EoW March 2010

technology news

Newmeans to tension control

A new electromagnetic dancer unit, EDL50 from Supertek, is based on the proven dancer tension control method of actively regulating winding production processes. The secret of the electro-magnetic dancer lies in the physics of the working force generation within the device, based on a patented Supertek electromagnetic technique. This electromagnetic principle allows high-resolution tension setting coupled with active disturbance compensation, while maintaining highly constant tension forces. The EDL50 dancer unit allows this operation independent of dancer arm positions and at highest production speeds. This tension control system employs motor drives for the transport of product between stations; active spool drives instead of brake units. The function diagram shows a dancer controlled re-winder system with payoff and take-up. It is assumed that the take-up winds at a consistent speed. The payoff has to follow this speed to maintain the desired tension in the product. This is achieved by passing the product over a moving, force-loaded pulley (dancer) in such a manner as to have the pulley impose force on the product. The ensuing product tension has a fixed relationship to this force. In the diagram any relative acceleration of the payoff will lead to a sinking of the moving pulley in position. Inversely, any relative deceleration of the payoff will lead to a rising of the pulley.

Function diagram of dancer controlled winding system ▲ ▲

Conventional methods have technical limits, especially with tension control of sensitive products. Supertek’s electro-magnetic dancer is capable of producing a constant, highly dynamic, dancer position-independent product tension. The electromagnetic dancer EDL50 allows analogue settable tensions from 0cN to 500cN with a resolution of 0.1cN. The new electro-magnetic dancer can allow the fast, precise and problem-free processing of highly sensitive winding materials, providing new, efficient and economic production possibilities. Supertek GmbH – Germany Email : info@supertek.de Website : www.supertek.de

Complete range of reels and drums Boxy Group (including Boxy SpA, Italy, and Mossberg Reel LLC, USA) offers a complete range of steel reels and drums for the wire and cable industry, including: Fully machined reels for copper wire • drawing Resistant reels for steel wire drawing • One-way shipping reels • Forged reels • Heavy-duty reels and large cable • drums Boxy SpA – Italy Fax : +39 030 957244 Email : boxy@boxy.com Website : www.boxy.com

The company’s production includes special equipment for reel handling, such as take-apart reels in a variety of types (hydraulic, mechanic, pneumatic), built-in or floor mounted tilting units, and mechanical reel and coil lifters.

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EuroWire – March 2010