WCA May 2008

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Wire & Cable ASIA – May/June 2008 36
Maschinenfabrik Niehoff has deve-
loped 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 is comprised of a separate
electronic unit and two laser sensors
located at the traversing shaft.
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 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
& Co KG – Germany
Fax: +49 9122 977 155
Email:
Website:
Faultless strand
take-up
The new NBAT automatic opto-electronic traversing system for Niehoff bunching machines m m
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