EoW March 2012

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EuroWire – March 2012 62
News
Technology
Rautomead produces a range of RS
upwards vertical casting machines for the
production of oxygen-free copper rod.
The graphite furnace technology
produces the high quality CuOF 8mm
diameter wire rod for manufacturers of
enamelled wire, LAN cables and fine wires.
Larger diameter CuOF rods may be
produced for processing to flat strips or
water tube fittings; 8-12.5mm CuAg rod
for processing to commutator sections;
and 18-30mm CuCd or CuMg for trolley
wire cables.
Equipment for the manufacture of high
quality brass and copper alloy rods is also
available for the subsequent production
of special materials such as EDM
machining wires.
Rautomead’s new ‘Advancing Metals
Technology’ division has the strategic
objective to develop innovative,
efficient technologies and processes
for non-ferrous metals production, and
will work in close collaboration with
various universities and research groups.
The technologies, processes and
equipment developed will become
the next generation of Rautomead
machines.
Collaborations are currently
being sought from companies
within the non-ferrous metals
industry who have a desire to
transform the manufacturing
process of an existing product
or to develop a new process/
procedure to manufacture a new
product. Preference will be given
to developing technologies which
are clean, safe and environmentally
friendly, shorten the manufacturing
process, provide economies on
the small to medium scale, recycle
materials, reduce operating costs
and enhance product quality.
Rautomead Advancing Metals
Technology division will be
available to work with companies
seeking new products or new
processes and to act first as a
conduit to an extensive network
of R&D resources and subsequently as
a partner with the client and university
to develop the new technology. It
will also assist to commercialise and
promote technologies developed by UK
universities.
Examples of projects in progress include
the design and build of special furnaces
for use in an innovative new process
for refining of metal salts and the
development and commercialisation of a
new process for high-speed production
of small diameter, low temperature
alloy wires.
Rautomead Advancing Tech-
nologies Division will contribute
expertise with graphite heating
and skills developed during years
of evolving the continuous casting
technology to the partnerships for
the collaborations.
Rautomead managing director
Brian Frame commented, “We
have believed for some time that
the wide range of skills we have
developed over the years provides
the potential for applications that
go way beyond our core business of
continuous casting.
"And this new initiative, with input
from carefully selected research
partners, is providing us with a
unique opportunity to demonstrate
just that.”
Rautomead Ltd – UK
Fax : +44 1382 622941
Email:
Website:
Casting equipment for
oxygen-free copper rod
▲ ▲ Rautomead RS 3000 oxygen-free copper wire rod
▲ ▲ Aluminium alloy wire extrusion machine