EuroWire November 2019

Focus on the UK

Continuous casting technology from Scotland

• The development of sealed-lid casting technology to facilitate the processing and production of copper alloy rods containing reactive elements such as chromium and zirconium Rautomead’s founder and chairman, Sir Michael Nairn, said: “Since the beginning, our philosophy has always been to maintain a sharp focus on the technology of continuous casting of non-ferrous metals and to excel in that speciality.” Rautomead graphite furnace technology is particularly suited for production of high-purity, oxygen-free copper wire rods and copper conductor alloy wire rods (eg copper silver, copper magnesium, copper, tin), at 1,000 to 10,000 tonnes per annum. This graphite furnace technology produces high-quality 8mm diameter CuOF wire rod, which benefits manufacturers of enamelled wire, LAN cables and fine wires. The upwards casting equipment may be used to manufacture rods of all diameters between 8mm and 30mm and is suitable feedstock for wire drawing as well as continuous rotary extrusion processes. End-use applications include superfine wire, automotive wires, contact wire and trolley wires for high-speed trains, data communication cables, CTC and transformer strips, as well as enamelled wires. One of the more recent developments has been the new RSL sealed-lid technology for casting of copper chrome zirconium alloys. RSL casting machines have been supplied to customers in Europe and China for the manufacture of electrical contacts, railway wires and rods for welding tip production. Rautomead Ltd – UK Website : www.rautomead.com

Rautomead Limited, based in Scotland, UK, has been supplying continuous casting technology to the non-ferrous metals industry around the world since being established in 1978. From the beginning, Rautomead has maintained an in-house R&D continuous casting capability, with a team of engineers tasked with innovation and development of the technology, so that it can be applied to an increasing range of alloys, applications and industry sectors. The most significant technological advances in continuous casting have been the result of active collaborations with companies with specific technical and commercial objectives. Since 1988, examples include: • Fast casting of 8mm CuOF wire rod • The development of a manufacturing process for CuMg contact wires for high-speed passenger rail networks • The development of 8mm diameter brass wire casting for the manufacture of EDM wires • The development of small (4mm) diameter casting of silver brazing alloy wires

▼ The RSL 1400 model sealed-lid upwards vertical continuous casting machine

43

www.read-eurowire.com

November 2019