EuroWire November 2021

Corporate News

Solvent-free lubrication of magnet wire Established as a small company in 1982 and active for the first few years exclusively in the then-flourishing magnet wire industry, Boockmann Engineering has more than 35 years of experience in

slowly under push-pull-controlled conditions, and creating a 360° contact between the constantly renewed cleaning cord/ lubricating yarn and the wire.

Software and equipment providers and advisers to the wire and cable industry often gear sales and marketing towards more established manufacturers with so- phisticated processes, modern machines and sleek operational practices. However, Cimteq – a specialist in cable design and manufacturing software – highlights that many manufacturers worldwide feel far away from even considering Industry 4.0 and smart-factory processes. As a software solution provider, Cimteq aims to show these manufacturers that significant investment of both time and money is not always necessary at the outset. Advanced technology and connected automated systems are commonly considered the only solution to building a robust factory environment that can withstand changing industry conditions and increased competitor activity. This bringing together precision and en- vironmental protection standards while providing customer-specific solutions. Boockmann’s Helilub® equipment is used for precision, solvent-free lubrication of magnet wire. supplies Helicord® technology for surface processing of wire and cable of various diameters, such as welding wire finishing, abrasive wire cleaning or removal of misprints from cable. Helifil machines, for applications that require low forces where space is limited, are suitable for non- or only slightly abrasive cleaning applications on soft metal wire of diameters of approximately 0.3 to 3mm, at low friction forces or for simple application or coating tasks. The basic principle of all of these machines is based on a textile cord or yarn wound multiple times around a fast-moving wire, strand or insulated cable, moving The company also

quotations, control and optimisation of material costs, and financial projections. Reduced rework and scrap, and having the ability to access product information on demand are benefits that manufacturers can gain from replacing traditional in- house, paper-based systems with the first stage of automation and digitalisation. Once the rewards of the initial automation phase are realised, a move to more complex design software, ERP and MES systems, all of which integrate seamlessly, can be considered, to continue the journey to smart manufacturing. Cimteq’s industry white paper, Applying Industry 4.0 to the Cable Factory Environment, can be accessed via the company’s website. Cimteq Ltd www.cimteq.com For cleaning, friction power on the wire increases linearly with the wire speed. Therefore the friction energy per wire surface unit, and also the efficiency, is independent of the wire speed: Helicord can be run at drawing speeds. With Helicord, the use of liquids such as water-based tensides, organic solvents, oil or a variety of dispersions may be desirable or even required, typically at flow rates well below 10ml/min. For the welding wire industry, a variety of welding wire finishing cords are available, combining the properties of solid finishing materials with the precision of Helicord coating. With Helilub, various yarns pre- impregnated with different types of wax-based lubricants are available for different enamels and end uses of the wire. No solvent is required as the process is based on heat extraction. Helilub is best installed directly at the oven exit. Boockmann Engineering GmbH https://boockmann.com

▲ A Helifil machine

First steps towards Industry 4.0 in a wire and cable factory

viewpoint might be valid in the long term, but several fast, cost-effective solutions can make a difference in the short term. Cimteq states that the first step smaller manufacturers should take is to look at the “bigger picture”and visualise a future with a host of technology that enables greater flexibility, efficiency and productivity. This exercise will help them determine what their requirements are and will help them break down the project into smaller, more manageable and more affordable steps. One way to start the automation process is to look for ways to translate information into digital data, analyse it, and then drive it back into the system. CableBuilder Go helps smaller and single-factory manufacturers design, cost and quote wire and cables of all types. The system enables fast and accurate designs and

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November 2021