EoW March 2012

From installing wiring in London’s new landmark, The Shard, to increasing FTTH in more than 63,000 households in the Netherlands and new o ces opening around the globe, wire and cable companies are clearly looking to the long-term future. Whilst economical di culties may be felt throughout Europe, speci cally Greece, research and development and planning for future generations is an on-going process harbouring the latest technological advances. And it is those advances that will be clear for all to see when wire 2012 in D ü sseldorf opens its doors on 26 th March. This is the ideal opportunity for the industry’s leading engineers and specialists to see rst hand the progress being made by exhibitors – and their competitors. Tens of thousands of visitors are expected at the D ü sseldorf fairgrounds for the week-long event. A sure sign of the optimism in the industry is that there are more than 1,200 exhibitors on show. That, surely, has to be good news for this premier event which gives everyone the chance to gather the latest information and interact on a global scale. And we are hoping that our preview show issue can help make your route around the halls a little easier. Our preview of wire 2012 starts on page 74 and covers some of the companies exhibiting at the show. You can also nd full details of the show catalogues on page 182. Looking to the long-term future

* US$33 purchase only Front cover: Dornieden GmbH See page 220 for further details

E DITOR : ....................................... David Bell F EATURES E DITOR (USA) : .........Dorothy Fabian E DITORIAL ASSISTANT : .................Christian Bradley D ESIGN /P RODUCTION : ................Julie Tomlin P RODUCTION : ..............................Lisa Benjamin S ALES & M ARKETING : ................Jason Smith ( I NTERNATIONAL ) UK & ROW sales

Giuliana Benedetto Italian speaking sales Hendrike Morriss German speaking sales Linda Li Chinese speaking sales Jeroo Norman Indian sales

A DVERTISEMENT C OORDINATOR : ............................Liz Hughes A CCOUNTS M ANAGER : ................Richard Babbedge S UBSCRIPTIONS : ..........................Liz Hughes P UBLISHER : ..................................Caroline Sullens F OUNDER : ....................................John C Hogg

INTRAS OFFICES

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USA :

E DITORIAL Intras USA – Doug Zirkle Danbury Corporate Center, 107 Mill Plain Road, Danbury, CT 06811, USA Tel : +1 203 794 0444 Email : doug@intras.co.uk

Sta from EuroWire and sister publications Wire & Cable ASIA and wiredInUSA will be on Stand 11D28 and we all look forward to seeing many of you there.

US copies only : EuroWire (ISSN No: 1463-2438) is published bi-monthly by INTRAS Ltd and distributed in the US by DSW, 75 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437. Periodicals postage paid at Emigsville, PA. Postmaster : send address changes to EuroWire, PO Box 437, Emigsville PA 17318-0437 www.read-eurowire.com © 2012 Intras Ltd, UK ISSN 1463-2438

David Bell Editor

When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it

4

EuroWire – March 2012

8

Diary of events

9

Corporate News

34

Transatlantic Cable

9

42

Technology N ews

74

wire Düsseldorf

2012

219 Editorial Index

Copyright - Rene Tillmann

74

220 Advertisers’ Index

Market News

Deutsch Inhalt 188 Neuigkeiten 220 Inserentenverzeichnis

194 Ηο 220

6

EuroWire – March 2012

Technical Articles 184 Quality materials can improve reliability of distribution cables By Peter Pang, Shawn Miao,

Next Issue

Backgroundphotos: www.bigstockphoto.com

Simon Leung and Simon Sutton, of Dow Electrical & Telecommunications, a business unit of the Dow Chemical Company

Features On • Stranding, twisting, bundling, cabling & bunching • Wire Expo 2012 show issue • Focus on Italy

190 Qualitätsmaterialien können die Zuverlässigkeit der Verteilerkabel erhöhen Von Peter Pang, Shawn Miao, Simon Leung und Simon Sutton, von Dow Electrical & Telecommunications, eine Geschäftseinheit der Dow Chemical Company

196

,

,



(«   » –



«

GettingTechnical Eect of Boron alloying on microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of high carbon wire

 »)

202 Les matériaux de qualité peuvent améliorer la abilité des câbles de distribution Par Peter Pang, Shawn Miao, Simon Leung et Simon Sutton, de Dow Electrical & Telecommunications, unité commerciale de la société Dow Chemical Company 208 I materiali di qualità possono migliorare l’affidabilità dei cavi di distribuzione

A cura di Peter Pang, Shawn Miao, Simon Leung e Simon Sutton, di Dow Electrical & Telecommunications, unità commerciale della società Dow Chemical Company

Subscribe Now ! Visit us online at: www.read-eurowire.com

214 Los materiales de calidad pueden mejorar la fiabilidad de los cables de distribución

Por Peter Pang, Shawn Miao, Simon Leung y Simon Sutton, de Dow Electrical & Telecommunications, empresa perteneciente a The Dow Chemical Company

Indice Español

Sommaire Français 200 Nouvelles du Marché 220 Index des Annonceurs

Indice Italiano 206 Notizie del Mercato 220 Indice degli Inserzionisti

212 Noticias de Mercado 220 Indice de Anunciadores

7

EuroWire – March 2012

dates for your diary . . .

26-30 March, 2012

March 2012 26–30: wire/Tube Düsseldorf – trade exhibition – Düsseldorf, Germany Organisers : messe Düsseldorf GmbH Fax : +49 211 45 60668 Email : wire@messe-duesseldorf.de Website : www.wire.de May 2012 22-23: Wire Expo – trade exhibition – Dallas, Usa Organisers : Wire association international Fax : +1 203 453 8384 Email : info@wirenet.org Website : www.wirenet.org June 2012 19-21: GuangzhouWire and Tube – trade exhibition – Guangzhou, China Organisers : September 2012 25–28: wire/Tube China – trade exhibition – shanghai, China Organisers : messe Düsseldorf China Ltd Fax : +86 216 169 8301 Email : www.shanghai@mdc.com.cn Website : www.mdc.com.cn October 2012 30–1 Nov: wire and Cable India/ Tube India – trade exhibition – mumbai, india Organisers : messe Düsseldorf india Fax : +91 112 697 1746 Email : info@md-india.com Website : www.md-india.com Julang Exhibition Co Ltd Fax : +86 203 862 0790 Email : meiwen@julang.com.cn Website : www.julang.com.cn

wire 2012 – see page 74 Æ

8 MesseDüsseldorf2010 •ReneTillman ©

EuroWire – March 2012

Corporatenews

ModularWiring aims high at The Shard – London’s new iconic landmark

▲ Main picture: Old meets new...Tower Bridge in the foreground stands proudly as the UK capital city’s new landmark, The Shard, pushes high into the sky. The Shard in its full glory, right. Photos courtesy of London Bridge Quarter

mODULar Wiring systems, a subsidiary of electrical cable manufacturer Tratos Ltd, has won the order to supply pre-fabricated power and lighting distribution systems for multiple floors of ‘The shard’. soon to be one of London’s most iconic landmarks, The shard will be the tallest building in Western Europe and will include offices, restaurants, a hotel, exclusive residential apartments and the capital’s highest viewing gallery. modular Wiring systems is a leading company in this field and has been providing a complete design, manufacture and supply service for high and low level modular sub-circuit distribution systems pre-fabricated off-site since 1994. Modular Wiring Systems – UK Fax : +44 1753 566 701 Email: info@modwire.com Website : www.modularwiring.com

9

EuroWire – March 2012

News Corporate Multi-city deal to extend Dutch fibre networks

micro-tubes, ODF drawers and cabinets required to complete the installation. This offers a protective, convenient solution to bring the retracted fibre over the last section from the trench to customer homes when they agree to be connected. Prysmian Group – Italy Email : marketing.telecom@prysmian.com Website : www.prysmiangroup.com

director,

Benelux,

Prysmian

Group,

Prysmian Group, a leader in the energy and telecom cables and systems industry, has signed a new FTTH deployment contract with VolkerWessels Telecom, the telecoms division of Dutch construction company VolkerWessels. The contract will be executed by Draka, which became part of the Prysmian Group in 2011. In the first Dutch multi-city agreement of its kind, Draka becomes the sole partner of VolkerWessels Telecom for a series of FTTH projects that will bring next generation broadband closer to an additional 48,000 homes in five townships throughout the Netherlands, with a possible extension to 63,000 households. Construction was scheduled to begin in phased stages in January, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2012. These latest regional networks are an expansion of the Reggefiber nationwide fibre network, which currently covers 110 municipalities in the Netherlands. “We’re pleased to appoint Draka as our trusted partner for this extensive FTTH project,” said Arjan ten Hove, director VolkerWessels telecom FTTH. have established a close working relationship based upon past successes. We will build upon this with this first multi-city arrangement that allows us to work closely on joint innovations for these townships and communities.” Under the recently signed agreement, Draka will be responsible for the entire materials requirement of VolkerWessels Telecom FTTH projects over the coming year. Draka will provide materials from an extensive portfolio for passive infrastructure deployment to townships and communities throughout a total of five regions in the centre and north east of the country. which control CAPEX and OPEX of passive network installations meets our network partner demands for lower total cost of ownership,” said Mischa Vos, commercial “Draka and VolkerWessels “Providing quality solutions

telecom solutions.

“For complex FTTH access network roll-outs, flexibility and close partnerships with customers are key to successful innovation and installations.” project requirements will include over 1,100km of fibre cable and 6,200km of direct buried fibre access cable, together with the ducts, Draka estimates that the

The management board and the supervisory board of ADVA AG Optical Networking have resolved to propose to the upcoming annual general meeting in May on converting the company into an SE (Societas Europaea, a public limited-liability company under European law), named ADVA Optical Networking SE. Shareholders of ADVA AG Optical Networking will automatically become shareholders of ADVA Optical Networking SE. There will be no relevant changes to shareholders’ rights, and there are no changes to the manner or content of financial reporting as a result of the conversion to an SE legal entity. ADVA Optical Networking is a German-based global provider of intelligent telecommunications infrastructure solutions. The management board considers an SE legal entity to be a modern legal form for a global corporation with headquarters in Europe. The planned conversion is a natural step in respect of the company’s global sales, development and operations activities. More than 60% of ADVA Optical Networking’s employees work abroad and around 75% of the company’s revenues are generated outside Germany. The conversion will enhance the flexibility of ADVA Optical Networking’s organisational structure. In particular, having converted into an SE will allow it to use the same legal form for the incorporation of subsidiaries when expanding business within the European Union. As an SE legal entity, ADVA Optical Networking will be able to opt for a more efficient single tier board structure, although the company does not plan to do this immediately following its conversion. The company’s registered offices and headquarters will remain in Germany for the foreseeable future. In the invitation to the upcoming Annual General Meeting, to be published in April, the company will provide its shareholders with more detailed information on the conversion of the company’s legal form. ADVA AG Optical Networking – Germany Fax : +49 89 89 06 65 699 Website : www.advaoptical.com ADVA Optical Networking l will convert into a l European company

10

EuroWire – March 2012

Corporate News

Michael’s top role for the Sahara range

H&R ChemPharm (UK) Ltd has appointed Michael Aerts as business manager for the development and promotion of the Sahara product range. Michael will be based at Tipton in the UK. from Nebraska, USA, and spent six years with the US Air Force, stationed in Italy and Hawaii. He then left to gain his degree in Business Management from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Michael is originally

▲ ▲ Michael Aerts

He moved to the UK in 1988 and has worked in sales for a variety of industries, mostly relating to construction.

Michael is looking forward to a career with H&R in the final development and subsequent promotion of the Sahara water-blocking range of products. Michael believes there are a huge number of applications for this unique product, especially with its self-healing properties, and is very eager to take this exciting product to market. Queins out of insolvency H&R ChemPharm – UK Fax : +44 121 522 0115 Email : info@hur.com Website : www.hur.com Queins has emerged from insolvency and a new company has been formed under the name Queins Machines GmbH. The company will continue with the same production programme and with all of the previously employed staff. The company is now part of the biggest cable manufacturing group in Germany, with more than 60 companies and over 4,500 employees. All contact details, address, telephone numbers and email addresses remain the same. Queins Machines GmbH – Germany Fax : +49 247 230 14 Email : info@queins.com Website : www.queins.com

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EuroWire – March 2012

News Corporate

ELANTAS Camattini SpA has merged into ELANTAS Deatech Srl, with effect from 31 st December 2011. At the same time ELANTAS Deatech Srl changed business name to ELANTAS Italia Srl, as well as changing its registered office. Following the merger ELANTAS Italia Srl assumed full control of all assets of the company formed through the merger and on any of scopes, acts and rights as well as on any obligations, commitments and liabilities. As of 31 st December, ELANTAS Italia was the sole operating company of the ELANTAS group in Italy for any business relationship, including those existing prior to that date. “With this structural and legal change ELANTAS is taking the next step to become an integrated yet decentralised organisation and to positioning ELANTAS Italia for future growth and success,” said Dr Wolfgang Schütt, division president, ELANTAS group. Antonio Nastasi, managing director of ELANTAS Italia added: “The employees have already started analysing the harmonisation of business processes in order to prepare for a future common ERP basis. “Knowing many of the detailed discussions I think we have already made good progress, but there is still a way to go.” ELANTAS Italia operates through three production sites in Italy: Ascoli Piceno, Collecchio (Parma) and Quattordio (Alessandria). ELANTAS Italia Srl – Italy Fax : +39 0736 402746 Email : info.elantas.italia@altana.com Website : www.elantas.com ELANTAS merging in Italy

New lubricant distributor appointed

Ajex & Turner Wire Dies Co has secured an exclusive agency agreement with Batoyle Freedom Group, UK, for the sale of lubricant for non-ferrous wire. Ajex & Turner has been engaged in the manufacture of wire dies, extrusion tools, machinery and lubricant for ferrous and non-ferrous metal for the last 50 years. Owner Mr Ravi Bansal has been involved in the wire industry in a career spanning two decades. Ajex & Turner Wire Dies Co – India Email : sales@ajexturner.com Website : www.ajexturner.com

wire 2012 preview – page 74

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EuroWire – March 2012

News Corporate

It’s an ‘Inside’ deal for Jiangsu Shangshang

production. Shangshang’s wire and cable products cover high voltage, medium voltage, low voltage, plastic and rubber, and speciality cable. “Dow Inside’ marketing is a key component of the company’s strategy to continue aggressive growth while offering total solutions to our existing and prospective customers in a competitive market,” said Tim Laughlin, general manager, Dow Electrical & Telecommunications. Dow Electrical and Telecommunications – USA Email : info@dow.com Website : www.dow.com

In addition, Shangshang Cable will be allowed to market its products with a logo comprised of the “Dow Diamond” followed by the word “Inside” when the company uses the branded wire insulating and jacketing materials produced by Dow. Shangshang can also enjoy the benefit of co-marketing opportunities provided by Dow. Jiangsu Shangshang cable group is the leading wire and cable manufacturer founded in 1967. The company’s annual production value is over RMB 15 billion. Shangshang cable has been growing fast in recent years thanks to its strategy of developing talents and implementing the advanced technologies in its

Dow Electrical & Telecommunications (Dow E&T), a business unit of the Dow Chemical Company, has signed a Dow Inside license agreement with Jiangsu Shangshang Cable Group, a leading wire and cable products manufacturer in China. Under the terms of the Dow Inside agreement, Shangshang Cable will use Dow Endurance™ insulation, semi-conductive and jacketing materials to manufacture electronics wiring and/or medium and high voltage power cables. In exchange, Dow E&T will provide the companies with cutting edge technologies, proven products and enhanced service that benefit both the customer and Dow in a demanding market.

wire 2012 preview – page 74

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EuroWire – March 2012

News Corporate

Uhing website relaunched

The website of Joachim Uhing KG GmbH & Co has been updated with a new design and interesting features. A clearly structured navigation bar and menu design allows the user to quickly access the required pages. The user is always informed of their present location on the site. The objective of “three clicks to reach the desired content”, a general aim for websites, is always complied with – a distinct advantage when you want information quickly. The first mouse click gives access to general information about the desired product, and a menu bar. Another click provides details such as areas of application and features, notes on operation and access to the entire product range. Alternatively, a questionnaire can be completed to find the product variant suitable for specific applications. The site also includes illustrations, explanations of how to operate the products, and a description of product benefits. A demonstrative video explains the function and areas of application of the rolling ring drive. 3D CAD product data and catalogues in PDF format are also available for download. “We want our customers to quickly find the information they need in their fast-paced daily routine,” commented Wolfgang Weber, managing director of Uhing. “Our intention was to offer them a chance to complete and submit online requests with detailed information.

▲ ▲ The new website from Uhing

“This simplifies and speeds up business processes for us and the customer.” Joachim Uhing KG GmbH & Co – Germany Fax : +49 4347 906 40 Email : info@uhing.com Website : www.uhing.com

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EuroWire – March 2012

News Corporate

UK firm opens up new office in Mumbai

new directors into the business. The new team has both commercial and technical experience within the lubricants industry and company founder David Lee continues as managing director. He said: “We have big ambitions for Metalube and the opening of Metalube India is just the beginning. “The Indian operation currently offers marketing and technical services along with a product testing laboratory but we have plans to also manufacture lubricants from the Mumbai site.

Leading wire and tube drawing lubricants specialists, Metalube has opened an office in Mumbai, India. This strategic move is part of the company’s ongoing international expansion plan, exporting to over 70 countries worldwide, including an operating business in Shanghai, China. India is viewed as a key market for the business and the new operation will be led by Amit Gupte who joins from Savita Oil Technologies Ltd. Amit has 14 years experience within the lubricants industry and will work closely alongside new distributors Wirex Dies

▲ ▲ Amit Gupte

“Our aim is to continue to provide the best possible products and services but to also expand our range and grow our client base worldwide.” Metalube Ltd – UK Fax : +44 161 775 7511

& Steel India Pvt Ltd, responsible for India’s northern and eastern regions, and Walson Industrial Supplies Pvt Ltd for the western and southern regions. Wirex and Walson are now fully responsible for all of Metalube’s Indian distribution. Metalube has undergone significant changes in the last few months, with a recent management buy-in, introducing three

Email : post@metalube.co.uk Website : www.metalube.co.uk

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EuroWire – March 2012

News Corporate

Medek & Schörner: the next generation!

Medek & Schörner’s tradition of the present third management generation – Fritz and Kurt Descovich as well as Werner Lichtscheidl – is set to continue. The quality of the company’s products is ensured by advanced technological expertise coupled with well-trained staff and the latest production technology. The company continues to enjoy the loyalty of satisfied customers the world over thanks to a special emphasis on customer service and rapid, competent assistance in the event of problems. Manuel Lichtscheidl, the son of managing director Werner Lichtscheidl, has joined the company, and will initially reinforce the research and development team. In recent years he was able to use his abilities successfully in a position with a market leader in the field of mechanical engineering. Together with Rudolf Descovich – the son of Kurt Descovich – who has already

▲ ▲ The next generation at Medek & Schörner

Medek & Schörner GmbH – Austria Fax : +43 1 982 72 96 Email : m+s@medek.at Website : www.medek.at

worked for the company for many years, this duo will not only determine the course of the company in the years to come, but also ensure its continued existence and maintain the company tradition.

New international sales director at Spectrum

Dr Dickinson stated, “This is a key appointment that is aimed at facilitating the future growth of the company. Once I have handed over responsibilities for sales and marketing to John my goal will be to focus much more on technology and new product and business development. I look forward to working closely with John to develop the business.” Spectrum Technologies, established in 1989, was a pioneer of UV laser wire marking technology for aerospace wire identification, and specialises in state-of-the-art industrial laser solutions for advanced manufacturing applications. The company has installed over 700 Capris and Nova systems in more than 40 countries. Spectrum also designs and produces Sienna™ infrared laser wire stripping systems for use in precision and critical electronics manufacturing. SpectrumTechnologies plc – UK Fax : +44 1656 655 920

Spectrum Technologies plc has appointed John Meahan as the company’s international sales and marketing director. This is a new role that will allow the CEO and managing director, Dr Peter Dickinson, to step back from the commercial side of the business and concentrate on research, technology and new product development. Mr Meahan joined the company on 4 th January and took over full responsibility for all sales and marketing functions from that date. He is based at the company’s headquarters in Bridgend, UK. Mr Meahan has extensive experience in international sales of capital equipment and electro-optic components and products into the electronics, semi-conductor, defence and photonics industries. He has hands-on knowledge and experience of markets in Europe, the USA and the key Asia-Pacific growth area, and lived in Boulder, Colorado, USA for a period. He is also experienced in and has managed extended overseas sales teams.

Email : rpugh@spectrumtech.com Website : www.spectrumtech.com

22

EuroWire – March 2012

CENTRAN TAPES & YARNS

Centran industrial is a leading global supplier of excellent raw materials for cable and wire industry. We are one of the biggest manufacturer of water- blocking tape , Water-Blocking yarn & Polyester yarn , flame retardant & Marking tape etc. in china. 1. Non-conductive Water-blocking tape • Double-side non-conductive water-blocking tape • Single-side non-conductive water-blocking tape • PET laminated non-conductive water-blocking tape • Reinforced non-conductive water-blocking tape 2. Semi-conductive Water-blocking tape • Double-side semi-conductive water-blocking tape • Single-side semi-conductive water-blocking tape • Semi-conductive laminated water-blocking foam tape CBHZD • Single-side semi-conductive water-blocking woven tape CBDWD • Reinforced semi-conductive water-blocking tape CHBSD • Marine water-blocking tape CMBZD CZSD CDZD CDZDF CHDZD CBZSD CBDZD

3. Binding, Bedding, Barrier & Separating tape • Non-woven tape

CWB

• Reninforced Non-woven tape • High strength Woven tape • Semi-conductive nylon tape • Semi-conductive non-woven tape • Semi-conductive woven toteron tape

CHWB

CHB

CBNLD

CBZD CBHD

• Flame-retardant tape

CFR

4. Yarns • Water-blocking yarn

CZS HZT BSW BSR

• High tension polyester yarn

• Water-blocking E-glass Roving yarn

• E-Glass Roving yarn

5. MARKING TAPE

MT-20

Chengdu Centran industrial Co., Ltd Chengdu Centran IMP.&EXP Trading Co., Ltd Room 604, Building 4, Idealism Center, No.38 Tianyi Street Chengdu Hi-Tech district, 610041, Sichuan, P.R.China Tel: 0086-28- 85322171,85322172 Fax: 028 -85322175 E-mail: market@china-centran.com Http:// www. China-centran.com

VISIT US AT

9F 75

News Corporate

GER sells entire multipurpose extrusion line to Algerian firm

extruder, one multipass cooling trough, one haul-off caterpillar, one chalkmaster and one 1,600mm cantilever take-up.

GER SA recently sold – in cooperation with Dexsen – a multipurpose extrusion line for insulating and sheathing, to a customer in Algeria. The state-of-the-art production line is composed of new and overhauled second-hand machines. New machines are one 75mm extruder, four 1,250mm payoffs, one colouring unit, two crossheads, all control/measuring instruments, complete electrics of all machines, and control cabinets with touch screen. The second-hand elements are one motorised double cone-type pay off, one SZ strander, one 80mm diameter

The package includes commissioning and training of operators in the customer’s plant.

GER SA – Belgium Fax : +32 87 260 201 Email : ger@ger.be Website : www.ger.be

Low count fibre drop cable

CommScope has launched a new fibre optic cable – the low count fibre drop cable – specifically designed for true one or two fibre drop applications in FTTx networks. “FTTx cables can be used in various architectural approaches to outside plant designs,” said Doug Wells, CommScope’s vice president of outside plant solutions. The low count fibre drop cable is a small (4mm×2mm), lightweight (8lb per 1,000ft) cable designed for easy handling and field preparations. The all-dielectric cable also eliminates the time and cost associated with bonding and grounding. Fastening acquisition Elgin Fastener Group, LLC (EFG) has acquired the cold heading segment of Landreth Fastener Corp (Landreth) of Houston, Texas. Established in 1962, the Landreth manufacturing facility extends to 35,000ft 2 with 27 cold headers, a precision machine shop, a supporting tooling shop and an automatic inspection/packaging area, producing solid and semi-tubular rivets, cold headed specials, and precision machined parts. Elgin Fastener Group – USA Fax : +1 812 689 6635 Email : quotes@elginfasteners.com Website : www.elginfasteners.com CommScope – USA Fax : +1 800 982 1708 Email : info@commscope.com Website : www.commscope.com

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EuroWire – March 2012

News Corporate

Plasma heat and surface treatment trial facility

Plasmait GmbH, a supplier of plasma heat and surface treatment lines for wire, tube and strip production, has opened a dedicated test facility for continuous annealing and degreasing of welding wires. Welding manufacturers are welcome to test plasma heat and surface treatment on their materials at Plasmait’s facility in Lebring, Austria. The welding wire facility has been designed to perform heat treatment, degreasing and deoxidation on a wide range of ferrous and non-ferrous materials with diameters between 0.8mm and 3.5mm. The annealing and degreasing trials can be performed on copper, copper alloys, aluminium, various stainless steels and nickel alloys and other materials. Flux cored wires can also be tested. According to Plasmait’s R&D director, Peter Ziger, the welding wire trial facility is now available to all welding wire manufacturers who strive to improve the quality of their welding wire products. Applications with demanding surface or challenging annealing requirements will benefit most from plasma treatment. Such applications are found in the medical, precision mechanical, automotive, marine, aerospace and energy sectors. Other welding wire manufacturers may want to consider plasma annealing to reduce energy use or purging gas consumption, or to replace chemical surface treatments with dry, chemical-free degreasing, surface cleaning or deoxidation. Manufacturers of coated products may find plasma surface preparation prior to

▲ ▲ Plasmait’s trial facility

products. With over 50 deployments of plasma treatment lines worldwide Plasmait has established itself as a trusted supplier to the wire and tube industry.

coating or metallic plating also an area of potential interest. Since the introduction of plasma heat and surface treatment process in the wire industry in 2003, Plasmait has continuously improved the process and widened the application scope to include annealing and surface treatment of tubes and flat

Plasmait GmbH – Austria Fax : +43 3182 52 475 4 Email : info@plasmait.com Website : www.plasmait.com

FSP 3000 moves into Idaho and Utah

and create jobs in their communities. This network means much more than just reliability, availability and increased bandwidth,” said John Scherzinger, ADVA’s senior vice president of sales in North America. “With always-on access to high-bandwidth applications, this network will have an enormous impact on businesses. “Telemedicine, distance learning, and video conferencing are just the beginning. This connectivity will expand economic capacity and commerce throughout southern Idaho.” Syringa Networks – USA Fax : +1 208 229 6110

Syringa Networks, an Idaho, USA-based regional provider of fibre-optic services, has selected the modular optical transport platform FSP 3000 from ADVA Optical Networking to provide high-speed connectivity to southern Idaho and northern Utah businesses. Syringa Networks was created in 2002 to improve telecommunication and rural broadband services in Idaho. The carrier is a longstanding partner of ADVA. “We’re excited to partner with ADVA Optical Networking to offer flexible data transport solutions to Idaho businesses,” said Greg Lowe, president and CEO of Syringa Networks. “Cost-effective access to data-intensive services helps rural communities retain local businesses, attract new companies,

Email : info@syringanetworks.net Website : www.syringanetworks.net

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EuroWire – March 2012

News Corporate

Simulation in bulk metal forming technology

two full days with many interesting presentations – partly presented in parallel sessions. The technical showcase will offer attendees the possibility to learn more about partner solutions, to build new relationships and to foster existing ones. The traditional evening events on both conference days and the guided company visits on day three, during which attendees will have the possibility to look at the use of process simulation in practice, will complete the conference. 13 th RoundTable can be found at www. roundtable.simufact.eu Simufact Engineering GmbH – Germany More information about the

and can thereafter be continued with a joining analysis, for example welding. The international focus of the RoundTable offers all attendees the possibility to network and to exchange experiences with peers from other countries and regions. Simufact users from all industries are invited to submit their presentations on forming simulation. Official conference languages are German and English, and simultaneous translation for both will be provided. Since its inception in 1998, the yearly RoundTable has evolved into a constantly growing international event. Last year’s event attracted more than 150 attendees from all over the world. Next year the RoundTable will, for the first time, take place in spring, at the same time as the Hanover Fair industrial trade show.

Simufact Engineering GmbH, a provider of software and services in the area of process simulation in the manufacturing industry, has announced that its 13 th RoundTable will take place at the Welcome Hotel in Bamberg, Germany, from 23 rd to 26 th April, 2012. The event brings together experts, engineers and managers of the branch and is dedicated to simulation in bulk metal forming. The attendees will have the possibility to gain insights into the broad application range of process simulation and will learn more about the latest trends and news of the industry. A key focus will be the simulation of entire process chains, which are indispensable for innovative engineering tasks. This includes the entire process simulation, ie that a forming simulation builds on results taken from a casting simulation

Fax : +49 40 790 162 22 Email : info@simufact.de Website : www.simufact.com

The conference programme includes

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EuroWire – March 2012

News Corporate

FTTH pilot project for Zurich electricity company

Datwyler, appointed general contractor by the Zurich electricity company (Elektrizitätswerke Zürich, ewz) has completed a fibre-to-the-home pilot project in Hardstrasse, Zurich. A total of 106 buildings with 1,400 residential units were connected to the city’s modern, fast fibre-optic network. The first stage when connecting fibre optics to all 106 buildings was to sink nine telecom shafts and route approximately 38km of part pipes through the existing pipe infrastructure. These interconnect the shafts and the main optical distribution board (PoP, point of presence). The telecom installation companies used micro-tubes between the shafts and the optical premises distributors. The contract also involved blowing fibre-optic cables into the pipe system and included all the requisite splicing and connecting work. The PoP and the telecom shafts are interconnected by over 8km of feeder cable. Around 20km of Datwyler’s newly developed S-Micro cable were used for the connections from the shafts to the buildings, in the so-called ‘drop’ area.

▲ ▲ Datwyler’s FTTH pilot project for ewz

the installation, documentation and maintenance of new infrastructures. In Zurich, Datwyler implemented the pilot project in cooperation with local civil engineers, telecom assembly companies, installation and splicing contractors. Datwyler Switzerland Inc – Switzerland Fax : +41 41 875 1986 Email : info.cabling.ch@datwyler.com Website : www.datwyler.com Datwyler (UK) Ltd – UK Fax : +44 2380 279 998 Email : info.cabling.uk@datwyler.com Website : www.datwyler.com

excavation work and in parallel to the FTTH network installation, main terminals and main electrical connection boxes were replaced in buildings with old electrical house connections. Datwyler is a supplier of premium quality total solutions for the electrical and ICT infrastructure in public and commercial buildings as well as for FTTx networks. As a turnkey supplier Datwyler carries out on-site analyses all over the world, draws up infrastructure design proposals, delivers the requisite system solutions and – in close collaboration with certified partners on the ground – takes on

At the same time, as part of the

Bangalore office for Sampsistemi

“India requires sophisticated wire and cable manufacturing technologies, and SAMP is committed to working together with Indian customers to deliver our best solutions for their operations,” said Mr Nagesh. Mr Nagesh has 32 years of experience in India, Germany, the UK, France and the USA. Before joining SAMP, he was executive vice president (manufacturing and technical support) at Lapp India Pvt Ltd.

Sampsistemi has opened a new branch office in Bangalore, India.

“We have witnessed continued growth in India during the past years. This new office will act as the dedicated local partner for our Indian customers,” said Mr Artemio Affaticati, CEO of the Samp Group. “Our employees in Bangalore are able to understand the complexity and the specific characteristics of the Indian market in a way that only locals can. Opening a local office emphasises our long-term commitment to the growing Indian market.” Mr SV Nagesh is director of Samp India Pvt Ltd and will lead the operations of the new branch office.

Sampsistemi – Italy Fax : +39 051 370 860

Email : info@sampsistemi.com Website : www.sampsistemi.com

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EuroWire – March 2012

News Corporate

High-voltage submarine link between Mallorca and Ibiza

cable, the project will include 24km of single-core HV land cable from the Nexans factory in Charleroi, Belgium, together with accessories from Nexans Cossonay in Switzerland. Nexans’ own cable ship, the C/S Skagerrak , will play a key role in the project as its 7,000 tonne capacity turntable offers a unique capability to deliver and install the submarine cable as a single length. This eliminates any need for subsea joints and therefore increases the reliability of the cable system. The submarine cable will be buried in the seabed using the CapJet system and mechanical trenching. Installation and commissioning should take place between 2013 and 2014. Nexans – France Email : nexans.web@nexans.com Website : www.nexans.com

For the new contract Nexans will extend the connection to Ibiza by constructing a 132kV AC submarine cable featuring state-of-the-art XLPE insulation. The 100MW link will establish two world records for both the longest 3-core high-voltage AC connection and the deepest, at an installation depth of 750m. “We are delighted to have been awarded this prestigious contract to help REE further reinforce the power infrastructure in the Balearic Islands,” said Dirk Steinbrink, executive vice president, high voltage and underwater cables business group. specialised Nexans facility in Halden, Norway and will incorporate fibre optic elements produced at the Rognan facility in Norway. In addition to the 115km subsea The submarine cable will be manufactured at the

Nexans has been awarded a turnkey contract worth in excess of €90mn by REE (Red Eléctrica de España), the operator of the Spanish power system and owner of the power transmission grid, to create a new 115km high-voltage (HV) submarine power link between the islands of Mallorca and Ibiza. The project forms part of the set of investments that REE is making to interconnect the Balearic Islands with the Iberian Peninsula to guarantee and improve the reliability of their electricity supply. The principal goal includes energy efficiency, saving and reduction of emissions. In 2011 REE commissioned the Romulo project, a 400MW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link between Spain’s 400kV grid and Mallorca, for which Nexans manufactured, supplied and installed 240km of DC submarine cables.

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EuroWire – March 2012

News Corporate

min and central cable rollers with an operation speed of 60m/min. They operate in temperatures ranging from -30°C to +80°C. Tratosgreen has the added benefit of reduced halogens and reduced toxicity. The new Konecranes ASCs – the company’s first delivery in the Middle East featuring Tratos cable – are due for installation in Summer 2012. Tratosflex and Tratosgreen are part of a range of Tratos cables to suit all types of reeling applications, whether it be on drum reeling, festoon or vertical. The cables can supply power, control and signalling functions including fibre-optic cables and components. Tratos Group Alma Srl – Italy Fax : +39 057 579 4246 Email : info@tratos.it Website : www.tratos.eu Tratos supplies cable for 36 new port cranes in Middle East

Cable manufacturer and supplier Tratos has won a contract from Konecranes to supply 36 cranes’ cable lengths. The cranes have been bought by Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) for an automated container yard system in the United Arab Emirates’ Khalifa Port. Khalifa Port is being built over five phases, with an initial capacity of two million TEU (containers) and eight million tons of general cargo. It will take over traffic from the Mina Zayed port which is due to close in 2012 as well as take on the new cargo generated by the Khalifa Industrial Zone, which is set to become one of the world’s largest industrial areas. To handle the largest ships at sea and such a vast quantity of cargo, Khalifa Port features the latest technology, including Konecranes’ Automated Stacking Cranes (ASC) and a container terminal operating system.

The ASCs are being used with Tratosflex and Tratosgreen medium voltage rubber insulated and sheathed drum reeling cables. These cables are ideal for ASCs as specified for Khalifa Port as they have been designed to combat the common problem of twisting that affects cables reeling at high speed.

▲ ▲ Reeling cable from Tratos

Twisting makes cable cores elongate

unevenly, which in turn leads to conductors on the outer layer of a strand facing a greater risk of being broken. A broken cable reeling at high speed is dangerous and can cause extensive and costly damage to equipment. Tratosflex is different from other reeling cables in that Tratos engineers have modified the internal cable design, tightening the structure against the internal relative movement to accommodate high speed applications. Tratosflex and Tratosgreen cables are suited for use on one-way reels with operation speeds of 200-300m/min, two-way reels with operation speeds of 200m/min, end rollers with an operation speed of 180m/

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EuroWire – March 2012

Transatlantic Cable

Hudson, which chronicles the history of the Port Authority. He said that the bridge’s chief engineer, Othmar Ammann, at one point considered using eyebars instead of wire rope. The governor of New Jersey, Arthur Moore, pressured Mr Ammann to use wire rope because doing so would create jobs in the state. “It was a jobs issue,” Dr Doig said. Mr Ammann reserved a nal decision until he was able to complete an engineering analysis, whereupon he chose wire and placed the order with the Roebling Company. The New Jersey-based rm was run by the descendants of John A Roebling, who designed the Brooklyn Bridge. † Vast quantities of wire had gone into the George Washington by the time it opened, in 1931. Andrea Giorgi Bocker, the Port Authority’s resident engineer in charge of construction at the bridge, told the Times ’s Ms Haughney that the work of twisting 26,474 tightly coiled wires into four main cables occupied a full year. In our own era, replacing the suspension wire in stages will take eight years. In 2013 the PA will commence cleaning up the massive anchorages tying down the bridge’s foundation, replacing wires in the cables, and installing new dehumidi ers in the chambers where the anchors are held.Workers will clean the main cables by scraping o their zinc-paste wrapping and introducing dehumidi er. They then will focus on the less stable parts, replacing the suspender ropes that are spaced at 60-foot intervals along the 4,760ft bridge. † “This is a structural engineer’s dream,” Mrs Bocker, whose father managed the George Washington Bridge when she was growing up, told the Times . “Suspension ropes aren’t replaced every day. In the case of the George Washington Bridge, it’s happening for the rst time. So it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an engineer to be a part of.” Port Authority o cials said they will pay for the repairs with revenue from tolls and fares.

The GeorgeWashington Bridge

The daunting task of cleaning the main cables and repairing the vertical suspender ropes on the world’s busiest vehicular bridge A thorough overhaul of the civil engineering marvel that spans the Hudson River just north of New York Harbour is long overdue. O cials of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey say that comparable bridges normally have their wires replaced after 70 years or so. At 80, the George Washington is showing its age, and – after a $4.5 million, two-year study – the PA in December decided that action could not be postponed. The agency’s board authorised a rst instalment of $15.5 million on the estimated $1 billion-plus cost of a renovation that will create an estimated 3,600 jobs. Christine Haughney, who covers transportation for the New York Times , observed that the task of cleaning the four main cables of the bridge and replacing its 592 vertical suspender ropes is “daunting in its magnitude.” No more than three of the suspender ropes that stretch from the main cables to the roadway can be replaced at the same time. To attempt any more could destabilise the span. O cials of the PA emphasised that the 14-lane double-decker bridge is in no danger of collapsing from suspender deterioration. But waiting for a safety issue to develop would involve emergency repairs, and any driver who has experienced a tra c jam on “the George” will shrink from the prospect of a closed-o lane. (“At 80, George Washington Needs Bridge Equivalent of Hip Replacement,” 8 th December). The suspender ropes – which weigh 1,500 to 10,000 pounds each, depending on length – have never been replaced, but the procedure is expected to be similar to the “seismic retro tting” of the Golden Gate Bridge, in San Francisco. Ms Haughney wrote: “For that project, a rolling platform, known as a traveller, was placed atop the main cables, and then workers replaced the ropes, using temporary suspenders, jacking frames and jacks.” Details on the George Washington Bridge, provided by the Times include the following: † If placed end-to-end, the suspender ropes would be 32 miles long. The 283 wires in each suspender rope, if laid end-to-end, would be 9,100 miles long – more than one-third the circumference of the earth; † The wires were a worry-point for the bridge builders in the 1920s, according to Jameson W Doig, a research professor at Dartmouth College and the author of Empire on the

Image: www.bigstockphoto.com Photographer Zsolt Ercsel

The Detroit Auto Show

Amid a bonanza of emergent engineering trends, the US industry manifests a new and ‘decidedly globalist’ attitude An important change in emphasis at the North American International Auto Show, held 14 th -22 nd January in Detroit, was

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EuroWire – March 2012

Transatlantic cable

Innovative forming and welding techniques were employed to create a structure which the company claims sets a benchmark for torsional rigidity in roadsters; † Transatlantic sharing. With Fiat in control of Chrysler, the two companies increasingly function as one. The partnership has yielded dividends in the form of the Dodge Dart compact, which is built on a longer, wider version of Fiat’s Alfa Romeo Giulietta platform – underpinnings that will be used as a starting point for other Chrysler compacts; † Plugging in. Ford’s Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, using a 2-litre 4-cylinder engine, is expected to deliver 100mpge (electric-equivalent fuel economy). According to Ford, this goes the Chevrolet Volt some 8mpge better. Ford also introduced a plug-in hybrid version of its C-Max compact crossover. Honda, Volvo and other auto makers will follow the path of the Toyota Prius plug-in to showrooms; † Unlikely pairing. The E300 BlueTec Hybrid sedan from Mercedes-Benz upends standard practice by combining a 201-horsepower 4-cylinder diesel engine with a 27-horsepower electric motor. Fuel economy is estimated at 56mpg on the European test cycle. For now, the car will be available only in Europe; † Turbos and batteries. The Volkswagen Jetta hybrid couples a turbocharged 1.4-litre 4-cylinder engine of 150 horsepower with a 27-horsepower electric motor. Volkswagen estimates combined fuel economy at 45mpg and 0-to-60mph acceleration time at less than nine seconds;

noted by Lawrence Ulrich of the New York Times . He wrote that the venerable show, which for years “served as a stage for the gas-guzzling truck-based pro t centres of hometown brands like General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford, now ts more snugly in the rmament of international auto shows, where smaller but high-content models have traditionally been the stars.” He cited as evidence the debut of the 2012 Dodge Dart, based on a platform taken from Alfa Romeo; and that of the Acura ILX, an entry-level luxury sedan based on the Honda Civic. Another Times reporter, Phil Patton, surveyed the designs unveiled at the show and found a movement toward a style that could be called American Global. He noted the ‘decidedly globalist approach’ of the Chevrolet Code 130R Concept, whose designer mentioned multiple inspirations: “not just bits of the Corvette, Corvair, and Camaro, but also the BMW 1 Series; the 1960s Ford Anglia, from Europe; and Japanese subcompacts with gold wheels.” It fell to yet another Times man, Paul Stenquist, to write about the many technical innovations on display at the big show, now in its 24 th year. Here, much abridged and lightly edited, are some of the emergent engineering trends identi ed by Mr Stenquist (“A Bu et of Canny Tweaks in Hot Pursuit of Mileage,” 13 th January): † Lightweight luxury. Like Mercedes-Benz SL sports cars of the past, the 2013 SL550 showcases the German auto maker’s technical prowess. Among its features is a body made almost entirely of aluminium and 308 pounds lighter than that of the previous model.

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EuroWire – March 2012