EoW May 2008

english technology news

Faultless strand take up

Maschinenfabrik Niehoff has developed 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, 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 consists of a separate electronic unit and two laser sensors located at the traversing shaft.

The new NBAT automatic opto-electronic traversing system for Niehoff bunching machines ▲ ▲

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

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. 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

& Co KG – Germany Fax : +49 9122 977 155 Email : info@niehoff.de Website : www.niehoff.de

Wire coating solutions

Bekaert, Belgium, is a specialist in wire coating technology and an expert in flat and shaped wires. The company has launched new coatings to support new applications. Solutions offered by Bekaert include: shaped wires with a PVC coating; high corrosion resistance combined with special chemical compositions; special colours for design projects; and complex forms in steel or stainless steel. Bekaert – Belgium Fax : +32 5623 0543 Email : info@bekaert.com Website www.bekaert.com

Bekaert is a wire coating technology specialist ▲ ▲

40

EuroWire – May 2008