EuroWire July 2023

Focus on UK

Going digital to keep up with key market trends

Operating more sustainably remains a priority, and the challenge is to create sustainable solutions that can keep up with the sector’s demands. Reducing global CO 2 emissions and achieving in-house sustainability targets are at the forefront of many manufacturers’ minds. Strict control over materials and machinery is one way sustainability targets can be met. Investing in a digital solution that allows correct materials to be automatically selected, and calculating the required dimensions and quantity of products to be digitally produced, offers an opportunity to achieve targets and adapt quickly when these targets change. Going digital enables manufacturers to automatically select an appropriate machine and define the running parameters with target dimensions. This

can reduce emissions while ensuring the end product is within acceptable limits. Retaining the intelligence and knowledge of skilled workforce members is a key priority. Expert opinion, knowledge of products and the industry, and a thorough understanding of a manu- facturer’s processes and procedures is a talent that remains at risk. The loss of skills over time, through key personnel retirement, and failing to attract younger recruits with a digitally competent work environment could leave manufacturers vulnerable. Sophisticated software systems present an opportunity to revolutionise a manufacturing plant, from design and quote to product delivery. Cimteq by UL Solutions www.cimteq.com

The cable manufacturing faces several fast-moving market trends that require attention from manufacturers looking to remain competitive, to ensure maximum output and productivity levels and adherence to sustainability targets. The predicted acceleration of the speed of data entering data centres around the world will need significant network upgrades and new data centre infrastructures. The subsequent increase in demand for high-tech cable designs and machinery will require cable manufacturers to achieve a set-up where these demands can be dealt with quickly while allowing companies to tweak output. Specialist cable design software can ease this burden by enabling manufacturers to speed up production and gain strict control of materials and machines. world of wire and As a specialist manufacturer of cold welding equipment for nearly 40 years, PWM’s product portfolio includes machines and dies for a wide range of applications, including handheld manual cold welders for fine wire, manual machines for use on a workbench/trolley, portable air/hydraulic powered models and large free-standing rod welders. Designed and made in the company’s two plants in Kent, UK, PWM products are engineered to produce reliable welds stronger than the parent material. The machines are clean, quiet and user friendly, enabling even untrained operatives to produce consistent welds. Continual investment in R&D allows the company to develop solutions

Greener welding solutions in demand

to meet wire and cable manufacturers’ changing needs and improve pro- duction efficiency. Recent innovations include the air/hydraulic ST40 dedi- cated strip welder and the CP180, a small portable hydraulic machine in a carry pack. Demand from manufacturers seeking greener alternatives to electrical butt welding has

PWM’s EP500 rod welder

seen sales of PWM’s energy-efficient rod welders increase significantly over the last two years. The machines are powered by advanced pneumatic and electro-hydraulic systems: electrical power is only required for the operating systems that are used to set the weld parameters.

In addition to industry standard dies for wire sizes from 0.08 to 6.35mm, PWM produces custom-made dies for round wire, strip and profile, including specialist dies for complex trapezoidal and z-wire profile, used in the build-up of subsea cables. These can now be produced for all sizes across the range of PWM’s manual M101 cold welder, for sizes up to 20mm 2 on the HP100 and up to 33mm 2 on the HP200 air/hydraulic machines, and up to 170mm 2 on the EP500 electro/pneumatic rod welder. PWM Ltd www.pwmltd.co.uk

Custom-made die for welding trapezoidal wire

The pneumatic EP500 rod welder, for non-ferrous material from 5 to 15mm, is one of the company’s best-selling machines. PWM’s cold welding dies are indi- vidually hand-made in matched sets by skilled technicians.

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July 2023