wiredInUSA April 2018

Initial testing indicates that these new low- dust calcium beaded products build a beneficial lubricant film, retain that film better than standard products, and give improved drawing performance over standard calcium lubricant powders.

planned line stops so that these inserts can be replaced. A forming tool designed with a friction-reducing insert cannot be used without the insert because the gap has been adjusted to compensate for the PTFE thickness. There are two basic methods for applying lubrication directly to a foil tape. One is the use of mineral oil, or other inexpensive hydraulic/machine oil, added directly to the tape during processing. This is a simple process where a small reservoir supplies a gravity-fed drip mechanism that keeps a cloth, or other membrane, moist with oil. The oil is transferred to the surface of a tape in-line as it is pulled through or across the membrane. These application devices are relatively simple to add to a cabling line; however, their drawback is that they are quite inconsistent in the amount of lubricant deposited on the tape. The amount of oil varies when the speed of the machine changes. The amount can also vary from operator to operator as they adjust or refill these very basic manual devices. An inconsistent level of lubrication can result in inconsistent cable performance. If too little lubrication is applied, the process is not effective, and scuffing continues to occur. If too much lubricant is added it may interfere with other performance properties within a cable. This can be a significant issue with tapes that are designed to bond to other components within a cable. The second, more reliable, alternative to these rudimentary oiling devices is the use of a lubricant coating developed by Chase Corporation. This coating is applied

Blachford Corporation – USA Website: www.blachford.com

Chase Corporation Stand: 09E41

Most cable manufacturers rely on forming tools to properly fold and align shielding tapes with the precision necessary to meet strict cable performance criteria. Running a foil tape across a metal forming tool creates friction that abrades both the tape and tooling itself. Any debris generated during the process, either from the tape or from its contact with the forming tool, eventually accumulates in the tooling, causing unwanted cable defects and/or tape breaks due to space limitations. The typical practice in the wire and cable industry is to attempt to minimise this type of scuffing by directly lubricating either the tooling or the tape with oiling devices. Some forming guide manufacturers offer anti-friction inserts as a part of their basic designs. These inserts are made from materials such as PTFE film. Unfortunately, this form of lubrication is only a temporary solution because, due to wear, the film must be replaced frequently. Replacement frequency depends on the amount of friction and the length of the cable run. Long cable campaigns may even require

wiredInUSA - April 2018

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