driven, Service – in Good Hands with NIEHOFF

Maschinenfabrik NIEHOFF GmbH & Co. KG Walter-Niehoff-Strasse 2, 91126 Schwabach, Germany Phone +49 9122 977-0/Fax +49 9122 977-155 info@niehoff.de

www.niehoff.de

Corporate News

Re-launch of award-winning sustainable polymers, compounds and masterbatches

“As a company that participates in many plastic recycling initiatives and sustainable activities, we are keenly focused on our mission of people and our planet being at the centre of our purpose,” said Michael Roberts, chief innovation officer, Teknor Apex. “Building on this heritage Terraloy platform is a critical step on our path to accelerating the implementation of circular solutions in a way that promotes confidence, transparency, accessibility and consistency.” Teknor Apex www.teknorapex.com

In 2015, Teknor Apex received two awards for the Terraloy technology: the Innovation in Bioplastics Award from plastics industry trade association SPI; and the Bioproduct Innovation of the Year Award from Ohio State University’s OBIC Bioproducts Innovation Center. The same year, the United Nations created the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to promote a global partnership to improve health and education, reduce inequality and stimulate economic growth – all while addressing climate change and working to preserve the environment.

In response to market demands for sustainable compounds, Teknor Apex is relaunching its Terraloy® brand in a dedicated effort to build a portfolio of products to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing industry. The portfolio will include polymers, additives and fillers covering a wide range of sustainable attributes such as recycled, bio-derived and bio- degradable content. As the portfolio evolves, it will include products with verifiable carbon footprint and LCA data.

Convincing premiere for wire Middle East Africa in Cairo

from the industries and to discover the latest machinery, equipment, products and services from the metal and steel industry and the wire, cable, tube, foundry and metallurgy sectors. Another edition of the trade fairs will be held in the first half of 2025, again in Cairo. Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.wire-mea.com www.messe-duesseldorf.de

these growth markets. 383 exhibitors from 19 countries took the opportunity to show their products and services. In addition to local companies, exhibitors from the UK, France, Austria, Belgium, Turkey, Spain, Switzerland, Morocco, the USA and Germany, among others, were in attendance. More than 7,000 professionals (around ten per cent international) travelled to Cairo over the three days to network and find out about trends and innovations

Messe Düsseldorf’s four new foreign satellite exhibitions took place in Cairo, Egypt, from 2 to 4 September. wire and Tube Middle East Africa, together with GIFA and METEC Middle East Africa, were presented for the first time at the Egyptian trade fair Metal & Steel Egypt at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo. The regions of Egypt, the Middle East and North Africa offered many first-time exhibitors the opportunity to invest in

Three-roll reducing and sizing block for Xingtai Iron & Steel

steel company in China to manufacture bar in coil (BIC). In the new rolling mill, the Kocks three-roll RSB 370++/4 will be located as the finishing block after 18 stands in H/V arrangement in a 900,000 t/a SBQ mill. It will produce BIC within a finished size range of Ø 16 to 52mm, with high dimensional tolerance. The scope of supply also includes the remote control for stand and guide adjustments, the equipment for the roll shop, and Kocks software solutions for optimum rolling results. The block will be equipped with the advanced safety cover presented at METEC, including upgraded casing parts. Commissioning of the RSB is scheduled for the end of 2024. Friedrich Kocks GmbH & Co KG www.kocks.de

The order is in line with Xingtai Iron & Steel’s plans to relocate its production facility from Xingtai to the Chengdong Industrial Area, located in Wei County, Hebei Province. With an annual output of three million metric tons, Xingtai Iron & Steel claims to have been the first

Chinese steel producer Xingtai Iron & Steel Co and Friedrich Kocks GmbH have signed a contract for the installation of an RSB® 370++/4 reducing and sizing block in 5.0 design, as the centrepiece of a new rolling mill complex for the production of special steels.

The signing of the contract between Kocks and Xingtai

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November 2023

Supermac – Global Solution Provider in Extrusion and Process Technology along with IIOT applications

Supermac Industries established in the year 1974 is a leader in manufacturing of high end systems and process technology for the wire & cable in Power and telecom sector and related Industries. The ISO 9001 and CE certified company specializes in offering customized and tailor made solutions to fulfil specific needs of the variety of customers all across the globe. With a highly skilled design team, with the best of manufacturing and highly talented commissioning team, trained experts in cable processes and technology, we offer design to process expertise to bring in the best product for you. Supermac Industries established in the year 1974 is a leader in manufacturing of high end systems and process technology for the wire & cable in Power and telecom sector and related Industries. The ISO 9001 and CE certified company specializes in offering customized and tailor made solutions to fulfil specific needs of the variety of customers all across the globe. With a highly skilled design team, with the best of manufacturing and highly talented commissioning team, trained experts in cable processes and technology, we offer design to process expertise to bring in the best product for you. Supermac has expertise providing on line commissioning from remote. Post commissioning customer service support is provided Supermac has expertise providing on line commissioning from remote. Post commissioning customer service support is provided

IIOT screen IIOT screen

from both on site as well as from remote. In our endeavour to conform to industry 4.0 norms, Supermac has taken strong strides forward in implementing several digital initiatives and can provide IIOT enabled extrusion lines supported by Siemens Mind sphere software from both on site as well as from remote. In our endeavour to conform to industry 4.0 norms, Supermac has taken strong strides forward in implementing several digital initiatives and can provide IIOT enabled extrusion lines supported by Siemens Mind sphere software The company has three established and running units near New Delhi and are adding another unit under our expansion program. The company has three established and running units near New Delhi and are adding another unit under our expansion program. The state-of-the art facilities are equipped with international and indigenous machinery to carry out the process of manufacturing as per the customer’s requirements. Supermac has strategic partnership with German Companies – M/S Scholz to cover CCV Lines, M/S Rubicon to cover Rubber extrusion Lines and Simpack USA for Coiling machines and Solutions. The state-of-the art facilities are equipped with international and indigenous machinery to carry out the process of manufacturing as per the customer’s requirements. Supermac has strategic partnership with German Company – M/S Scholz to cover CCV Lines, and Simpack USA for Coiling machines and Solutions.

High speed building wire line High speed building wire line

Supermac specializes in the following areas: • State of the art CCV Line with Supermac specializes in the following areas: • State of the art CCV Line with

• Rubber extruders for Insulation and sheathing materials • Silicone extrusion lines with infrared vulcanization system • Cat 5.6 and 7 Lines • FTTH drop cable lines • Fluoropolymer – FEP, PTFE /ETFE Lines • Loose tube/Secondary coating lines for fibre optics • Extruders for variety of applications – up to 175 mm • Cross-Head Single/Dual/Triple • Haul-Off Caterpillar • Capstan • Take-up and pay-off of all types and sizes and as per requirement above 4.5 meters and 40 MT • Rubber extruders for Insulation and sheathing materials • Silicone extrusion lines with infrared vulcanization system • Cat 5.6 and 7 Lines • FTTH drop cable lines • Fluoropolymer – FEP, PTFE /ETFE Lines • Loose tube/Secondary coating lines for fibre optics • Extruders for variety of applications – up to 175 mm • Cross-Head Single/Dual/Triple • Haul-Off Caterpillar • Capstan • Take-up and pay-off of all types and sizes and as per requirement above 4.5 meters and 40 MT

Scholz Vulcanization system for Power Cables up to 132 KV XLPE and 33 KV for Rubber • Specialized Medical Tubing extrusion lines • Proven Triple Extrusion Line for SIOPLAS (XLPE) cables • High speed Insulation Line and Sheathing Line for House Wiring & Control Cables and medical equipment sector. • High output and best in class Insulation Line and Sheathing Line for Power and Optical fiber Cables. • HCV insulation and sheathing line • Hybrid and composite CCV lines for both XLPE and Rubber. Scholz Vulcanization system for Power Cables up to 132 KV XLPE and 33 KV for Rubber • Specialized Medical Tubing extrusion lines • Proven Triple Extrusion Line for SIOPLAS (XLPE) cables • High speed Insulation Line and Sheathing Line for House Wiring & Control Cables and medical equipment sector. • High output and best in class Insulation Line and Sheathing Line for Power and Optical fiber Cables. • HCV insulation and sheathing line • Hybrid and composite CCV lines for both XLPE and Rubber.

Supermac CCV Line Supermac CCV Line

www.supermacindia.com www.supermacindia.com

SUPERMAC INDUSTRIES (INDIA) LIMITED SUPERMAC INDUSTRIES (INDIA) LIMITED

UNIT-I : Plot No-2, Sector-6, IMT Manesar, Gurgaon Haryana, INDIA Ph.: +91-0124-4690500 | Fax: +91-0124-4690501 E-mail: jasvinder@supermacindia.com, vkohli@supermacindia.com UNIT-I : Plot No-2, Sector-6, IMT Manesar, Gurgaon Haryana, INDIA Ph.: +91-0124-4690500 | Fax: +91-0124-4690501 E-mail: jasvinder@supermacindia.com, vkohli@supermacindia.com

OFFICE : A-28 & 29, NARAINA Industrial Area Phase-1, New Delhi-110028, INDIA Ph.: +91-11-45574317 E-mail: office@supermacindia.com OFFICE : A-28 & 29, NARAINA Industrial Area Phase-1, New Delhi-110028, INDIA Ph.: +91-11-45574317 E-mail: office@supermacindia.com

UNIT-II : Plot No. 18-19, Sector-2A, IMT Manesar, Gurgaon, Haryana, INDIA UNIT-II : Plot No. 18-19, Sector-2A, IMT Manesar, Gurgaon, Haryana, INDIA

Corporate News

Leadership change at Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen

Kai Pieronczyk has been appointed commercial managing director of Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH (SW), a producer of multi-spindle CNC machining centres based in Waldmössingen, Germany. Mr Pieronczyk takes over from Markus Schmolz, who left at the end of 2022 after 21 years with the company. In his new role at SW, Mr Pieronczyk will focus on the company’s growing international operations. “It’s key to have first-hand contacts in the respective country – from logistics to sales and after sales service,” said Mr Pieronczyk. “This requires personal relationships, local networks and a reliable range of services locally.” With many years of experience in the areas of finance and controlling, information technology, purchasing and purchasing optimisation, and supply chain management, especially in Asia, the business graduate previously served as head of overall commercial management at the Chinese site of a German automotive supplier. In addition to the Asian region, SW is looking at North America and Mexico, as it aims to expand its position as a producer of intelligent manufacturing solutions, especially for large components in the field of electromobility. Reflecting on his new area of responsibility, Mr Pieronczyk said, “We have exciting challenges ahead of us: above all, topics

Kai Pieronczyk

Image source: Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH

such as sustainability, digitisation and the standardisation, harmonisation and automation of processes will continue to play an important role in the coming years.” SW’s smart manufacturing solutions range from CNC machining centres with modular automation to self-sufficient manufacturing cells, complete manufacturing systems and their associated software solutions. The company produces multi spindle machining centres for cutting all kinds of materials. Its manufacturing solutions are used in the automotive, electromobility, agricultural and construction machinery, medical technology and aerospace industries. Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH www.sw-machines.com

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November 2023

Corporate News

Surge in bookings for EuroBLECH

With 80 per cent of EuroBLECH visitors involved in purchasing decisions, and many attending with the intention to invest, exhibitors can expect four days of valuable face-to-face business with key contacts from global companies looking to source sheet metal working solutions. The provisional exhibitor line-up features leading international brands as well as promising start-ups from 32 countries. Fifteen technology sectors across nine exhibition halls cover the entire supply chain in the manufacturing of sheet metal prototypes, industrial components and consumer parts. This includes machines, tools and IT solutions for cutting, punching and forming, joining, welding and fastening, surface treatment and finishing, process control and quality assurance, machine elements and components, CAD/CAM/ CIM systems, warehouse and factory equipment, material recycling, and other solutions related to the processing of metal sheets, tubes, profiles, plastic hybrids and other structures. RX Global www.euroblech.com

EuroBLECH 2024, the 27 th International Sheet Metal Working Technology Exhibition, will take place from 22 to 25 October 2024, at the Hanover Exhibition Grounds in Germany. Stand allocation is in progress for the event, and pre-bookings have substantially increased. More than a year ahead of the show opening, 80 per cent of available stand space in the nine exhibition halls has already been reserved, and the show team is now allocating new exhibitor bookings. The previous show in 2022 marked a recovery of the sheet metal industry, featuring 1,300 exhibitors from 39 countries on a net exhibition space of 86,136m 2 . EuroBLECH provides a marketplace for tech suppliers to promote their latest technological advancements to a global audience of industry experts and stakeholders. “The economic outlook for companies in the sheet metal working industry is challenging, yet promising,” said Evelyn Warwick, exhibition director of EuroBLECH, on behalf of show

organiser RX. “Placing their technology and expertise at the forefront of the sheet metal working sector, and market themselves as a thought leader, is the best option to secure crucial business in future. “In addition, sheet metal producers are looking into more resourceful ways to tackle fluctuating prices for energy and raw materials, rapidly changing consumer markets and stricter government regulations to lessen the industry’s carbon footprint. For tech suppliers offering innovative tools, equipment, software and solutions, this means a substantial window of opportunity. Participating at EuroBLECH 2024 will help them capitalise on the current and future demand.” EuroBLECH in 2022 saw a recovery in the sheet metal industry

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November 2023

Corporate News

Transfer of responsibilities at Redies Germany With effect from October, Redies Deutschland GmbH managing director Ulrich Kiwus has appointed Ferdinand Kiessling as his successor. Leyer, to focus on advancing the technology of the tooling machines needed to produce diamond wire dies.

In the early 2000s he became shareholder of Redies Srl in Guissano near Milan, Italy. In order to be closer to wire and cable producers in central Europe, in 2004 he founded a new Redies site in Aachen, Germany, followed by a third site in Vamberk, Czech Republic, in 2007. Redies Deutschland GmbH now serves international customers, with production centred on drawing tools with natural diamond or synthetic mono- and poly-crystalline diamond (PCD) for round wire, profiles and tubes of all ductile materials. Its profile also includes technological development and fabrication of special machinery for three Redies production sites and upon customer request, including the production of ultrasound generators and oscillating systems. Mr Kiwus also developed the Mant® PCD brand. Mr Kiessling will lead the team in Aachen, beginning in October. He joined Redies in 2008 during his studies at RWTH Aachen University, so has been part of a significant portion of the growth and structuring of the site. He became a full-time engineer in maintenance, and later head of tech development. Like Mr Kiwus, he comes from an academic background in the field of metallurgy and materials science. Redies Deutschland GmbH www.redies.com

Mr Kiwus has been an entrepreneur in Europe’s wire industry since the 1980s, and founded Ulrich Kiwus Diamanttechnik (diamond technology), a producer of diamond wire dies. Shortly after, he co-founded Leyer & Kiwus Ultraschall- und Lasertechnik (ultrasound and laser technology) with Ralph

Ferdinand Kiessling (left) and Ulrich Kiwus

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November 2023

SHOW ISSUES WIRE DüSSELDORF 2024

Preview Issue January 2024

Show Issue March 2024

JANUARY Editorial deadline: 11 th December 2023 Advertising deadline: 8 th December 2023

MARCH Editorial deadline: 8 th February 2024 Advertising deadline: 12 th February 2024

40 H E R P E − th ANNIVERSARY

R V E

L P E D

I N

GEt your company notIcED In thE maGazInE for wIrE DüssElDorf – contact linda li – 李書紅

Jason smith sales & marketing – International (English speaking) Tel: +44 1926 834684 Email: jason@intras.co.uk

D I p

y o

sales & marketing – Far East (Chinese & English speaking) Tel: +44 1926 834685 Email: linda@intras.co.uk

Corporate News

Continued commitment to sustainability Tsubaki Kabelschlepp is aiming to reduce its CO 2 footprint, as quickly and sustain ably as possible. The cable carrier manu facturer has already prepared a package of measures, and clear targets and strate gies have been formulated, as detailed in the company’s Sustainability Report. 2022, Tsubaki Kabelschlepp was able to reduce its emissions by 20 per cent in scope 1 and by 100 per cent in scope 2. The total reduction during this period in both categories was 79 per cent, which corresponds to savings of 1,138 t CO 2 e.

and for heating the conditioning basins. During spring and autumn, this results in gas savings of more than 80 per cent. Among other measures, the fluorescent tubes in the assembly shop were replaced with 214 LED light strips to reduce electricity consumption. One third of the injection moulding machines used already have a frequency control, which reduces energy consumption by up to 50 per cent. All conventional injection moulding machines are set to be replaced with energy-optimised models in the coming years. Tsubaki Kabelschlepp GmbH www.kabelschlepp.de

The change from grey electricity to green electricity in early 2022 was a substantial factor in this. This measure resulted in a reduction of CO 2 emissions of 1,035 t CO 2 e. The annual power consumption itself was reduced by 13.7 per cent during the calculation period. Emissions from burning natural gas and fuels were reduced by 20.8 per cent, compared to 2018. The emissions in scope 3 were recorded and integrated in the current site analysis. A prerequisite for these and other savings is to generate product-related, process-related and site-related CO 2 analyses. Based on the data already acquired, it was possible to identify savings potentials and define targeted measures. The first sustainability projects have now been completed. The waste heat from compressors and injection moulding machines, for example, is used for heating the administrative offices

“It is our objective to achieve climate neutrality well before 2045,” said Henning Preis, president and CEO at Tsubaki Kabelschlepp. “We accept sustainable actions as our corporate and social responsibility and therefore already launched our sustainability initiative several years ago.” He also explained that it is important to the company to keep a balance between the three pillars of sustainable actions – ecology, economy and social aspects. The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol dis tinguishes between three categories or scopes for the emissions of a company. Scope 1 comprises the direct sources such as natural gas, crude oil and fuel for company vehicles. Scope 2 adds emis sions from indirect sources by purchas ing electricity. All other emissions, includ ing those arising in the supply chain, are added to scope 3. Between 2018 and

Between 2018 and 2022, Tsubaki Kabelschlepp reduced CO 2 emissions at the Wenden-Gerlingen site by 20 per cent in scope 1 and 100 per cent in scope 2

Image: Tsubaki Kabelschlepp

MPD & EPD Revolutionary product

Wire surface = ND Dies 01/

02/ < 1.0mm shaped dies 03/

Dies life > PCD Dies

www.diamond-dies.com

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November 2023

Corporate News

New order for Kocks RSB from China The Chinese steel producer Xinji Aosen Special Steel Group Co and Friedrich Kocks GmbH & Co have signed a contract for the installation of an RSB® 370++/4 reducing and sizing block in 5.0 design.

has an annual production capacity of 5.05 mn metric tons in various product categories, including billets, wire rod steel, construction steel, high-quality carbon construction steel, welding, high-speed steel and galvanised wire. The investment in a 700,000-t/a special bar quality (SBQ) rolling mill is a significant milestone for Xinji Aosen, marking its first entry into SBQ straight bar production. Positioned after 21 H/V stands, the Kocks reducing and sizing block will finish bars onto the cooling bed within a dimension

The block is a pivotal element of the company’s greenfield rolling mill for SBQ products. The private Xinji Aosen Steel Group, established in 2002, is engaged in iron and steel smelting, steel processing, the production of building materials, and international trade. It

range of Ø 20 to 90mm with high dimensional tolerance. The scope of supply includes remote control for stand and guide adjustments, equipment for the roll shop, and the advanced Bamicon Octopus software, which assists operators in stand and guide preparation and supports the entire tooling process. The commissioning of the RSB is scheduled for the end of 2024. Friedrich Kocks GmbH & Co KG www.kocks.de

Kocks will supply a reducing and sizing block to Xinji Aosen

In 2023, Capacity Exceed 3,000,000 pcs Minimum hole size: φ0.005mm Gelivable Diamond has a PROFESSIONAL R&D team,which can be produced on a LARGE-SCALE , and has a first-class REPUTATION for quality and service.

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CHINA HUBEI(Factory) Yichang Geili Diamond Industrial Co.,Ltd Add: Building 8,No. 519 uxiang Road, Yichang City, Hubei Province +86-717-6596663 sales@geilivable.com.cn

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November 2023

Corporate News

Acquisition of SOS Manufacturing Auxo Investment Partners has acquired SOS Manufacturing, a manufacturer of specialised wire harnesses, cable assemblies and complete box builds for customers in the computing, aerospace, agricultural, appliance, automotive, elec- tronics and food processing industries. Growing demand for cable assembly and electronic manufacturing designs is driv- ing industry expansion around the world. Steady growth in the sectors in which SOS operates, including computing and electronics, will enable the company to expand its manufacturing role with existing industry partners.

The recent push towards domestic re shoring and supply chain reliability has led to increased reliance on regional manufacturers such as SOS, which enables customers to diversify production sources and ease the effects of supply chain disruptions. Jeff Helminski, co-founder and managing partner of Auxo Investment Partners, said, “Bringing SOS into the fold further expands one of the foremost wire harness and cable manufacturing plat- forms in the US while bolstering its diversified range of offerings and national footprint.” “As supply chains face unprecedented disruptions, the company’s technology driven manufacturing capabilities, tailored set of customer solutions and exceptional client service will be instru- mental to driving further growth in today’s highly fragmented wire harness and cable manufacturing industry.” Auxo Investment Partners www.auxopartners.com SOS Manufacturing www.sosmfg.com

The addition of SOS, which expands Auxo’s growing wire harness and cable manufacturing platform, follows the acquisitions of Golden State Assembly (GSA), a vertically integrated, complete lifecycle wire/cable assembly and har- ness manufacturer; and Morgan Royce Industries (MRI) and Tack Electronics – both manufacturers of custom wire harnesses, cable assemblies and box builds. Nick Stoner and Dave Rogers, CEO and sales manager for SOS, respectively, will remain in their current roles. Headquartered in Roberts, Wisconsin, USA, SOS manufactures specialised wire harnesses, cable assemblies, heavy pow er cables, cable braiding and custom designed, complex box builds. With dec ades of electro-mechanical expertise, the company is able to integrate wire harnesses into subassemblies through panel and box builds.

“Throughout the years, SOS has cultivated deep and long-standing relationships with suppliers and end customers, and as part of Auxo’s growing platform, we know we’ll be able continue that time-honoured tradition,” said Nick Stoner, CEO of SOS. “As we look for ways to build on our ded- icated customer base and attract new clients, Auxo’s reputation for purposeful expansion and tight collaboration with founder-led businesses make them an ideal partner. We couldn’t be happier – especially as the industry continues to see strong growth.” Since its founding in 2001, SOS has experienced consistent revenue growth and facility expansion, driven by strong customer retention, manufacturing capabilities and product quality.

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November 2023

Corporate News

Third-party tested cables – a crucial role in particle physics

Safety is crucial to CERN, to protect the people and the infrastructure involved with all research projects throughout the facility. Ensuring that the cable products providing power, communication and data can show high levels of quality helps to support the safety of the applications and to demonstrate compliance and performance. The behaviour of the cables themselves is vital, so CERN can source and implement efficient cabling systems that have been tested to determine mechanical and electrical properties, for example. The goal of gathering as much data as possible and extracting it from the instruments relies on the cables to perform efficiently. Handling the cables is a critical process for CERN, as they must be pulled down approximately 100m in the case of the Large Hadron Collider. Extensive planning is involved with preparing and installing the projects, and a failure with components such as cables can result in a high monetary and time loss. The cost of replacing a substandard cable is greater than procuring high-quality cables that will perform safely and efficiently. To determine the performance of the cables chosen for installation, BASEC as a third-party testing partner supports CERN by conducting rigorous tests. The assessments measure the properties of the cable, including electrical, chemical, mechanical and material, to ensure that quality is not compromised. Sondre Flateraaker, quality assurance coordinator at CERN, com- mented, “Safeguarding progress with quality cables supports in powering the forefront of particle physics research at CERN.” One challenge that CERN often encounters is being able to obtain cables that meet specific requirements. The nature of the research that CERN carries out means that the cables must have radiation-resistant compounds. In relation to Construction Products Regulations (CPR), the mixing of fire behaviour compounds with radiation compounds to achieve the desired classification can prove challenging. As a result, cable modifications have been required such as producing larger, thicker cables, which creates a new dilemma with circuit components such as connectors. It is important that the cables undergo rigorous testing to ensure that they would not accelerate flame spread in the event of a fire. CERN’s Specific Safety Instructions (SSI-FS-2-1) sets out the fire safety and radiation resistance requirements for cables. For high-risk installations, the fire performance according to the Construction Products Regulations (CPR) should be at least Cca s2,d1,a2, and for low-risk installations at least Dca-s2,d1,a2. When searching for a third-party testing provider, there is a balance of providers that CERN sources from across the member countries. The company’s reputation is critical – particularly that the organisation is knowledgeable and can provide the specific testing capabilities necessary to meet the requirements. Using a third party such as BASEC for cable testing provides independent verification that the cables have been stringently tested to meet the requirements, for transparency and peace of mind. This allows CERN to have confidence that cable is suitable and fit for purpose to install

European organisation CERN operates particle physics research projects using the world’s largest and most complex scientific instruments. Founded in 1954 and based in Geneva on the France-Switzerland border, CERN is described as a “unique collaboration of countries, universities and scientists committed to creating and sharing knowledge, to provide insights and scientific advancements and help the society around the world.” Particle physics is CERN’s main area of research, aiming to learn more about the fundamental structure of matter using powerful advanced accelerators and detectors. One such research instrument is HiLumi, the High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC), which is undergoing a significant upgrade. The refurbishment will enable future experiments to gather more extensive data samples and acquire scientific research results. This major project is currently undergoing the phase of procuring and testing cable products, with the project due to commence installation in 2025 and to launch in 2029. The development is expected to use approximately 2,000km of cables. More than 420 different cable products are used across the CERN research facility. Many are bespoke designs, to meet radiation requirements. The cable types used include low voltage, medium voltage, high voltage, multi-core, fibre, single core, low-smoke zero-halogen, telecommunication cables, coaxial cables, control cables and special cables.

HiLumi LHC project

within its projects. BASEC Group Ltd www.basec.org.uk

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November 2023

Corporate News

Investment in CNC machining James White joined NSK Precision Engineering in 2015, and took the company over in 2019. His background in CNC machining made his top priority investing in a CNC machining centre, so his first purchase was an XYZ 750 LR. This machine has 750 x 440 x 500mm travel, Siemens 828D control with optional ShopMill, and incorporates linear rail technology that increases acceleration and deceleration rates, resulting in increased accuracy and faster machining. 10,000ft 2 site, while growing turnover by 700 per cent and increasing the workforce from two to seven. The early days of the takeover coincided with the Covid crisis, but NSK was able to keep operating through lockdown by making parts for the emergency Nightingale Hospitals, which provided a boost to the company, opening opportunities in more industry sectors.

On the XYZ 1000 LR, the company makes parts ranging from a few grams to 100kg. Much of the CNC programming is done offline using Autodesk Fusion 360 CAM, but the ShopMill conversational software on the Siemens 828D controls is also used daily. Mr White said, “We are aiming for maximum uptime on the machines, so we use tombstone fixtures so that we can machine multiple faces and multiple parts in one operation. Other techniques include using very thin tabs to hold awkwardly shaped parts. These can be snapped off, leaving just one face to clean up to get a finished job. The machine has plenty of power, so we can take big cuts; the optional 12,000-rpm spindle speed is good for aluminium jobs and for small tools, while the extended 24-station tool carousel makes a complete tool pack available, saving further time lost to tool setting. Probing enables us to do in process dimension checks where we can. Overall, it is a very versatile machine.” XYZ Machine Tools www.xyzmachinetools.com NSK Precision Engineering Ltd www.nskprecision.co.uk

Mr White explained, “Previously we were subcontracting a lot of work to local com panies. Investing in CNC has enabled us to take this work back in-house, which gives us more control over quality and delivery while at the same time improving our prof it margins. At the old factory, we were lim ited for space, restricting which XYZ CNC machine we could choose. With the new factory and the increase in workload we were able to make a further investment in an XYZ 1000 LR with 4 th -axis rotary table, Siemens 828D control with the ShopMill option, expanded 24-station tool carousel and a swarf conveyor. The machine was delivered within two months, which was important to us because of rapidly grow ing demand, despite the difficulties of chip availability at the time.”

Mr White commented, “XYZ Machine Tools listened to where we wanted to take the business, asking the right questions, showing that it understood how our company works. It also came up with an attractive solution to get our CNC machining capacity started. We already had a 1994 XYZ turret mill with ProtoTrak® control, which is used daily and which came with the company, so this gave us extra confidence in our decision.” Taking over NSK Precision Engineering was a steep learning curve for Mr White, as he had to manage both the workforce and the day-to-day administration of the company. He relocated the company from its previous 1,500ft 2 factory to a new

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