WCA January 2007

Automated Wire Production

“Well begun is half done,” the old adage tells us

I n wire making, well begun is all done – and certified as perfect, and delivered to a satisfied customer who pays a good price, without demur. The key to this happy state of affairs is automation. Wire making has always been an exceptionally streamlined operation, in the context of its times. With the advent of the PLC — programmable logic controller — and its fulfilled promise of tight control of the process, the modern wire maker is able to achieve efficiencies on the grand scale.

Synchronisation of the flow of inputs from sensors with the flow of outputs to actuators is technical language.

Photo credit: Fine International

But there is nothing difficult to understand about the very real-world benefit this measure of automation confers: an edge of competitiveness in a global market in which an edge can mean the difference between a front-runner and an also-ran. The companies showcased in this section are run by professionals thoroughly familiar with continuous-flow production conducted by means of preset instruction. The equipment and services they offer are for those who recognise the value of that degree of automation in wire making.

OMA Srl specialises in the manu- facturing of braiding and winding equipment for the reinforcing of rubber, thermoplastic, PTFE, metal bellow hoses and electric cables, as well as for a great variety of textile products, from small ropes to many kinds of round, tubular or flat braids and medical products. New office strengthens OMA

drawing machines; taping machines for rubber, polyethylene, copper and aluminium tapes; wrapping/ unwrapping machines for rubber hoses and cables; spiralling machines for textile and metallic yarns; complete lines for the production of rigid mandrel hoses; and ancillary machines for the production of rubber and thermoplastic hoses and cables. Formed in Italy in 1957, OMA now has two branches and a representative office – OMA USA, OMA UK and the recently opened OMA Srl, Shanghai representative office. A vast network of agents and distributors in more than 50 countries provide telephone and on-site assistance, quick delivery of spare parts and technical consultation. Exporting more than 80% of its products around the world, OMA Srl often collaborates with customers for special product development programmes, either at its own facilities or at customers’ plants. OMA Srl – Italy Fax : +39 039 6084571 Email : oma@omabraid.it Website : www.omabraid.com

OMA also supplies turnkey plants for the manufacturing of rubber and plastic hose. The product range also includes vertical and horizontal axis braiding machines with single or multiple decks; automatic and semi-automatic winding machines; coiling machines and pay-off creels for braiding lines, extruders and

The Type 140 V braiding machine from OMA

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Wire & Cable ASIA – January/February 2007