WCA March 2021

Technology news

Smart buffering brings production to new levels The productivity of optical cable manufacturing can increase with higher line speeds. However, these higher speeds call for more precise process control. The manufacturing process contains several parameters that the line operator controls during production. The state of the process is both controlled and estimated by process parameter adjustments and observations. and is able to optimise the process automatically during production. The Smart Buffering process assistant processes the raw sensor data into information that it uses, together with process state models and quality prediction models, to control the clinching and the buffering process. The process assistant has been successfully applied to a secondary coating line’s buffering process running at 800m/min with dry PP product. adjusts the process parameters until the sensor values correspond to those expected by the internal process models. Automated feedback-based process adjustment leads to more predictable operation of the line, which eventually leads to a more stable process and better product quality.

Expertise from humans remains essential, and their knowledge is invaluable when operating the AI system and handling the abnormal situations, such as wear and tear of machinery or material abnormalities. The system signals the need to perform line maintenance when detecting a process that cannot be fully optimised, and generates a list of items to check before further line operation. Maillefer Extrusion Oy www.maillefer.net

Interpreting sensor data is difficult due to complex interactions throughout the manufacturing process, and the wear and tear of equipment causes drift in absolute sensor values. The ideal process state window, originally defined by process sensor values, shifts over time. Maillefer has developed an artificial- intelligence-based automated process assistant (patent pending) that analyses the buffering process in real-time

Abnormal process conditions, such as coupling and slipping, can easily lead to inferior quality products. Smart Buffering detects such situations and optimises the process back to a quality production state. The automated process assistant removes the “gut feeling” of knowing good process parameter values. Instead, the system automatically

Tooling for wire and cable industries Ajex & Turner (A&T), engaged in manufacturing since 1962, has a wide range of products for wire, cable and fastener industries. The company is technically assisted by Turner & Stott, UK. The company’s VNT Nano dies are a third- generation development to save electricity, manpower and metal when producing high-quality bright wire, particularly with stainless steel and low-carbon welding wire. The carbide/PCD/extrusion tools are accepted by crosshead and extrusion machine manufacturers and users for any make of machine in single, double or triple hole sizes. A&T says that its most advanced products are TW and sector dies in VNT Nano, for smooth production, correct geometry and high brightness of the conductor. The company’s PCD/ND/carbide wire drawing dies, in round and other shapes, are used in Europe and the USA with multi-wire/rod breakdown machines of any make. A&T’s ceramic project, started in 2010, manufactures different types of shape tooling for buncher bows, guides, pulleys and coated pulleys. For re-sizing and re-polishing of dies and extrusion tools, the company has developed many types of in-house die polishing machines and accessories. It has also developed PCD groove/trolley wire dies for railways. Ajex & Turner www.ajexturner.com

Jiangsu Qunye Electrical Co., Ltd. is a specialized spools manufacturer. We have highlevel workshops and offices, first class equipment lines and complete inspection facilities, advanced management and quality control systems to fulfill all customers’

requirements. We manufacture all kinds of metal and plastic spools and gain a good market share both at home and abroad.

29

www.read-wca.com

Wire & Cable ASIA – March 2021