EuroWire September 2021

The International Magazine for the Wire & Cable Industries

Featuring: Focus on UK

New DST10 Sparktester

Small in size and cost effective. Aimed at coiling, rewinding, packaging and space restricted applications.

Zumbach is a global leader in the industry, family owned since 1957. Driven by innovation and experience. We are here for you and ready to build the future together. www.zumbach.com • sales@zumbach.ch

CableBuilder Enterprise

provides us with an advantage over our competition. Southwire ®

A S YOU READ THIS, hundreds of manufacturers across 44 countries are using Cimteq’s cable design and manufacturing software to: > Improve product quality > Reduce human errors

It’s hugely reassuring that the ever-vigilant CableMES is there to give us early warning of production issues. Hitachi Cable America Cimteq is innovative, prompt and customer- driven. Nexans Canada Increase your competitive advantage. Go to cimteq.com/en/euro ” ”

SEE US AT

> Produce more quotations > Maximize plant production

+44 1978 664 215 info@cimteq.com

INDUSTRY 4.0

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

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

Blasting out of this world! Scientists and engineers from the UK University of Bristol will see their work literally blasted out of this world, when materials they have developed are affixed to the International Space Station (ISS). The composites will spend six months attached to the ISS while it orbits the Earth around 3,000 times at speeds of 17,000 mph. The materials will be assessed using real-time data to help university scientists on the ground improve materials for the next generation of space travel. During the time in space, the composites will be subject to variances in temperature from -150°C to +150°C, high velocity dust, severe electromagnetic radiation and engineering debris. The full story can be found on page 22.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Europe

Advertising/Marketing & Editorial Intras Ltd PO Box 6828

The latest in our Focus On features this month takes a look at UK companies operating within the wire and cable industries.

Warwick, CV34 9SP, 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

Andwhere better to start thanwith celebrating the success of AlloyWire International (AWI). Not only is the company raising a glass to itself in its 75 th anniversary year, but it is also marking this milestone with a £1mn investment.

The investment is for new wet drawing machines and increasing stock capacity to 220 tonnes to allow two-week turnaround times on orders.

USA

AWI, which makes flat and profile wire for more than 5,000 customers, has also launched ‘Wired for Good’, a campaign to increase its work with local charities, and targeting becoming carbon neutral through offsetting its emissions with woodland creation, solar/wind and sustainability projects. More details on page 48. It is full steam ahead for the next staging of wire, in Düsseldorf, Germany, from 9 to 13 May 2022. Registration has already opened for the week-long exhibition at the Fairgrounds.

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.

Anticipation is high among both exhibitors and visitors alike after the cancellation of the event in 2020 because of the pandemic. Turn to page 12 for more.

David Bell Editor

Front cover courtesy of Mexichem Specialty Compounds (AlphaGary) showing their flame retardant compound solutions For more details please call: +44 01664 882462 (UK) +1 888 540 9074 (US) mscenquiries@mexichem.com www.mexichemspecialtycompounds.com AlphaGary (Mexichem Specialty Compounds) For more details please call:

All rights reserved © 2021 Intras Ltd ISSN 1463-2438

+44 166 488 2446 (UK) +1 978 788 9895 (USA) www.alphagary.com

www.read-eurowire.com

4

September 2021

Dates for your diary . . .

6-9 September 2021 TOLexpo Trade exhibition Lyon, France Organisers: Global Industrie www.tolexpo.com 14-16 September 2021 AMI Cables Trade exhibition Cologne, Germany Organisers: AMI www.ami.ltd/event-cables

Next Issue Getting Technical

Tension measurement faster than ever before: advanced stand-alone gauge head for quality control of optical fibres

16-18 September 2021 China (Guangzhou) International Metal and Metallurgy Exhibition Trade exhibition Guangzhou, China Organisers: Guangzhou Julang Exhibition Design Co Ltd julang@julang.com.cn www.julang.com.cn 4-8 October 2021 IWCS (virtual event) Technical symposium and exhibition Orlando, Florida, USA Organisers: IWCS www.iwcs.org 26 -27 October 2021 Interwire Trade exhibition Atlanta, Georgia, USA Organisers: Wire Association International 25-27 November 2021 WireShow Trade exhibition Shanghai, China Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf Shanghai Co Ltd www.wireshow.com sales@wirenet.org www.wirenet.org

Featuring ■ Interwire 2021 ■ Focus On Turkey

Subscribe today!

9-11 February 2022 wire Southeast Asia Trade exhibition Bangkok, Thailand Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf Asia www.wire-southeastasia.com

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

As with all shows, and with the continuing coronavirus pandemic, please check to ensure the event is going ahead

Contents September 2021

Photo: Chan Lee • www.unsplash.com

69 Technical Article

8

Corporate News

New ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers for highly filled wire and cable compounds By Celanese EVA Polymers, USA

30 Technology News

48 Focus On UK

72 Editorial Index

72 Advertisers Index

59

Corporate News

▲ Sikora develops and produces technologies at its headquarters in Bremen, Germany

Sikora receives innovation award from consumer studies association

Sikora AG, a manufacturer and supplier of measuring, control, inspection and sorting technology, has been named as one of the most innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in Germany 2021/2022, according to a survey conducted by the independent German Association for Consumer Studies (DtGV). This year, for the first time, DtGV is presenting the SME Innovation Award 2021/2022 to small and medium-sized companies from Germany that demonstrate particularly high innovation potential in their segment and/or state. For the selection, the number of patent applications by German SMEs in 2020 was first determined based on the Corporate Patent Classification (CPC) system. Citation frequency was then taken into account to determine a score value. Sikora received the award as a result of achieving a score value in the CPC main class “instruments”, which is among the top ten per cent of all examined SMEs.

In the parallel federal state ranking, Sikora is listed among the top three companies from Bremen. “This award makes us very proud and confirms the corporate course we have been following since the foundation of the company,” said Dr Christian Frank, CEO at Sikora. “Thanks to our inventive spirit and innovation potential, we are able to continuously offer our customers future-oriented technology solutions. Thus, we create the basis for highest customer satisfaction and long-term growth.” Each year, Sikora invests more than ten per cent of its turnover in the research and development of new measuring and control technology as well as inspection, analysis and sorting systems for quality assurance during the production of wires and cables, hoses, tubes, pipes and sheets, glass fibres or plastics. Sikora AG www.sikora.net

8

www.read-eurowire.com

September 2021

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.

IIOT screen

Supermac has expertise providing on line commissioning from remote. Post commissioning customer service support is provided

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 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.

High speed building wire line

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

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

www.supermacindia.com

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

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

Corporate News

Integration of machinery safety requirements The EU Machinery Directive was originally published in 1998, and the current version was accepted in 2006. Its purpose is to integrate regulations and requirements with regard to the safety of machinery and equipment, and remove trade barriers by increasing the free movement of goods within the EU/ETA. Upcast has gathered know-how and experience of these aspects over decades. The company’s design actively utilises the EN standards for machinery safety, which ensures that the solutions are tested and proven to be good. The team evaluates and analyses risks, which are then minimised through technical methods. With regard to any possible remaining risks, the customer will be informed during training as well as in dealing with operating instructions and warning signs.

The Machinery Directive is becoming more widely acknowledged around the world, including in Turkey, Norway and Switzerland. Upcast Oy considers machinery safety to be “a matter of honour”. The basic requirements in the design of a casting line are to guar- antee that the line is of high quality, it is easy to operate, and all possible risks related to health and safety are taken into account.

Knowing in detail the methods related to and determined in the EU directives, EN standards and the Machinery Directive represents an advantage in the market. The buyer also has a responsibility to check and ensure that the supplier has sufficient knowledge and experience in the field of machinery safety and can deliver safe machinery and equipment. Although lines are designed and built to meet the highest safety requirements, substantial responsibility for the safe operation of machinery remains with customers and their operators. The safety equipment must not be removed or modified, the original spare parts and consumables should be used, and customers should invest in their own safety culture in order to maximise the machinery safety of the casting line. Receiving feedback such as close-call reports and development suggestions from customers helps Upcast Oy to improve its lines and machinery safety. Upcast Oy www.upcast.com

▲ Upcast evaluates and analyses risks, and minimises them through technical methods

10

www.read-eurowire.com

September 2021

Master Your Potential

www.maillefer.net

Meet us at booth 1241

Corporate News

wire 2022 and Tube 2022 registration underway

Companies wishing to present their machinery, equipment, services and products at the trade fairs wire and Tube have been able to register with organisers Messe Düsseldorf since March this year. The events will be held in Düsseldorf, Germany, from 9 to 13 May 2022. Messe Düsseldorf reports that the response has been good, and it is already

clear that the industries are committed to the trade fairs. The wire and Tube project team is confident that both trade fairs will again present themselves as the international industry events in 2022. “Personal dialogue with our exhibitors is what defines us as Messe Düsseldorf,” said

Daniel Ryfisch, project director of trade fairs wire, Tube and Valve World Expo, and their international satellites in China, Thailand, Brazil, Russia and India. wire 2022 will take place in exhibition halls 9 to 17, with Tube in halls 1 to 7a.

Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.messe-duesseldorf.de

Updated look and enhanced experience from IWCS

IWCS has developed a new brand image for its annual Cable & Connectivity Indus- try Forum, a technology event for the ex- change of information and development of industry professionals and scholars. Modern imagery featuring connected cables is used to represent key aspects of the event: networking global industry leaders while exploring cutting-edge topics.

This year marks the 70 th annual IWCS event. The cornerstone of the Cable & Connectivity Industry Forum is the Technical Symposium, which features peer-reviewed papers and presentations highlighting technologies and trends in cable and connectivity. Additional components of the forum are professional development courses, execu- tive sessions, new product presentations,

a supplier exhibition and a plenary session featuring an influential keynote speaker. IWCS’s updated look and enhanced experience include a revamped, mobile-friendly website that is home to information regarding the 2021 Virtual Cable & Connectivity Industry Forum. IWCS www.iwcs.org

HIGH-PERFORMANCE RUBBER AND PLASTIC COMPOUND SOLUTIONS

WE PROVIDE: » EPR & Polyolefin Compounds • Moisture Crosslinkable • Peroxide Crosslinkable • Irradiation Crosslinkable • Halogen Free, Flame Retardant

• Bedding/Filler • Thermoplastic » Custom Compounding

» Customized Functional Masterbatches » Formulation Design & Development

108 RADO DRIVE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 USA / +1 203-723-2590 / WWW.ELECTRICCABLECOMPOUNDS.COM

12

www.read-eurowire.com

September 2021

Corporate News

Rolling mill performance improvements in Canada

Automazioni Industriali Capitanio (AIC) has commissioned a rolling mill upgrade at the Gerdau GLN plant in Cambridge, Canada.

Improved performance and safety have been achieved with the installation of new electrical and automation systems. GLN (Gerdau Long Steel North America) manufactures structural steel, piling, rebar, merchant bar and special bar quality products for the agricultural, automotive, civil construction, distribution, energy, industrial and mining markets. The scope of supply included design, manufacture and test of the new R0 stand; safety devices; all on-machine sensors and cabling installation; integration of the new equipment with the existing IBA platform; auxiliary drives for furnace run-out roller table and pinch roll; PLC and HMI software development; equipment tests, supervision of erection, commissioning, training and production assistance; and spare parts. Commissioning was completed despite the global restrictions, and the customer was said to be very satisfied with the results. The customer is able now to roll larger billets, and produce rolled billet sizes that are uniform with other mills within the same group. AIC is a global system integrator providing advanced and tailored automation and robotic solutions for the steel industry, with the aim to improve efficiency, competitiveness and safety of production processes. Automazioni Industriali Capitanio Srl www.aicnet.it

▼ The Gerdau GLN mill upgrade has been commissioned

14

www.read-eurowire.com

September 2021

Corporate News

Final acceptance for the largest Kocks RSB 500

Chinese special steel producer Nanjing Iron & Steel Co Ltd (NISCO) has granted to

Friedrich Kocks GmbH the final acceptance certificate for the commissioning of a

three-roll reducing and sizing block (RSB ® ) 500++/4 in 5.0 design. The Kocks three-roll RSB 500++, for medium and large size SBQ products, operates at NISCO’s 800,000 t/a medium bar mill as the finishing unit for the production of straight bars within a dimensional range of Ø 50 to 160mm. Kocks was also responsible for the thermomechanical rolling process, including five water boxes, and a full automation package. The low temperature rolling process is applied for sizes up to Ø 130mm. In addition to the RSB 500++/4, NISCO has operated an RSB 370++/4 in its small bar mill since 2013. Friedrich Kocks GmbH & Co KG www.kocks.de

Kocks RSB 500 at NISCO

16

www.read-eurowire.com

September 2021

Corporate News

Russian metal fair quartet Three days of technological innovations, products and services, live meetings and talks in Moscow: the Russian metal fairs wire Russia, Tube Russia, Metallurgy Russia and Litmash Russia were held at the Expocentre exhibition centre from 8 to 10 June. Around 200 companies from 11 countries participated in the regional event. On-demand webinars and podcasts for cable manufacturers As well as Russian companies, exhibitors from Germany, Italy and Turkey were strongly represented. On display were machinery and equip- ment for wire production and wire processing; current technologies in the fields of tube production, tube processing and tube machining; and machinery,

plant, equipment and solutions for the casting and processing industries as well as for metallurgical processes. During the three days of the exhibition, trade visitors were able to learn about the wide range of products and services offered by Russian and international exhibitors. The Metal Plaza lecture area complement- ed the trade fair activities in the halls with a comprehensive supporting programme of factual lectures, workshops and semi- nars, which took place safely under strict hygiene regulations. Key industry players such as Rosendahl Nextrom, Maillefer Extrusion, Niehoff, Kambak, Inductotherm, Heinrich-Wagner Sinto and Eges met their customers and established new business contacts. Metallurgy Russia and Litmash Russia will again be held together in Moscow from 7 to 9 June 2022. wire Russia will be held in the summer of 2023.

NDC Technologies, a specialist in intelligent on-line process measurement and control solutions, has introduced a new series of webinars and podcasts designed specifically for cable, metals and tube manufacturers. The series includes on-demand videos to give manufacturers an inside view on how to optimise process efficiency, improve product quality and realise manufacturing savings through a range of process measurement and control techniques.

The videos are recorded sessions of NDC’s events that take place throughout the year, and can be viewed either live on the day or on-demand. The podcasts are recorded round-tables with industry experts discussing issues facing the cable, metals and tube industries, and looking at best practices solutions. The webinars and podcasts can be viewed at www.ndc.com/ on-demand-webinars/ NDC Technologies Inc www.ndc.com

Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.messe-duesseldorf.de

18

www.read-eurowire.com

September 2021

Corporate News

New regional manager for Proton Victor Muñiz has been appointed as Proton’s regional manager for Latin America, to lead and develop the com- pany’s sales and services business in Latin America and the Caribbean. Mr Muñiz studied industrial engineering in Barcelona, Spain, before moving to the UK to complete his MBA in London. At the same time, his professional career in the instrumentation industry began, starting with Alcatel Cable as a laboratory and project engineer. After working as a software engineer in product development, he went to the USA to take on marketing and sales roles. In 2001, he relocated to Brazil to cover the South and Central American market; five years later he was promoted to Latin America sales manager, and moved to Mexico. “I am very excited about joining Proton Products,” said Mr Muñiz. “Proton supplies many industries with state-of-the-art Xaloy adds sales agent in Austria Xaloy, a manufacturer of plasticising components for injection and extrusion machinery for the global plastic pro- cessing industry, has selected MEP technische Handels GmbH as its agent in Austria for Xaloy® core components. MEP will provide sales, technical support and rework services for Xaloy screws, barrels and front-end components. “MEP draws on over 15 years of industry expertise to support our customers in reaching their manufacturing goals and help them maximise quality, productivity, efficiency and profitability,” said Ralf Hilbert, managing director of Xaloy Europe GmbH. MEP was founded by Stefan Putschögl, who has more than 15 years’ experience in technical and operational management positions in the plastics industry. After a basic commercial training and a master’s degree at a technical college in upper Austria, Mr Putschögl gained eight years of practical experience as a technical

measurement and control technology, focused on industrial communications, Industry 4.0, an extensive product line, and some really great new product and business developments underway. I am really looking forward to supporting our amazing customer base here in Latin America and being part of the team here at Proton Products.” Proton Products www.protonproducts.com sales manager at an Austrian company. In this role, he supported companies in the production, processing and reprocessing of plastics before starting his own company – MEP technische Handels GmbH – earlier this year. He currently serves as MEP’s managing director. Xaloy www.xaloy.com MEP technische Handels GmbH www.mep-gmbh.at

we are proud to We are the biggest wooden cable reels supplier in the world, and think green !

BH-MGI-02

20

www.read-eurowire.com

September 2021

Corporate News

Jim Chura joins Davis-Standard team Davis-Standard has announced that James “Jim” Chura has been hired as an aftermarket sales engineer to support the company’s converting customers in southeast USA and Mexico. enquiries and quotations, and providing after-sales assistance to customers. Mr Chura brings 14 years of industry knowledge to his new role, having held various sales and management positions, most recently as regional sales account manager for ABB of Raleigh, North Carolina. He has broad experience supporting customers in the paper, converting and packaging markets, and will be responsible for driving aftermarket sales, addressing technical aspects of customer Mr Chura is a member of TAPPI (the Technical Association for the Pulp, Paper and Converting Industry), and is TAPPISAFE certified. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri, Columbia. Davis-Standard, LLC www.davis-standard.com Lift off! Bristol researchers’ work heads to ISS Jim Chura ▲ “Jim understands the converting industry and the needs of our customers in the Southeast US,” said Andrew Alaya, Davis- Standard vice president of aftermarket sales. “He has an excellent understanding of customer needs and available converting technologies and upgrades. “This aligns well with our goal of using aftermarket services to help our customers get the most from their equipment investment, while improving profitability and product quality.”

Materials developed by scientists and engineers from the UK’s University of Bristol will be blasted 250 miles from the Earth’s surface and affixed to the International Space Station (ISS). The novel composites will spend six months attached to the ISS, orbiting Earth around 3,000 times at speeds of 17,000 mph. The materials are being placed on the ISS to test them in the hostile space environment, where they will be subjected tomicro- meteoroids, temperatures from -150°C to +150°C, high velocity dust, severe electromagnetic radiation and engineering debris. Real-time data will assess how the materials are performing and will help university scientists on the ground improve materials for the next generation of space missions. Ian Hamerton, professor of polymers and composite materials at the University of Bristol, said, “This project will assess how our composites fare in the extreme space environment. The data ▼ An artist’s impression of the Bartolomeo platform on the ISS. The University of Bristol material will be housed on the bottom left square Photo credit: Airbus

we recover will be used to make a ‘digital twin’ of the physical material, which will help us understand how these materials – and indeed other materials – function. Not only will this improve the performance of our composites but it will help us and others develop even more ambitious space materials.” The materials are part of the Euro Ageing programme, a £3.5mn European Space Agency project that will see 45 materials exposed to the effects of space while encased in a chamber on the Bartolomeo platform, designed for the ISS by Airbus. The team faced a five-month competitive tender process to get their materials accepted on the spring 2022 mission. The composites were developed by two Bristol PhD students, Dr Yanjun (Desmond) He and Mayra Rivera Lopez, who recently won the People’s Choice Award at the annual 3MT (three minute thesis) competition, hosted by the Bristol Doctoral College. Ms Lopez said, “The development and testing of our composites into real space conditions is a big step for us as researchers. Through this mission, we will assess the performance of our already resilient composites, but also, we will obtain a better perspective on ways to keep innovating the composites’ design.” Financial support for the project came from the UK Space Agency, the Science and Technology Facilities Council and the University of Bristol. The materials were developed using facilities within the Bristol Composites Institute, with help from the National Composites Centre. University of Bristol www.bristol.ac.uk ▲ (from left) Prof Fabrizio Scarpa, Prof Ian Hamerton, Prof Kate Robson-Brown, Mayra Rivera Lopez, Dr Joseph Gargiuli and George Worden Photo credit: University of Bristol

22

www.read-eurowire.com

September 2021

Corporate News

Metalube cuts emissions and commits to carbon neutral policy

UK-based manufacturer Metalube Ltd has committed to carbon neutrality by offsetting emissions that cannot currently be avoided from its manufacturing and operations. The company first started its carbon neu- tral policy in 2019 and has since imple- mented a series of efficiency upgrades to its manufacturing processes around the world. To offset carbon this year, the company is planting native trees in the Yorkshire Dales, which will be validated and verified under the Woodland Carbon Code – a quality assurance standard for woodland creation projects in the UK. The aim is to continue with tree planting while reducing the carbon footprint within the organisation through efficiency projects. At the end of 2019, with help of a resource efficiency advisor and an energy efficiency grant, the company installed a new steam boiler that has improved efficiency by providing steam and heat for its manufacturing process. The project has delivered an estimated reduction in CO 2 emissions of 73 tonnes per year. In lubricant

addition, Metalube has installed a 50kW solar panel system, and has switched from heating barrels with electric heat jackets to a more efficient gas-powered “hot box”. Metalube has also upgraded its forklifts from gas to an eco-electric fleet, which is charged overnight when electricity is not being used. Brown said, “The ‘corporate carbon footprint’ is an important component for the development of our climate protection strategy. We have analysed and identified reduction potentials and subsequently defined our goals. The procedure for calculating the footprint is carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the GHG [greenhouse gas] Protocol. We’re also constantly looking at what is the right thing to do in terms of raw materials and developing lubricants that are safer for the environment without compromising performance. We’re doing some quite innovative things such as soluble products that you add water to, which means less product needs to be shipped.” Managing director Robert

▲ Metalube is aiming for carbon neutrality

In the area of waste packaging, Metalube is moving away from plastics, where possible, and has also investigated using recycled barrels, though this is proving difficult. Mr Brown added, “It’s important that offsetting is used in the right way. It should be an incentive to drop your own emissions, not something you just pay for and forget about; that’s the wrong thing to do in my opinion. It’s about getting your manufacturing right first. Looking at your raw materials and managing your stockholding efficiently. Investing in our own plant and improving our manufacturing process. Those things all have an environmental impact.” Metalube Ltd www.metalube.co.uk

www.pscm.it

AUTOMATIC COIL & SPOOL WINDING LINES

Innovative solutions for Cable Packaging - Automatic Coiling Lines - Automatic Spooling Lines - Automatic Double Take Up in tandem with Extruders - Semi-Automatic Lines - Rewinding Lines

23

www.read-eurowire.com

September 2021

Corporate News

The world of metalworking

The halls of fieramilano Rho will host international technology for the sector, increasingly closely linked to the issue of interconnection, and capable of enabling high-value functions. The link between production technologies and IoT systems will appeal to operators in the manufacturing industry, representing all major user sectors: machine tools, automotive, aeronautics, aerospace, rail- way industry, metallurgic sector and materials. It is anticipated that more than 80 per cent of visitors will be those involved in purchasing decisions. Despite general uncertainty due to the pandemic, many companies have already confirmed their participation in the metalworking exhibition, representing countries and sectors that have always been among the key players at EMO. By February, 26 countries were already rep- resented among the exhibitors, including Italy, Germany, Taiwan, Spain, Japan, Switzerland, China and Korea. Luigi Galdabini, general commissioner of EMO Milano 2021, stated, “The expectations of the sector operators are

very high, as a testimony to the firm intention of the manufacturing world to return to normality. Indeed, a large number of applications to exhibit have already been received at the secretariat office and their collection goes on swiftly. “However, we expect that it will further intensify in the next weeks, thanks to the more and more widespread distribution of vaccines to the global population.” According to forecasts processed by Oxford Economics, after a 23.4 per cent fall registered in 2020, this year should bring about a recovery in machine tool consumption worldwide, expected to grow by 18.4 per cent to €61bn. The recovery of demand is likely to continue in 2022 and in 2023. The Italian government has set up fiscal incentives, consisting of tax credits of up to 50 per cent, for Italian companies investing in new machine tools, robots, automation systems, 4.0 and digital technologies in 2021 and 2022. Ucimu-Sistemi Per Produrre www.emo-milan.com

EMO Milano 2021, an exhibition for the metalworking industry, will take place at fieramilano Rho, near Milan, Italy, from 4 to 9 October. The event is promoted by CECIMO, the European Association of Machine Tool Industries, and organised by Ucimu-Sistemi Per Produrre, the Italian machine tools, robots and automation systems manufacturers’ association. Among the products and solutions to be spotlighted will be metal forming and metal cutting machine tools, production systems, enabling technologies, robots and automation, solutions for interconnected and digital factories and additive manufacturing.

24

www.read-eurowire.com

September 2021

Corporate News

New website for WrexhamMineral Cables Wrexham Mineral Cables, a UK manufac- turer of fire-resistant mineral cables, has launched an upgraded website.

Presented in a simple-to-navigate format, alongside product information and technical data, the website also features a series of videos detailing the benefits of MICC and highlighting its performance under test conditions. The download centre hosts a library of technical information to provide visitors with typical specifications, relevant standards and installation guides.

Commercial manager Steve Williams said, “There has been a clear message across the construction industry that occupant safety needs to be a greater priority through the entire life cycle of a building. In redesigning the website, we felt it was crucial to highlight the important role fire- resistant cables play in achieving this.” WrexhamMineral Cables www.wrexhammineralcables.com

As well as a completely fresh look, the website has been designed to provide both new and existing customers with access to detailed information about mineral insulated copper cable (MICC), which is seen by some as the only true fire survival cable.

Revised dates for Indian metal fairs With pandemic uncertainties still linger- ing, Messe Düsseldorf India has decided to move the wire India, Tube India, METEC India and India Essen Cutting & Welding metal shows to 2022. The events, originally scheduled for September this year at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, will now be held there from 23 to 25 November 2022. conducting business safely and effectively through our trade shows. However, the current development of the pandemic situation does not allow for reliable plan- ning for our trade fairs in India for the com- ing months. These circumstances make it impossible to hold the Indian metal fairs in September 2021. The decision to move the fairs to November 2022 was made after careful evaluation of the situation together with our partners and key stakeholders.”

to partners in the metals and metallurgy industry in India and around the world. “We trust that by 2022, global travel restrictions will be lifted and we will once again see a large international turnout, given the international nature of the metals trade show quartet,” added Mr Schlitt. “We are grateful to all our partners for their continued support during these unprecedented times.”

Thomas Schlitt, managing director of Messe Düsseldorf India, explained, “Our goal remains to support economic recov- ery by providing a leading platform for

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

With this decision, Messe Düsseldorf India says that it is honouring its commitments

Micro surface defects become visible !

Fine wire/tube analysis

Full surface coverage

High speed measurement

Designed for fine wire/tube manufacturers, SQM detects, localises and characterizes surface defects during manufacturing.

FEATURES :

200 000 lines/sec 360° measure Ø : 20µm to 2.0mm

An innovative and patented technology to enhance fine wires quality

SQM is now available ! Please contact your local agent for more information

www.cersa-mci.com sale@cersa-mci.com

25

www.read-eurowire.com

September 2021

Corporate News

CCCA endorses consumer protection legislation

TheCommunications Cable&Connectivity Association (CCCA) has joined with the Buy Safe America Coalition, a diverse group of retailers, consumer groups, wholesaler-distributors and manufacturers, in declaring support of the INFORM Consumers Act – legislation to increase transparency and accountability for online marketplaces amid the growing problem of illicit goods sold online. US e-commerce grew by 44 per cent as more families shopped online, according to Digital Commerce 360 estimates. At the same time, criminal networks targeted unsuspecting customers with the sale of stolen, counterfeit, expired, dangerous and defective products. Criminal enterprises use the anonymity of online marketplace platforms to market fake products or quickly move stolen goods. The INFORM Consumers Act, which was introduced in March by US senators from both the Democratic and the Republican parties, would modernise consumer protection laws and require Throughout the pandemic,

online marketplaces to collect and verify basic business information from sellers, in addition to requiring high-volume sellers to provide contact information to consumers. The online marketplace would also provide a hotline to enable customers to report suspicious activity. The bill’s requirements would be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, and violations would be subject to civil penalties. “CCCA strongly endorses and recom- mends passage of this vital e-commerce initiative in the US Senate, to help create barriers and consequences for online per- petrators of dangerous and unsafe coun- terfeit and non-compliant goods,” said Da- vid Kiddoo, CCCA executive director. “This especially pertains to the safety and integ- rity of cabling and connectivity infrastruc- ture components that are vital to meet today’s communications and connected technologies, which are increasingly es- sential to our healthcare, education, com- merce and personal social networks. CCCA encourages people in the ICT industry to contact their senator to express their sup- port of the INFORM Consumer Act.”

The legislation is important to CCCA because of the amount of non-compliant, counterfeit and under-performing cable being sold, particularly via online dis- tributors. Cabling improprieties such as low-quality cable are common causes of network downtime. Even worse than network failure is the serious safety risk due to a cable’s poor design, substandard material makeup and/or manufacturing deficiencies. Improperly constructed cables running throughout a structure can act as a fuse that accelerates the spread of fumes, flames and smoke. The INFORM Consumers Act is expected to take a step in opening up the transparency of online sellers, so they will not be able to remain anonymous. Creating basic accountability measures will protect consumers from illicit goods, aid law enforcement in their efforts to track organised crime, and make it harder to build an illegal business and profit by selling stolen or counterfeit merchandise. CCCA www.cccassoc.org

26

www.read-eurowire.com

September 2021

Corporate News

Sky City contract

AEI Cables has been awarded a multi- million dollar contract to supply low voltage power and fire performance cables to the Sky City project at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). The supply of the cables for power, control and fire performance for the commercial and retail sector of the site will begin in September, and will continue into next year. AEI Cables will work in partnership with its long-term Hong Kong distributor Fordex Electric Company Limited for the project. Stuart Dover of AEI Cables said, “The need for cables which offer the highest levels of fire performance for an inter- national airport of this kind cannot be underestimated, with large numbers of people moving about. We are proud to be chosen to supply the cables for such an iconic world-class project.” Sky City is an integrated commercial development that forms a core part of the strategy to expand and transform HKIA into a major aviation hub. The complex

▲ The Sky City development will feature shops, recreation facilities, hotels and offices

will feature retail units, entertainment facilities, dining space, hotels and office towers across approximately 25 hectares of land at the north of the airport island. AEI Cables’ Firetec Total Fire Solutions range offers enhanced fire performance cabling, accessories and technical support from its distribution facility atWashington, Tyne and Wear, UK. Applications for Firetec include residential and commercial buildings, shopping malls, airports and protected buildings, to ensure that fire alarms, sprinkler systems, building

monitoring and security systems can continue to operate in the event of a fire. All AEI Cables products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies in- cluding BASEC and LPCB, covering design, manufacture and supply. The company also holds approvals from organisations including Lloyd’s, the Ministry of Defence, Network Rail and LUL, and operates to in- ternational standards around the world. AEI Cables www.aeicables.co.uk

27

www.read-eurowire.com

September 2021

Industry & technology news from the world of fasteners

www.read-eurowire.com www.read-eurofasteners.com

www.read-wca.com www.read-fastenersasia.com

To advertise call UK, ROW, USA, CANADA & S. AMERICA, GERMANY, AUSTRIA, SWITZERLAND, ITALY Jason Smith | Email: jason@intras.co.uk | Tel: +44 1926 834684 CHINA, TAIWAN, HONG KONG Linda Li | Email: linda@intras.co.uk | Tel: +44 1926 834685

for the wire and cable industries...and now fasteners! Leading magazines

Corporate News

Troester at Interwire 2021 Troester is a manufacturer of complete extrusion systems for the cable industry.

At Interwire – booth 1451 – the company will present information and new developments in the fields of medium, high and extra-high voltage CCV and VCV lines for XLPE land and submarine cables; rubber CV and CCV lines up to 35kV; silane lines for LV and MV cable applications; and high-speed insulation and sheathing lines, including NM, building wire, automotive and flexible cord applications. In addition to having its own booth, Troester will participate on the WAI Industry 4.0 Pavilion to introduce its recent developments in Industry 4.0 and augmented reality maintenance tools. Products being showcased will include the variable cable seal Trendseal for CV lines, advances in Industry 4.0, triple cross- head TQU and a functional continuous kneader.

▲ Troester’s Trendseal variable endseal

▲ X-Compound continuous kneader

X-Compound, a member of the Troester Group, specialises in complete systems for the compounding of plastics with the process steps conveying, melting, dispersing, mixing and degassing. It will present kneader technology for the continuous compounding of HFFR (LSOH),

PVC, XLPE, semi-conductive materials and EPR/EPDM. Interwire 2021 will take place from 26 to 27 October in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Troester GmbH & Co KG www.troester.de

AMI launches Cables 2021 programme AMI has released the programme for its European Cables conference. The event will take place in Cologne, Germany, from 14 to 16 September 2021. “AMI’s Cables conference is a valuable and important annual meeting of the industry with good opportunities for exchange and growth in knowledge and expertise,” said a spokesperson from Corning Optical Communications.

case study by Frank Fuchs of Entex Rust & Mitschke and Detlef Wald of Eifelkabel. Dr Roland Dongping Zhang from Tennet TSO will also attend, as will AMI’s Cristina de Santos. Alongside the two-day conference agenda, numerous networking oppor- tunities will include exhibition and refreshment breaks, a cocktail reception on 14 September and a networking dinner following the first day of presentations. Attendees will be able to meet with their peers, the speakers, sponsors and exhibitors over coffee, meals and drinks. AMI www.ami.international

After running a number of virtual events, AMI is pleased to be preparing for a live conference. It will be the 21 st edition of one of the company’s longest running events. Cables is a key meeting place for the wire and cable industry to discuss the latest information on the market, growing end-use applications, innovations in materials, testing procedures and cable manufacturing processes.

AMI Consulting has also updated its market report, which has helped drive forward the programme development and allowed it to invite key players across the industry to cover recent projects, updates in processability and fire resistance, and advances in raw materials for e-mobility. Speakers will include Carsten Wolff presenting on behalf of NKT; Benjamin Ferlay from Prysmian Group; and a joint

29

www.read-eurowire.com

September 2021

Technology News

▲ Lämneå Bruk has invested in the ModCenter automated solution

Customised control systems made in Sweden

Lämneå Bruk AB, best known for its wire machinery equipment – from complete lines to single machines – has also been building control systems since the 1990s, including PLC controls, frequency inverters and operating terminals (HMIs), in its own workshop in Ljusfallshammar, Sweden. The company’s control systems can be used not only for Lämneå Bruk machines but also for equipment from other manufacturers. Development in electronic equipment progresses constantly and rapidly, and often the technology utilised today is not compatible with older solutions. Lämneå Bruk recommends planning for system upgrades before a machine malfunctions and production is interrupted.

The company can assist wire producers with upgrades for frequency inverters, PLC systems, HMIs and other electrical components, for both Lämneå Bruk’s and other manufacturers’machines. In the case of outdated electronics failing, Lämneå Bruk has customised solutions available. Custom-built spare parts can maintain the electronics of mechanically operational machinery, to extend the cabinets’ lifetime. Lämneå Bruk recently carried out major investment in its electrical department. This included acquiring the ModCenter, which provides an automated solution for custom control panel builders. Drawings from the electrical planners are directly exported to the machine, eliminating the previous paper trail.

Instead of manual measuring, drilling and taping, the ModCenter automatically produces perfectly aligned holes and cut-outs based on the drawing. This feature not only improves the quality and accuracy of the panels, but also reduces machine lead times. The company has also invested in a wiring station that delivers the right wires in a fractionof thetimecomparedtotraditional wiring, marks them, and prepares the wires’ ends. With the automated machine, the wires are cut to the right length and terminated. The operators acknowledge when all connections are done, and routed wire lists are saved in the system for future reference. Lämneå Bruk AB www.lamnea.se

30

www.read-eurowire.com

September 2021

Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online