WCA November 2015

Industry news

Multiple orders for THE Machines ❍ Welding and forming machine from THE Machines

The company has recently received an order for a complete production plant to produce fibre optic submarine cables with a non-stop and error-free production length of up to 240km. One line produces the inner FIST (Fibre in Steel Tube) and a second line applies a laser welded copper tube around the armouring including a start/stop welding system. The precision micro tubes with optical fibres are specified in many different diameters, wall thicknesses and with many different numbers of fibres. The fibre excess length in the precision micro-tube is controlled and adjusted to suit the application. The lines are equipped with tape feeding (pay-offs), laser cross welding and tape accumulator for full continuous and non-stop operation. The lines are equipped with high precision tension controlled multi-fibre pay off stations. Down-stream operations complete the solution. African connections AllAfrica reports that Tanzania has finalised the construction of its national ICT broadband backbone (NICTBB). The 20,000km network covers all regions of Tanzania’s mainland, and offers connectivity to three international submarine cables: Eastern Africa submarine system (EASSy); SEACOM; and Seychelles to East Africa system (SEAS). It also provides cross-border connectivity to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Burundi and Zambia. TeleGeography notes that the network is managed and operated by the government through the incumbent telecoms operator Tanzania Telecommunications Company Ltd (TTCL). Liquid Telecom CEO Nic Rudnick said that following the deployment of the ICT broadband backbone, his company will begin routing capacity from Tanzania. NICTBB – Tanzania Website : www.nictbb.co.tz THE Machines – Switzerland Website : www.the-machines.ch

THE Machines of Switzerland has supplied several automated and continuous operating production plants for OPGW applications. The full supply scope covers a wide range of precision formed and welded metal tubes with optical fibres, like FIST, which are integrated into a number of different end products such as OPGW, OPPC and fibre optic submarine cables.

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Wire & Cable ASIA – November/December 2015