WCA November 2020

Industry news

Kieselstein launches new service enquiry tool Customers of German wire machine producer Kieselstein can use a new service tool for placing their enquiries. The company recognised a problem with the existing process. A mainte- nance person who identifies a need for spare parts, for example, might not have the opportunity to send the enquiry, and might have to address the request to a purchasing department. The requirements would have to be specified, and technical documents placed at the purchaser’s disposal, for forwarding by email to the supplier. Kieselstein intends to facilitate this often-laborious process with a tool provided on its spare parts website. The customer can choose either a request for spare parts or services, or to address an individual request to Kieselstein, and then has the option to upload pictures or files containing details about the enquiry, or to add contact details directly from the mobile device being used. This can be done directly at the machine. Pictures of the machine label and the required spare part can be

added, as well as a photo of the business card, before the enquiry is sent to Kieselstein. The company will also distribute stickers that can be attached to the plant, to display a QR code that leads directly to the service enquiry portal. Kieselstein is able to process enquiries not only for their own plants, but also for plants of other drawing machine brands. Kieselstein International GmbH www.kieselstein.com

FIB Belgium sa

Stand: 11 C60

FIB Belgium supplies heat-processing lines such as patenting, galvanising, oil tempering and annealing lines, and bell and pit furnaces for cold heading quality and batch annealing wires.

The company has been designing technology since 1936, employing automation for its equipment to reduce operating costs, and using a modular concept that allows for adaptation of further upgrades while minimising investment costs. Telediagnosis is commonly used on FIB equipment, allowing end-users to access internal support. FIB has an in-house group of qualified technicians to serve customers. 2019 saw the company secure deliveries and orders from new customers in China, Malaysia, Africa, Spain and Uzbekistan. In 2020, FIB to hard and from elastic to stiff, depending on the requirements. The products have in common a high abrasion and wear resistance as well as chemical and weather resistance. The plastic granulate can be processed into profiles, strips, hoses, fibres, films or foams. Formulating and compounding steps can be used to create additional value. For example, end-use requirements such as flame retardancy, adhesion, appearance and haptics can be enhanced through specific formulation and compounding techniques. Covestro www.covestro.com Teknor Apex www.teknorapex.com

will supply orders to several countries in Africa, Europe and Latin America, and to China and the USA. FIB Belgium sa www.fib.be

❍ ❍ FIB Belgium supplies heat-processing lines

Cooperation agreement Materials manufacturer Covestro and global plastics compounder Teknor Apex have signed an agreement to closely cooperate on compounding thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

Covestro has been producing TPU – a versatile plastic – in pure form for many years, for use in various industry sectors. Through compounding, the array of achievable properties can be increased. This is a particular strength of Teknor Apex. Covestro will support the marketing of the jointly developed products by Teknor Apex with its Desmoflex ® brand. Thermoplastic polyurethane can be made with properties ranging from soft

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Wire & Cable ASIA – November/December 2020