WCA November 2014

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Industrynews
THE Machines has received an order for a plant to
produce submarine cables with optical fibres with
sleeveless continuous length of up to 120km formed and
welded tubes. The future target is to provide a single
length of 240km.
These production lines are specifically designed to meet
these challenges and are composed of the following main
core components:
• One fibre optic steel tube production line for up to 48
fibres. The lines are being designed for a production
speed up to 30m/min and a dial-in adjustable and
controlled fibre excess length of 0.1 to 0.5%
• One production line for the sheath over the steel loose
tube (which is available at the customer’s plant)
• One armouring and welding line to apply a layer of
reinforcement elements and to form and butt weld a
copper screen over the cable
Since the armouring line is equipped with 630mm
diameter spools it is necessary to stop the production line
to re-load the machine. A unique in-line system has been
developed allowing the welding process to be stopped
and restarted without losing any welding seam quality or
weld seam integrity.
THE Machines Yvonand SA – Switzerland
Website:
Submarine cable order
for THE Machines
New coating service from Applied
A new service for used fuse welding and tipping mandrels
that strips worn Parylene® and Teflon® coatings and
applies PTFE Natural™ coatings is being introduced by
Applied Plastics Co Inc, of Norwood, Massaschusetts,
USA.
Featuring a smooth, anti-stick surface that withstands
heat up to 300°C continuous, with excursions to 371°C,
PTFE Natural™ coated forming mandrels provide a 0.05
coefficient of friction per ASTM-1894 to simplify catheter
removal in fuse welding and tipping operations.
Suitable for larger diameter mandrels 0.02" and up, the
service lets users recondition rather than discard worn
mandrels, which saves delivery time and eliminates
grinding, especially with complex configurations.
PTFE Natural ™ mandrels are coated using a proprietary
process that enhances the bonding surface and prevents
flaking and cracking.
Applied Plastics Co Inc – USA
Website:
20 Wire & Cable ASIA – November/December 2014