EW January 2011

technology news AEI unveils its latest rigid strander

Associated Engineers & Industrials Ltd (AEI) has 40 years’experience of manufacturing high technology stranding machines for the production of medium, high and extra-high voltage power cables. In recent years the company’s focus has been on perfecting its rigid stranding machines. The result is the latest line of reliable and versatile ASRB stranding machines suitable for the manufacture of highly compacted conductor (die and roll), sector shaped (Milliken) conductor and round and preshaped wire (TW) overhead conductor.

The latest strander, designed for complete flexibility, offers the following benefits: Motorised bobbin pintles that require minimum • maintenance Auto regulated pneumatic braking mechanism, • settable at the control desk Instant wire breakage detection displayed at the • control desk Fast row loading hydraulic system dedicated for • each cage Latest AC drives and PLC/touch panel control • systems using Profibus and Profinet communication for complete line synchronisation (in case of power failure) Remote diagnostic assistance available via the telecom network • AEI’s strength lies in understanding customer requirements and the ability to offer suitable products, ranging from the largest stranders (128-bobbin rigid stranding machine for 500kV cables) to the highest productivity stranders. “Our machines are designed with years of customer feedback and utilise sophisticated systems but are, at the same time, easy to use,” said Mr Alok Jain, executive director of AEI. Associated Engineers & Industrials Ltd – India Fax : +91 145 2440126 Email : info@aeimachines.com Website : www.aeimachines.com AEI’s rigid strander ▲ ▲

World’s first PVC/halogen-free solution? Electronics OEMs looking for PVC alternatives to make flexible cords safer and more environmentally sustainable now have halogen-free options from The Dow Chemical Company. Dow Sustain TM is said to offer the first PVC and halogen-free compounds to meet key global industry standards for continuous operating temperature, low smoke and heat deformation. Four different product grades for jacketing and insulation are available in sample quantities for producers of wires, cables and cords for electrical and electronics applications. “With the demand for PVC alternatives in an electronics market growing fast, Dow has made a significant investment over the last three years in perfecting halogen-free compounds,” says Simon Leung, platform leader for personal electronics at Dow Wire & Cable. “Dow Sustain is the first halogen-free offering qualified to meet UL 62, JCS4509 and HD21.14 requirements on a com- mercial scale while delivering excellent look and feel as well as enhanced product and extrusion performance.” In addition, Dow Sustain exhibits good chemical resistivity, low corrosive off-gassing in the event of a fire, and flexibility for ease of handling during manufacturing of the end product. Dow Wire & Cable worked with Shenzhen BaoHing Electric Wire & Cable Manufacture Co Ltd and Volex to trial Dow Sustain under manufacturing conditions. The companies were able to meet key global standards using the new DowWire & Cable compounds. DowWire & Cable – USA Website : www.dowwireandcable.com

New Die Flex MA Die Quip Corporation is introducing a new machine to its line of precision die finishing equipment. The Die Flex MA is the second machine in the Die Flex line. It is a semi-automatic angle polishing and sizing machine. Once the operator places the die into the machine an automatic cycle runs either the angle polishing or bearing calibration programs. The machine automatically finds the approach angle so different diameter dieswiththesameanglecanbepolished withoutchangingthemachinesettings; this makes the Die Flex MA easy to use for removing die wear. The dies are held in a 3-jaw adjustable chuck to insure die concentricity, which reduces out-of-round wire. Like all Die Quip machines the Die Flex MA is built on a sturdy steel base with industry standard parts for long heavy-duty work and a long production life. Die Quip Corporation – USA Fax : +1 412 835 6474 Website : www.diequip.com

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EuroWire – January 2011