WCA May 2007

Technology News

EFAF heads out East After the successful launch of the new automatic coiling line from EFAF in Europe, the first one has been delivered to the Far East – to the Yazaki Group in Bangkok, Thailand. The coiling line works in-line with the extruder and is composed of a horizontal accumulator, the coiler model Mautomatic 300 Evolution, two trolleys for the manipulation of the coils, two automatic toroidal strapping machines and one coil accumulation rolling device. The coiling line has been optimised, not only mechanically and electrically (it is possible to control the traction on the cable with an accuracy of 0.1-0.2kg), but the encumbrance has also been reconstructed, and this coiling plant needs only 6.3 x 4m for a height of 3.3m. This machine can process cable with minimum cross section of 0.5mm 2 up to a maximum of 6mm 2 . The cable in Yazaki’s case passes directly through the towing device of the extruder in the accumulator of the coiling line, by excluding the accumulator of the extrusion line resulting in a reduction of effort and cost. At the exit of the accumulator, the cable enters the coiler which is composed of the length measuring device, coiling head, traversing group, cutting group and spark tester (it is possible to add other quality control devices as well, such as lump and neck down detector). If the spark tester detects a fault in the cable, it generates an alarm that allows the machine to reject that coil without stopping the cycle. The customer can manage the size of the coils as he prefers because it is possible to change the height and external diameter as usual, in addition to the internal diameter of the coil. After the coiler, a double turning manipulator transfers the coils from the coiling head to the first or second strapping machine alternatively. The customer opted for the toroidal strapping machines. These devices package coils of different heights and internal and outside diameters without the necessity of equipping or preparing. The number of straps is up

Horizontal accumulator

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to the customer: in this case there are 3 straps at 120° but it is also possible to have 4 straps at 90° or only two straps at 180°. These strapping machines are also equipped with a control system on the bobbin on which the PP-Band is wound. When the strap is almost exhausted, an alarm warns the operator that the roll must be replaced, avoiding stopping the extrusion line. This example is only one of the possibilities that EFAF can offer to customers. Engineering Future AF Srl – Italy Fax : +39 0583 981678 Email : efaf@efaf.it Website : www.efaf.it Single blade stripper Using a single blade in centrifugal motion, Eraser’s Model C100S rotary blade wire stripper will strip film insulations up to 1 1 / 2 " (38mm) from solid and stranded wires, Teflon, PTFE, PVC, nylon, KEL-F, and many more. Strip length and blade depth adjustments must be made while the machine is running. The C100S can be used to remove insulation slugs and twist together strands of stranded conductors. The C100S is CE marked and meets EU safety standards. The Eraser Company Inc – USA Fax : +1 315 454 3090 Email : lprattico@eraser.com Website : www.eraser.com

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Wire & Cable ASIA – May/June 2007