WCA March 2019

Interwire 2019 show issue

Fuchuan Electrical & Mechanical Co, Ltd was founded in the year 2001. It is located in the Huaqiao Economic and Technological Development Zone of Kunshan City in Jiangsu province, close to the city of Shanghai, the junction of the Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway and state highway 312. The company is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the design, development, manufacture, installation and debugging of wire and cable equipment. It has gained the ISO 9001:2008 quality management system certificate, and is authorised to import and export. In December 2009, we built a new plant in the Economic Development Zone of DongTai city in Jiangsu province. It occupies an area of 21,000 square meters, in which main body production takes place. In March 2018, we founded our third plant – a dust-proof workshop for wire and cable manufacturing, taking up 10,000 square meters of space. The company has introduced advanced equipment and technology from developed countries such as Japan, Europe and the United States, adopting advanced testing equipment and processing devices, with ERP system management. It has successfully developed equipment for electric wire and cable that is close to and achieving the industry’s advanced international level. Such equipment includes new types of high- speed bunching machines, high-speed extruders, high-speed annealing and tinning machines, cable-laying machines, and various peripheral equipment for electric wire and cable of the Fuchuan brand. Our company has provided equipment for many famous enterprises at home and abroad, in South America, Europe, etc. The company has supplied machines to famous corporations such as LS India, Income Egypt, Sumitomo Electric Co Ltd, Hitachi Cable Group Ltd, Force Corporation, ZhenXiong Copper corporation, XinHai Copper corporation, QiFan Cable corporation, DingKe corporation, JiangYang corporation, JiangTong corporation, HengTong corporation, BaoSheng corporation, GuiLin International Co and WanTai corporation. Our company has won a rather good reputation from these enterprises. The company insists on the operating principle of “customer first, sincere services and common development, company spirit, more than profession, smart from Fuchuan”, providing the highest quality products as well as perfect service to customers. We welcome customers and friends from home and abroad coming to visit our company. Fuchuan would like to be your most sincere partner.

Contents

Regulars

8 Industry News 28 行业新闻 33 Technology News 40 技术与产品 44 India Insight 44 印度透视 46 Interwire 2019 50 Telecom News 52 通信新闻 53 From the Americas 57 来自美国的消息 64 Editorial Index 64 通讯目录 64 Advertisers Index 64 广告索引

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Technical Articles 59 Solving difficult problems while customising cables to reduce installation cost 62 解决电缆定制过程中遇到的难题， 降低安装成本

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Next Issue

Getting Technical - High-Speed Lump and Neck-down Detection with Accurate Diameter Measurement Feature - wire Russia 2019 Wire & Cable Guangzhou 2019 Fibre optics – machinery & equipment

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bigstockphotos.com “Atlanta, Georgia, US”, photographer Sean Pavone

bigstockphoto.com Artist Ivan Zhukevych

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Editor ( 编辑 ): ............................................... David Bell Features Editor – USA ( 专栏编辑 – 美国 ): .............................. Dorothy Fabian Editorial Assistant ( 助理文字编辑 ): ............................... Christian Bradley Design/Production ( 设计/制作 ): ............ Julie Tomlin Production ( 制作 ): .................................... Lisa Wright Translation ( 翻译经理 ): ............... TTC wetranslate Ltd Linda Li Advertising/Marketing : ......................... Jason Smith ( 广告/营销 ): UK, ROW, USA, Canada Giuliana Benedetto Italy Linda Li 中国 Advertisement Coordinator ( 广告联络人 ): .............................................. Liz Hughes Accounts Manager ( 财务经理 ): .................. Julie Case Subscriptions ( 订阅) ..............................Julie Case Publisher ( 发行人 ): ........................... Caroline Sullens Founder ( 创办人 ): ................................... John C Hogg Europe ( 欧洲 ) Advertising/Marketing & Editorial ( 广告, 营销及编辑部 ) 46 Holly Walk, Leamington Spa Warwickshire CV32 4HY, UK 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 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 six times a year. It is distributed throughout North and South-east 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》一年出版六期，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 一年：欧元 140 ；英镑 120 ; 美元 195 。 USA ( 美国 ) 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

© Intras Ltd ISSN 0218-3277

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India’s rising popularity An increase in exhibitors, larger and higher profile stands and a rise in the number of visitors all highlight the increasing success of wire India. Add to that an increase in spending on infrastructure throughout Asia, and it leaves little doubt of the rising popularity of the biennial exhibition. Running alongside wire India were Tube India and Metallurgy India, all three of which provided a fascinating insight into the latest technologies, machinery, plants, services and finished products throughout the sector. More details can be found on page 8. We also look forward in this issue, and go stateside with Interwire looming large on the calendar in the wire and cable industry. The largest show in the Americas is being staged in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, from 13 th to 16 th May and promises a peek into the future with the theme being the ‘Next Generation’. There is a new conference format that features an impressive line-up of speakers from the industry’s most influential companies. Interwire also includes the Wire Association International’s 89 th annual convention, a full exposition, and a collection of exhibitors at the International Fastener Manufacturing Exhibition. Full details and a list of companies exhibiting can be found on page 46.

Feel free to visit Booth 222 and collect your free copies of Wire & Cable ASIA , EuroWire and CD versions of wiredInUSA .

David Bell Editor

When and where

29 September- 2 October: IWCS – technical symposium – Charlotte, North Carolina, USA Organisers : IWCS Tel : +1 717 993 9500 Website : www.iwcs.org

18-20 September: wire Southeast Asia – trade exhibition – Bangkok, Thailand Organisers : Messe Düsseldorf Asia Pte Ltd Fax : +65 6337 4633 Email : wire@mda.com.sg Website : www.wire-southeastasia. com

18-20 June: wire Russia – trade exhibition – Moscow, Russia Organisers : Messe Düsseldorf Fax : +7 499 246 9277 Email : info@wire-russia.com Website : www.wire-russia.com

13-16 May: Interwire –

trade exhibition – Atlanta, Georgia, USA Organisers : Wire Association International Fax : +1 203 453 8384 Email : sales@wirenet.org Website : www.wirenet.org

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Photo credit: bigstockphoto.com “Atlanta, Georgia, USA” • Photographer: Sean Pavone

Industry news

❍ The seventh staging of wire India saw 430 exhibitors from 26 countries travel to Mumbai, India International appeal

India (the Society for Surface Protective Coatings – India), as well as the India Chapter of ITA. 14,617 trade visitors (including the visitors from India Essen Welding & Cutting) travelled to the exhibition halls in Mumbai to find out about news in the sector, make new contacts and expand existing business relations. The atmosphere was characterised by busy activities in the exhibition halls, valuable synergies generated by the concurrent staging of the three trade fairs, and the perspectives of good post-show business. wire India, Tube India and Metallurgy India will again be held concurrently at the Bombay Convention & Exhibition Centre from 23 rd to 25 th November 2020. Messe Düsseldorf GmbH – Germany Website : www.wire-india.com

events two years ago. Furthermore, the trend towards markedly bigger and higher-profile exhibition stands continued. Messe Düsseldorf GmbH organised the three trade fairs in cooperation with Messe Düsseldorf India, and received support from the international associations IWCEA (International Wire and Cable Exhibitors Association), IWMA (International Wire & Machinery Association), ACIMAF (Italian Wire Machinery Manufacturers Assoc- iation), WCISA (Wire and Cable Industry Suppliers Association) as well as ITA (International Tube Association). The trade fair trio was again supported by the Indian industrial associations SWMAI (Steel Wire Manufacturers Association of India), AIWMA (All India Weldmesh Manufacturers Assoc- iation), INSDAG (Institute for Steel Development & Growth) and SSPC

NEARLY 15,000 visitors headed to Mumbai, India, for the seventh staging of wire India, Tube India and Metallurgy India last year. For three days, the latest technologies, machinery, plants, services and finished products in the wire and cable segments, pipe and tube processing, tube trade and metallurgy were on show at the Bombay Convention and Exhibition Centre. A total of 430 exhibitors from 26 countries travelled to Mumbai. Exhibiting alongside many Indian companies again were national pavilions from Austria, Italy, the USA, China and Germany. 2018 saw another increase in the area where companies showcased their technology innovations: 8,500m 2 of net exhibition space were occupied – 600m 2 more than at the previous

Graphics bigstockphoto.com Artist Eky Studio

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Industry news

Australian connection

$1.9 billion to meet transmission demand The Australian state of New South Wales has outlined plans to spend around $1.9 billion to accelerate the development of transmission capacity for wind and solar power. According to Reuters news agency, New South Wales alone has solar and wind projects worth around $19 billion, with a further 20GW of capacity in the design stage. The state is working with transmission operator Transgrid, owned by a consortium led by Spark Infrastructure group, to speed up planning and feasibility work on four projects. The facilities are needed between 2022 and 2024, to boost connections between New South Wales and its neighbouring states of Queensland, Victoria and South Australia. Transgrid – Australia Website : www.transgrid.com.au

The 36Tbps, two fibre pair cable system will span 9,200km, and be the first direct connection between Sydney and Singapore. “The landing of Indigo Central cable by Optus is a landmark development, which will boost Australia’s communications ecosystem with much-needed high speed capacity and network diversity,” said Ooi Seng Keat, Singtel’s VP of carrier services for group enterprise. “Together with Indigo West, the next-generation Indigo Central data superhighway will enhance Singtel and Optus’s subsea networks, creating a cable ring connecting Australia to Singapore, through Southeast Asia, across the Pacific and back to Australia.” SubPartners – Australia Website : www.subpartners.net/indigo.html

THE consortium behind the Indigo Central subsea cable has announced the cable’s landing in Sydney, Australia. Once complete, Indigo Central will be the first subsea cable directly connecting Sydney, on the east coast of the nation, with Perth on the west coast. The cable was fully installed in early December last year, and has been designed to complement the connecting Indigo West cable between Singapore and Perth. The Indigo project is funded by a consortium of Singtel, Telstra, the Australian Academic and Research Network (AARNet), Indonesia’s Indosat, the telecoms infrastructure company SubPartners, and Google. The overall Indigo system is expected to be ready for service in mid-2019.

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Industry news

Lubricant partnership for Metalube

GLOBAL lubricants specialist Metalube has been officially named the speciality lubrication partner of Bellini SpA. In addition to the partnership in Italy, Metalube India will represent Bellini in India. Bellini is a manufacturer of industrial fluid lubricants based in Bergamo, Italy. It will now distribute across Italy the entire Metalube range of lubricants for drawing non-ferrous wire and tubes, protective greases for overhead line conductors, wire rope lubricants and chain oils. In reverse, Metalube India will be distributing Bellini’s metal cutting lubricants throughout India. Douglas Hunt, commercial director at Metalube, said: “We are looking forward to the start of a long and fruitful relationship between Metalube and Bellini. Our two companies share very similar values and aspirations, with customer satisfaction through technological innovation, service and flexibility at the heart of everything we do.” Metalube exports 95 per cent of its production to over 90 countries worldwide and has offices in Manchester, UK; Dubai, UAE; Mumbai, India; São Paulo, Brazil; and Shanghai, China. At its headquarters in Manchester the company has a fully integrated lubricant manufacturing facility including new laboratories. Research and development are key to the business and it is constantly investing in the Metalube ® Technology Centre, ensuring technical excellence and innovation across its entire range of products and services. Metalube Ltd – UK Website : www.metalube.co.uk ❍ Douglas Hunt, centre, from Metalube with Bellini’s Valentino Foiadelli, sales manager, left, and Marco Bellini, managing director, right

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Industry news

Island proposal in Bahrain

A BAHRAIN project is calling for a submarine power cable to connect the mainland to the Hawar Islands, an archipelago of desert islands situated off the west coast of Qatar in the Gulf of Bahrain. The 25km power cable will run from Al Bar, the southernmost tip on the island of Bahrain, to north-western Hawar. The goal is a permanent electricity grid for Hawar, rather than relying on temporary power generators as it does at present. A statement from Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, a Bahraini deputy prime minister

❍ Hawar Islands, situated off the west coast of Qatar. Photograph courtesy of Gulf-insider.com

who heads the ministerial committee for reconstruction and infrastructure work, said the project is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2019 and be completed in the last quarter of 2020. The electricity and water authority has submitted a proposal for the cable route. Bahrain said it plans to develop sections of Hawar Island, in line with Bahrain’s national economic strategy for 2030. The electricity supply needs to be upgraded in order to sustain the development and to meet increasing demand. The project is funded by the Saudi Fund for Development. Bahrain Government – Bahrain Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has awarded contracts, worth a total $19 million, to several companies to supply 838km of low-voltage power cables. The contracts include the supply of cables across different regions in Dubai, to keep pace with the continued growth in demand for electricity. “We are moving ahead with our vital development projects, particularly in infrastructure, and these projects will be applied to various projects at Dewa, contributing to the increase in capacity, efficiency, and reliability of the electricity distribution network. This will ensure a continuous and stable supply of electricity to Dewa’s customers,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa. It is expected that the manufacture and supply of the cables will be completed by September 2019. Dewa – Dubai Website : www.dewa.gov.ae Website : www.bahrain.bh Meeting demand

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Industry news

Strengthening the Internet in Africa

Mr Nunes added: “Angola Cables will also be in a position to support our new partner in other projects that are of national importance and which require global network connectivity. An example of this is the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, the world’s largest telescope, where Broadband Infraco is the main supplier of international capacity to Europe. “Given the large data requirements, the scientific information can now be shared with other entities. “The cooperation between the two companies will also advance business channel synergies. This offers South African consumers an improved usage, low-latency or ‘no-lag experience’, which benefits the gaming community in particular as well as other users requiring greater bandwidth via the SACS routing to South America.” Angola Cables – Angola Website : www.angolacables.co.ao

nations of Russia, India and China through a high-speed, low-latency connection. “Such a connection, together with our robust network, will accelerate international cooperation on multiple levels, promote economic development and fast-track projects that will enable new opportunities for digital content exchange across the region.” Andrew Matseke, CEO of Broadband Infraco, said that the partnership is pivotal in the development of digital connectivity within South Africa and Africa. “We have POPs and fibre connectivity options to all neighbouring SADC countries,” he said. “Through the Angola Cables subsea networks, SACS and Monet, Broadband Infraco will have the ability to share international traffic and content that could unlock new business opportunities for SADC countries.”

MULTINATIONAL telecoms company Angola Cables has announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Broadband Infraco. Broadband Infraco provides extensive regional long-distance network coverage and SADC connectivity. It currently has more than 14,960km of fibre networks across South Africa. It also has 156 points of presence (PoPs) providing a high-capacity, stable nat- ional network environment. Angola Cables CEO António Nunes said that the partnership will facilitate Internet connectivity into Africa. “With our international connectivity and reach through our submarine networks and the expansive terrestrial network of Broadband Infraco, there is a genuine opportunity for us to collectively fast-track connectivity on the continent,” he said. “The very real possibility now exists to connect Brazil and South Africa to the other BRICS

Expansion of a Japanese HICON/H 2

bell annealer facility

A Japanese cus- tomer has placed an order with Ebner to expand an existing HICON/H 2 ® bell annealer facility. The facility, which spheroidises and recrystallises coils of steel strip, will be upgraded with two additional gas-fired heating bells. The Ebner HICON/ H 2 ® facility now comprises 20 work- bases, 12 heating bells and ten cooling bells. The new heating bells are being added in response to the challenges of annealing modern steel grades, and

❍ The heating bell at the Japanese company

will be available for production by May. Ebner Industrieofenbau GmbH – Austria Website : www.ebner.cc

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Industry news

Maintenance and support three-year deal

HUAWEI Marine has signed a three-year maintenance and support agreement with Suriname Guyana Submarine Cable System (SGSCS). This is the third maintenance and support contract SGSCS has signed with Huawei Marine. As the first large-capacity broadband submarine cable network in the region, the 1,249km SGSCS cable system connects Suriname, Guyana and Trinidad. During its warranty period, Huawei Marine’s professional maintenance team provides customers with 24-hour helpdesk and customer service request handling, and provides remote emergency support for critical issues, meeting the SLA time limit of the contract. During Huawei Marine’s eight years working with SGSCS, the transmission equipment’s software and NMS software were successfully upgraded. Under the new support agreement, Huawei Marine will optimise the maintenance service based on the SGSCS network’s running status in recent years to provide technical support services for new devices. Based on facilitating a stable network operation, the aim will be to develop an equipment health check and network

evaluation optimisation to detect hidden issues and potential risks. Wu Menghan, director of Huawei Marine’s network technical service department, said: “Since 2010, the HMN maintenance team has always been able to quickly and effectively respond to customer hardware or software faults, provide professional technical solutions in a timely manner, and actively respond to customers’ telecom equipment technical consultation and problems.” Huawei Marine – China Website : www.huaweimarine.com Floating solar The Singapore-based Sunseap group is developing an offshore floating photovoltaic (OFPV) system to be located along the Straits of Johor. Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the 5MW floating solar system is expected to generate about 6,388MWh of renewable energy per year. Sunseap’s installation is one of the largest sea-based photovoltaic projects.

Sunseap Group – Singapore Website : www.sunseap.com

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Industry news

PEACE-ful progression for cable project

the branches and gaining bandwidth on the trunk in a more efficient way.” Zhang Hongxiang, project delivery director of Huawei Marine, added: “We are glad to work with this creative network, which is open to connect along the route on any of the potential points. However, with the commerce of cable manufacture, such extensions are dependent on the plan of work. Players who get on board soon will secure better flexibility on this network.” PEACE Cable International Network Co Ltd – China Website : www.peacecable.com Oman network LS Cable and System has been selected as one of the companies to build Oman’s first optical fibre communication network. LS Cable and System has announced it will be responsible for the design and engineering of the network, as well as the supply of optical cables, in the project to link the Oman

PEACE Cable International Network Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Hengtong group, has announced, in conjunction with Huawei Marine Networks, that the PEACE cable project has entered into the cable and material manufacturing stage. The 12,000km PEACE cable system will connect Asia, Africa and Europe and is scheduled for service in the first quarter of 2020. The high-speed 200G, 16Tbps per fibre pair system will offer the shortest routes from China to Europe and Africa, dramatically reducing latency and providing a new information expressway for interconnection between the regions. PEACE Cable has signed cooperation agreements to land the network in Somalia and Seychelles to boost local network service quality in both nations. The project’s cable contract was awarded to Hengtong Marine, also a subsidiary of Hengtong group. Sun Xiaohua, chief operating officer of PEACE Cable, said: “PEACE Cable has created a new business model in the submarine cable industry that builds a bridge for these regions’ communications and provides connectivity opportunities to players all along the route by investing in

capital, Muscat, to major cities by 2021. LS Cable and System – South Korea Website : www.lscns.com

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Industry news

USA outlet for Häfner and Krullmann

At its manufacturing facility in Leopoldshöhe, Germany, Häfner produces about 1,400 spool variants, ranging from 40 to 1,000mm in diameter, made from materials including PS, ABS, PE, PP and PA. Products are manufactured according to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 standards. Häfner also has its own medical cleanroom that meets the class 8 standard set out in ISO14644 and is certified as EU-GMP class D. Häfner & Krullmann GmbH – Germany Website : www.hafner-spools.com Wire & Cable Consulting LLC – USA Group deal at Oman Cables Oman Cables has signed a contract with the Nama group to supply its group members across the Sultanate of Oman. A press release said that Oman Cables, which has long been a supporter of the Nama group, will supply a mix of 11kV to 33kV electrical cables. The deal was one of three signed by the group at the 2018 Energy and Water Conference, said to have a collective value of approximately $106 million. Oman Cables – Oman Website : www.omancables.com

WIRE and Cable Consulting LLC has reached an agreement with Häfner & Krullmann GmbH, Germany, to market and sell its products in the USA. Jan Häfner, CEO, Häfner & Krullmann, said: “Wire and Cable Consulting LLC provides us with the expertise and support we need to directly serve our current customers and to secure new ones in this important US market.” Thomas J Rosen, president, Wire & Cable Consulting LLC, said: “Häfner & Krullmann is recognised in the wire, cable, and other industries for its attention to quality and precision. “We will initially focus on large-size packaging options for wire and cable in sizes 16" and larger (400mm-550mm), and our associates in the USA will assist in this enterprise.” Wire and Cable Consulting LLC, formed in late 2015 by Mr Rosen, provides services including market and business development, strategic advising, and sales representation to select wire and cable companies and industry suppliers. The firm also handles strategic account development for Ulbrich Specialty Wire Products Division. Since 1933, Häfner & Krullmann has become a leading European manufacturer of environmentally friendly spools and reels for the wire and cable, medical and other industries.

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Industry news

Customer excellence award for Cimteq

CIMTEQ Ltd, a software provider for the design and manufacture of cables, has won the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber customer excellence award. Ali Shehab, CEO, said: “We are delighted to win the customer excellence award. It is testament to the hard work and ingenuity from the team at Cimteq that has made such a difference to the service we provide our customers. “We also want to take this opportunity to thank our customers for their loyalty and support.” Robert Douglass, operations manager, added: “At Cimteq one of our core values is ‘customer first’; we strive to provide excellent customer service throughout our working day and winning this award demonstrates our commitment to our customers and the service we provide.” “One of the standout features of working with CableBuilder is the support we have received from Cimteq,” said Chris Huntly, cable design manager at Aberdare Cables. “Any helpdesk case raised has received a high level of commitment aimed at ensuring customer satisfaction. Cimteq are prepared to go the ‘extra mile’; it is good to know that this level of support is just a phone call or an email away.”

❍ Pictured at the presentation are, from left, Ali Shehab, CEO Cimteq; Amanda Shehab, director Cimteq; Katy Harrison, marketing manager Cimteq; Lynn Swinnerton, managing director of awards sponsor Lomani Luxury Travel; and Robert Douglass, operations manager Cimteq

Cimteq Ltd – UK Website : www.cimteq.com

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Industry news

❍ The live chat feature on myNDC

NDC launches live chat on myNDC service cloud NDC Technologies, a global provider of precision measurement and control solutions, has launched a new live chat feature on its myNDC service cloud. The new chat system aims to provide immediate support and feedback to customer service requests. “We’re excited to offer this additional channel of communication to customers. It’s our ongoing commitment to continually improving the customer experience while creating a pull for our services through the myNDC service cloud,” said Mahesh Havildar, vice president of global customer service. “Since the launch of myNDC, we’ve been constantly working to enhance system capabilities to broaden our breadth of services and increase responsiveness. For example, we’re working on a new landing page for myNDC which will further enhance customer engagement. It should be available later this year.” myNDC’s new live chat feature enables customers to get the answers they need to pressing service support questions or finding the right source to resolve other issues. It also includes a built-in Google translator that enables customers to submit service requests in their native language. Focused on customer service, myNDC offers 24 hours a day, seven days a week support and a seamless customer service agent experience, enabling NDC team members to efficiently create tickets, view a customer’s installed base or service history, and tap into a comprehensive and growing knowledge base. The chat feature can be found at https://ndc.custhelp. com NDC Technologies – USA Website : www.ndc.com

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Industry news

Double capacity with automatic crimping machine

CONVERT Ltd, a UK manufacturer of cable looms and harnesses, has invested in a new Artos CR11 automatic crimping wire processor, which has increased capacity by 50 per cent. The Kent-based company purchased the machine to support a project it is working on with a sports car manufacturer. Engineered to handle high- and low-volume runs and a wide range of wire types, the Artos CR11 is up to 18 per cent faster than previous models, feeding wires at five metres a second. Its digital, programmable servo-driven termination units and a quick-change cart system make it suitable for high-volume or high-mix production needs. Dave Lord, managing director, said: “We’re really excited to have invested in the Artos CR11. Its increased speed and ability to handle high-volume runs and a range of wire types means greater productivity, which will help us maintain the high quality our customers have come to expect.” Convert’s new Artos CR11 complements its existing Komax Gamma 255, which is used for small wire handling, and its Artos MTX-5, which is used to process thicker wires. Convert lists some top industry names amongst its customers, as well as luxury and sports car manufacturers.

Operating predominantly in the automotive, public transport and scientific/medical sectors, Convert manufactures wire cables and harnesses for car head and rear lights, passenger gates at railway stations and a range of scientific equipment. Convert Ltd – UK Website : www.convertltd.co.uk Artos Engineering – USA Website : www.artosengineering.com ❍ The Artos CR11 automatic crimping machine installed by Convert Ltd

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行业新闻

m 参观者欢聚在中国上海的中国线缆展和管道展

印度孟买国际线材展获 得更高的国际吸引力

去年 11 月底，近 1.5 万名来客前往印度孟买，参加第七届印度 线材展会、印度管材展会和印度冶金展。

印度工业协会 SWMAI (印度钢丝制造商协会)、 AIWMA (全印 度焊接钢丝网制造商协会)、 INSDAG (钢铁发展与增长研究 所)和 SSPC (印度表面保护涂层协会)以及 ITA 印度分会再次为 此次展会提供了支持。 14617 名业内参观者(包括来自印度国际焊接与切割展览会的 参观者)来到孟买的展览馆，了解行业新闻，建立新的联系， 扩大现有的业务关系。 展馆内活动非常丰富，三个展会同时举行，产生了宝贵的协 同效应，与此同时展后的业务前景一片美好。 2020 年 11 月 23 日至 25 日，印度线材展会、印度管材展会和印 度冶金展将在孟买会展中心再次同步举行。 Messe Düsseldorf GmbH – 德国 网址 : www.wire-india.com

三天来，在孟买会展中心展出了电线电缆、管道加工、管业 和冶金等领域的最新技术、机械、工厂、服务和成品。来自 26 个国家的 430 家参展商来到孟买，与许多印度公司一起参展 的还有来自奥地利、意大利、美国、中国和德国的国家馆。 2018 年，企业展示技术创新的面积又出现了增长：净展览面 积 8500 平方米，比两年前同期增加了 600 平方米。此外，这 种更大、更引人注目的展览摊位的趋势也一直在延续。    Messe Düsseldorf GmbH 与 Messe Düsseldorf India 、国际 合作协会 IWCEA (国际电线电缆参展商协会)、 IWMA (国际 线材机械协会)、 ACIMAF (意大利线材机械制造商协会)、  WCISA (电线电缆行业供应商协会)以及 ITA (国际管材协会)合 作举办了三届展会。

Graphics bigstockphoto.com Artist Eky Studio

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行业新闻

亚洲连线 Indigo Central 海底电缆背后的联盟宣布 该电缆将在澳大利亚悉尼登陆。一旦完 工， Indigo Central 将成为连接澳大利 亚东海岸悉尼与西海岸珀斯的第一条海 底电缆。这条电缆预计将于 12 月初全部 安装完毕，用于对连接新加坡与珀斯的 Indigo West 电缆进行补充。 该 Indigo 项目由新加坡电信、澳大利亚 电信、澳大利亚学术研究网、印尼电 信运营商 Indosat 、电信基础设施公司 SubPartners 和谷歌组成的联盟提供资 金。整个 Indigo 系统预计将在 2019 年年 中投入使用。这条 36Tbps 的双光纤对电 缆系统将跨越 9200 公里，是悉尼与新加 坡之间的首条直接连线。 Singtel 集团企业运营服务副总裁 Ooi Seng Keat 表示，“ Optus 公司的 Indigo Central 电缆的登陆是一个里程碑式的发 展，其将以澳大利亚急需的高速容量和 网络多样性促进澳大利亚的通信生态系 统。” “下一代 Indigo Central 数据高速公路 将同 Indigo West 一道，增强 Singtel 和 Optus 的海底网络，打造一条连接澳大 利亚和新加坡、通过东南亚、跨越太平 洋、再返回澳大利亚的电缆环路。” SubPartners – 澳大利亚 网址 : www.subpartners.net/indigo.html 浮式太阳能 总部位于新加坡的 Sunseap 集团正在建 造一个海上浮式光伏( OFPV )系统，该 系统将位于柔佛海峡沿岸。 在新加坡经济发展局的支持下，这一 5 兆瓦的浮式太阳能系统预计每年可产生 约 6388 兆瓦时的可再生能源。 大多数大型浮式光伏发电系统都建在淡 水池塘、湖泊或水库上。 Sunseap 的设 施是最大的海上光伏项目之一。 Sunseap 集团联合创始人兼首席执行官 Frank Phuan 表示：“在新加坡等土地 稀少的国家，光伏系统的广泛使用受到 空间限制和屋顶空间有限的阻碍。该项 目的成功交付，对于开拓在新加坡和 该地区建设海上浮式光伏系统的类似机 遇，具有重要意义。” Sunseap 曾参与新加坡登加水库浮式光 伏试验台的建设。迄今为止的测试结果 表明，由于水库环境温度较低，浮式光 伏系统的性能优于新加坡典型的屋顶太 阳能光伏系统。

投资 19 亿美元以满足输电需求 澳大利亚新南威尔士州计划投资约 19 亿美元来加快发展风能和太阳能的传输能 力。 据路透社报道，仅新南威尔士州就有价值约 190 亿美元的太阳能和风能项目， 在设计阶段还有 2000 万千瓦的产能。 新南威尔士州能源部长表示，“每 20 个项目中只有一个项目能够进行连接。所 以我们要改变这种状况。” 新南威尔士州正与输电运营商 Transgrid 合作，加快四个项目的规划和可行性 工作，后者由 Spark Infrastructure 集团牵头的一个联盟所有。这些设施需要在 2022 年至 2024 年期间投入使用，以加强新南威尔士州与邻近的昆士兰州、维 多利亚和南澳大利亚州之间的联系。 Transgrid – 澳大利亚 网址 : www.transgrid.com.au

岛提案

巴林的一个项目需要铺设一条海底电力 电缆，将大陆与哈瓦群岛连接起来，哈 瓦群岛是一个由沙漠岛屿组成的群岛， 位于巴林湾的卡塔尔西海岸附近。 这条 25 公里长的电力电缆将从巴林岛 最南端的 Al Bar 一直延伸到哈瓦的西北 部。其目标是为哈瓦建立永久性的电 网，而不是像现在这样依赖临时发电 机。 巴林副首相 Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa 在一份声明中表示，该项目计划 于 2019 年上半年开始动工，并于 2020 年最后一个季度完成，他是重建和基础 设施部长委员会的负责人。水电管理局 已经提交了有关电缆路线的提案。

巴林表示，计划开发哈瓦岛部分地区， 以符合巴林 2030 年的国家经济战略。需 要对电力供应进行升级，以维护持续发 展和满足日益增长的需求。该项目由沙 特开发基金会资助。 Bahrain Government – 巴林 网址 : www.bahrain.bh m 哈瓦群岛，位于卡塔尔西海岸附近。  照片由 Gulf-insider.com 提供

和平发展

亨通集团子公司 PEACE 国际海缆有限公司宣布，在与华为海洋网络公司的合作 下， PEACE 电缆项目已进入电缆及材料制造阶段。这条 1.2 万公里长的 PEACE 电缆 系统将连接亚洲、非洲和欧洲，计划于 2020 年第一季度投入使用。 该 200G 、 16Tbps /光纤对的高速系统将提供从中国到欧洲和非洲的最短连接路径， 大大减少延迟，并为区域之间的互连提供新的信息高速公路。 PEACE 海缆签署了在 索马里和塞舌尔铺设网络的合作协议，以提高两国的当地网络服务质量。 该项目的电缆合同已被授予亨通海洋，该公司也是亨通集团的一家子公司。 PEACE 海缆首席运营官孙晓华表示：“ PEACE 海缆项目在海缆行业内创造了一种新的商业 模式，为这些地区的通信建立了一座“桥梁”的同时，为沿线参与方提供了通过投 资分支和更有效地获取主干带宽来获得联通机会。” 华为海洋项目交付总监张红祥补充道：“我们很高兴能参与建设这一创造性的网 络，该网络提供了在沿线任何点开放接入的机会。然而，随着电缆制造工作的开 启，这种扩展取决于具体的工作方案。因此，越早加入的参与方可以在该网络上享 受更多的灵活性。” PEACE Cable International Network Co Ltd – 中国 网址 : www.peacecable.com

Sunseap Group – 新加坡 网址 : www.sunseap.com

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行业新闻

Metalube 的润滑油合作伙伴

全球润滑油专业公司 Metalube 已被正式指定为 Bellini SpA 的专业润滑合作伙伴。除了在意大利的合作伙伴关 系， Metalube 印度公司还将在印度代理 Bellini 。 Bellini 是一家位于意大利贝加莫的工业液体润滑油制造 商。现在，该公司将在意大利各地分销 Metalube 的各种 产品，包括用于有色金属拉丝和拉管的润滑油，用于架 空线路导线的保护润滑脂、钢丝绳润滑油以及链条油。相 反， Metalube 印度公司将在印度各地销售 Bellini 的金属切削 润滑油。 Metalube 商务总监 Douglas Hunt 表示，“我们期待 着 Metalube 与 Bellini 之间开启一段长期而富有成果的合作关 系。我们两家公司有着非常相似的价值观和抱负，通过技术 创新、服务和灵活性让客户满意，是我们从事一切活动的出 发点。” Metalube 将 95% 的产品出口到全球 90 多个国家，在英国曼彻 斯特、阿联酋迪拜、印度孟买、巴西圣保罗、和中国上海均 设有办事处。在英国曼彻斯特的总部，该公司拥有一个一体 化的润滑油制造厂，包括新建的最先进的实验室。研发是该 企业的关键，该企业一直对 Metalube ® 技术中心进行投资，以 确保其所有产品和服务的技术卓越和创新。 Metalube Ltd – 英国 网址 : www.metalube.co.uk

m Metalube 的 Douglas Hunt (中间)、 Bellini 的销售经理 Valentino Foiadelli (左)、总经理 Marco Bellini (右)

Cimteq 荣获客户卓 越奖 Cimteq Ltd 是一家设计和制造电缆的软 件供应商，荣获 West Cheshire 和 North Wales Chamber 的客户卓越奖。 Cimteq 首席执行官 Ali Shehab 表示：  “我们很高兴赢得客户卓越奖。这证明 了 Cimteq 团队的兢兢业业和聪明才智， 令我们为客户提供的服务如此优秀卓 越。我们也想借此机会感谢客户对我们 的忠诚和支持。” 运营经理 Robert Douglass 补充道：  “在 Cimteq ，我们的核心价值观之一是 客户至上，我们努力全天候提供优质客 户服务，荣获此奖项体现了我们对客户 及服务的承诺。” Aberdare Cables 电缆设计经理 Chris Huntly 表示：“与 CableBuilder 合作的 一个突出特点是，我们得到了 Cimteq 的 支持。” “所提出的任何求助案例都得到了旨在 确保客户满意的高度承诺。 “ Cimteq 时刻准备提供更细致的服务， 应该知道这种级别的支持只是一个电话 或一封电子邮件的距离。” Cimteq Ltd – 英国 网址 : www.cimteq.com

加强非洲的互联网

跨国电信公司 Angola Cables 宣布已与 Broadband Infraco 签署谅解备忘录。 Broadband Infraco 提供广泛的区域长途网络覆盖和 SADC 连接。 Broadband Infraco 目前在南非拥有超过 14960 公里的光纤网络。它还有 156 个入网点( PoP )，提供大容 量、稳定的国家网络环境。 Angola Cables 首席执行官 António Nunes 表示，该合作伙伴关系将促进非洲的 互联网连接。他表示，“凭借我们的国际互联互通，以及通过我们的海底网络和 Broadband Infraco 广阔的地面网络，我们确实有机会在非洲大陆共同快速实现互 联互通。” “现在，确实存在这种通过高速、低延迟的连接将巴西和南非连接到俄罗斯、印 度、中国等其他金砖国家的可能性。这种连通，再加上我们强大的网络，将加快多 个层面的国际合作，促进经济发展和快速实施项目，为整个地区的数字内容交流提 供新的机遇。” Broadband Infraco 首席执行官 Andrew Matseke 表示，该合作伙伴关系对于 南非和非洲的数字连接的发展至关重要。他表示：“我们拥有连接所有邻近 SADC 国家的 POP 和光纤连接选项。通过 Angola Cables 海底网络、 SACS 和 Monet ， Broadband Infraco 将能够分享国际流量和内容，为 SADC 国家带来新的 商机。” Nunes 补充道：“ Angola Cables 也将在其他具有国家重要性且需要全球网络连接的 项目中为我们的新合作伙伴提供支持。其中一个例子就是平方公里阵列(“ SKA ”) 项目，这是世界上最大的望远镜，在该项目中， Broadband Infraco 是欧洲国际容量 的主要供应商。由于需要大量数据，现在可以与其他实体共享科技信息。” “两家公司之间的合作也将推动业务渠道的协同效应。这为南非消费者提供了更好 的使用体验、低延迟或‘无滞后体验’，这对游戏社区或通过 SACS 路由到南美需 要更大带宽的其他用户特别有益。” Angola Cables – Angola 网址 : www.angolacables.co.ao

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行业新闻

维护和支持 华为海洋与苏里南-圭亚那海底电缆系统( SGSCS )签署了为期三年的维护和支持协 议。这是 SGSCS 与华为海洋签署的第三份维护和支持合同。 作为该地区首个大容量宽带海底电缆网络，全长 1249 公里的 SGSCS 电缆系统连接 着苏里南、圭亚那和特立尼达。在为期八年的保修期内，华为海洋的专业维修团队 为客户提供全年全天候( 7x24x365 )的支持和客户服务请求处理，并对关键问题提供 远程应急支持，满足合同 SLA 时限。在与 SGSCS 合作的八年时间里，传输设备软件 和 NMS 软件均已成功升级。 根据新的支持协议，华为海洋将根据近年来 SGSCS 网络的运行状态，优化维护服 务，为新设备提供技术支持服务。其目的在于，在促进网络稳定运行的基础上，制 定设备运行状态检查和网络评估优化，以发现隐藏的问题和潜在的风险。 华为海洋的网络技术服务部主任吴梦晗(音译)表示：“自 2010 年以来，华为海洋维 护团队始终能够快速有效地响应客户的硬件或软件故障，及时提供专业的技术解决 方案，并积极响应客户的电信设备技术咨询和问题。 “随着客户对我们的认可和信任，我们将继续为客户提供快捷优质的维护服务，并 协助该地区数字互连的快速发展。” Huawei Marine – 中国 网址 : www.huaweimarine.com

阿曼网络 LS Cable and System 被选为建设 阿曼首个光纤通信网络的公司之 一。 LS Cable and System 宣布， 它将负责该网络的设计和施工以及 光缆的供应，该项目将连接阿曼首 都马斯喀特至全国主要城市，预计 于 2021 年完成。 阿曼计划到 2030 年进一步扩大该地 区的光纤通信网络。 LS Cable and System – 韩国 网址 : www.lscns.com

日本 HICON/H 2 退火炉设施扩张

罩式

Häfner & Krullman 的美国经销商

Wire and Cable Consulting LLC 已与 德国 Häfner & Krullmann GmbH 达成协 议，在美国销售其产品。 Häfner & Krullmann 首席执行官 Jan Häfner 表示：“ Wire and Cable Consulting LLC 为我们提供所需的专业 知识和支持，以直接服务于我们的现有 客户，并在美国这一重要市场上获得新 客户。” Wire & Cable Consulting LLC 总裁 Thomas J Rosen 表示：“ Häfner & Krullmann 因其注重质量和精度 而在电线、电缆和其他行业获得认 可。我们最初将专注于 16" 及以上 ( 400mm-550mm )电线电缆的大尺寸包 装选项，我们在美国的同事将协助该企 业。” Wire and Cable Consulting LLC 由 Thomas J Rosen 于 2015 年底创立，为

挑选电线电缆公司和行业供应商提供市 场和业务开发、战略咨询和销售代表等 服务。该公司还负责 Ulbrich 特种线材产 品部门的战略客户开发。 自 1933 年以来， Häfner & Krullmann 已 成为欧洲领先的电线电缆、医疗和其 他行业环保线轴和卷筒制造商。 Häfner 在德国 Leopoldshöhe 的制造工厂生 产大约 1400 种线轴改型，直径从 40 毫 米到 1000 毫米不等，使用的材料包括 PS 、 ABS 、 PE 、 PP 和 PA 。 产品按照 ISO 9001 、 ISO 14001 和 ISO 50001 标准生产。 Häfner 还拥有自己的 医疗洁净室，符合 ISO14644 标准中的 8 类标准，并被认证为 EU-GMP D 类。 Häfner & Krullmann GmbH – 德国 网址 : www.hafner-spools.com Wire & Cable Consulting LLC – 美国

m 日本公司的加热罩

一位日本客户已经向 Ebner 下了订单， 以扩大现有的 HICON/H 2 ® 罩式退火炉设 施。该设施用于对钢带圈进行球化处理 和再结晶处理，将进行升级以增加两个 燃气式加热罩。 该 Ebner HICON/H 2 ® 设施目前包括 20 个 炉台、 12 个加热罩和 10 个冷却罩。新的 加热罩是为了应对现代钢种退火的挑战 而增加的，将在 5 月份投入生产。 Ebner Industrieofenbau GmbH – 奥地利 网址 : www.ebner.cc

满足需求 迪拜水电局( Dewa )已经授予几家公司总价值 1900 万美元的合同，以为其提供 838 公里的低压电缆。这些合同包括迪拜不同地区的电缆供应，以配合电力需求的持续 增长。迪拜水电局的董事总经理兼 CEO Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer 表示，“我们 正在推进重要的发展项目，特别是基础设施项目，这些项目将应用于迪拜水电局的 各种项目，有助于提高配电网的容量、效率和可靠性。这将确保迪拜水电局的客户 能够持续稳定地获得电力供应。” 预计到 2019 年 9 月，电缆的制造和供应将完成。 Dewa – 迪拜 网址 : www.dewa.gov.ae

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Technology news

Speeding to the cloud ❍ Fast network expansion, efficient urban planning, big data and digitalisation from Melos

Mecoline S TP 1006 F (aluminium hydroxide-based) and Mecoline IS TP 1033 F (magnesium hydroxide-based), are also worth considering. Both of these easily processable compounds demon- strate low shrinkage properties • All sheathing compounds can also be supplied with an additional UV package to withstand 720 hours of UV weathering resistance in compliance with ISO 4892-2 • Especially in critical applications, the use of a bedding compound can improve the flame-retardant properties of fibre optic cable. For instance, bedding compound FM 0474/5 (LOI 63) will provide a cost-effective boost to fire resis- tance Cables made with Melos’s low-smoke, halogen-free, fire-retardant sheathing compounds can be installed in (corrugated) pipes, cable trays and cable ducts. Moreover, these cables are suitable for applications in homes, public buildings and industrial facilities requiring a high degree of flame retardancy. Melos GmbH – Germany Website : www.melos-gmbh.com

sses. Consequently, there is no way around utilising an up-to-date fibre optic infrastructure. The sheathing of the fibre optic cables plays an important role. The fibre inside requires a stable, reliable sheath to protect it against mechanical damage and humidity in order to retain the specified optical values in the long term. In addition, fibre optic cables have to conform to building safety requirements, eg performance in case of fire and the consequences of smoke release. The sheathing material is therefore one of the important factors in fibre optic cable construction. Melos provides a range of compound solutions: • Compound Mecoline S TP 1005 F offers a reliable halogen-free, fire-retardant alternative to PBT in “loose tube” applications. This material is particularly suitable due to its low shrinkage properties, high melt strength and relative stiffness (E-modulus) • Other fire-retardant sheathing options, such as compound

ACCESS to fibre optics is one of the hottest topics around the world. Fast network expansion, efficient urban planning, big data and digitalisation: these are all key issues in the development of fibre optic networks. Technological innovation is rapidly proceeding and presents a challenge to cable manufacturers. Governments, network providers and the public sector are working under pressure to provide countries with fast Internet connections. Cities and municipal authorities are determined to provide their regions with fibre optic networks as quickly as possible. Alongside network expansion for Internet, telephone and digital TV services, the development of other innovative projects is being planned such as “Smart Home” and “Smart City”, to manage and control systems such as intelligent traffic control, city lighting or guidance finding a parking space. An important condition to achieve these goals is the speed of data transfer. The transfer of data should be almost instantaneous, because big data plays an important role in the actual digital transformation proce-

Graphics bigstockphoto.com Artist Olechowski

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Technology news

Crosshead features single-point concentricity adjustment ❍ The single-point concentricity extrusion crosshead from Guill

GUILL Tool & Engineering, of Rhode Island, USA, has introduced a new single-point concentricity extrusion crosshead that uses micro-fine adjustment screws for precise concentricity adjustment. The precision of concentricity reaches 0.008" or finer per revolution. This single-point concentricity adjustment is a Guill innovation for the extrusion of thin-walled jacketing and precision ID/OD tubing. One adjustment bolt controls 360° of adjustment. Features of the single-point crosshead include a patented cam-lock deflector for quick changeovers, with a residence time of one minute at 0.5lb/hr material flow, optimised usage with extruders measuring ½" and ¾", and a max die ID of 0.25". Additionally, the Guill single-point crosshead offers great flexibility to its users. It not only accepts both vacuum and micro-air accessories, but is also suitable for pressure and sleeving applications. Fluoropolymer designs are available upon request. Guill Tool & Engineering – USA Website : www.guill.com

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Technology news

New insulation technology for MV and HV cables

cable performance and production equipment. The HPTE product offering will be enhanced by higher-voltage classes in the future. RosendahlNextrom GmbH – Austria Website : www.rosendahlnextrom.com

• have shorter lead time in production due to degassing being unnecessary The newly started cooperation allows Rosendahl to develop the ability to provide HPTE MV cable know-how packages comprising material formulations, production processes,

ROSENDAHL and HV Cable Solutions Oy, a Finland-based engineering and consulting company specialised in power cables and accessories and related materials and manufacturing solutions, have joined forces. Together they are developing high-quality manufacturing solutions for HPTE – high performance thermoplastic elastomers. Over the past few years, HPTE-based power cable insulation systems have gained a lot of attention in the cable industry globally. Due to their excellent electrical behaviour, they provide benefits to production. HPTE provides cable manufacturers with an alternative way to produce medium and high-voltage cables that: • have a higher operating temperature • are recyclable Research published in the journal Nature Communications explains how a newly developed nanophotonic device could be used to upgrade existing networks. Professor Min Gu, from Melbourne’s RMIT University Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Nanophotonics (LAIN), explained: “The device works by twisting light into a spiral, which allows engineers to create a third dimension for light to carry information. This means we can measure 100 times more information by delivering the signal 100 times faster.” Researchers in the USA have previously created a fibre that could twist light, but Professor Gu’s team is the first to create a reasonably sized detector that can read the information. Professor Gu said the technology could be used to upgrade fibre optic networks such as Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN). Dr Haoran Ren, from RMIT’s School of Science and a co-author of the paper, said the device could also help with processing large amounts of data. Twisted fibre technology

RMIT University – Australia Website : www.rmit.edu.au

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Technology news

Metalube goes formaldehyde free

METALUBE has taken steps to comply with the reclassification of the chemical formaldehyde, from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Whilst the ECHA re-classification currently recommends limiting the use/ exposure of three types of formaldehyde actives, Metalube made the decision to remove all formaldehyde actives from its product ranges from 1 st December 2018. In a statement about the change Douglas Hunt, commercial director, said: “At Metalube we are not only committed to providing our customers with quality lubricants but to also ensuring their safety when using our products. Removing formaldehyde from all of our ranges is now a priority and ensures that we are fully compliant with the ECHA reclassification.” Specialists in the company’s technology centre have carefully selected Metalube’s new ‘formaldehyde free’ alternatives. Through extensive product testing, the company has ensured that product performance and capability have not been compromised. Metalube exports 95 per cent of its production to over 90 countries worldwide and has offices in Manchester, UK; Dubai, UAE; Mumbai,

❍ Specialists at work in Metalube’s technology centre

the business and it is constantly investing in the Metalube ® Technology Centre, ensuring tech- nical excellence and innovation across its entire range of products and services.

India; São Paulo, Brazil; and Shanghai, China. From its headquarters in Manchester the company has a fully integrated lubricant manufacturing facility including new laboratories. Research and development are key to

Metalube Ltd – UK Website : www.metalube.co.uk

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Technology

Technology news

EVEN today it is not uncommon to see a man or woman with a microscope and a set of gauge pins as the only means of die dimension control in die shops around the world. While the experience of these operators is valuable, their decisions when the bearing of the drawing die is concerned are subjective. When a die is chosen for a draw, it is assumed to have a symmetrical bearing – ideally a perfect cylinder. Most wire drawers and die shop managers have experienced that this is not always the case – often the hard way, with wire breaks, oval cross-sections or deformed surfaces as a result. With the CU11 series of die measurement systems, Conoptica is providing a detailed view into the bearing of the die. With the unique Bearing Asymmetry 3D Analysis function, any variation and inclination of the bearing is displayed both as easy to interpret numbers and as an intuitive illustration. This removes the subjectivity of the microscope inspection, and replaces it with consistent and repeatable measurements, all with the accuracy that has been a trademark for Conoptica for over 20 years. Conoptica – Norway Website : www.conoptica.com Bearing asymmetry – the next level of drawing die management

❍ The CU11S from Conoptica

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