EoW November 2010

42 / 114

EuroWire – November 2010 40
technology news
Sikora’s Length 6000 is a system for non-contact online length
measurement of cables. For this method, the product image and
its movement are defined and thus the speed and the produced
length can be calculated.
The technology of the Length 6000 is based on an optical
measuring principle. In combination with two laser diodes, two
image sensors are positioned next to each other. In sequence the
cable passes both image sensors. The time the product takes to
move between the first and second sensor is measured. Even with
reflective surfaces the high-resolution image sensors determine
the structure using patented diffraction analysis.
Mechanical systems provide only limited precision, due to the slip
on the product surface, and the Doppler method is not suitable
for reflective or smooth surfaces, for example, and requires an
accurate product guiding.
The technology of the Length 6000, which defines the length
through comparison of image patterns, is reliable for round
products and for products with reflective and smooth surfaces.
The system calculates the length independent of the product
direction and measurements start from zero line speed.
Length measuring devices ensure that the required cable length is
produced and delivered, as short- or over-lengths always lead to a
loss in profit.
Sikora AG – Germany
Fax: +49 421 48900 90
Email:
Website:
Accurate measurement
saves costs
Language facility for
cold welder
British company PWM, which designs and manufactures high
performance cold pressure welders and dies, has upgraded the
operator interface on its best-selling EP500 rod welder to provide
manufacturers with five new language options.
The panel view on the machine can now display instructions
in French, German, Spanish, Italian or Portuguese, and PWM
plans to introduce Turkish and Czech shortly. The new language
capability will enable manufacturers with multi-lingual
workforces to configure and operate the EP500 more quickly,
saving effort and reducing downtime.
The EP500 produces strong, reliable welds cost-effectively on
non-ferrous wire and strip. Clean, energy-efficient and simple
to operate, the pneumatically powered machine has a welding
capacity of 5mm to 12.5mm (0.197" to 0.492") copper, and
5mm to 15mm (0.197" to 0.59") aluminium.
PWM Ltd – UK
Fax: +44 1233 820591
Email:
Website:
Panel view of the EP500 cold welder ▲ ▲
Suzuki Garphyttan Group is a producer of valve spring wire, said
to have around one-third of the global market of this high-end
product.
The Suzuki Garphyttan Group provides high quality spring wire
products globally from three sites; Sweden, the US and China.
All three sites produce valve spring wire for the automotive
industry. Other products include oil tempered wire for trans-
missions, and special wire products, such as stainless spring wire
and flat/shaped wire, are produced in Garphyttan, Sweden.
After the Suzuki Metal Industry acquisition of the Garphyttan
group last year, a wider product range is available, including
Suzuki Metal’s Japanese-made wire.
All sites are certified according to IS/TS 16949 and ISO 14001
and utilise the Suzuki Garphyttan Lean system.
Garphyttan products are commonly used in automotive
applications, but high performance and quality makes them
suitable for very many different applications.
Suzuki Garphyttan AB – Sweden
Fax: +46 19 295 101
Email:
Website:
Spring wires from
Suzuki
Draka Communications has developed an enhanced air-jet
delivery solution, said to double the throughput of fibre delivery
and reduce the expense of multiple technician visits to customer
homes.
Donald Brass, product manager EMEA Draka Telecom Solutions,
expects the delivery method to have, “a substantial impact on
project budgets, for small or large scale FTTH installations.”
Ready-Connect involves blowing pre-ferruled cables (cables with
pre-fabricated semi-finished connectors) through micro-ducts
directly to the termination point. Installation is completed by
snapping the connector housing around the ferrule.
The system uses jets of compressed air injected from a central
point, up to a kilometre away, to service up to 50 homes in a
single session. Draka estimates that implementation time and
costs at this final stage can be reduced by as much as 50% with
additional savings incurred from reduced cable splicing and
storage space.
Draka Holding NV – Netherlands
Fax: +31 2056 89899
Email: Website:
Speeding up the delivery of FTTH