EoW November 2013

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News
Technology
November 2013 35
Contamination in the polymer
compound can be a major problem
in the production of high-voltage
and off-shore cables in the wire and
cable industry. Therefore, the usage
of highly clean material is of essential
importance. The challenge is the
detection of contaminations which are
embedded inside the pellet or granulate
material. Discharges of a cable that have
contaminated material can easily result in
severe customer claims.
Sikora accepted the challenge of
developing an intelligent system, which
can detect contaminations reliably and
now presents its latest innovation, the
Purity Scanner. The system intelligently
combines the advantages of an X-ray
measuring system and an optical system.
Thus, impurities of 50 µm in the pellet
itself and on the surface are detected.
Contaminated pellets are reliably sorted
out.
Not only is the use of X-ray technology for
this application unique, the performance
of the optical system is exceptional and
exceeds previous solutions on the market.
The promise is a 100 per cent inspection
of the raw material used.
“It is vitally important to reliably
detect impurities of 50 µm,” said Dr
Siegmar Lampe, head of research and
development.
“Especially for high voltage and off-shore
cables, the purity of raw material
for insulation is crucial. Every little
contamination is a potential risk for the
quality,” he added. The Purity Scanner, as
well as testing the common AC insulating
material, is also able to check DC material.
The possibility to inspect even
non-transparent material is a
characteristic feature of the Purity
Scanner and exceeds the capabilities of
optical systems. The Purity Scanner is
the first system that can check pellets
independently of colours for impurities
due to its specially developed X-ray
technology.
The progressive Purity Scanner features
unique measuring technology as well as
a novel transport system of the pellets
within the device. The feeding of the
pellets is carried out via a vibrating ramp
and not via a conveyor belt.
“A conveyor belt itself can create
contaminations,” Dr Lampe added.
“Furthermore, the material in the Purity
Scanner does not come into contact with
the ambient air. During the inspection,
the pellets are in a hermetically sealed
channel. This guarantees absolute purity.”
The device is designed for a throughput
of 500kg/h. This can be increased with a
grouping of Purity Scanner devices.
Sikora AG – Germany
Website:
Setting new standards with the purity scanner
▲ ▲ Sikora’s Purity Scanner ensures flawless pellets
before the start of production
Linear springs
TFC’s Smalley® linear springs offer a selection of spring loads that react along a
straight line, as opposed to a conventional helical spring that fits in a circular cavity.
This results in a spring which, although located in an axial direction, provides a
radial force between mating components.
Linear springs are a continuous wave formed wire length produced from
spring-tempered materials which act as a load bearing device. Manufactured using
the same technology applied to the production of coiled flat wire wave springs,
they have the same load/deflection characteristics and burr-free edge profile.
TFC – UK Website: