WCA May 2008

Technology news

Faultless strand take-up The new NBAT automatic opto-electronic traversing system for Niehoff bunching machines m m

The system automatically detects the flanges of the spool at the first traversing stroke and continuously adjusts the traversing turning points during the spool filling operation. The system also continuously scans the winding surface. Whenever it detects any ‘hills’ and ‘valleys’, it sends control commands to the step motor of the traversing unit to ensure that they are corrected immediately for a uniform and smooth lay. Maschinenfabrik Niehoff GmbH & Co KG – Germany Fax: +49 9122 977 155 Email: info@niehoff.de Website: www.niehoff.de

causing wire overstretching and possible wire breaks. The new traversing system, which has already been successfully tested in the field, ensures that the strands are wound in a uniform pattern. The NBAT is comprised of a separate electronic unit and two laser sensors located at the traversing shaft. The system performs two essential functions, and eliminates the need for the machine operator to set up the machine whenever a new spool is loaded or whenever the traversing settings are readjusted during spool filling.

Maschinenfabrik Niehoff has deve- loped an automatic opto-electronic traversing system, NBAT (Niehoff Bunching Automatic Traverse), for its bunching machines. When strands are being taken up on spools, the area close to the flange of the spool, where the traversing direction changes, is critical. If the turning points on the traversing unit are not precisely set, there is a potential of strand loops overlaying each other or of voids being created between them, causing them to slide onto each other and tangle. This erratic lay results in poor and rough payout strand during the next operation,

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Wire & Cable ASIA – May/June 2008