WCA November 2014

Technology news

The INF-2 is a new concept pail packer, designed by Gimax, for the process of packing wire into drums. The INF-2 is a ‘fully packaged system’ in the sense that the only separate entity from the main body is the driven pay-off – both the dancer and the electrical control cabinet have been incorporated into the main body resulting in a reduction in space occupancy (and height), and subsequently in costs for the end user. The unit does not follow the traditional method of raising and lowering the drum during the packing process. The drum and flyer both rotate, but the INF-2 makes use of an innovative process in which the front portion of the unit itself slowly rises while the flyer is layering the wire within the drum. The entire flyer assembly is of a totally new design and concept, a different philosophy to traditional methods. The pail packer can handle various drum types (round, hexagonal, octagonal) and various sizes ranging from small New concept for packing wire into drums

100kg up to the traditional 350kg drums of MIG wire, and also up to the large 500kg drums as the unit can handle drums with or without a central core. The unit is set up as standard with a base that can handle both round and square drums. Size changeover is minimal. The unit is equipped with wire straighteners, capstan and vibrator to settle the wire in the drum, and comes complete with an operator platform which raises and lowers with the machine so that all parts of the unit are easily accessible for maintenance and for threading the wire through the system. The INF-2 can also be equipped with an optional video-cam system that allows the operator to check the inside of the drum as well as other parts of the line while the unit is in operation. Gimax Srl – Italy Website : www.gimaxgroup.com

Cost efficient and environmentally friendly

THE original Upcast ® continuous casting technology allows the casting of copper and copper alloy rod in a cost efficient and environmentally friendly way. It is a simple process with easy operation through an advanced control system. No harmful emissions or need for waste treatment mean a reduced environmental footprint for GREENerCAST lines, which also have low lifecycle costs, easy variation of output, alternative for using scrap in the process and unique upgradability. As new applications for copper alloys are being developed, the utilisation of Upcast technology within the copper alloys field is rapidly increasing. Rod production lines are of a modular design, and both single- and double-furnace configurations are possible. With a double-furnace configuration – having separate melting and casting furnaces – it is possible to reach 40,000 tpa output, while 12,000 tpa is possible for a single-furnace configuration. A wide capacity range both in single- and double-furnace configurations is available with a possibility for upgrade. The majority of delivered Upcast lines are for Cu-OF rod and mainly with the most common cast rod diameter of 8mm. Rods with bigger diameters are used for manufacturing a variety of products, eg bus-bars, trolley wires,

electroplating anodes, etc. Cu-OF rod is well suited for all electrical applications. Upcast-Hybrid technology is based on using the same equipment for casting both Cu rod and tubes by modifying certain product specific parts of the Upcast-SGTube casting machine and coilers to facilitate easy changeover. The flexibility of the product mix makes the hybrid system a truly cost-effective solution for companies with a diverse product portfolio. A hybrid configuration may have two separate furnaces from which the casting takes place. However, at any given time just one can be used for casting purposes while the other would be in a standby position allowing for oxygen free copper melt for rod and DHP copper for tube to be ❍ Use of Upcast technology is rapidly increasing

continuously When produced from the same type of melt, rod and tube can be cast simultaneously. With this system the full capacity can be optimised between both products or sometimes for only the other product. Upcast OY and ASMAG GmbH have found a perfect match for further processing of Cu rod through Asmag’s Ascon process: rotary extrusion, drawing, finishing and packing of bars and profiles. By combining the respective know-how and expertise into cast and form, the two partners can offer proven cost saving solutions to customers. Upcast OY – Finland Website : www.upcast.com available.

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Wire & Cable ASIA – November/December 2014

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