EoW November 2012

News Technology

Production lines for precision micro metal tubes with optical fibres

THE MACHINES, of Switzerland, supplies two fully automated and continuous operating production plants for OPGW applications. The full supply scope covers a wide range of precision formed and welded metal tubes with optical fibres, like FIST, which are integrated into a number of different end products such as OPGW, OPPC and fibre optic submarine cables. The precision micro tubes with optical fibres are specified in many different diameters, wall thicknesses and with many different numbers of fibres. The fibre excess length in the precision micro-tube is controlled and adjusted to suit the application. The lines are equipped with tape feeding (pay-offs); laser cross welding and tape accumulator for full continuous and non-stop operation. The lines are equipped with high precision tension controlled multi fibre pay-off stations. The heart of the lines, bringing together the fibres and the metal tape, feature: • Precision tape guiding and edge cutting, when required • High precision tape forming benches • Precisely controlled jelly filling (thixotropic gel compound)

▲ ▲ Excellence in production from THE MACHINES

• Robot controlled orbital welding • Patented welding-seam following and tracking system • Perfect and fault-free welding with real time vision systems • On-line welding seam control ECC100 for a 100% quality inspection of the weld • Trend display, recording and tracking of all relevant process parameters • Fault-free welding of tubes with tolerances to ±0.01 mm Down-stream operations complete the solution featuring: • Draw down stations for exact final tube dimensions • Drying, cleaning and oil separation unit • Capstan with precision controlled line tensions throughout the whole process • Fibre over length station – regulated and fibre slack-length controlled • Documented during the entire production process • Auto traversing winding (take-up) for precision winding of spools from 630mm to 1,250mm THE MACHINES’ excellence in production technology covers a wide range of applications and fields of expertise in extrusion lines for drip irrigation systems, stand-alone equipment for drip irrigation systems, multilayer piping, metal tape forming and welding, laser welding as well as all up-and-down stream operations in tape or pipe pay-offs and take-ups. All equipment and machines are conceived, developed and implemented in-house by THE MACHINES, and supported by technical know-how, engineering and service from a team of experienced specialists.

THE MACHINES – Switzerland Website : www.the-machines.ch

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November 2012