WCA January 2007

Automated Wire Production

Range of wire knitting machines

Rishikesh has also designed a new online automated cutter machine, which can be synchronised with wire knitting machines to cut the wire mesh at a selected length, with an accuracy of 1mm. The company also produces a machine with a 1.5" diameter cylinder, for core knitting on cables to provide covering/shielding. Rishikesh Electromatic Pvt Ltd – India Fax : +91 22 2898 6087 Email : info@rishikesh.com Website : www.rishikesh.com There are many different techniques used in industry to strengthen textile structures with fibre composites. Says Tajima: “Such textile con- structions can be woven, interlaced, knitted or plaited. However we now have a completely new technique; the ‘laying’ of fibre composites.” With this new laying technique, calculations relating to stress points or areas of tension can be converted effectively and integrated into any textile structure. These structures are then made up of fibre, which is laid in various orientations following a pattern. The pattern will determine the sequence or route of the fibre-laying, and thereby the number of layers necessary in various areas of the structure. New ‘laying’ technique from Tajima

This technique is effected on the new Tajima T01 carbon fibre laying machine. Production on these special machines is carried out automatically at laying speeds of 500–800 stitches/ minute. This translates to approximately 1.2kg material per hour, per laying head, depending on the thickness of the fibre strand. A special frame-change system allows the automatic changing of the (base) material onto which the fibre is laid. The machine is available with up to 30 production heads, meaning that up to 30 identical pieces can be produced simultaneously on a single production run. “By using this technique, it is possible to produce a pre-form with nearly no waste material. The almost complete use of the carbon roving represents a noticeable reduction in material costs and also takes care of the problem of residuals and cut-offs.” Another cited advantage of this technique is the high ‘reproducibility’ (the ability to reproduce an identical piece). The reproducibility of the cord-laying is ±0.3mm. At present, a final thickness of up to 8mm is achievable on any one structure. It is impossible to have missing pieces in the structure. Because of strategically placed sensors controlling the thread tension, it is also impossible for the machine heads to become twisted. The programming of the laying machine is carried out by using the special digitising system. Similar to a CAD-system, the digitising program can read in vector files of the shape/ structure and translate the shape into a data file for the machine. Tajima states:

Rishikesh Electromatic Pvt Ltd, India, is a manufacturer of wire knitting machines. The company produces three basic models, wk150, wk300 and wk600, with the wk150 model available in two versions, for normal wire knitting or core knitting.

The company’s machines are used in the production of components made from wire knitted mesh, such as RFI and EMI shielding, gaskets for automotive industries, and cata- lytic converters for automobiles or industrial applications. The machines are available in a wide range of cylinder diameters, from 10mm up to 99cm (39"), and can be tailored to customers’ requirements. Rishikesh Electromatic’s wk150-s wire knitting machine ▲

High speed braiding HangZhou Sanp Machinery Co, Ltd, China, designs, develops, manufactures and supplies high speed braiding machines, and rewinding, take-up, pay-off frame and extruder machinery. The company’s high speed braiding machines are available in various configurations, and can handle wire diameters ranging from 0.03mm-0.05mm (model HGSB-16D), up to 0.18mm-0.40mm (model HGSB- 24E). The range also includes a horizontal braiding machine, model HGSB-32. The company sells products both within China and around the world, and has offices in countries including Korea, India, Turkey, Vietnam, and Germany. HangZhou Sanp Machinery Co Ltd – China Fax : +86 571 569 06333 Email : fytd@hztongda.com • Website : www.hztongda.com ▲

Tajima GmbH – Germany Fax : +49 7 5779 2068 Email : info@tajima.de

16 and 24 carrier braiders Fine International, USA, produces 16 and 24 carrier braiders for wire cable and the medical industries. Each machine includes a touch screen control panel with PLC, frequency controlled drive for infinite adjustment of braiding RPM, an automatic lubrication system, braiding wire,

The HGSB-16B high speed braiding machine

52

Wire & Cable ASIA – January/February 2007