WCA January 2013

Technology news

The next generation

In 2004, Uhing added the non-contact FA flange detecting system for rolling ring drives to its product range. This economically priced solution that automatically corrects the reversal points of rolling ring traversing gears relieves the employees in production companies of manual adjustment work and thus reduces time requirements and costs. Uhing has now launched the second generation of this product – equipped with new sensor technology and expanded function range. It often happens that a new spool is not in exactly the same position as the previous one although it has the same width, or that the spools have wide width tolerances. The non-contact FA flange detecting system corrects the reversal point of the traversing system automatically. This function soon made the FA an indispensable device for companies whose products have to be wound – in particular wire or cable producing companies. A new feature is the product’s ability to automatically detect the width of spools and the flange type – straight or other than 90 degrees. The flange detecting system adapts to the new position and width if a spool with a different width is used after spool change. While some spring manufacturers struggle with the complex shape of double torsion springs, William Hughes has invested in the latest CNC technology machines to fully automate the production process. For many applications, double torsion springs perform better than single and as a result, they are widely used in the automotive industry. Typical applications include door handles, seat adjustment mechanisms and console lids. When a manufacturer of seat and car interior parts needed a double torsion spring for the door handles of a popular small car, it approached William Hughes as one of its preferred suppliers. The application engineers at William Hughes used their knowledge The most significant novelty of the FA II

▲ ▲ Second generation from Uhing

respective offset and compares it with the reference offset. A reversal is triggered when the permissible height deviation also stored in the system is exceeded. A display indicates the measured height or the permissible height deviation. Joachim Uhing KG GmbH & Co – Germany Website : www.uhing.com assembly into the car mechanism easy. Despite the complex shape of the central section of the double torsion spring, very little tooling was required. By making the spring in two fully automated stages, the difficult central section was easily formed to provide a spring that is compact, cost effective and which encompasses the right performance characteristics and durability. The final stage of the process is to finish and protect the springs using an organic and environmentally friendly anti-corrosion paint containing zinc flake.

is the laser sensor. It replaces the previously applied light barrier detection system. The sensor detecting the flange is mounted on the traversing system. Within a specified range, it captures the offset between the surface of the spool core and the maximum permissible height stored in the system software.

During winding, the flange detecting system continuously measures the

Latest CNC technology for double torsion springs

and expertise to design the spring to meet the exacting specification of the car manufacturer, whilst ensuring that the spring would be easy to manufacture using its CNC machinery. The spring is used inside the car to return the handle to its normal position and is specially designed to make ▲ ▲ A range of springs from William Hughes

William Hughes Ltd – UK Website : www.wmhughes .co.uk

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Wire & Cable ASIA – January/February 2013

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