EoW July 2008

english technology news

30 years of spring

Among the products displayed on the Wieland-Werke AG stand at wire 2008 was its range of electronic wires, manufactured from high-performance copper alloys to combine the counteracting properties of high conductivity and high strength. Special heat treatments and the addition of special alloying elements enable copper to resist alternating load, to transfer high currents and to withstand long-term high temperature operation without being subjected to high stress relaxation. The materials K55, K65, K80 and K88 are used in connector pins, canted coil spring connectors, fatigue-resistant strands and high tension magnet wire. Another new product on the stand was rectangular (flat) wire, tin coated by hot-dip tinning. This tinning method improves resistance to whisker formation in electrical contacts. Wieland at wire

from 1.02 to 73.42N (0.23 to 16.50lb). Lengths vary from 356 to 1524mm (14" to 60"; thicknesses from 0.10 to 0.51mm (0.004 to 0.020") and widths span the range 6.35 to 31.75mm (0.250 to 1.250"). Wave springs perform a similar function to compression springs but use less height space due to a sine wave design. Produced in stainless steel type 17-7 PH Lee Spring’s REDUX™ wave springs can be used in static or slightly dynamic applications where space or radial and axial tolerances are tight. They also offer greater control of axial movement and consistent load transfer. Stock sizes range from rod sizes of 6.35 to 25.40mm (0.250 to 1.0") to suit hole diameters from 9.53 to 31.75mm (0.375 to 1.250") and in spring rates from 1.58 to 52.21N/mm (9.00 to 298lb/in).

This year marks the 30 th year of trading in the UK for Lee Spring Ltd and sees the introduction of two new spring products: constant force springs and REDUX™ wave springs. Both spring types are offered from stock and can be custom designed to suit particular applications. These products increase Lee Spring’s portfolio to over 15,500 different types of stock spring. Manufactured from high yield 301 stainless steel strip the constant force springs exert a near constant restraining force to resist uncoiling. This natural inbuilt stress resists load at an even rate and makes them suitable for use in retractor mechanisms. include counterbalance springs, car seat belt and cable retractors. Constant force springs are usually tightly coiled on a drum and either the free end or the drum can be attached to the load. Four life cycle ranges are offered: 2500, 4000, 13000 and 25000 covering loads Common applications

Lee Spring Ltd – UK Fax : +44 118 977 4832

Wieland-Werke AG – Germany Website : www.wieland.com

Email : info@leespring.co.uk Website : www.leespring.com

Analogue steps aside for new UFD40

Roland Electronic GmbH has introduced the newly designed digital UFD40 system as a successor to its proven analogue UFD detector. The system has been designed to detect faults in butt welds and mechanical con- nections in wires, cables and small tubing made of metallic materials such as steel, stainless steel, copper, brass and aluminium.

measuring channels is housed in one IP65 module enclosure. Each channel auto- matically executes the measurement functions. The RS232 interface provides the connection to the host PC, which serves as the operating interface for the system and provides visualisation of all measurement values.

Roland's digital UFD40 system succeeds the analogue UFDr ▲ ▲

Both measuring chan- nels function autonomously, allowing the disconnection of the host PC. A parallel interface and fieldbus inter- face are available for communication with the production equipment PLC.

automated including

production

processes,

adjustable frequencies, high and low pass filters as well as y-component and vector analysis. This makes the system suitable to monitor many different discontinuities with one type of hardware. UFD40 is of a modular design and offers several operating modes. The complete electronic circuitry for two independent

UFD40 is based on the eddy current measurement principle; the material to be monitored passes through the orifice of an encircling coil sensor. Roland Electronic offers sensors suited for materials ranging in diameter from 1mm to 90mm. The UFD40 has features typically available in classic eddy current fault detection systems designed for

Roland Electronic GmbH – Germany Fax : +49 7236 9392 33

Email : info@roland-electronic.com Website : www.roland-electronic.com

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EuroWire – July 2008