EuroWire November 2015

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News
Technology
November 2015 39
Unavoidable optical glass fibre twisting
caused by spooling processes can result
in unacceptable EMR transmission quality
degradation. However, increasing optical
transmission and laser coherent beam
requirements demand ever-increasing
transmission quality.
German company Supertek has worked
on this problem for some years and can
now offer solutions providing very low
twist values, in most cases well under
0.5 turns per 2m length, whilst
still maintaining the highest
standards in winding, laying and
tension control.
The use of the Supertek Compact
Multi-Winder (CMW) full- or
semi-automatic system allows
all optical fibre requirements to
be handled simply and highly
accurately from drawing tower
output to all other following
processes.
Precision tension control and
laying geometry, fibre line
handling at speeds up to
> 3,500m/min, and all with
the absolute minimum of
supervision or operator intervention.
In spite of this simplicity, the specially
developed Supertek electronic control
systems allow software-controlled
setup for all system parameters, many
adjustable ‘on the fly’.
Optical fibres demand a highly accurate
and consistent winding and process
tension control. This is covered by
the Supertek electromagnetic dancer
system. This novel system is capable of
maintaining high quality tensions at high
speeds from ranges less than 10mN to
higher than 4N. Accuracies are possible to
better than ±1mN according to material
and type.
The CMW is also used where highly
accurate, consistent speed control and
tension are paramount in re-winding
systems or similar processes. As each
winder can be used as payout or
take-up, as master or slave, at the touch
of a button and is fully process-
programmable, this real multi
-talent can be used in almost
any desired configuration.
All the features apply not only
to optical fibres. The digitally
controlled traversing spool
winder system is also suitable
for materials such as plastics,
rubbers, carbon fibres, medical
plastics, membranes, chemical
fibres, precious metals and alloys
as well as simple steels, coppers
and other metals, textiles or
chemical products.
Supertek GmbH – Germany
Website:
Winding optical glass fibre at very low twist
▲ ▲ The Supertek glass fibre rewinding station