EuroWire November 2024
The International Magazine for the Wire & Cable Industries
wire India 2024 Hall 1, Booth I53
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Editor ....................................................................................... David Bell
Charity begins at home UK wire manufacturer Alloy Wire International (AWI) has made its largest charity contribution to date, with a £10,000 donation for Guide Dogs. Guide Dogs is the ninth beneficiary of AWI’s Wired for Good campaign, which has now seen £50,000 directed to good causes throughout the UK. The company has named its own dog Allie, who is currently undergoing training, because of its similarity to “alloy”. Allie is one of 200 current working guide dog partnerships across the Black Country, Shropshire and Staffordshire areas of the UK. “We are very passionate about the communities we operate in and, as part of our commitment to helping people and good causes, we decided to choose Guide Dogs as our latest beneficiary,” said AWI’s Paul Chatterley. Planning is well under way for the 2025 staging of Interwire, organised by the Wire Association International (WAI). And education is at the forefront of the exhibition, being staged at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, USA, from 13 to 15 May. ‘Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing’, ‘Advanced Extrusion’ workshop and the ‘Global Continuous Casting Forum’ will all be staged during the three-day event. Turn to page 13 for the full story.
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Full details of the exhibition can be found on page 18.
And it would be remiss of us not to mention current exhibitions – more specifically wire India, which is being staged in Mumbai, India, from 27 to 29 November.
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.
Around 400 exhibitors are due to be showcasing their latest technology at the ninth international staging of the event. Running alongside wire India are Tube India, METEC India and India Essen Welding and Cutting. Our coverage starts on page on page 33. You can also collect the latest issues of EuroWire and sister publications Wire & Cable ASIA and Tube & Pipe Technology from our stand, E61.
David Bell Editor
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November 2024
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
Contents November 2024
42
8
EuroFasteners
Corporate News
43
Corporate News
ISSN: 2633-9714 online
ISSN: 2633-9706 print
22
Technology News
45
Products
32
People
www.read-eurofasteners.com
Photo by Marcel Strauss, Unsplash
wire India 2024 33
Technical Article 46
27-29 November Mumbai, India
Multi-core fibre cable development By Don Parris, Pierre Sillard, Adrian Amezcua and Clint Anderson, Prysmian Group; and Rodrigo Amezcua, Juan Carlos and Jose Lopez, University of Central Florida
48
Editorial Index
48
Advertising Index
Photo: Avinash A • Unsplash
8
Diary dates
Next issue
■ Dies, cones and die maintenance
27-29 November 2024 wire India Trade exhibition Mumbai, India Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.wire-india.com 4-6 March 2025 AMI Cables Conference Düsseldorf, Germany Organisers: Applied Market Information www.ami-events.com
■ UK Showcase
■ Europacable All European wire and cable manufacturers assoc ■ Getting technical On the road to decarbonisation: The importance of the electric arc furnace route in steel production
11-14 March 2025 Global Industrie Trade exhibition Lyon, France Organisers: GL Events www.global-industrie.com
9-12 April 2025 wire Eurasia
Trade exhibition Istanbul, Turkey Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.wire-eurasia.com
6-9 May 2025 Lamiera Trade exhibition Milan, Italy Organisers: CEU-Centro Esposizioni UCIMU SpA www.lamiera.net
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6-8 May 2025 Made in Steel Trade exhibition Milan, Italy Organisers: Siderweb www.madeinsteel.it
Subscribe today!
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13-15 May 2025 Interwire Trade exhibition Atlanta, Georgia, USA Organisers: Wire Association International www.wirenet.org
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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
An out-dated rewinding system after its arrival at Kurre Systems
The system after the retrofit
Retrofit investment – production through sustainable conversion
a new control system with HMI enables more intuitive operation of the system. Further interfaces for data management and remote maintenance were also implemented. After this complete overhaul, the system can be used effectively in production for many more years. “It is important to know that retrofitted systems continue to operate within their previously defined parameters, concluded Mr Lukassen. “Extensive improvements (eg higher speeds) must be evaluated separately, as the mechanics are specifically designed for the original configuration.” Refurbishing a system can be more cost-efficient than a completely new acquisition. With new electronic components, the system can operate more energy-efficiently and time effectively, as new control technology can significantly reduce set-up times, for example. Kurre Spezialmaschinenbau GmbH www.kurre-systems.de
“That’s why a retrofit often pays off when a machine or system becomes an economic risk,” said Mr Lukassen. “The key factor here is usually the ratio of electronic to mechanical components. For a fair assessment, it is therefore essential to take a close look at the system in advance.” During an on-site inspection, Kurre employees critically examine the potential retrofit machine and provide an evaluation. If a retrofit is feasible, the system is modified either at Kurre’s facilities or directly on-site. “Then the real work begins,” said Mr Lukassen. “All parts, especially the mechanical ones, are thoroughly inspected once again. Wear parts such as bearings and dimensional accuracy are especially checked – if in doubt, they are either adjusted or replaced. The majority of electronic components are replaced.” In the example of one particular rewind- ing machine, the motors and the entire mechanical system were retained with a few exceptions. In addition to a com- prehensive new electrical installation,
The topic of sustainability is prevalent: conserving resources, sustainable production and environmental pro- tection. To make a contribution in this direction, Kurre Systems has increasingly specialised in the area of retrofitting in recent years, to bring out-dated machines up to current standards. “For example, our customer purchased a rewinding system with a measuring sec tion (diameter and length measurement, knot control and insulation fault detec tion) from us in 2002,” explained Kurre retrofit expert Joachim Lukassen. “The system has run almost continuously and reliably for the past 22 years. However, like all systems, after numerous operat ing hours it is no longer up to date, and the risk of permanent failures and costly repairs increases.” In particular, electronic components such as drive units, control systems and electronics become out-dated because development progresses quickly. Mechanical components, on the other hand, can remain in good condition for decades.
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As good as new again – or even better. NIEHOFF modernization.
During the design and manufacturing of its equipment, NIEHOFF focuses on advanced technology, quality, reliability, robustness and durability. That is the reason why NIEHOFF machines that have been in operation for decades are also worth a modernization performed by NIEHOFF specialists. These professionals have access to well-maintained and original documentation, and thus to all pertinent data. Because of their experience and expertise, NIEHOFF specialists can handle all customer-specific particularities. This applies practically to all NIEHOFF machines including any modifications made to them by customers. The spare parts needed for reconditioning are produced in house on cutting-edge machining centers to OEM quality, and thus meet the same high requirements as parts for new machines. Our technicians inspect the machine or line in question on site and analyze the specific increase in efficiency, which can be achieved by a modernization . The measures will then be done at either the customer’s site, on the shop floor at NIEHOFF facility or at a NIEHOFF subsidiary with its own manufacturing. After completion of the modernization measures, the machines or lines are not only “in mint condition”, but often show higher productivity than before. In most cases, modernizing NIEHOFF machines even after decades of use is therefore worthwhile. Allow us the opportunity to evaluate your modernization needs.
NIEHOFF Original +
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Top Performance
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
Advances in extrusion of flame-retardant materials
controlling process variables and achieving high production speeds. MFL Group has collaborated with plastics manufacturers to develop an advanced range of extruders that offer precision in temperature control and achieve high production output.
As understanding of safety evolves, so does the technology designed to anticipate and mitigate risks. This progression is evident in the cable industry, where the focus has shifted from solely technical specifications to addressing real-world applications and safety, particularly concerning flame resistant cables. Historically, cables with PVC insulation, while low in flammability, generated toxic fumes when exposed to high temperatures, posing significant safety risks. Recent legislation has tackled these concerns by setting unified requirements for electrical cables to enhance safety and ensure consistency across products. A factor in these regulations is how cables perform when exposed to flames. In response to these stringent stan- dards, compound manufacturers have developed increasingly sophisticated materials. This evolution has necessitated the creation of a new generation of extruders capable of precisely
MFL Group extrusion technology
technology have been operational for several years. MFL Group is also designing future automation systems aimed at optimising production processes for greater energy efficiency, increased output and continuous quality monitoring. The company aims to harness the full potential of its machinery through exponential technologies such as artificial intelligence, IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) and machine learning, driven by its dedicated MFL X division.
Key innovations include: • Increased torque capabilities to han dle the higher viscosity and process ing pressures of modern compounds • A thermoregulation system that measures the actual melt temperature rather than relying on the extrusion cylinder temperature • New screw profiles that reduce shear rates while enhancing production flow These advancements have resulted in an international patent for the flame resistant material processing technology. Machines featuring this patented
Mario Frigerio SpA www.mflgroup.com
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FUTURE OF PVC 2025 COMPOUNDING PRODUCTION RECYCLING
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The 4th Annual Future of PVC Compounding, Production & Recycling Forum will take place on March 13-14, 2025, in Brussels. Join Industry Leaders at the 4th Annual Future of PVC Forum by Avlante This event will gather global leaders from top companies like INEOS Inovyn, Westlake Global Compounds, Polycab India Limited, and VinylPlus, making it essential for professionals in the PVC industry. One of the key sessions will be led by Westlake Global Compounds, focusing on overcoming technical barriers in PVC recycling and enhancing material recovery. This presentation will dive into the latest recycling technologies that are shaping the future of a circular PVC economy. Beyond the technical insights, attendees will benefit from 10+ hours of networking with 100+ industry professionals, allowing you to make valuable connections and explore new business opportunities. A dedicated networking reception will provide the perfect setting to foster meaningful discussions. Whether you’re involved in PVC production, compounding, or sustainability, this forum is designed to help you stay ahead of industry developments and create lasting partnerships that can drive your business forward.
For registration, get in touch with us at - Avlante Email - Office@avlantegroup.com Phone - +420 212 247 704
Corporate News
AWI takes the lead with donation A UK wire manufacturer is helping people with sight loss with its largest charity donation to date. Alloy Wire International (AWI), which supplies a range of 60 exotic alloys to more than 6,000 industrial customers globally, has given sight loss charity Guide Dogs £10,000 towards its wide range of services to support people living with a vision impairment. “The £10,000 donation – our largest yet – will help deliver with and without dog services to people with visual impairments in our region.” The company chose the name Allie for its similarity to “alloy”. AWI will follow her journey from training to working partnership, and will also have chance to meet her in person.
Guide Dogs is the ninth beneficiary of AWI’s Wired for Good campaign, which has now directed £50,000 to various good causes across the UK’s West Midlands region. These have included Fisher House, Sands baby loss charity, Mary Stevens Hospice, the Chris Westwood Charity for Children with Physical Disabilities, the Giving Hands Mission, Acorns Children’s Hospice and male mental health help group Tough Enough to Care. Councillor Karl Denning, Castle & Priory Ward at Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, knows first-hand the importance of AWI’s latest donation. He commented, “Guide Dogs say they are life changing; I actually still say they are life saving. My guide dogs have enhanced my life so
As part of the AWI’s Wired for Good campaign, the value of the gift has seen the company name its own guide dog puppy, Allie, who is currently going through the training she needs before being placed with an individual. She will be one of 200 current working guide dog partnerships across the Black Country, Shropshire and Staffordshire areas of the UK. Paul Chatterley, sales executive of Alloy Wire International, commented, “We are very passionate about the communities we operate in and, as part of our commitment to helping people and good causes, we decided to choose Guide Dogs as our latest beneficiary. Sight is so important and something that we probably take for granted.
Guide dog puppy Allie
much and gave me back faith in my own abilities. I also gained a new best friend.” Mary Conner, community fundraising relationship manager at Guide Dogs, said, “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone from Alloy Wire International for its generous donation to Guide Dogs – thank you. As a charity we rely completely on donations and fundraising, so every penny we raise will help make a difference to people living with sight loss.” Alloy Wire International www.alloywire.com Guide Dogs www.guidedogs.org.uk
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Corporate News
Partnership to ensure high-quality rod and bar Round Ground Metal (RGM), a producer of close-tolerance round rod and bar, and NDT specialist Magnetic Analysis Corporation (MAC) have collaborated to create a fully automated system that enables efficient, high-quality testing of stock for use in industries such as aerospace, heavy equipment, energy and medical.
Together, RGM and MAC designed a system that incorporates both eddy current and ultrasonic technologies to test cold finished carbon steel, alloy and stainless rod and bars. Andrew Strzalkowski, the founder and president of RGM, stated, “We’ve always believed in working with suppliers at the earliest stage possible. The best results come when very specific needs are expressed and exchanged during the initial stages of design consultation.” Now installed by MAC, the massive system – more than 100-feet long overall – can test rods and bars ranging from 3.66 to 12.8m long (12 to 42ft) and 19.05 to 88.9mm in diameter (0.75" to 3.5") at speeds of up to 45.72mpm (150 fpm). MAC’s 350 Rotomac® is used in this installation for detecting longitudinal, seam-type defects, including cracks, pits and laps. Operating at 150ft per minute, this rotary can detect defects as short as 0.4" and, depending on material quality, defects smaller than 0.004" deep. At RGM, the current mill operation for uninterrupted testing flow is 120 fpm, typically set up on 0.1" depth notches.
MAC‘s 105ft ultrasonic- and eddy-current-equipped NDT system with automated material handling at RGM’s plant in Illinois, USA
To optimise the accuracy of the eddy current test, a demagnetiser removes existing magnetic fields in the bars that might counteract the fields induced by the eddy current probes during the test. For the detection of internal flaws, the Echomac® FD-6 eight channel ultrasonic electronics and 100mm rotary were selected. Ultrasonic transducer test signals can penetrate the entire bar, allowing 100 per cent volumetric inspection to detect core internal flaws such as cracks, voids and inclusions, as well as some surface flaws. The rotary head mechanism spins the transducer elements and water couplant at speeds of up to 2,400 rpm around the bar as it is fed through the test. The transducers are housed in holders that facilitate set-up for different sized materials. Special attention was paid to the design of the automated handling system to prevent back-ups or jams, while promoting efficiency and accuracy. A conductor PLC with HMI touchscreen controls all operations including rotary testers, triple guides, the bench, conveyors, sorting, marking and alarms. Bars ranging from 20 to 100mm diameter are loaded from the input tables, with no size adjustment needed. MAC’s EZ drop rollers place the bar on the conveyor channel rolls, where it moves smoothly through the testers. On the output side, tested bars are automatically sorted into accept or reject. Each accepted bar is lifted by sorting rollers and moves to an intermediate station to be raised by alignment rollers. The MAC Aligner unit, designed for this installation, pushes the end of the bar to line it up correctly before being released onto the accumulation table and into the accept pocket, making bundling easier. Stops can be activated to accumulate bars while the pocket is emptied, without stopping the testing. RGM found that these features enhance the bundling and packaging operation overall, demonstrating the benefits of the joint innovation between the two companies. A new calibration station was designed to hold and feed the reference bars used to verify that tests are operating within specifications. A simple button press moves the bar from the calibration support station to MAC EZ drop rollers that catch the bar and lower it onto the inlet conveyor, where it is automatically fed through the testers, reversed and returned to the station. Magnetic Analysis Corp www.mac-ndt.com
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Corporate News
Stratus Technologies wins Joseph C Belden innovation award
Stratus ztC Endurance fault-tolerant computing platform has the ability to revolutionise the industry as it delivers ‘seven nines’ availability and offers Stratus’s unique combination of built-in software and hardware, proactive health monitoring, and serviceability to run mission-critical applications. The solution exemplifies the innovative nature of Joseph C Belden by meeting the complex needs of current OT and IT teams while acknowledging and addressing the challenges companies face in the future.” The two other finalists for the award were Techmedo, whose Intelligent Healthcare Operating System aims to transform healthcare accessibility for rural and underserved communities; and Voleatech GmbH, which submitted its next-gen VT AIR OT Firewall Software, bridging the gap between connectivity and security in the OT network space. Belden Inc www.belden.com Stratus Technologies www.stratus.com
It results in a protected, manageable, serviceable and high-performing compute platform that predicts, isolates and addresses potential failures. Stratus was presented with the award at the first annual Joseph C Belden Innovation Summit, which highlighted innovation through presentations and panel discussions focused on the technology that aligned with each of the three finalists’ submissions. “We’re honoured the Stratus ztC Endurance was recognised by Belden as its first Joseph C Belden Innovation Award recipient,” said John Chaves, senior director, engineering at Stratus. “With the launch of this innovative platform, a new level of continuous system availability is now possible for organisations across every industry. Stratus has set a new standard for compute reliability that will empower organisations on their digital journeys well into the future.” “Congratulations to Stratus on this well-deserved honour,” said Dr Ashish Chand, Belden president and CEO. “The
Belden Inc, a global supplier of network infrastructure and digitisation solutions, has announced that the Stratus® ztC Endurance™ platform has been named the winner of the inaugural Joseph C Belden Innovation Award. The award is named after Belden’s founder, whose innovation and patents helped the company become an early telecommunications leader, laying the foundation for modern-day Belden’s portfolio of network and data solutions. The Joseph C Belden Innovation Award recognises innovations that “power the future” in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing and telecommunications. The winning product, Stratus ztC Endurance platform, is a fault-tolerant computing platform that was built for next-generation sustainable operations. The platform delivers 99.99999 per cent availability using intelligent, predictive fault tolerance to protect an organisa tion’s most important applications from downtime or data loss.
MPD & EPD Revolutionary product
Wire surface = ND Dies 01/
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Corporate News
Key role in global switch to electrification A UK manufacturing company that creates technology for applications ranging from cabling for cars and high-speed trains to Olympic medals and commemorative coins is preparing for the growing global demand for electrical power.
“From our Dundee operation, we enable world-class technology, designing and creating machinery that’s in high demand across the globe,” said Stephen Hall, the company’s recently appointed managing director. “With our technology already supporting the fastest high-speed trains across China, our future lies at the high end of the electrification of the world. For example, as the demand for electric vehicles grows, so will the need for copper conductor alloys, widely used in EVs due to their excellent electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion.” As part of its workforce, Rautomead is committed to investing in new and emerging talent, currently employing six University of Dundee engineering graduates and a steady stream of apprentices. The company also works closely with the University of Dundee’s School of Engineering, bridging the gap between academia and business to address industry-driven challenges and develop new technologies. The Prosperity Partnership, funded by Innovate UK, sees four PhD students engaged in active research and development around the design of continuous casting rigs that produce high-value, high-quality alloys. The partnership also provides Rautomead with access to both students and graduates, providing a pipeline for mutually beneficial internships and succession in the workforce. Rautomead Ltd www.rautomead.com Cable printing for the automotive industry EP Connectors GmbH uses IQJET printers from Leibinger for the production of cables for the automotive industry at its new plant. Every year, 5,000km of cable needs to be printed reliably and with abrasion resistance. EP Connectors opted for Leibinger as early as the system design phase. “From the original concept through to its successful imple- mentation, we knew we could rely on Leibinger’s experience and expertise,” said Klaus Ciminato, head of cable production at EP Connectors in Bruchsal, Germany. The system is designed for speed and reliability – both required for the production of cables for the automotive industry. The cable insulation lines run at 1,000m per minute. EP Connectors produces stranding with up to 15 cores. In tandem operation, the cable manufacturer’s sheathing line achieves a speed of up to 30m per minute. IQJET printers from Leibinger are integrated directly into the system, ensuring that the corresponding print text is loaded immediately, which reduces set-up times. “Based on my 40 years of experience in the cable sector, we opted for Leibinger printers when developing the system concept because reliability is imperative for us,” explained Mr Ciminato. The printers’ automatic sealing system with closed ink circuit prevents clogging, even during downtime. Paul Leibinger GmbH & Co KG www.leibinger-group.com
Founded in 1978, Rautomead, based in Dundee, began as a recycler of brass watch bezels. Today, the company designs, manufactures and assembles equipment that processes non ferrous metals and alloys for the global market. End products range from brass fittings and welding tips to high-quality wire and jewellery. More than 400 Rautomead machines, built in Dundee by a mostly local workforce, can be found in 49 countries around the world, including the USA, China, Japan, Spain, Germany, Thailand and Australia. The company places emphasis on its after-sales service and parts business for its international client base.
Apprentice mechanical engineer Carys Anderson (left) and factory lead-hand Colin McLeish
Photo credit: Dylan Drummond – Son of the Sea Photography
SHAPE
ANY YOU WANT
Below are the dimensions of common shapes that we provide: RECTANGLE - starting from 0.05 mm to 11.0 mm SQUARE - starting from 0.08 mm to 15.0 mm HEXAGON - starting from 0.30 mm to 22.0 mm
HIGH-PERFORMANCE LONG-LASTING
Accomplishing a smooth die geometry and utilizing solid sintering techniques can result in a longer lifespan for the die.
Our superior inner surface polishing results in excellent wire quality and ensures stable production.
COMMON SHAPES WE PROVIDE
OUR PRODUCT LINE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING OFFERINGS ND Dies MCD / SSCD Dies PCD Dies Shaped PCD Dies Stranding, Bunching, Compacting Dies Tinning Dies Extrusion Tools Nano / Diamond-coated Dies
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Corporate News
DDD Group expands into Italy
screening industry. In the future, we will be able to supply our customers even faster and more comprehensively. At the same time, the expansion of our portfolio will make us more resistant and increase our technical expertise, which we want to bring to the market in the form of technical innovations.” DDD Group https://dorstener-drahtwerke.de
independently, with affiliation to DDD Group being a prominent addition. director of Dorstener Drahtwerke, sees the acquisition of Sovatec as an investment in the future of all the companies in the group: “With the subsidiaries MSD, CES, MDC and Sovatec, DDD Group is advancing to become one of the most important global suppliers for the Paul Tüshaus, managing
German (Dorstener Drahtwerke), based in Dorsten, North Rhine-Westphalia, took over the business activities of the Italian company Sovatec Srl at the beginning of July 2024. The new subsidiary, headquartered in Stazzano, Piedmont, has been producing wire and polyurethane screens for various industries and applications, particularly for the separation of mining and quarrying products, since it was founded in 1973. Sovatec has a strong market position in Italy and, with an export quota of more than 50 per cent, is also an established supplier for customers throughout Europe. In addition to an increase in capacity in the production of wire screens, DDD Group is taking advantage of synergy effects and expanding its own product range through the integration of polyurethane screens. The internationally known company name Sovatec will be retained, as will the current employees, all of whom will continue to be employed under the new management. The company will continue to design its brand identity DDD Group
The sales team at Sovatec
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Corporate News
Modernisation of blast furnace successfully completed
Franziskus Lutwin, project manager at SMS group, commented, “We are delighted with the successful completion of our latest project, which builds on the solid foundation of the positive relationship we established with Salzgitter during the relining of blast furnace B in 2015. It fills me with great pride to see how many improvements we were able to implement over the course of this project.” René Rockstroh, general manager of the blast furnace department at Salzgitter, said, “We are completely satisfied with the new solutions of the bell-less top design. All our demands and expectations were implemented. The collaboration with the team at SMS group was excellent and very collegial. After blowing in the furnace, the installed equipment works without any problems.” SMS group GmbH www.sms-group.com Interwire 2025 conference planning under way The Wire Association International (WAI) reports that 90 per cent of its available Interwire 2025 exhibit space has been contracted by 200 companies. The exhibition will be staged in Hall A of the Georgia World Congress Center, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and will be open to visitors from 13 to 15 May 2025. Companies interested in exhibiting can view available space at the event website: https://interwire25.com. The educational offerings at the 2025 event will include: • Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing course (Monday 12 May) – a full-day primer on wire manufacturing processes, with a general track in the morning for all participants, splitting into simultaneous ferrous and non-ferrous tracks in the afternoon. • Advanced Extrusion workshop (morning of Wednesday 14 May) – building on the extrusion principles introduced in Monday’s course. Presented by Rick Chamberlain and a co instructor, the workshop is designed to take participants to the next level of understanding and application. The workshop, limited to 50 participants, will include breakout sessions to ensure a comprehensive learning experience. It will also include visits to exhibitors to witness extrusion machinery in action. • Global Continuous Casting Forum (GCCF) – WAI’s fourth forum for copper and aluminium continuous casting will run from 12 to 15 May. GCCF registration will include an opening reception on Monday, lunch and coffee breaks, a group dinner on Wednesday, and time to explore the Interwire exhibit floor. WAI will offer sponsorship opportunities for both the GCCF and Interwire. Interested parties should contact WAI’s education department (education@wirenet.org) and sales department (sales@wirenet.org), respectively. Wire Association International, Inc www.wirenet.org
SMS has commissioned a new Paul Wurth Parallel Hopper Bell Less Top® (BLT) in blast furnace A at Salzgitter Flachstahl AG. As part of the SMS upgrade, the BLT system from 1977 was replaced by a new Paul Wurth Parallel Hopper system, which features an array of technical and operational enhancements. The new design offers better maintenance options through improved access and dismantling aids. To improve operational efficiency, the modernisation of the top charging system in blast furnace A included the overhaul and integration of key components such as the spherical mainte nance valve, valve actuator, material hopper and distribution rocker. The upgrade also included a new primary equalising system with reconfigured pipework, valves, and a hydraulic and greasing station, which was supplied in a turnkey container. Sound emissions have been reduced with the installation of a new silencer, contributing to more environmentally friendly operation. The equalising system’s piping has been simplified, streamlining the process. The new construction provides a higher level of sustainability and lowers environmental impact, as less dust is produced and less blast furnace gas is discharged into the atmosphere. The newly constructed hydraulic room provides more space, better access and an optimised system layout that covers an area of 50 square metres, further facilitating maintenance and operational tasks.
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Corporate News
Tenova secures contract for aluminium plant Tenova, a developer and provider of solutions for the green transition of the metals industry, has been awarded a contract by aluminium producer Hindalco Industries Ltd. The combination of these technologies, along with an on-line measuring calliper, will enable the roll grinder to certify the roll surface quality. “These roll grinders feature state-of-the art technology, delivering outstanding performance, exceptional user-friendli ness and an increased level of safety.” Tenova www.tenova.com Hindalco Industries Ltd www.hindalco.com Rheology lab available as a commercial service The contract covers a new roll grinder that will be supplied by Pomini Tenova, a Tenova brand of roll shop equipment. The roll grinder will grind work rolls, backup and auxiliary rolls for the existing hot and cold rolling mills in the Renukoot aluminium plant in Uttar Pradesh, India. The foundation-free roll grinder will be equipped with Pomini Digital Surface Analysis (PDSA), Pomini Process Monitoring (PPM) and Pomini Inspektor3 for roll structural inspection. PDSA offers an advantage to Hindalco’s Renukoot plant, as it accurately performs roll surface analysis with reduced scanning time, increasing safety and eliminating dependency on operator expertise for roll surface quality inspection. The PPM, exploiting the accelerometers and sensors installed on the roll grinder, will constantly monitor the grinding process while providing the same quality index. Monitoring roll grinder behaviour can lead to savings in terms of energy, grinding wheels and roll material. “We are very proud to have been selected by Hindalco as roll grinder supplier for Renukoot’s plant, especially since this order follows our roll grinder at the Lapanga plant, which has just been successfully tested at our premises,” said Alberto Croce, sales area manager at Pomini Tenova.
algorithm for stable edge detection, high-accuracy measurement is available on up to 300 features. Guill Tool & Engineering Co, Inc www.guill.com
as it brings increased opportunities and synergies to broaden and strengthen our offering to our customers and thereby strengthen our competitiveness.” Rockford will be part of AQ’s wiring systems business area, which designs, manufactures and delivers wire harnesses to industrial customers. Mr Lion will remain with the company as a member of the board. The new managing director of the company will be Andreas Björk, who has been the leader of several companies within AQ for 17 years, most recently as managing director of four companies in China. AQ Group AB www.aqgroup.com Rockford Components Ltd www.rockford.co.uk scanning calorimeter characterises the thermal properties of a polymer sample, such as crystallisation temperature, glass transition temperature and head capacity of the sample. Knowing these thermal properties allows the simulation of shear heating and hot and cold spots in the flow area. Guill’s thermal conductivity meter is used to determine the thermal conductivity of the polymer sample across a range of temperatures. The IM-8000 series image dimension measurement system has triple the detection performance. With a 20-megapixel CMOS sensor and a new
Extrusion tooling firm Guill Tool is offering the services of its rheology lab for a fee to all those interested. Measuring the flow characteristics of plastics and rubber helps predict how a customer’s material will flow through the company’s extrusion dies before production. In addition, tooling geometry is virtually optimised, and the project can be viewed in 3D CAD. quickly generates visco-elastic data for polymer melts, precisely capturing polymer melt properties. The test temperature ranges between ambient and 300°C. The lab’s The rotational rheometer
AQ Group acquires Rockford On 10 July 2024, AQ Group AB acquired and took over 100 per cent of the shares in Rockford Components Ltd, a UK manufacturer and supplier of wire harnesses and electromechanical systems to customers in the defence, aerospace and general industries.
“The purpose of the deal is to expand AQ’s customer base, to broaden our offer in wire harnesses and electromechanical systems to the UK and to grow in our strategic area of defence industry,” said AQ CEO James Ahrgren. Rockford’s managing director, Peter Lion, commented, “We at Rockford see the deal as an enhanced opportunity for continued positive development of our facilities and to support future sustainable growth. We look positively on being part of an international group
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