EoW July 2008

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EuroWire – July 2008
taping, armouring & sheathing of cables
58
Metallic cable sheathing
Nexans has developed the UNIversal WElding MAchine to sheath cables with a sealed metallic outer cover.
Special cables can require smooth or corrugated metallic outer conductors to assure crush resistance and high flexibility. A gas tight
sheath with helical or annular corrugations protects the cable against moisture, liquid and gases, while the metallic sheath acts as a
grounding conductor.
In the UNIWEMA process, a metal strip is introduced into the machine
and, in a single operation, the strip edges are trimmed and formed
around a cable core and the opposing strip edges are TIG (Tungsten
Inert Gas) welded.
The standard UNIWEMA is equipped with a single electrode. In
applications where the maximum allowable welding current with
one electrode is insufficient (eg for thicker strips or if higher speeds
are desired) the UNIWEMA can also be operated with a 3-electrode
welding torch system, Polyarc welder.
For continuous TIG welding, Nexans has developed the TwinTorch®
system. The TwinTorch system consists of two torches, control
program and two welding rectifiers. When a used electrode has to
be changed the PLC controlled process ignites the second torch; the
used electrode can then be exchanged easily. TwinTorch technology
achieves an uninterrupted welding seam without welding defects.
A split clamp caterpillar capstan, located downstream from the
welding station, pulls the sheathed cable through the machine and,
if desired, pushes it to the corrugation unit. The coordination of the
forming and welding operations with the split clamp caterpillar
capstan is a pre-condition for obtaining a uniform welded seam, thus
ensuring optimum product quality.
One of the range of UNIWEMA units, UNIWEMA 60 is considered most suitable for the sheathing of special cables using tube
diameters up to 60mm to produce a sheath with aluminium of 0.4mm to 1.8 mm wall thickness.
Nexans Deutschland Industries GmbH & Co KG – Germany
Fax: +49 511 6 76 37 77 Email: Website:
Nexans TwinTorch® system ▲ ▲
“Green” colour concentrates
Environmental building guidelines have been established by the US Green Building
Council (USBG) to further the initiatives of RoHS and WEEE proposals, limiting the
use of halogen-containing materials throughout the United States.
Ultralor EF, from Breen Colour Concentrates, has been developed in partnership with
Delphi Packard Electric Systems to meet the performance demands of halogen free,
high temperature, lightweight, thin wall insulation for wire and cable.
Tom Taylor, vice president of sales and business development for Breen Color
Concentrates, believes that the guidelines of these regulations will impact on
applications across numerous wire and cable markets including automotive,
hospital, medical equipment, lighting equipment, fire alarm and security products.
Available in a range of colors, Ultralor EF products are compatible with flexible PPE
compounds for wire and cable.
UItralor EF is made using 100% virgin materials that do not contain halogens,
lead, hexavalent chromium, cadmium, mercury, PBB, PBDE or other substances
known to be hazardous to humans or the environment. The products meet the
requirements of Directives 2002/95/EU (RoHS) and 2002/96/EU (WEEE).
Ultralor EF has already been approved by a leading automotive manufacturer for
use in 2009 platform vehicles.
Breen Color Concentrates – USA
Email: Website :
Besel Group has been producer and
converter of flexible materials for
technical applications since 1975.
Besel processes 800 tons of films, foils
and tapes every month. The company has
recently moved to a new 42,000m2 site,
including 10,000m2 site of stock space
and production facilities, equipped with
the latest in converting technology.
An ISO 9001 certified quality system is
in place to ensure product quality and
prompt delivery, and skilled staff and
management are always on hand to assist
customers with order and product advice.
Besel Basim San Tic Ltd
– Turkey
Fax: +90 212 683 22 18
Email:
Website:
Films, foils
and tapes
for cables