EuroWire March 2021

Technology News

Drawing die bearing asymmetry measurement

The standard picture of a drawing die has a conical reduction zone and a cylindrical bearing, followed by variations of cone shapes for the exit zone. Few dies precisely fit this description in reality, and one of the less communicated flaws is the asymmetry of the bearing. This consists of two base elements: the variation and the inclination. Both normally originate from the cutting and polishing process, but a poorly aligned draw bench can also be the cause. When Conoptica launched the CU11 in 2014, reliablemeasurements of the bearing asymmetry became available for the first time. Bearing inclination and variation could be assessed with values that were repeatable. However, the full measurement took more than two minutes. The CU11S provides has the same range, accuracy and repeatability as the standard CU11, but measures up to six times faster, with the full bearing asymmetry measurement being completed in less than 30 seconds, making it practical for everyday use in a busy die shop.

▲ ▲ Conoptica’s CU11S

The increase in speed without sacrificing accuracy or repeatability was obtained by adjustments in the specifications and production of the mechanic and electronic components of the instrument, and tuning of speed against all other parameters through thousands of measurements in Conoptica’s laboratory. The company says that with the CU11S and bearing asymmetry measurement it is providing the foundation for an increase in quality and productivity in wire making. In die production, better and more efficient set-up of drills, grinding and polishing equipment can be achieved, while in wire drawing, more unexpected events can be avoided due to better knowledge of the relevant die parameters. Conoptica https://conoptica.com Innovative compounds for the wire and cable industry

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Padanaplast, specialising in polyolefin com- pounds for use in wires, cables, pipes and fittings, is continuously looking for new technological solutions to offer advanced products to the wire and cable industry. Leveraging its core technologies, silane crosslinking and halogen-free flame retar- dancy, Padanaplast is able to serve sectors that are more demanding in terms of tech- nological know-how, competitiveness and safety, including materials for primary insulation, battery cable and EV applica- tions for the automotive industry with high temperature rating and low ambient impact. For industrial and petrochemical applications, where oil and fuel resistance are required, new grades are being added that offer an alternative to other crosslink- ing technology materials. Padanaplast states that it is particularly sensitive to issues related to safety, health and environment, and that it is committed not only to keep up to date on the substances used in its production, but also

to introduce improvements in products supporting these issues. The company’s Cogegum AFR 1809 UV re- cently obtained certification for PSVS Plas- tica Seconda Vita Sottoprodotto (materials obtained using plastic materials from by- products), demonstrating the company’s commitment to environment sustainability. Padanaplast is based at Roccabianca, near Parma in Italy, and operates 14 production lines certified to EN ISO 9001 and ISO EN 14001. Established in 1971, the company pioneered the technology of XLPE silane crosslinkable polyethylene compounds, and has been offering HFFR compounds for cable sheathing, wire insulation, pipe and fitting applications since 1982. In 2017, the business became part of Finproject Group, a major Italian player in crosslinkable polyolefin compounding, extrusion and moulding. Padanaplast Srl www.padanaplast.com

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March 2021