WCA January 2024

RAYEX® D Dynamic X-Ray Measuring System

Benefits: Latest generation of measurement algorithm provides measurement readiness within one second

Micro-focused X-ray beam ensures highest measurement accuracy New generation of X-ray sources with extended lifetime

Direct access to the sensors via the web server

Simultaneous acquisition of all measured values from both measurement axes

Zumbach Electronic AG | Hauptstrasse 93 | 2552 Orpund | Schweiz Telefon: +41 (0)32 356 04 00 | Fax: +41 (0)32 356 04 30 | sales@zumbach.ch | www.zumbach.com

SHAPE

ANY YOU WANT

Below are the dimensions of common shapes that we provide: RECTANGLE - starting from 0.05 mm to 11.0 mm SQUARE - starting from 0.08 mm to 15.0 mm HEXAGON - starting from 0.30 mm to 22.0 mm

HIGH-PERFORMANCE LONG-LASTING

Accomplishing a smooth die geometry and utilizing solid sintering techniques can result in a longer lifespan for the die.

Our superior inner surface polishing results in excellent wire quality and ensures stable production.

COMMON SHAPES WE PROVIDE

OUR PRODUCT LINE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING OFFERINGS ND Dies MCD / SSCD Dies PCD Dies Shaped PCD Dies Stranding, Bunching, Compacting Dies Tinning Dies Extrusion Tools Nano / Diamond-coated Dies

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A look at the past as we celebrate 2024 A new year seems like the ideal opportunity not only to look forward, but to reflect on milestones you have achieved throughout 2023. While the industry looks forward to the staging of wire Düsseldorf in April – as can be seen with news snippets throughout this issue of Wire & Cable ASIA – one company has highlighted its response to customer demand achieved during 2023. And Swedish business Lämneå Bruk has more than good reason to look back on its recent successes and achievements. Last year the company embarked on a strategic expansion with investments in enhancing operational infrastructure and developing facilities to meet customer needs. A newly built office building gives additional space for the growing workforce, as well as providing room for workshops, first aid training and company meetings. You can read about the developments by turning to page 10. Pooling of skills, commercial and technical synergies between companies has led to the growth of the Swiss Competence Cluster (SCC). This association, which brings together Swiss companies inside the wire and cable industry, has seen steady growth since its formation in 2022, and includes such companies as AESA, Buss, Erocarb, FMS, Hivotec, Microdia, Sensoptic and Zumbach.

Editor ( 编辑 ) David Bell Editorial Assistant ( 助理文字编辑 ) Christian Bradley Design & Production ( 设计/制作 ) Lisa Wright Advertising/Marketing ( 广告/营销 ) Jason Smith UK, Italy, USA, Canada, India & ROW 英国、意大利、美国、加拿大、印度及世界其它国家 Linda Li Asia 亚洲 Advertisement Coordinator ( 广告联络人 ) Liz Hughes Accounts Manager ( 财务经理 ) Louise Jennings Subscriptions ( 订阅) Louise Jennings Web Design/Developer ( 网页设计/开发 ) Andrew Barnes Social Media Administrator ( 社交媒体运营专员 ) Milly Harrison Founder ( 创办人 ) John C Hogg Advertising/Marketing & Editorial ( 广告, 营销及编辑部 ) Intras Ltd Unit 32, Tangent Business Hub, Shirebrook, Nottinghamshire NG20 8RX, UK 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. Wire & Cable ASIA reserves the right to edit, reword and subedit all editorial submissions in accordance with editorial policy. Wire & Cable ASIA 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. 《亚洲线缆》杂志所有图文受版权保护。未经书面授权不得全部或部分 以任何方式转载。出版商、编写者、代理商、印刷商及投稿者对在本期、 以前、以及将来刊登的稿件或广告的准确性和提出的索赔不承担责任。英 国 Intras Ltd 公司拥有《亚洲线缆》( Wire & Cable ASIA ) 图像和文字注 册商标。 Wire & Cable ASIA is published four times a year. It is distributed throughout North and Southeast Asia to registered readers in wire, cable and wire component producer and consumer industries. Annual subscriptions are available from just US$80. 《亚洲线缆》每年出版 4 期,面向整个北亚、东南亚地区的电线、电缆和 线材制品的生产商和用户发行。订阅年费最低 80 美元。 US Copies only : Wire & Cable ASIA (ISSN No: 0218 - 3277, USPS No: 022-979) is published four times a year: January, March, 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 Wire & Cable ASIA , 701 Ashland Ave, Folcroft PA 19032. Europe ( 欧洲 ) Tel ( 电话 ): . .................. +44 1926 334137 Fax ( 传真 ): .................. +44 1926 314755 Email ( 电子邮址 ): ........ wca@intras.co.uk Website ( 网站 ): ........... www.read-wca.com Editorial ( 广告/营销 ) Intras USA – Doug Zirkle Danbury Corporate Center, 107 Mill Plain Road, Danbury, CT 06811, USA Tel ( 电话 ): . .................. +1 203 794 0444 Email ( 电子邮址 ): ........ doug@intras.co.uk USA ( 美国 )

Member companies are present at a number of exhibitions, often grouped together. Read the latest update on page 14.

Also looking ahead is PT Krakatau Steel (Persero), which has placed an order with SMS group for an electric and automation system for its hot strip mill No.1 at its plant in Cilegon, Banten, Indonesia. Under the order, SMS will deliver an advanced X-Pact electric and automation system, focusing primarily on level 1 and 2 automation for the entire mill. See page 16 for the full story.

And speciality chemicals company Orion SA has completed its first greenfield project, a carbon black plant in eastern China that will supply fast-growing demand in Asia. The site’s two production lines, including for polymers, fibre and rubber, will have a total capacity of 70,000 tons per year. Read more details on page 16.

David Bell Editor

Front cover courtesy of M&M Group

M&M Group is devoted to manufacturing and exporting steel wire, wire mesh, filter parts and construction materials, etc, backed up by high

quality and considerate service For more details please contact: Tel: +86 10 84938072 Mob: +86 13910833898 Email: sales5@beijingmaster.com

All rights reserved © 2024 Intras Ltd ISSN 0218-3277

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

IIOT screen IIOT screen

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 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 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. 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 Company – M/S Scholz to cover CCV Lines, and Simpack USA for Coiling machines and Solutions.

High speed building wire line High speed building wire line

Supermac specializes in the following areas: • State of the art CCV Line with 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 • 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. 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 Supermac CCV Line

www.supermacindia.com www.supermacindia.com

SUPERMAC INDUSTRIES (INDIA) LIMITED 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 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 OFFICE : A-28 & 29, NARAINA Industrial Area Phase-1, New Delhi-110028, INDIA Ph.: +91-11-45574317 E-mail: office@supermacindia.com

7 UNIT-II : Plot No. 18-19, Sector-2A, IMT Manesar, Gurgaon, Haryana, INDIA UNIT-II : Plot No. 18-19, Sector-2A, IMT Manesar, Gurgaon, Haryana, INDIA

Wire & Cable ASIA – November 2021

Contents

8 Industry News 17 Technology News 25 FastenersASIA – Industry News 27 FastenersASIA – Products 32 Editorial Index 32 Advertisers Index Regulars

17

22

Technical Article 29 What manufacturing looks like with (and without) ERP software By Mike Melzer, VP of operations and service, Global Shop Solutions

8

bigstockphoto.com Artist Ivan Zhukevych

Diary of events

8-11 January 2024 Steel Fab Trade exhibition Sharjah, UAE Organisers: Expo Centre Sharjah www.steelfabme.com

January 2024

5-7 March 2024 AMI Cables Trade exhibition Düsseldorf, Germany Organisers: AMI www.ami-events.com 25-28 March 2024 Global Industrie Trade exhibition Paris, France

Getting Technical Laser printing materials for wire and cable applications: a technology overview Featuring • wire 2024 Düsseldorf – show issue • Intras 40 th anniversary celebration issue Next Issue

Organisers: Global Industrie www.global-industrie.com

15-19 April 2024 wire Düsseldorf Trade exhibition Düsseldorf, Germany Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.wire.de

Subscribe today!

15-19 April 2024 MACH 2024 Trade exhibition Birmingham, UK

Organisers: The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) www.machexhibition.com

11-13 May 2024 China (Guangzhou) International Metal and Metallurgy Exhibition Trade exhibition Guangzhou, China Organisers: Guangzhou Julang Exhibition Design Co Ltd www.julang.com.cn

Visit us online at www.read-wca.com

Shows correct at time of publication, please check to ensure the event is going ahead

Industry News

Vestdavit has secured an order for its Mission Bay system and a specially designed davit

Boat-handling system selected for new cable layer

perform effectively even in challenging weather conditions and high sea states. Vestdavit has therefore developed a highly advanced dual-winch davit, named HN-9003, for the new-build project. The company will deliver two of the tailor-made, high-specification davits, able to safely launch and recover a Fassmer combined fast rescue craft and lifeboat, with robust boat-handling capability in high sea states. As well as dual winches, the HN-9003 has separate constant tension and a PLC (programmable logic controller) system that can be operated from an intuitive wireless remote control unit. Nexans Vestdavit AS www.nexans.com www.vestdavit.no

Following positive operational experi- ence with Nexans, Vestdavit has been selected by Ulstein to supply a similar system for the latest new-build of the ST-297 CLV design by Skipsteknisk, which is based on the design of the Nexans Aurora . The 150m-long vessel will carry out cable-laying to connect countries and regions, renewable schemes and off- shore installations with subsea high voltage systems delivered by Nexans to support electrification projects worldwide. It will have 10,000 tonnes of cable load capacity and advanced instruments for transport and instal- lation of various types of subsea cables. The vessel will be equipped with DP3 for manoeuvrability and station-keeping capabilities, as it will be required to

Vestdavit has secured a repeat order with Norwegian shipbuilder Ulstein Verft for its advanced Mission Bay boat handling system, which will be installed along with a specially designed davit on a second cable-laying vessel for offshore contractor Nexans. Nexans has been using Vestdavit’s Mission Bay system to deploy workboats for cable-laying operations worldwide since the first full-scale installation on flagship Nexans Aurora , delivered from Ulstein in 2021. The TDB-5000 boat-handling system comprises an inboard hangar for safe storage of eight craft, which have been supplied by Maritime Partner, with an automated track-and-trolley system that can launch multiple workboats from either side of the vessel.

8

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January 2024

QUALITY IS EVERYTHING

The UPCAST ® continuous casting technology has been a jewel since its birth – a result of technical innovation and process know-how. The legacy continues: consistent high quality is still everything.

Upward casting since 1968

15 - 19 April 2024 Düsseldorf, Germany Visit us at 9C06

®

UPCAST OY , PORI, FINLAND www.upcast.com

Industry News

A year in review, and a look ahead Lämneå Bruk has looked back on the successes and milestones of 2023. The year was characterised

In be participating in more trade shows, com- mencing with wire Düsseldorf in April, followed by Wire Expo in May and wire China in September, and concluding the year with wire India in November. Lämneå Bruk AB www.lamnea.se 2024, the company will

by interactions and meaningful engage- ments at various trade shows. Face to-face encounters with partners and industry peers allowed for inspiring conversations, fostering connections that go beyond business transactions. Lämneå Bruk says that these personal interactions are pivotal to its business, driving mutual growth and success.

Responding its machines, the company embarked on a strategic expansion, with investments funnelled into enhancing operational infrastructure, and developing facilities to meet evolving customer needs. The company says that this expansion not only underscores its commitment to excellence but also signals a dedication to meeting the increasing demands of the market. A newly constructed office building provides additional space for the growing workforce, facilitating internal team-building workshops for middle level leaders, first aid training and company meetings. The company further invested in integrating automated machinery and equipment to become more efficient in its own production processes. This technological investment is set to augment operational capabilities. to demand for

Construction of Lämneå Bruk’s office building

Gold award for sustainable practices Lubricant producer Metalube™ has achieved Gold Status from EcoVadis, a third-party sustainability-rating gold rating is a result of the efforts of its employees and management, who collectively embarked on an ambitious sustainability project.

panels on buildings and the planting of thousands of trees. Brown emphasised the role of sustainability at Metalube: “Sustainability is key to Metalube. We are actively auditing every unit of the business to improve sustainable working practices.” Metalube Group www.metalube.co.uk Managing director Robert

organisation. This designation places Metalube among the top 5 per cent of companies committed to sustainable practices. EcoVadis evaluates companies based on four criteria: environmental impact, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. Metalube’s

As a carbon-neutral company, Metalube continues to invest in sustainability projects, with a daily focus on enhancing its environmental friendliness. Initiatives range from developing eco-friendly lubricant solutions for industry applications to the installation of solar

ASMAG acquires Reika The family-owned company ASMAG, located in Scharnstein, Austria, is taking over Reika, a German manufacturer of turnkey tube processing systems. The acquisition represents a significant step in ASMAG’s expansion strategy. By integrating Reika’s products into the ASMAG Group’s existing portfolio, a broader range can be offered to shared customers. This will contribute to consolidating the market position, and aligns with the “everything from a single source” strategy. Johann Vielhaber, founder and owner of the ASMAG Group, commented, “The acquisition of Reika is a significant achievement for ASMAG. We value the know-how that the company brings with its over 100 years of existence and are

convinced that this will further strengthen our position as a leading company in the industry.”

The head- quartered in Austria’s Almtal valley, is primarily engaged in mechanical and plant engineer- ing for the metal industry, with locations in Austria, Germany, Italy and the USA. ASMAG Group,

ASMAG GmbH www.asmag.at

Johann Vielhaber

10

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January 2024

Industry News

A quantum leap in speed High growth rates in fibre optic expansion are enabling access to the competitiveness of the “gigabit age”, and the cable, wire and pipe industries have long been ready to play a decisive role in shaping this future. Countries such as Germany and the UK are turning to high speed data highways, while Korea, Japan and Spain already have very high fibre penetration rates of 87, 84 and 81 per cent, respectively. Fibre optic

Fibre optic cables are faster than conventional copper cables and transport more data

Fibre optic cables are many times faster than conventional copper cables and can transport significantly more data, while requiring little space and consuming less energy. high precision, and this can be ensured by using measuring and control devices such as those manufactured by Sikora. The company offers a new technology for high-precision tensile force measurement in a stand-alone system that employs the principle of birefringence with a measurement rate of up to 10 kHz. Rosendahl Nextrom is a fibre optic specialist that sees itself as a one-stop shop for production equipment. The company’s core competencies include its manufacturing solutions for the production of optical glass, the drawing of glass fibres for telecommunications and special applications, the coating of fibres, the production of ribbons, proof tests and the production of glass fibre cables. For the loose and tight buffering of glass fibres, cable lines are required in addition to hose extrusions for fibre bundles and fibre ribbons. The company also offers systems for the stranding of buffered fibres up to the sheathing process for fibre optic cables. The protection of the glass fibre is also essential. A single fibre has a core, a cladding glass and an outer cladding. “The mantle ensures the guidance of the lightwave signals; the outer sheath gives the glass fibre flexible and robust properties due to its nature of plastic,” explained a spokesperson for the glass fibre provider Telekom. This prevents the fibre from breaking during bending and losing its function as an optical waveguide. The optical signals cannot leave the core, unlike the copper cable that transports data by means of electricity and loses data over long distances. Rautomead Ltd Rautomead will be introducing its new RIC 400 model break-ring, continuous casting technology, which has been developed to process cobalt alloy, nickel alloy and iron alloy wire rods from 2.5 to 50mm diameter. The company will also present its RS range of graphite furnace continuous casting machines for the manufacture of extra-low oxygen content CuOF rod and for the production of high quality conductor alloy rods. Read the full story in the March issue cables require

photo credit: Pixabay

Only seven countries have a fibre share of 70 per cent or more of total fixed broadband subscriptions, according to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development). Germany, for example, is behind in the international comparison with a fibre optic expansion rate of less than 25 per cent – 74 th among 84 assessed countries. Its federal government launched a “gigabit strategy” to ensure that fibre optic connections are available nationwide by 2030. In order to make this possible, fast planning and approval procedures are implemented, among other things. In addition, alternative laying techniques are to be used more frequently for fibre optic expansion. The implementation of Industry 4.0 will require powerful data carriers. Even in households, fast web-surfing is expected, and data rates are rising rapidly. On average, data traffic climbs by more than 30 per cent each year. QED Wire Lines Inc QED specialises in equipment for in-line heat-treating, cleaning and coating of steel wire. Its furnaces are custom built for multi-strand annealing, stress relieving, patenting and tempering processes. With patented flow technology, the fluid systems integrate cleaning efficiency with high wire speeds. The liquid metal furnaces apply heavy and commercial coatings of zinc, aluminium and Galfan®. Read the full story in the March issue Maillefer Extrusion Oy Maillefer is promising “a convergence of revolutionary technologies” at wire Düsseldorf. The company’s live com- ponents showcase will feature a line up covering diverse industry needs. The advanced Topography Scanner 2.0 features the latest technology for high accuracy in seamless topography scanning, while the ECH 35/45 with automatic crosshead centring provides precision in streamlining processes. Read the full story in the March issue

In addition to underground laying and above-ground laying on masts, outdoor fibre optic cables are blown with compressed air into small pipes that were laid in advance in the ground or in jacket pipes. The pipes have an inner diameter of four to eight millimetres and are often designed in a pipe assembly with up to 22 pipes. The fibre optic cables (ø 2.3 to 6.5mm) are blown into these pipes with special air compressors, up to 2,000m at a time. Common fibre optic earth cables include four cables with twelve individual fibres each. Worldwide demand for cables and pipes for fibre optic technology is growing. In order to keep up with this demand, production needs to be expanded and new production facilities set up. For example, egeplast is building a new microduct production hall to ensure reliability of delivery for the expansion of the fibre optic network in view of the increasing demand for tube bundles, which consist of several microduct mono tubes. The new 11,000m 2 production hall doubles its production capacity for microducts. Trends and highlights from the wire, cable and tube industries can be experienced at wire and Tube 2024, from 15 to 19 April 2024 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

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

BWE Ltd BWE Ltd is a British engineering company specialising in continuous extrusion machines and cold pressure welders. Its Conform™ and Conklad™ continuous extrusion technologies are established in the non-ferrous, cable and tube industries. Typical applications for Conform include copper and aluminium rectangular wire (magnet wire for transformers), solid aluminium conductor (SAC for cables) and copper busbar. Read the full story in the March issue

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January 2024

Industry News

Cables 2024 AMI, a provider of market intelligence and events for the global plastics industry, has released the agenda for the 24 th edition of Cables, taking place from 5 to 7 March in Düsseldorf, Germany. The event is an annual meeting place for European cable manufacturers and their suppliers to catch up on new regula- tory developments, market demands and technological advancements for polymers in the wire and cable industry. The agenda reflects the latest industry trends and discusses innovations in compounds, masterbatches, additives and specific applications. The sessions start with a market overview, presented by an AMI consultant, which is tailored to the needs and interests of the targeted audience. This is followed by discussions on new materials and formulations to achieve better quality polymers in cables; new technologies and formulations with a focus on scientific discoveries; and regulatory and consumer demands. Presentations will explore issues in sustainability during a dedicated session

“The ISO 14001 certification for our Pawcatuck facility is a testament to our ongoing efforts to integrate sustainability into every aspect of our business, be it in new machines or retrofit upgrades to process biopolymers or circular economy structures to energy-efficient and waste-reducing equipment designs.” In addition to achieving ISO 14001 certification, Davis-Standard is purs- uing initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint as it relates to the use of carbon-pollution-free electricity at its facilities. Its commitment to sustainable practices extends to the design and manufacturing of equipment that addresses environmental concerns. “We understand the importance of innovation in promoting sustainability in our industry,” added Mr Spitale. “Our team is dedicated to developing cutting-edge technology that not only meets our customers’ needs but also aligns with their and our environmental goals. We are continuously working on designing equipment that enhances efficiency and reduces environmental impact.” Davis-Standard, LLC www.davis-standard.com • Gi Joon Nam, director, LS Cable & System, Republic of Korea • Chris Kent, technical services manager, AGC Chemicals Europe, UK • Thomas Dittmar, CTS specialist, Huber Advanced Materials – Martinswerk, Germany • Bryan Guichard, development engineer, MCPP France SAS, France • Outi Härkki, business development manager, energy, Premix Oy, Finland • Christian Lagreve, R&D materials manager, Acome, France • Franck Gyppaz, head of fire safety systems technoplatform, Nexans, representing Europacable, France Alongside this agenda, Cables offers more than 12 hours of networking, an evening reception, exclusive dinner and an exhibition space. AMI www.ami-events.com See us on stand 11E63 Wire & Cable ASIA ན঴ ࿷ᇤ

titled Reducing Wire and Cable Industry Carbon Footprint and Increasing Recyclability. Also discussed will be specific appli- cations that are showing the fastest growth, such as electromobility and electrification, and new solutions that the industry can provide for these applications. The organiser says that the highlight of the event will be discussions from cable manufacturers and suppliers on current market challenges and opportunities, giving attendees the chance to hear first-hand opinions from industry leaders about what the future holds for the industry. cable manufacturers and polymer suppliers, as well as compounders, additive providers, technology developers, scientists and end users. Speakers and panellists will include: • Michael Heinz, process development supervisor, Corning Optical Communications, Germany The event attracts 170+

HQ and manufacturing facility attains certification Davis-Standard, a designer and manu- facturer of extrusion and converting technology, has announced that its headquarters and largest manufacturing facility, in Pawcatuck, Connecticut, USA, have achieved ISO 14001 certification.

The this underscores its ongoing dedication to environmental responsibility and sus- tainability in its operations as part of defined 2025 ESG commitments. the company’s locations in Fulton, New York (USA), Vantaa (Finland), Düsseldorf company stated that The Pawcatuck facility joins

Davis-Standard’s Connecticut headquarters

(Germany) and Ecublens (Switzerland), which are already ISO 14001 certified. All of Davis-Standard’s global manu- facturing sites are expected to become ISO 14001 certified by 2025. ISO 14001 is an internationally recog- nised standard for environmental management systems, emphasising a systematic approach to managing environmental impact. The certification acknowledges Davis- Standard’s commitment to environ- mentally friendly practices, com- pliance with applicable legal require- ments, and continual improvement in environmental performance. “At Davis-Standard, we believe in taking proactive measures to minimise our environmental impact and contribute to the plastics circular economy,” said CEO Giovanni Spitale.

Associated Engineers & Industrials Pvt Ltd

The AEI team will welcome visitors from all over the world to showcase new developments in AEI stranders for production flexibility, enhanced safety, reduced downtime and minimum maintenance. With more than 50 years’ history in making rigid stranding machines, AEI has been selected for projects in regions across Europe, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa, competing for demanding applications with rigid stranders that satisfy various safety and conformity certifications. Read the full story in the March issue

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January 2024

Industry News

SDS system meets BOF slop detection alarm rate milestone

Wire, Cable, Wire Products & Technology

Spring Making Technology & Products

Fastener Technology & Products

Mesh Welding Technology

join the best: 15–19 April 2024 The decision makers are at wire 2024. Meet the world’s market leaders and pioneers from the wire and cable industry. Experience innovations, leading future trends as well as new ways of promoting sustainability: wire.de/ecometals_en

Tenova’s system detects BOF slopping events

ArcelorMittal South Africa, and Tenova Goodfellow Inc, a subsidiary of Tenova, have entered into a contract for the supply of Tenova’s intelligent Slop Detection System (i SDS®) to detect and to initiate dynamic action to mitigate the effects of basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slopping events. Tenova specialises in sustainable solutions for the green transition of the metals industry, while ArcelorMittal South Africa is the largest supplier of flat steel products in sub Saharan Africa, with a production capacity of 7mn tonnes of liquid steel per annum, supplying more than 61 per cent of steel used in South Africa. The i SDS is a digital module within Tenova’s i BOF® suite of Industry 4.0 technologies for basic oxygen furnaces. The ArcelorMittal South Africa contract included supply, installation, detection model tuning and a system performance guarantee, which specified a minimum slop detection rate and a minimum advance warning time to enable successful dynamic mitigating action. ArcelorMittal South Africa and Tenova have mutually confirmed that the contractual system performance guarantee has been met or exceeded in full for vessel #1 at the steel mill. Based on this positive result, ArcelorMittal SA is now proceeding to install the technology on two more of its BOF converters. The i SDS technology continuously monitors changes in BOF lance vibration to detect the initial onset of slopping, allowing quick response and remedial action to mitigate the effects of slopping before there is a major ejection of slag and metal from the vessel. Using real-time alerts, i SDS provides operators with an advance warning of the onset of slop as well as a measurement of slop severity. More than 20 Tenova i SDS systems have been installed or are underway in BOF shops worldwide. “Tenova Goodfellow Inc is excited and proud to partner with ArcelorMittal South Africa on this project,” said Marshall Khan, Tenova senior project manager. “Through collaboration and focus we have attained a very important project milestone in our pursuit to bring value added Industry 4.0 technology to ArcelorMittal SA for cost savings and improved operational benefits.” Stephan van der Walt, ArcelorMittal South Africa project manager, commented, “ArcelorMittal SA management is very pleased with the project results thus far and we are eager to continue this cooperation to see the system fully functional to mitigate slopping events and achieve the expected plant benefits.” Tenova SpA www.tenova.com

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15.11.23 13:32

Industry News

Swiss competence cluster for global wire and cable industry

Boockmann Engineering GmbH Established Boockmann Engineering provides customer-specific solutions with experience in environmental protection standards. At wire 2024, the company will present its Helicord® technology for surface processing of wire and cable, such as welding wire finishing or removal of misprints from cable. It will also show its Helilub® technology for precision, solvent-free lubrication of magnet wire, and the Labtech range of products for production-related analysis and measuring technology. Read the full story in the March issue Roblon A/S Visitors to Roblon’s stand will have the opportunity to learn about the latest in performance fibres and machinery in FOC applications. Representatives will be available to introduce the company’s most recent developments for the cable industry and to discuss how Roblon solutions can help customers achieve fast and efficient production. The stand will also showcase a variety of performance fibres. The company has manufacturing bases in Denmark and the Czech Republic, and North Carolina, USA. Read the full story in the March issue in 1982,

Switzerland is a small country by size, but has significant technological knowledge and capacity for innovation, with many high performance and quality products being developed there. Swiss Competence Cluster (SCC) was formed in 2022 and is currently in a growth phase. For cable manufacturing, metrology or cable installation tools, SCC says it has the expertise to address most challenges. According to the association, “The use of a Swiss product represents an asset that allows users to optimise production costs, reduce waste and strengthen their brand image.” The SCC association gathers several Swiss companies specialising in technologies for the cable industry, and currently comprises AESA, Buss, Erocarb, FMS, Hivotec, Microdia, Sensoptic and Zumbach. All members have their own specialities but share the same core values, An association named the

SCC’s latest Swiss pavilion

providing cultural, commercial and technical synergies between the companies. The association allows the pooling of skills and the development of new channels of communication. Member companies will be present at various events this year, often grouped together. The association will have a Swiss pavilion at wire Mexico 2024, on booth 342B.

Swiss Competence Cluster www.scc-wci.swiss

Makai partners with Shell in ocean thermal energy conversion Makai Ocean Engineering has signed an agreement with Shell Technology Marine Renewable Program to further develop and test potentially transformative proprietary technologies that advance the engineering and economic viability of an offshore ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system. The company’s concept for OTEC systems and heat exchangers – the thin foil heat exchanger (TFHX) – holds the potential to reduce the capital and operating costs of an offshore OTEC system. A key part of the study is to work with Shell to accelerate the timeframe for reaching true economic viability of OTEC systems. “Partnering with Shell Technology Marine Renewable Program provides an avenue to translate our research into actionable and commercially viable solutions,” said Richard Argall, Makai’s ocean energy division head. “Makai and Shell’s shared vision is to harness marine energy sustainably, and together we are poised to make that vision a reality.” Dr Pak Leung, Marine Renewable Program manager, Shell Technology, commented, “We congratulate the exceptional team at Makai for pursuing innovation in OTEC technologies and establishing themselves as a leader in the industry. As we continue to explore how to achieve more value with lower emissions through promising marine renewable energy systems, we are excited that Makai is one of our first major partners in the OTEC space.” Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc www.makai.com

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Industry News

New order for Kocks RSB from China The Chinese steel producer Xinji Aosen Special Steel Group Co and Friedrich Kocks GmbH & Co have signed a contract for the installation of an RSB® 370++/4 reducing and sizing block in 5.0 design. struction steel, high-quality carbon construction steel, welding, high-speed steel and galvanised wire.

RichardsApex, Inc RichardsApex, a manufacturer of wet lubricants for the ferrous, non-ferrous and alloy wire and tube industries, will be displaying its latest technology. From wire drawing, tube drawing and hot-rolling applications, RichardsApex provides semi-synthetic, fully synthetic and straight oil form compounds for wet drawing of non-ferrous and ferrous wire, as well as protective coatings, cleaners and corrosion inhibitors for all non-ferrous and ferrous alloys, for both wire and tube applications. Read the full story in the March issue Maschinenfabrik Niehoff develops and manufactures machines that meet the requirements of sustainability, while enabling energy savings and simul- taneously ensuring material- and cost efficient production processes. At wire 2024, the company will display a next generation rod breakdown line featuring a new and patented annealing system and increased production speed, along with innovations in the field of multi-wire drawing. Read the full story in the March issue Maschinenfabrik Niehoff GmbH & Co KG

The investment in a 700,000-t/a special bar quality (SBQ) rolling mill is a significant milestone for Xinji Aosen, marking its first entry into SBQ straight bar production. Positioned after 21 H/V stands, the Kocks reducing and sizing block will finish bars onto the cooling bed within a dimension range of Ø 20 to 90mm with high dimensional tolerance. The scope of supply includes remote control for stand and guide adjustments, equipment for the roll shop, and the advanced Bamicon Octopus soft- ware, which assists operators in stand

The block is a pivotal element of the company’s greenfield rolling mill for SBQ products. The private Xinji Aosen Steel Group, established in 2002, is engaged in iron and steel smelting, steel processing, the production of building materials, and international trade. It has an annual production capacity of 5.05 mn metric tons in various product categories, including billets, wire rod steel, con-

and guide preparation and supports the entire tooling process. The commissioning of the RSB is scheduled for the end of 2024. Friedrich Kocks GmbH & Co KG www.kocks.de

Kocks will supply a reducing and sizing block to Xinji Aosen

Industry News

Hot strip mill modernisation PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk has placed an order with SMS group for an electric and automation system for its hot strip mill no.1. The company operates its plant in Cilegon, Banten, Indonesia.

models will further contribute to the improvement of the end product quality. “This partnership highlights PT Krakatau Steel’s commitment to technological advancements and their dedication to maintaining high-quality steel production,” said Bernhard Steenken, CSO, region APAC and MEA, SMS group. “SMS group remains a key ally in achieving these goals.” SMS group GmbH www.sms-group.com Tramev Srl Tramev is both a supplier of new standard or special accessories and a partner for the solution of technical problems for metal wire, wire rope and wire derivatives manufacturers. With light and portable tools from the company’s shears division, cutting, bending and straightening are easy operations. Read the full story in the March issue effects across the steel strip width, which are important for high grade NGO electrical steel strip, especially for electrical vehicles. A modern process gas separation concept enables the furnace sections to run under different process gas combinations. Tenova LOI Thermprocess mathematical models are integrated in the furnace control PLC to fulfil the requirements for strip annealing accuracy and stability. Once the project has been completed, the new production line will be able to meet Ansteel’s demand for the high grade electrical steel required for the manufacture of EVs. Tenova www.tenova.com Shandong. That facility, built in 1994, produces carbon black grades for tyres, mechanical rubber goods and speciality applications. Carbon black – a solid form of carbon produced as powder or pellets – is made to customers’ specifications, and is used to tint, colourise, provide reinforcement, conduct electricity, increase durability and add UV protection. Orion produces carbon black at 15 plants worldwide. Orion SA https://orioncarbons.com

The new order follows the successful commissioning of hot strip mill no.2 by SMS, highlighting the partnership between the two companies, and demonstrating PT Krakatau Steel’s ongoing trust in the technology provided by SMS. Under this order, SMS will deliver an advanced X-Pact® electric and automation system, focusing primarily on level 1 and level 2 automation for the entire mill. This includes a new main and auxiliary drive system, as well as a low-voltage power distribution

The hot strip mill was originally constructed by SMS group in 1983, and has been a significant part of PT Krakatau Steel’s operations. It has one roughing mill stand with edger, six finishing mill stands and two down coilers, with annual production capacity designed for 2.4 mn tons.

system for the finishing mill. The X-Pact Vision HMI (human-machine interface) with advanced visualisation concept and integrated face- plate technology will provide operator guidance and enhanced maintenance flexi- bility. Level 2 mathematical

PT Krakatau Steel has commissioned SMS to modernise its hot strip mill

New annealing and coating line for Ansteel On 6 November 2023, during the 6 th China International Import Expo (CIIE), representatives from Tenova LOI Thermprocess and Ansteel Group participated in the signing ceremony for the contract of an annealing and coating line (ACL). The event was held at the National Convention and Exhibition Center in Shanghai and was organised by Ansteel. will supply as the core unit of the ACL. This will be part of Ansteel Group’s new steel project, which aims to produce electrical steel for electric vehicles (EVs) and will represent the first production line of this kind in Northeast China.

The annealing furnace equipment supplied by Tenova combines imported key equipment and furnace automation control from Tenova LOI Thermprocess, Germany, and local supply from Tenova Technologies (Tianjin), China. Tenova LOI Thermprocess’s ACL for non grain oriented (NGO) electrical steel strip is designed for high annealing temperatures, high H 2 content in the process gas, and high strip processing speed. Advanced cooling systems ensure low cooling rates and uniform cooling

Tenova LOI Thermprocess supplies industrial furnace systems for the heat treatment and melting of metals, and is part of Tenova, a provider of sustainable solutions for the green transition of the metals industry. Following a joint speech, the two parties signed the contract for the annealing furnace that Tenova LOI Thermprocess

Orion opens second plant in China Speciality chemicals company Orion SA has completed its first greenfield project – a carbon black plant in eastern China that will supply fast-growing demand in Asia. “The Huaibei facility is a huge milestone for Orion,” said Orion CEO Corning Painter at opening ceremony in November. “The state-of-the-art plant enables us to better support our Chinese customers with products that are made in China. Now we can reallocate production lines in the US and Europe so that we can increase supply to customers in those markets.” The facility in the city of Huaibei in Anhui province will produce carbon black for a variety of applications, including coatings, printing inks, polymers, fibre and rubber. The site’s two production lines have a total capacity of 70,000 tons per year. Orion’s other plant in China is in Qingdao in the eastern province of

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Technology News

Four-axis palletising head with integrated suction unit

Drum spooler for wrapped, labelled and palletised spools

sensors, aligned so that the start of the product is automatically shot into the spool core and clamped to enable fully automatic overlapping at full line speed. Within the line, the product is checked for defects by measuring devices and cut to length with the assistance of a calibratable length measurement. The integrated data logger stores this and other important production data in order to monitor the process and, for example, issue corresponding labels or sort out defective lengths. The winding process is followed by integrated spool foiling, in which a press-on roller system ensures cleanly foiled spools and prevents protruding ends. The tensile insensitive laying allows the use of foils with a thickness of only 20μm. The palletiser with four-axis palletising head and integrated suction unit for paperboard bases can transport spools either upright or lying down. The pick up head can be converted from upright

In the further development of its drum spoolers, Kurre Systems now offers a system that outputs a foil-wrapped and labelled spool onto a pallet, fully automatically, every 90 seconds or 500 metres. In contrast to the former drum spooler, the product range has been expanded to include diameters from 1 to 20mm. In the process, the large portal payoff now holds drums with a diameter of up to 2,800mm and a weight of up to 10 t. In the take-up area, disposable spools made of plywood, plastic or solid wood with a diameter of 375 to 800mm and a wound weight of up to 500kg are processed. A large magazine for up to 39 empty spools, storage for up to ten pallets, and integrated vertical storage with a capacity of 70m ensure the self sufficient operation of the line over a longer time period. On the way to the winding station, empty spools are separated and, using

The feed-in mechanism ensures that product ends are automatically clamped in the spool core

to horizontal transport without the need for tools. The rotating arm allows the spools to be positioned so that they can be labelled on the flange as well as on the wrapping material with the same applicator inside the palletiser. There are three pallet-holding areas, for defect spools, finished spools and paperboard bases, which can be placed as bottom, intermediate or top layer. The finished-spools storage unit can accommodate different types, such as Euro or container pallets, and transport them via the conveyor belt. The final stretching unit automatically wraps the entire pallet for further transport of the spools to the end customer. Kurre Spezialmaschinenbau GmbH www.kurre-systems.de

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