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wiredInUSA - July 2015
wiredInUSA - July 2015
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EUROPE NEWS
European researchers are developing a
method to 3D print in metal using tiny drops
of copper and gold. The ability to print
structures to conduct heat and electricity
could lead to entirely new devices and
components.
The method, developed at the University
of Twente in the Netherlands, involves
microscopic drops created from a thin
metal film melted by a pulsed laser.
Precision melting allows microscopic metal
drops to be placed onto a substrate and
stacked to create high resolution metal
structures.
The team claims it can stack thousands of
metal drops into a tiny pillar just 2mm tall
and 5 microns in diameter. Just about any
shapecanbecreatedusing the technique,
including electrodes and copper circuits.
The process is distinct from micro laser
sintering or direct metal laser sintering, both
of which use a laser in combination with
metal powders to create new structures.
Themethod requires refinement as the high
energy laser also causes droplets to land
next to the desired placement. The team
plans to look into this effect to improve
printing capability not just in metals, but
also using gels, pastes and thick fluids.
Conducting print
InnoVites BV has reported that Prakab
Pražská Kabelovna (Prakab) has selected
InnoVitesCableERPandCableBuilder after
a year spent in evaluation of the available
business solutions. Based in the Czech
Republic, Prakab is a member of the SKB
Group and a major cable manufacturer
in the region.
Mr Krňák, CFO at Prakab, said: “The cable
industry has unique requirements for its
business solutions. These requirements are
not covered by standard ERP systems.
That’s why our old system has been heavily
customized to support our processes.
“We were excited when we learned more
about InnoVites CableERP. It addresses the
key issues of our industry in sales, logistics,
planning, production and scheduling.
The full integration with CableBuilder
minimizes product data maintenance.
With InnoVites CableERP we have a
complete and sustainable solution for the
future.”
Solution challenge solved
INDEXTidal Lagoon Swansea Bay has secured
planning consent from the UK department
of energy and climate change for the
constructionof £1billion tidal lagoonproject
in Swansea Bay, Wales. The company will
begin work on the 320MW project in 2016.
Expected to be the largest tidal power
plant in the world, the Swansea Bay Tidal
Lagoonwill generate low-carbonelectricity
by capturing high tides and releasing it
through turbines.
On commissioning in 2019, the plant is
expected to provide 500GWh, with an
operational life of 120 years.
Thecompany has so far identified six lagoon
locations across the UK with potential to
meet up to 8 percent of the electricity
requirements in the country. These sites
could add approximately £27billion GDP
by 2027.
Force of nature
Romania-Insider.com reports that the
cable producer Romcab is planning to
invest €18m to modernize its production
facility in Târgu-Mureş, in the north of the
country. Funding will be supplied by the
Black Sea Trade and Development Bank
(BSTDB). The Romanian government will
guarantee the investment loan through
the government-run EximBank.
The company also has plans to establish
a new production facility in Străşeni, in
neighboring Moldova.
Active in the local cable industry since
1950, Romcab’s product range includes
molded products, electrical conductors
and wiring which it supplies to producers
from the automotive, construction and
infrastructure sectors.
New facilities