European Outlook

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SEPTEMBER 2007

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WIRE JOURNAL

I N T E R N A T I O N A L w w w. w i r e n e t . o r g

Wire Bologna preview

European Outlook Outlook European OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE WIRE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL

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WIRE JOURNAL

®

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Volume 40 Number 9 September 2007

C ONTENTS

FEATURES

50 European Outlook

29

The European economy has generally looked good in 2007, which is a plus for the wire and cable industry, but the recent stock market tumble and fears of global liquidity could pose a roadblock.

58 Wire Bologna 07 preview Wire Bologna 07, to be held November 5-7 in the Boscolo Hotel Tower in Bologna, Italy, will offer attendees a comprehensive technical program, a myriad of networking opportunities and social events, all in a memorable setting.

TECHNICAL

PAPERS

74 PVC compound influence on spark test failures; a manufacturing DOE study

58

Eric Bates—Compound selection and use of laboratory work were found to be key factors in reducing such failures while reducing overall costs.

78 Mathematical model simulating thin-diameter steel wiredrawing in the presence of back tension Vladimir Bitkov—Taking into account factors such as back tension, pulling forces and power consumption, it was possible to develop a PC-driven methodology that optimizes the drawing process for thin wire.

84 Metallurgical and wiredrawing performance comparison of ETP and oxygen-free copper Masoud Garshasb—Under ideal rod and wire manufacturing conditions, oxygen-free copper has the potential of offering superior quality and properties. (continued)

Cover: Developed by multiple industry organizations, Wire Bologna 07 will present a balanced technical program, networking opportunities and more when it is held November 5-7 in the Boscolo Hotel Tower in Bologna, Italy. Preview begins on p. 58.

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12 Industry News Lots of acquisitions lead the news, including reports from WRCA, Leoni, Prysmian, Marmon Wire & Cable, Nucor, Tele-FONIKA and more

DEPARTMENTS

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28 Asian Focus Energy costs a factor in Tata Steel choosing Vietnam over Thailand for new smelter, and more

34 Fiber Watch Corning announced FTTH fiber breakthrough

38 Fastener Update

WIRE JOURNAL

®

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

6 Editorial 8 Calendar 30 People 90 Products

Korean fastener event set for October, and more

40 WAI News Wire Expo 2008 Call for Papers; Call for WireLink Scholar, Michael joins WAI’s Board of Directors

42 Chapter News New England/Midsouth chapter events, Ohio Valley to go lean, Wire Foundation to help out, and more

4 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

94 Media 95 Classified 95 Career Opportunities 98 Advertisers’ Index

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WIRE JOURNAL

INTERNATIONAL

Editorial

Publisher Steven J. Fetteroll Editor-in-Chief Mark Marselli

From concept to collaboration: origin of Wire Bologna conference In 1999, WAI was invited to a meeting with the International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA) and the Associazione Costruttori Italiani Macchine per Filo (ACIMAF) designed to improve relationships between the groups. The three associations, with overlapping interests, were very familiar with each other but had never truly worked together.

The first meeting laid the groundwork for open communication. One concept that was discussed was the possibility of the three independent associations working together on a technical conference. It was agreed that a joint effort could produce a better educational program than any one of the bodies could produce. Further, that this would benefit both the collective memberships of the associations as well as the industry as a whole.

Talk turned to action. The group expanded to include the strong European ferrous expertise of the Comité Européen de la Tréfilerie (CET) and the initial technical conference was held in Stresa, Italy, in 2003. The group worked well together and like all collaborations, the involvement of multiple parties served to both complicate and add value to the planning and producing of the event; the final product, all agreed, was indeed something to be proud of.

The first conference led to a second successful one in 2005, in Prague, The Czech Republic. Now a third cooperative conference is soon to be held in Bologna, Italy (see preview that begins on p.58).

The direct benefits of this collaboration are meaningful: the technical content is of higher quality, the planning duties are shared, the marketing is more expansive and the potential of conflicting or competing events is neutralized. The level of communication between the organizations and the spirit of cooperation has expanded as the three associations have worked together.

A concept led to a collaboration that in turn led to tangible results and even better relationships. Today, WAI considers its partners in those efforts as friends sharing a common mission of serving the needs of an ever-changing global wire and cable industry.

Steve Fetteroll WAI Executive Director

Senior Graphic Designer Bill Branch Director of Sales Robert Xeller Advertising Sales Anna Bzowski Director of Marketing Services Janice E. Swindells Circulation Manager Jan Valois Publications Advisory Board Antonio Ayala - J.J. Lowe, Mexico Ferruccio Bellina -TKT Group/President ACIMAF, Italy Anand Bhagwat - Wire and Cable Services, India Rick Kristensen - Beta LaserMike, USA Malcom Michael - Australasian Wire Association, Australia Don Schollin - Q-S Technologies, USA Ken Scott - UK Ralph Skalleberg - Skaltek USA Dave Stackpole - Nutmeg Wire, USA Giulio Properzi - Continuus Properzi, Italy Robert Wild - Niehoff Endex North America, USA WAI Executive Committee Liaison Dane Armendariz Henkel Surface Technologies Technical Advisors John Drummond - Scotia Group Nate Rosebrooks - Fluid Coating Technology R. M. Shemenski - RMS Consulting, Inc.

WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL (ISSN-0277-4275) is published monthly by the Wire Journal, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Wire Association International, Inc. Address all correspondence concerning advertising production, editorial and circulation to Wire Journal International, 1570 Boston Post Road, P.O. Box 578, Guilford, CT 06437-0578, USA. Tel: 203-453-2777; fax: 203-453-8384; web site: wirenet.org; e-mail mmarselli@wirenet.org. Printed in USA. Subscription rates: $95 per year, USA; $105 per year, Canada and Mexico; other countries, $125 per year (includes air mail). Single copies: $6 in the U.S.; all other countries $7. Periodicals postage paid at Guilford, CT 06437, USA, and at additional offices.

Wire Journal International grants photocopy permission to libraries and others registered with Copyright Clearance Center (CCC), 21 Congress St., Salem, MA 01970, USA, for a fee of $0.50 per article.

Payments should be sent directly to the CCC. Requests for bulk orders or reprints should be sent to the Wire Journal International, P.O. Box 578, Guilford, CT 06437-0578, USA. © 2007 by Wire Journal, Inc. All rights reserved. The Publisher of Wire Journal International assumes no responsibility for the validity of manufacturers’ claims made herein. Back issues of Wire Journal International are on microfilm and available from University Microfilm, 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, USA. Phone: 313-761-4700.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Wire Journal International, P.O. Box 578, Guilford, CT 06437-0578, USA.

6 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

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World Calendar October 16-18, 2007: wire Southeast ASIA 2007 Bangkok, Thailand. To be held at the BITEC Exhibition Centre in Bangkok, this event, formerly known as wire Singapore, is organized by Messe Düsseldorf Asia Pte Ltd. Singapore. Contact: Messe Düsseldorf North America, tel. 312781-5180; fax 312-781-5188; info@mdna.com; Internet www.mdna.com.

October 17, 2007: Non-Ferrous Bangkok Bangkok, Thailand. This seminar is jointly organized by the International Wire & Machinery Association and the International Tube Association during wire Southeast Asia, BITEC exhibition centre. Contact www.iwma.org.

October 22-24, 2007: EIC/EME Manufacturing Expo Nashville, Tennessee, USA. To be held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center. Contact: tel. 619-4393629; www.coilwinding.org. See p. 13.

October 24-31, 2007: K 2007, the 17th international Trade Fair Plastics and Rubber Düsseldorf, Germany. K 2007 will be held at the Düsseldorf fairgrounds, Halls 1-17. This event for plastic and rubber industries is organized by Messe Düsseldorf GmbH. Contact: Messe Düsseldorf North America, tel. 312-781-5180; e-mail info@mdna.com.

October 31-November 2, 2007: Kiev Industrial Week 2007 Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine. The Fourth edition of Kiev Industrial Week 2007, which includes Wire Steel Ropes 2007 and Cabling Wiring 2007, will be held at the National Complex Expocenter.

Contact: Olga Krasko, TDS-Expo LLC, tel. 380-44-526-91-84; olga@welding.kiev.ua; Internet www.weldexpo.com.ua.

November 5-7, 2007: Wire 07 Bologna Bologna, Italy. This technical conference is organized by the Associazione Costruttori Italiani Macchine Per Filo (ACIMAF); The International Wire and Machinery Association (IWMA); Comité Européen de la Tréfilerie (CET); and the WAI. Contact: WAI, tel. 203-453-2777, ext. 133; Internet www.wirenet.org. See preview that begins on p. 58.

November 11-14, 2007: Fabtech International and AWS Welding Show Chicago, Illinois, USA. North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating and welding event will be held at McCormick Place. Contact: tel. 800-432-2832; e-mail information@ fmafabtech.com www.fmafabtech.com.

November 11-14, 2007: 56th IWCS/Focus™ Conference and Symposium Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA. To be held at the Coronado Springs Hotel and Conference Center. Contact: IWCS/Focus, Internet www.iwcs.org; admin@iwcs.org; tel. 732-389-0990.

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WIRE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL EVENTS For more information about these events, contact the WAI, Guilford, CT 06437-0578, USA. Tel. 203-453-2777; fax 203-453-8384; Internet www.wirenet.org.

September 19, 2007: Mid-South Chapter: TMS tour Talladega, Alabama, USA. This program include a tour of the Talladega Machinery & Supply Company (TMS) facility and visit to the Talladega Superspeedway/International Motor Sports Hall of Fame museum. See p. 42.

October 11, 2007: Wire New England 07 Boxborough, Massachusetts, USA. This single day event will include five educational sessions as well as tabletop displays. See p. 42.

October 17, 2007: WAI Western Chapter Seventh Annual ‘Wild West Shootout’ City of Industry, California, USA. The Pacific Palms Conference Resort will host this event. See p. 48.

October 19, 2007: Mid-South Chapter 6th Annual Golf Tournament Nashville, Tennessee, USA. The Hermitage Golf Course will host this event. See p. 46.

October 21-22, 2007: Reconvene Nashville, Tennessee, USA. The WAI will hold Reconvene, its second business meeting of the year, in conjunction with EIC/EMCW, at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center.

November 1, 2007: Ohio Valley Chapter Program: Lean Manufacturing Cleveland, Ohio, USA. The program speaker will be Michael J. Roehler, National Standard. See p. 44.

November 5-7, 2007: Wire 07 Bologna Bologna, Italy. See preview that begins on p. 58.

June 7-11, 2008: Wire Expo 2008 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. To be held at the Pittsburgh Convention Center, this event incorporates: the Wire Expo trade exposition, the technical program and the WAI’s 78th Annual Convention. The event addresses ferrous/nonferrous manufacturing, and electrical, data and voice segments as well as wire forming and related wire and wire products.

October 19-23, 2008: ITC Mexico Monterrey, Mexico. To be held at the Crown Plaza Monterrey, this WAI International technical Conference will include a technical conference, tabletop exhibits, a plant tour and networking opportunities.

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World Calendar (cont’d.)

December 4-7, 2007: Fastener China 2007 Guangzhou, China. Fastener China 2007 will be held at the Pazhou Complex in Guangzhou. Contact: Business & Industrial Trade Fairs Ltd., tel. 852-2865-2633; fax 852-2866-1770; enquiry@bitf.com.hk; www.bitf.com.hk.

March 31-April 4, 2008: wire Düsseldorf Düsseldorf, Germany. To be held at the Messe fairgrounds.

Contact: Messe Düsseldorf North America, tel. 312-781-5180; e-mail info@mdna.com.

June 7-11, 2008: Wire Expo 2008 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. To be held at the Pittsburgh Convention Center, this event incorporates: the Wire Expo trade exposition, the technical program and the WAI’s 78th Annual Convention. The event addresses ferrous/nonferrous manufacturing, and electrical, data and voice segments as well as wire forming and related wire and wire products. Contact: WAI, tel.

203-453-2777; fax 203-453-8384; www.wirenet.org.

September 23-26, 2008: wire China Shanghai, China. wire China, The All China - International Wire and Cable Industry Trade Fair, organized by Messe Düsseldorf China Ltd. and SECRI Shanghai Electric Cable Research Institute, will be held at the Shanghai New International Exhibition Center. Contact Contact: Messe Düsseldorf North America, tel. 312-781-5180; fax 312-7815188; e-mail info@mdna.com; Internet www.mdna.com.

October 15-17, 2008: Spring World 2008 Rosemont, Illinois, USA. To be held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, this event is sponsored by the Chicago Association of Spring Manufacturers (CASMI). Contact: Tom Renk, tel. 847-433-1335; fax 847-433-3769; e-mail info@casmi.org; Internet www.casmi.org.

November 20-22, 2008: Wire & Cable India 2008 Mumbai, India. Contact: Cheryl Fernandes, Business Fairs, Confederation of Indian Industry, tel. 91-22-24931790, ext.

470; fax 91-22-24939463; Internet www.ciionline.org.

May 2-7, 2009: Interwire 2009 Cleveland, Ohio, USA. To be held at the International Exposition Center (I-X Center), Interwire incorporates: Interwire Trade Exposition, the technical program and the WAI’s 79th Annual Convention. It addresses both ferrous and nonferrous manufacturing, and electrical/data/voice segments as well as wire forming and related wire and wire products. For more details, go to www.wirenet.org. ■

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Industry News WRCA to acquire German manufacturer of special wire ropes Wire Rope Corporation of America, Inc. (WRCA), announced that it has agreed to acquire CASAR Drahtseilwerk Saar GmbH (CASAR), a German-based manufacturer of special wire rope.

WRCA CEO Ira Glazer said in a press release that the acquisition, expected to be completed in September, represents further activity in the company’s growth strategy to expand WRCA’s global manufacturing presence and further diversify its end-markets and geographic mix. “The CASAR acquisition accomplishes another leg of this strategy by firmly establishing WRCA in Europe,” he said, noting that WRCA plans to utilize CASAR as the base for all European operations. That includes investment in plant and equipment as well as the potential for additional jobs in Kirkel, he said.

With CASAR as the focal point, WRCA also plans to expand its export activities which can translate to more jobs as well, Glazer said. “We plan to have a seamless transition of CASAR’s customers and employees as we carry forward CASAR’s tradition of engineering excellence.”

At its website, CASAR notes the following about the company: CASAR, founded in 1948, manufactures special wire ropes for cranes and other lifting devices. Typical end uses include overhead cranes, tower cranes, mobile cranes and offshore cranes and underground shaft mining applications. CASAR has some 380 employees and annual capacity of 18,000 metric tons.

It produced the first eight-strand ropes in 1949 and has continued over the years with other developments to become a leading manufacturer of special wire ropes for

Leoni to expand with buy of Spain’s Furas S.A. Leoni AG announced that it plans to acquire Furas S.A., a Spanish-based manufacturer of cable and electrical power cords that reports annual sales of about US$69 million and more than 300 employees.

A press release described Furas, which has operations in Spain and in Morocco, as being “among Europe’s leading manufacturers of cordsets for the electrical appliance industry.” It noted that the deal for Furas, an ISO 9001: 2000 and ISO 14001 certified company whose products are all RoHS compliant, will help Leoni on several levels.

“With this acquisition in its Electrical Appliances business unit, Leoni will offer its customers a comprehensive range of products in the high-quality power cord segment and will broaden its footprint in the European market,” the release said. It noted that Leoni “also plans to expand its position in the Chinese market for rubber-insulated and fabric-braided cables and power cords.”

Founded in 1969, Furas reports at its

website that it has many years of experience in producing rubber-insulated and fabric-braided cables and power cords, most of which are used for small electrical appliances, professional power tools and industrial pumps.

Furis notes that it is a supplier to international producers of electrical appliances as well as distributors, with more than 85 percent of its sales from exports for sectors that include small appliances, power tools, white goods, brown goods, office equipment, floor care, medical equipment and others. It added that Furas’ factories, which use the latest manufacturing technology and testing equipment, produce their own PVC, halogen free, polyurethane, neoprene and cotton braided cables.

Based in Germany, Leoni is a global supplier of wires, cables and wiring systems as well as related development services, with more than 35,000 employees and about 100 subsidiaries. It is a major supplier to the automotive industry.

cranes and other lifting devices. Its wire ropes, distributed globally from Kirkel, Germany, offer high breaking loads, excellent rotation resistance and long service time. Its ropes have been used at “Space Mountain” at EuroDisney. CASAR has a network of international distribution partners in more than 30 countries.

The release noted that the acquisition of CASAR follows the purchases of Aceros Camesa in Mexico and Wireline Works in Canada. In 2006, WRCA also formed a joint venture with Wuhan Iron and Steel in China to build the world’s most modern wire rope manufacturing facility, which is scheduled to open in April 2008. WRCA is owned by investment funds managed by Fox Paine Management III, LLC (Fox Paine III), the San Francisco and New York-based private equity firm.

Prysmian to buy cable business of Nicco Corp.

Prysmian Cables & Systems reported that it has entered into an agreement to become the majority owner of a new joint venture company that will include all the cable activities of Nicco Corporation Limited (NCL), which was described as the flagship company of India’s Nicco Group.

For some six decades, NCL has been one of the pioneers in the Indian cable manufacturing industry, a press release said.

NCL’s cable division has two manufacturing operations, six branch offices and approximately 900 employees. It reported net sales of US$75 million in fiscal year 2006-2007.

NCL’s cable division produces a range of medium voltage and low voltage power cables and industrial cables for applications in several sectors (OEMs, windmill, infrastructure, mining, railways, defense, etc.).

Nicco Corporation will be a minority shareholder of the new joint venture company, the release said.

Does your company have news that belongs here? E-mail it to the WJI at editorial@wirenet.org.

12 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

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EIC/EM Expo to offer exhibits and full technical program this October The Electrical Insulation Conference/Electrical Manufacturing Expo (EIC/EM Expo) will be held October 22-24, 2007, at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center near Nashville, Tennessee, USA. The conference and exhibition is organized by the Dielectric and Insulation Society of IEEE; the Insulating Material Division and Magnet Wire Section of NEMA and the Electrical Manufacturing & Coil Winding Association. It addresses the latest magnetic and insulation materials and process equipment involved in the design and manufacturing of electrical devices and serves as a gathering point for several IEEE Sub-committee meetings, and NEMA Standards Committees meetings.

The event provides a major venue of products, education and information for anyone involved in the electrical manufacturing industry through the exhibition, conference program, free tutorials, short courses and other courses. It is designed primarily for engineers, but is of value for technicians, those in sales and marketing and others, the organizers note.

Exhibitors on the main show floor are companies that provide the equipment, components, materials and services involved in the design and manufacture of electrical components. Exhibitors in the Electrical Products Pavilion are those companies that provide the electrical components, materials and services involved in manufacturing the finished electrical product. The organizers note that attendees are increasingly looking at and evaluating whether a component should be made in-house or bought, and that EIC/EME provides the venue to evaluate both sides of the make/buy decision. The exhibits are open Monday, October 22, from 4 to 7 pm, Tuesday, October 23, from 10 to 5 pm and on Wednesday, October 24, from 10 to 3 pm. The technical programs are held over the three days, with 30 sessions. Topics range from rotating machines and power electronics to high performance polymers and drives.

Short Courses will also be presented over two days, a combination of one-day and two-day sessions. Check the show website (coilwinding.com) for schedule. They include: Short Course 1, Lean: A Business Process; Short Course 2, Practical Power Magnetics Design Techniques; Short Course 3, Polymer Chemistry for Engineers; Short Course 4, Introduction to Resins and Varnishes; and Short Course 5, Introduction to Electrical Insulation for NonEngineers. A tutorial will also be presented on Understanding Induction Motor Performance – Why Settle for Speed Torque Curves. For more details, go to www.coilwinding.com.

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www.sanxinamerica.com SEPTEMBER 2007 13

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Nucor to buy LMP Steel & Wire Company Nucor Corporation announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire LMP Steel & Wire Company (LMP) for approximately $28 million.

Located in Maryville, Missouri, LMP is a producer of cold finished bar and ferrous wire (.062 in. - .500 in.) in grades 1008, 1010, 1018 and 1030. It operates related businesses servicing the construction and OEM markets in North America, a press release said. The company, which has some 100,000 tons of capacity and 155 employees, was described as a significant player in the cold finish industry.

Nucor President and CEO Dan DiMicco said that the acquisition of LMP represents “a solid growth opportunity for one of our core downstream businesses.

At its website, it notes the following about LMP: LMP began in 1958 as Lloyd Metal Products Company, manufacturing fasteners used to rivet corrugated metal pipe. It later expanded to include other accessory items such as bolts, angles and

band rods. In 1960, it merged with Lloyd Sheet Metal, a fabricator of corrugated metal culverts. It purchased its first wiredrawing machine in 1956 so the rivet manufacturing operation could be expanded.

The line was later used to draw wire for the bolt heading operation. In 1968 it bought a straight and cut machine for its move into the cold finished bar market. Over the next few years, more wiredrawing, as well as straighten and cut machines were added. In 1999 LMP became ISO certified to ISO 9001:2000 and in 2004 it expanded with an addition of 40,000 sq ft. In 2007, it completed the installation of a new ten-ton drawing line.

Nucor Corporation has made careful acquisitions. In 2006, Nucor bought Connecticut Steel Corp., which has a mill in Wallingford, Connecticut, with annual capacity of about 300,000 tons of wire rod and rebar and about 85,000 tons of wire mesh fabrication and structural mesh fabrication.

Morgan gets order rod mill from Turkish company U.S.-based Morgan Construction Company reported that it has signed a deal to supply Öznur Kablo San. Ve Tic. A.S., a Turkish wire and cable manufacturer based in Karaköy, Turkey, with a Southwire Continuous Rod (SCR) 2000 system for its new copper rod mill.

A press release said that the SCR 2000 system is being supplied by Southwire Company. Morgan Construction Company will supply the mill with a 9-stand system — one 12-inch stand, and eight 8-inch stands – together with a shear, pickling line, turndown, pinch roll, coiler and conveyor. The mill is designed to produce copper rod at a rate of 12 metric tons per hour.

Most of the equipment will be manufactured in Morgan’s Worcester facility, it said.

Morgan Construction’s John Buell said in the release that the rod mill marks Öznur Kablo’s vertical integration of its operations, as the new copper rod will be feed material for its wire and cable plants.

Delivery of the new system is expected this November.

Morgan Construction and Southwire have worked together for more than 30 years, the release said. It noted that Morgan Construction has built more than 60 nonferrous mills for Southwire customers, in addition to completing some 30 upgrades.

Industry magazine suspends publication Wire Industry, a U.K.-based magazine that covered the wire and cable industry for more than 70 years, announced August 8 that it has halted publication of the monthly electronic magazine.

In a short e-mail message to readers, a letter signed by “The Wire Industry Team” said that (publisher) Mack Brooks Publishing Ltd. “is suspending the publication of the electronic issues of Wire Industry with immediate effect. You will therefore not receive any future issues of the magazine. Thank you for your longstanding interest as a reader of Wire Industry.”

No explanation was given, but within the past year the magazine had switched from print to an electronic publication. At its website, still up at press time, it tells visitors, “Welcome, you’ve arrived at the heart of the global wire and cable industry. Wire Industry is the pre-eminent journal serving the international industry, which it has been doing monthly for more than 70 years. Our subscribers in 128 countries - from Albania to Zimbabwe - turn to us first every month.”

“I don’t know why Mack Brooks Publishing has suspended the electronic publication or whether it will be restarted in some form,” said Adam Shulman, a former editor and associate publisher of Wire Industry. “However, I am sure that all the former editors, advertisement managers and employees would want me to thank our readers and advertisers for their tremendous loyalty. The industry we were collectively able to serve for so many years is a fantastic one to work in.”

Shulman had edited the monthly magazine for over 10 years until April 2004, before leaving to launch his own venture.

Pirelli expands Romania operation, has 30K metric ton steel cord capacity Pirelli reports that it is investing some US$300 million at its operations in Slatina, Romania, where it recently celebrated the manufacturing of its one millionth highperformance tire.

A press release noted that Pirelli has two manufacturing plants there and a third one under construction in a strategic industrial district on the border with Serbia that will be able to produce more than 500,000 sili-

14 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

con carbide filters for original equipment of diesel engines.

One of the plants since 2005 has been making steelcord, the supporting structural element in radial tyres. The plant has capacity to produce about 30,000 tons per year of steelcord destined for EMEA markets, with a multi-year investment made of about US$50 million, it said.

The entire industrial complex at Slatina,

including steelcord, extends across an area of 500,000 sq m and at year end will employ about 1,200 workers, the release said. The Slatina operations represent a logistics and commercial hub for the Pirelli Group, a logistics and a commercial hub for all of Eastern Europe, an area in which the large automobile manufacturers are continuing to increase their production capacity, it said.

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Marmon Wire & Cable reports acquisition of TE Wire & Cable Marmon Wire & Cable LLC reports that it has acquired R² Technologies, LLC, a manufacturer of thermocouple wire and cable products for customers worldwide that operates as TE Wire & Cable.

A press release said that TE Wire & Cable President Raymond Sobieski, who has more than 20 years of manufacturing experience, will continue in that post. TE Wire & Cable has its headquarters and manufacturing operations in a 75,000-sq-ft plant in Saddle Brook, New Jersey. In addition to thermocouple wire, the company produces thermocouple extension

cables, copper instrumentation and control cables as well as its patented Accuclave® autoclave thermocouple.

Marmon Wire & Cable LLC President Henry West said in the release that the acquisition would benefit both companies.

“TE Wire & Cable will gain access to the collective expertise and experience of the Marmon organization. Drawing on Marmon’s resources, TE Wire & Cable will continue to grow in service to its customers. In return, Marmon gains a highly skilled team of people with a reputation for quality products and services and strong

relationships with global customers who rely on TE Wire & Cable to provide critical temperature measurement solutions.”

Marmon Wire & Cable businesses include Aetna Insulated Wire, Cable USA, Cerro Wire, Comtran, Dekoron Wire & Cable, Dekoron Unitherm, Harbour Industries, Hendrix Wire & Cable, Owl Wire & Cable, PMC and RockbestosSurprenant. The companies are part of the Marmon Group, an international association of more than 125 business units that operate independently within diverse business sectors

Luvata gets European Commission okay for its acquisition of ECO SpA The European Commission has given its approval to Luvata’s acquisition of ECO SpA, with the provision that it sell its operation in the Czech Republic.

Luvata had previously announced its intent to acquire the ECO Group, which has been producing coils and coolers since 1972 and employs approximately 2,400 individuals in Italy, Austria, Spain, Sweden,

U.S. and China, with total group sales in 2006 of approximately US$445 million.

Because of concerns about Luvata’s market share with the acquisition, it was required “to offer remedial action to ensure continued fair competition in the market,” the release said. As a result, it said, Luvata will be divesting its operation in The Czech Republic - Luvata Czech SRO, letting it be

run as an independent standalone operation until a buyer is found.

Luvata, formerly known as Outokumpu Copper Products, and acquired from Outokumpu OY in 2005 by Nordic Capital, is an international supplier of solutions, services, components and materials in a variety of metals for manufacturing and construction.

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Superior Essex gets okays to close deals with Invex and Nexans Superior Essex continued its expansion in magnet wire, reporting that it has completed deals to acquire Italy’s Invex S.A. and Nexans Tianjin Magnet Wires and Cables Co., Ltd. The company reported that it has been given permission from the European

Union’s regulatory arm to buy Invex S.p.A., an Italian magnet wire producer with two facilities that is owned by private equity firm Investitori Associati. The European Commission said in its approval that “a number of effective competitors, which have sufficient spare capacity, would

See us at wire Southeast Asia — Booth K-01

Cold Is Various PWM models weld non-ferrous wire and rod from .004” - 1.180” (.10 - 30 mm) dia.

Strip metal can also be welded.

Handy

Simple to use, cold pressure welds with the hand held M10 don’t require any set-up or heat. The non-ferrous wire welds are stronger than the parent materials and the M10 is so compact it makes it easy to weld in tight spaces. This saves time and effort and makes your welding process more streamlined.

Among our M10’s unique characteristics are: • Low maintenance • Quick and easy die changeover • Weld cycle complete in less than a minute • For wires with diameters from 0.08 to 1.2mm • No end prep required

Weld in places you never thought possible. Make your welds quicker and stronger with Huestis cold pressure welding and start experiencing the utility today.

68 Buttonwood Street, Bristol, Rhode Island 02809 U.S.A. 401-253-5500, 800-972-9222, Fax: 401-253-7350 Air Wipes • Pay-offs • Take-ups • Buncher Pay-offs • Accumulators ISO9001:2000 Cable Jacket Strippers • Spoolers • Cold Pressure Welders • Custom R E G I S T E R E D

16 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

remain in the market and would continue to be able to constrain the behaviour of the merged entity,” a press release said.

At its website, Invex notes that it was founded in 1948 at Quattordio (100 km from Milan) and became a leader in Italy for enamelled wire (magnet wire). Its two production plants annually produce some 55,000 metric tons of magnet wire (from fine enamel-coated wires to large conductors for transformers), transposed conductors and covered transformers. The company’s certifications include ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001.

Superior Essex also reported that it has completed the acquisition of 80% of the common equity ownership of Nexans Tianjin Magnet Wires and Cables Co., Ltd., which produces around 13 million pounds of magnet wire annually and reported 2006 revenues of about $40 million. Superior Essex paid approximately $10 million and as part of the deal refinanced the Tianjin entity’s outstanding debt under a new credit facility of up to $22.5 million. Post closing, the Tianjin company’s net debt is about $8 million.

“The Tianjin operations are well established and will give us immediate scale in China,” said Superior Essex CEO Stephen Carter. “We believe the Tianjin business will be complementary to our Suzhou, China, magnet wire operations, which began initial commercial production this year.”

TELE-FONIKA buys Ukrainian company Poland’s TELE-FONIKA Kable SA reports that its acquisition of EnejElektrokabel ZAT, a Ukrainian company, has been approved and that the deal is now official.

“The purchase of Enej-Elektrokabel ZAT makes the sale of products from TELEFONIKA Kable S.A. more dynamic in Ukraine and allows for flexible reaction to the needs of this market,” a press release said. A privately owned business that was founded in 1992, TELE-FONIKA has become one of the biggest cable producers in Central and Eastern Europe. Its products include power cables, ship building and mining cables, enameled wire and more.

Representative USA — Canada Cable Consultants Corporation 7 Woodland Avenue — Larchmont, New York 10538 — Ph: 914-834-8865 — Fax: 914-834-8903 — E-mail: info@cableconsultantscorp.com — www.cableconsultantscorp.com website North Carolina Office: 325 Queens Road, Apt. 7 — Charlotte, North Carolina 28204-3256 — Ph: 704-375-9313 — Fax: 704-375-9321 — E-mail: Fhardy@cableconsultantscorp.com

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SCS market briefing: 3 big suppliers have two-thirds of U.S. SCS market A study from FTM Consulting on the structured cabling systems (SCS) market finds that CommScope, Corning Cable Systems and Belden have approximately two-thirds of the U.S. market.

The executive briefing, “Structured Cabling Systems Market Share Analysis,” details the market shares of the leading suppliers to the SCS market, a press release said. It noted that: CommScope, by virtue of its acquisition of the Systimax operation from Avaya, is one of the leading suppliers of both UTP copper and fiber cabling systems; that Corning Cable Systems is the largest supplier of fiber SCS systems; and

that Belden is one of the largest suppliers of UTP cabling systems.

The briefing, the release said, provides individual shares of these primary suppliers as well as the other 20 major SCS suppliers. It analyzes the shares by the major cabling media (UTP copper and fiber) and by major product category (cable and apparatus devices).

Within the UTP cabling segment, CommScope, Belden and BerkTek are the leading suppliers, with Superior Essex and General Cable also having notable shares, the release said. In the fiber cabling segment, Corning Cable Systems has a domi-

nant position, with it and CommScope accounting for 78.7% of the fiber SCS market, it said.

The briefing provides historical market shares and a description of the evolution of the SCS industry. It analyzes recent industry consolidation and looks at the outlook for the SCS industry, including further consolidation, acquisitions and cable/apparatus supplier partnerships, it said.

The briefing, which costs $3,990 and includes one hard copy and one electronic file, is available from FTM Consulting, Inc., ftm.consulting@verizon.net; www.ftmconsultinginc.com.

Davis-Standard to hold extrusion seminar October 2-3 at its headquarters Davis-Standard, LLC, will host a workshop on “The Basics of Plastics Extrusion” on October 2-3 at its headquarters in Pawcatuck, Connecticut.

The two-day class will cover the fundamentals of plastics extrusion, as well as the composition and properties of various polymers and the mechanics of essential

20 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

downstream processes. Topics include extruder components, temperature control, maintenance and screw design. Participants will also tour Davis-Standard’s laboratory and manufacturing facilities and have access to polymer process engineers and technical specialists. The fee is $750 per person with a 10 percent discount given for

groups of three or more. Course books and materials are included, and class size is limited to promote student/teacher interaction.

To sign up or for more information, contact Wendy Smith at 860-599-6119 or at wsmith@davis-standard.com.

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Swiss-based Maillefer reports receiving order for 300th CV line and semi-conductor layers.

The Interbuild show in Cairo, Egypt, on June 24th, was the An option was signed to deliver an identical line to the setting for the 300th order from Switzerland’s Maillefer SA Energya Cables operations in Egypt where major expansions for a continuous vulcanization line to manufacture high-voltare underway to increase capacity and expand the product age insulated cables. range of energy cables, the release said.

A press release said that a handshake between Maillefer SA CEO Pentti Hätälä and Energya Industries CEO Hesham H. El Sewedy had sealed the deal. The order received represents the 300th complete CV line sold by Maillefer, which notes that it “has been a privileged partner to Energya Industries and, in particular, Jeddah Cable Company for over 20 years.â€?

The CV line, being manufactured at the company’s Finnish facility, will ship later this year, the release said. It note that Energya Industries will use the new CV line for its Jeddah Cable plant in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where building preparations and tower construction are underway to accommodate the line, which measures around 115 m high.

The order is for a vertical tower model for producing high-voltage and extra high-voltage insulated cables of up to 500 kV and a cross-section of 3000 mm2. It incorporates unique technology for Maillefer SA CEO Pentti Hätälä, l, and Energya Industries CEO Hesham H. El quality production, which is characterized by cable Sewedy sign contract that represents the 300th order for a Maillefer CV line. roundness and homogeneity across all insulation

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Exhibitors take note: Points Meeting–September 20, 2007

Wire Expo 2008.

Photo Courtesy: Bruce S. Cridlebaugh, pghbridges.com

It Connects. It Spans.

It Supports and Sustains.

Exhibits • Full Technical Program • Networking Activities Answers. Results. Solutions.

These three powerful reasons will prompt thousands of wire and cable industry professionals to cross one of the region’s 944 bridges to explore Wire Expo 2008, as America’s Road Show for Wire and Cable visits Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, June 7-11, 2008.

Solutions to manufacturing challenges. Explanations about industry trends.

Clarification about processes or product differentiation. At Wire Expo 2008 your prospects will find the latest industry information.

Photo Courtesy: David L. Lawrence Convention Center

WAI Annual Convention:

Will they find you?

Whether your company’s solutions are tangible products or valued services, your results count. And if you’re a past exhibitor, your accumulated points count too.

So, let your customers and prospects count on seeing you at Wire Expo.

Are you ready to join the hundreds of exhibiting companies that will define the Wire Expo 2008 landscape? See details online at: www.wirenet.org; call WAI at: (001) 203-453-2777; or, if you’ve exhibited at a WAI event before, check your mail for your exhibitor’s package.

June 7-11, 2008 Exhibits:

June 9-11, 2008 Pittsburgh • Pennsylvania David L. Lawrence Convention Center

Wire Expo 2008 is organized by The Wire Association International, Inc. 1570 Boston Post Road • P.O. Box 578 • Guilford, CT 06437-0578 USA Tel.: (001) 203-453-2777 • Fax: (001) 203-453-8384 • Web site: www.wirenet.org

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If you had to make a cable that circled the world...

A 40,000-kilometer cable that ran underwater and underground, emerging in cities, towns and villages around the globe. A cable that had to last. A cable billions of people depended on not to fail. A cable that had to be manufactured on six continents.

Who would you turn to for jacket and insulation materials? Who could you count on for consistent quality? Purity?

The product portfolio and expertise to provide the right compounds for every environment? The capability for testing and validation to make sure your materials met specifications for performance and processing? Global manufacturing and support?

Certainly you would encounter a world of unexpected challenges. Who would you rely on, not just for materials, but for solutions?

If the world depended on your product, for power or telecommunications, you’d want to choose Dow Wire & Cable.

Don’t just buy materials.

Buy solutions.

Please visit us at Wire Southeast Asia – Booth H35, Hall 104 Contact Dow Wire & Cable: w w w . d o w w i r e a n d c a b l e . c o m In USA and Canada: 1-800-441-4DOW / In Europe: 00800 3 694 6367 (800 783 825 from Italy, 990 3 694 6367 from Finland) / In Asia Pacific: +800-7776-7776 / Use reference #494-HOXPJ ®Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company Dow Wire & Cable is a global business unit of The Dow Chemical Company and its subsidiaries.

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ABB reports expansion, double-digit growth in U.S./Canada Founded 25 years ago, the New Berlin, Wisconsin, USA, business of Sweden’s ABB Group, reports that it has undergone rapid growth in sales of its drives technology and that it just completed a $1.2 million investment in its facilities to further its operations.

“The completion of this new receiving

area for the factory marks a milestone in ABB Drives’ $1.2 million, two-year investment in production and operational changes that will fuel our growth into the coming decade,” said Richard (Rick) Hepperla, senior vice president and general manager of ABB Low Voltage Drives.

ABB’s North America drives headquarters

Cold Is See us at wire Southeast Asia —Booth K-01

Various PWM models weld non-ferrous wire and rod from .004” - 1.180” (.10 - 30 mm) dia.

Strip metal can also be welded.

Durable

The new and improved HP100, with it’s steel body, makes for a more durable and rugged welder, unmatched by competitors. Cold pressure welds on the HP100 don’t require any set-up or heat and can roll to wherever you need them.

The non-ferrous wire welds are stronger than the parent materials. This saves time and effort and makes your welding

process quick and easy. Among our HP100’s unique characteristics are: • Low maintenance • Quick and easy die changeover • Weld cycle complete in under a minute • For wires with diameters from 1mm to 5mm • No end prep required

Built to last with quicker and stronger welds. Now is the time to take advantage of Huestis cold pressure welding and start experiencing the durability today.

68 Buttonwood Street, Bristol, Rhode Island 02809 U.S.A. 401-253-5500, 800-972-9222, Fax: 401-253-7350 Air Wipes • Pay-offs • Take-ups • Buncher Pay-offs • Accumulators ISO9001:2000 Cable Jacket Strippers • Spoolers • Cold Pressure Welders • Custom R E G I S T E R E D

24 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

and related businesses employee nearly 400 people in the New Berlin Industrial Park.

Hepperla said in the release that the company has focused since 2005 on its existing phases and processes to create a new plan to optimize production. “Doing so has increased, dramatically, the workflow, efficiency and capacity of this facility to produce drives,” he said. He noted that sales of ABB Low Voltage drives to the U.S. and Canadian markets “have been on a blistering pace,” with unit volumes doubled since 2004, and the business growing over 20% annually over the last three years.

CMC subsidiary to build rolling mill U.S.-based Commercial Metals Company announced that its Polish subsidiary, CMC Zawiercie S.A. (CMCZ), will install a new rolling mill at its minimill in Zawiercie, a project that will cost an estimated US$170 million.

The new mill will complement the facility’s existing rolling mill dedicated primarily to rebar production, a press release said. The mill will have a rolling capacity of approximately 650,000 metric tons of rebar, merchant bar and wire rod. The new mill, expected to be commissioned during the summer of 2009, is in addition to CMCZ’s second existing rolling mill dedicated to wire rod production and the previously announced wire rod block currently under installation, it said.

“This is a major strategic expansion to capture the full advantage of the significant and underutilized melting capacity of CMCZ's two existing electric arc furnaces,” said CMC CEO Officer Murray McClean. He noted that the new mill “will expand production volume and extend the product range and size of our long products.”

The release said that the mill addition will also be capable of providing product to the new wire rod block presently being installed at CMCZ, which is on schedule to be operational by summer 2008. “The combination of these projects will provide wire rod of higher quality with availability in bigger coils for CMCZ’s customers,” it said.

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Wire Expo 2008.

Photo Courtesy: Bruce S. Cridlebaugh, pghbridges.com

Our technical program connects, supports, and sustains.

Call for Papers

Submit an abstract and watch your research do the same.

The Wire Association International’s technical programs bridge the gap between research and continuing education in the wire and cable industry. And our program strength comes from you.

Help reinforce the manufacturing arts by communicating your research findings to your colleagues, peers, and protégés. Just submit an abstract today to start the process.

If your expertise spans more time than most, you already have something to share at this symposium. Whether it’s a perspective on industry trends, uncommon solutions to common production problems, or the use of specialized materials and procedures, your audience is in suspense.

Technical and practical topics are welcome in the ferrous, nonferrous, electrical, fiber optic, or general disciplines. Accepted authors have a chance to have their work published in the industry’s leading Wire Journal International magazine.

Other perks include complimentary meeting registration, free one-year WAI membership, a copy of the Conference Proceedings, access to all sessions, exhibit hall, and opening reception. Why not join in? See instructions on the reverse side.

Photo Courtesy: David L. Lawrence Convention Center

June 7-11, 2008 Pittsburgh • Pennsylvania David L. Lawrence Convention Center

Abstract Deadline: December 3, 2007

Author Notification: January 1, 2008

Manuscript Deadline: March 3, 2008

Wire Expo 2008 is organized by The Wire Association International, Inc. 1570 Boston Post Road • P.O. Box 578 • Guilford, CT 06437-0578 USA Tel.: (001) 203-453-2777 • Fax: (001) 203-453-8384 • Web site: www.wirenet.org

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Wire Expo 2008 Call for Papers not previously published will be accepted for Wire Association International paper In order for the Wire Association’s Technical Papers Committee to properly awards and possible publication in Wire assess the scope and content of your pro- Journal International. Only papers received by the manuscript deadline will posed technical article, please submit a be included in the Conference 75 word abstract, typed in English, on the form below. Authors will be notified Proceedings materials.

Note: If your paper is received after the of acceptance.

1. Log on to www.wirenet.org.

Papers

3. Select the “Call for Papers” tab from the drop-down menu.

Abstracts

An “Author’s Guide” containing detailed instructions on how to prepare the paper and oral presentation will be e-mailed to accepted speakers. Only original papers

deadline we cannot guarantee that your presentation will be scheduled in the technical program.

Log on to submit your abstract 2. Click on the horizontal tab called “technical” on the main page.

4. Complete and submit the abstract form.

Please complete the following information and e-mail, mail or fax to: Marc Murray, Director of Education, The Wire Association International, Inc., 1570 Boston Post Rd., P.O. Box 578, Guilford, CT 06437-0578 USA, Tel.: (001) 203-453-2777, Fax: (001) 203-453-8384, E-mail: mmurray@wirenet.org.

This form can also be completed on the WAI website: www.wirenet.org. (See log-on instructions above).

Please indicate your area of interest:

I would like to present a technical paper.

Please check the appropriate industry segment: Ferrous Nonferrous Electrical General

Tell me about Poster Paper Forums.

Fastener, Forming & Fabricating

Fiber Optic

Author(s): _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Contact Author (designate only one): ___________________________________________________________________________ Paper Title: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Company (Affiliations for each author): __________________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________ City: _________________________

State: _________________________

Postal Code: _________________________

Country: ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Telphone: (

)________________________________

E-mail: [

Fax: (

)________________________________ ]

Please type your abstract in English on this form. If you need additional space, please use a separate page.

Abstract (75 word maximum)

WE 08

The Technical Papers Committee reserves the right to screen all abstracts and reject those abstracts deemed unsuitable or inappropriate for presentation or publication. Everyone who submits an abstract will be notified whether the abstract has been accepted.

Wire Expo 2008 is organized by The Wire Association International, Inc. 1570 Boston Post Road • P.O. Box 578 • Guilford, CT 06437-0578 USA Tel.: (001) 203-453-2777 • Fax: (001) 203-453-8384 • Web site: www.wirenet.org

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National Standard celebrates centennial achievement this year National Standard (NS), based in Niles, Michigan, USA, this year celebrates its centennial year as a market leader in the industrial, weld and tire bead wire industries. The company notes that its long history as a market innovator and producer of quality wires has resulted in strong user demand for those focused on improving the total cost of their business. It provided the following information.

Started in 1907 as the National Cable and Manufacturing Company (National), it was a producer and marketer of scientific lightning protection cables. Expanding rapidly, the company was approached in 1910 by the tire industry, which was in the process of switching from solid tires to balloon style. The company began to manufacture a steel flat braid that became known as tire bead.

Continuing to expand, National Standard (NS) became the market leader in tire bead production by 1935 with over 95% market share. During the 1930s, the company began to diversify owned businesses that made items such as ornamental wire craft products, i.e., lamps, vases, tire covers, waste baskets, and fire screens. In 1942, it developed a stainless steel wire for magnetic sound recordings and quickly led the industry in recording wires.

In 1963, National Standard introduced a gas-cleaned stainless steel welding wire. Followed by an introduction of carbon based solid wire, NS was on its way to market leadership in the welding industry, developing a distributor respooling program that provided the foundation from which to grow its welding business.

The early 1970s brought even more innovation from NS with the introduction of its Copper-Free® weld wire that offered improved feedability, reduced spatter, and less smoke.

Other innovations introduced by National Standard to the welding industry were Satin-Glide® stainless weld wire, the 45-lb. weld wire spool, and Tru-Trac® technology maximizing productivity in automated welding applications. Today, National Standard remains committed to its distributor channel partners and continues to deliver welding solutions to its welding

customer base.

Since 2000, National Standard has been under the ownership of the Heico Wire Group, providing weld wire, tire bead wire and other industrial wire products to customers in such demanding fields as the automotive industry, metal buildings, agricultural and construction equipment.

“What began 100 years ago, contin-

ues today,” said Kevin Walsh, Vice President & General Manager of National Standard’s Niles operations.

“We have a company built on great employee support, strong brands and innovations desired by our customer base, to which we are in process of applying modern manufacturing techniques such as lean to develop a promising start to our next 100 years.”

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Asian Focus Asian Focus Asia news briefs Corning Incorporated announces plans to expand its optical fiber plant in China Citing expectations of continued growth in China, U.S.-based Corning Incorporated announced plans to expand its optical fiber manufacturing facility in Shanghai.

Work at Corning's Shanghai optical fiber manufacturing facility will begin immediately and is expected to be completed in 2009, a press release said. “The optical fiber market in China is expected to more than double in annual volume this decade driven by increasing need for the widespread deployment of high-speed, broadband optical communications networks," said Martin J. Curran, senior vice president and general manager, Corning Optical Fiber.

Cable factory called largest in Southeast Asia has opening in Dong Nai Province in Vietnam The biggest cable factory in Southeast Asia, the Taihan-Sacom (TSC) joint venture plant in Dong Nai Province’s Long Thanh Industrial Park, was inaugurated on July 16., reports Vietnam Economic Times.

The new facility, which makes power, optic and telecommunication cables along with copper and aluminum rods, is a joint venture between South Korea’s Taihan and the Vietnamese listed firm Cable and Telecommunication Materials (Sacom), the article said. It noted that Taihan, a leading South Korean cable producer, holds a 70 percent stake.

The US$40-million plant occupying 15 hectares employs more than 600 people and can turn out 25,000 tons of power cable and 6,000 tons of telecommunication cable per annum, the article said, noting that the first medium and high-voltage power cables for local sale and export were produced on the inauguration day.

South Korea’s Kiswire to expand its wire rope manufacturing operations in Malaysia Kiswire Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of South Korea's Kiswire Ltd., the world's largest producer of steel wire ropes, plans to invest up to US$125 million to setup a new plant in Pasir Gudang, Johor, reports the Malaysia Industrial Development Authority.

The plant, to be located next to Kiswire’s existing plant in Tanjung Langsat, will manufacture Neptune Rope used as mooring wire for offshore oil field industries, it noted. At its current plant, Kiswire is producing 65,000 tonnes of Neptune Rope and exports the product to about 70 countries.The new plant is expected to start production in 2009. Once the plant commences operations, Kiswire will be the largest Neptune rope producer in the world, it said.

The article said that Malaysia was chosen as a good investment destination for foreign investor as it is also strategically located in the ASEAN region which has a population of more than 560 million.

Energy costs said to be the spark behind Tata Steel decision to locate plant in Vietnam, not Thailand The good news for Thailand is that its long-term outlook for steel demand is strong. The bad news is that when it came time for Tata Steel to decide whether to expand its presence there, it lost out to Vietnam.

A July 18 press release from India’s Tata Steel posted at The Iron & Steel Institute of Thailand’s website tells the story: “High electricity costs, lack of coal, iron ore and scrap prevent Thailand's steel industry from competing with other Asian countries, said Tata Steel Ltd.” In the release, Tata Steel Managing Director B. Muthuraman, who had visited Thailand for the first anniversary of the company’s plant there, said that it does not plan to build an iron smelter in Thailand despite the fact that steel consumption in the country would continue to grow the next four decades. He said that the investment in Thailand followed the global merger and acquisition strategy of Tata Steel, the world's sixth largest steelmaker.

Muthuraman said that Vietnam offered lower production costs and more natural resources such coal and gas. Those elements led to Tata Steel to sign an agreement with Vietnam Steel Corporation for a joint venture project on an integrated steel plant. Feasibility studies are being conducted, the goal

being to double steel production capacity in Vietnam to 10 million tonnes per year by 2010.

Thailand, however, did not lose out entirely. The release said that for its Tata Steel (Thailand) operation, Tata Steel will construct a mini blast furnace to process semi-finished steel products.

The project could begin operations in October 2008. That investment will enable Tata Steel to increase its annual production capacity of steel bars to 2.2 million metric tons from 1.7 mmt.

Muthuraman said in the release that the new mini blast furnace would help the company cut production costs significantly and to rely more heavily on iron ore than other steel companies that use scrap as a key raw material to produce steel. Iron ore prices are less volatile than scrap and buyers can enter long-term purchase and supply contracts with its suppliers.

Santi Charnkolrawee, the president of Tata Steel's operation in Thailand, said the mini blast furnace would enable the company to make more highgrade steel, including high-carbon and medium-carbon wire rods that have gross profit margins that would be 1520% up from plain products.

Tata Steel (Thailand) anticipated its sales volume to increase 30% to 1.3 mmt for fiscal 2007.

Style matters on multiple levels for business in China The Chinese exporting story is one of immense numbers and momentum, but everything is not as simple as it might seem. A recent story in China’s People’s Daily Online noted that the Chinese garment industry has been having a tough time because of higher costs, currency appreciation, fierce competition and a decrease in the garment/clothes tax refund rate from 13% to 11.2%.

The tax refund reduction will cause small garment companies to go into bankruptcy, the article said. It noted

that garment makers make 50 cents in profit per piece for Walmart or Carrefour, but they can make ten times that for Gucci. If they could create a brand that becomes famous, they could earn 20 times as much. Some companies, it said, have found better profits by offering different materials, such as bamboo fibers.

All of which goes to show that there is a need for manufacturers, be it China or elsewhere, to be more innovative and to offer more value-added products.

Have news that belongs here? If so, e-mail it to editorial@wirenet.org.

28 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

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New wire course in India is one of many steps to further WAI mission Anand Bhagwat, who heads the WAI’s Asian subsidiary, reports that a new wire course, Wire Technology, has begun at the College of Engineering, Pune, where a total of 28 students signed up for the elective.

Bhagwat developed the course with help from Dr. Sanjay Chandra, ChiefGlobal Wire Technology, Tata Steel, Wire Division, and Dr. Dhokey, former Head of Department, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, COEP. The first two weeks of classes were taught by Dr. Chandra, who will share the teaching duties with Bhagwat and a nonferrous expert (see photo of Dr. Chandra teaching the first day of classes on p. 3).

Bhagwat, whose official title is managing director, WAI Wire and Cable Services Pvt. Ltd., said that providing a course like this is one of many small steps he hopes to take to further WAI’s technical mission as well as to expand the Association’s presence. He said that he wants to work both with private industry and higher education.

He talked to WJI about the course.

WJI: How would you describe the course in terms of approach (shop floor reality versus theoretical, etc.)?

Bhagwat: The course is being taught by experienced people from the wire industry. It is designed to balance both theory and practice. It will also include at least one plant tour to expose students to "real life" situations.

Also, the class room instructions emphasize "why" more than "what" to enhance students' analytical skills.

WJI: Do you have students who work in the wire industry who are being sent there by their employers?

Bhagwat: Currently, the course is offered only to full-time undergraduate students in their final year. However, there are plans to offer the course to the industry in December.

WJI: What do you tell principals at companies about this course? What has the reaction been?

Bhagwat: The reaction has been very positive. There are also some offers for summer internships and plant tours for

the students, although these aspects and expansion of the scope have not yet been explored.

Question: Can you see more of these types of courses being offered?

Bhagwat: There are many of these types of courses being offered in all disciplines. The educational institutions and industry have realized the need for such collaborative efforts to train this young workforce and to meet the growing demands for such talent. Of course, more needs to be done.

Question: What has the initial reaction been from students? How do you feel about having the opportunity to help educate your countrymen in the wire industry?

Bhagwat: The initial reaction from students has been positive. Although there are 28 students officially registered for the course, it's not unusual to see 34-36 students in the class. I have always enjoyed teaching. Doing it for my country and my alma mater is doubly gratifying. ■

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people.qxp

8/17/2007

10:05 AM

Page 30

People Superior Essex Inc. reported that H. Patrick Jack has become president of Essex Asia Pacific. He was previously responsible for the company’s North American Magnet Wire and Distribution business segment, as well as its China Greenfield expansion. He will continue to serve as an executive vice president of Superior Essex and will also function as chairperson of the Superior Essex global magnet wire council.

Replacing Jack as president of Essex Group North America is J. David Reed, who will also serve as an executive vice president of Superior Essex. He was most recently president of the Little Tikes division of Newell Rubbermaid, where he worked for 10 years. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, Superior Essex Inc. manufactures a broad portfolio of wire and cable products with primary applications in the communications, magnet wire and related distribution markets.

Radix Wire Company announced four personnel changes. Dan Steinbrunner has been promoted to plant manager. He joined the company as production manager in 2006, and with the successful implementation of Syteline ERP, he will now manage all aspects of the Radix Euclid

plant. Robert Hazenfield has joined Radix Wire as product engineering manager. He has many years of manufacturing, research, and engineering experience from the power utility and telecom industries. Bill Stenger has joined the company as master scheduler for the Radix Euclid plant. He has more than 25 years of experience in manufacturing. Dave Leonard has been appointed to the Directors Council at the company. He has more than 30 years of industrial and OEM sales experience. He has been with Radix since 1999, currently serving as sales manager. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, Radix Wire Company manufactures high-temperature wire and cable products.

Director, Continuous Improvement. He will be responsible for the company’s GROW program, which is Davis-Standard’s lean program with initiatives to improve business processes and reduce cycle times. He has 25 years of experience, most recently as manager, continuous improvement, with the Goodrich Corporation.

He holds a B.S. degree in Industrial Technology from Central Connecticut State University.

Jason Baird has recently joined the Extrusion Systems Group as a process development engineer in the company’s technical center. His work will focus on

The Extrusion Systems Group of Davis Standard LLC reported two personnel additions. John Turkowski has been named

LLC, supplies extrusion technology for sectors that include wire and cable.

NUMALLIANCE announced that effective September 1, Frederic Pasiak will have assumed the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) of its USA subsidiary, NUMAMERICA. He will be responsible for all day-to-day operations, sales, and personnel, seeking to help continue NUMALLIANCE’s growth in the U.S. market and to improve inter-facility communication. He has been at NUMALLIANCE for more than eight years, successfully directing the organization’s ISO certification process and serving as interim plant manager of the NUMALLIANCE-Latour site in Bazeilles, France. Pasiak holds degrees in organizational management and quality control. Bill Shockey, who has

Jason Baird

process development of extrusion systems. He received his doctorate from Yale University and holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in chemical engineering from Clarkson University. Based in Pawcatuck, Connecticut, USA, Davis-Standard,

John Turkowski

Bill Shockey

Obituary Paul Joseph Kunkler of Stow, Ohio, whose career in the wire industry began in 1950, died July 29 at age 81.

A U.S. Army veteran who served in the 1st Cavalry Division from 1944-46, earning the rank of Technical Sergeant, he graduated from Akron Univer-

sity in 1950. He began his career as a salesman at Vaughn Machinery in Cuyahoga Falls in 1950. His career took him to many countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia. He remained with Vaughn as vice president of sales until joining Synchro Machinery in Perth

30 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

Amboy, New Jersey, in 1983, where he worked as sales manager until his retirement in 1988.

Kunkler then started his own consulting company and continued working until 2001. He was known and respected throughout the wire industry

and in 1990 was a recipient of the Wire & Cable Manufacturers’Alliance’s Charles D. Scott Distinguished Career Award.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Stella, and a son and a daughter.

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8/28/2007

11:20 AM

been in the wire industry for 27 years and was general manager of NUMAMAERICA, will fill a newly created marketing/sales position. Wes Wassell will con-

Page 32

Nordson Corporation has promoted Ken Kreeger to global director of business development, finishing systems, for its Industrial Coating and Automotive Systems segment. He has held key positions in the division, including national sales manager and director of national sales. Based in Westlake, Ohio,

Wes Wassell

tinue in his current position of sales manager. Based in Davenport, Iowa, USA, NUMAERICA is a subsidiary of NUMALLIANCE, which manufactures Macsoft and Satime models of CNC wire and tube benders.

Ken Kreeger

USA, Nordson Corporation supplies precision dispensing equipment that applies adhesives, sealants and coatings.

32 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

Maxcess International announced that Scott Wiese will provide local service and support for Fife, MAGPOWR and Tidland products in Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, Iowa, North and South Dakota and Nebraska. He has extensive experience in general manufacturing and web handling. Based on Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA, Maxcess International supplied the brands of Fife, MAGPOWR and Tidland for web guiding, winding, slitting, inspection and tension control products.

Lenze-AC Tech announced that Chris Ball will serve as the company’s mechanical product manager, a new strategic position, responsible for management of the entire portfolio of mechanical products including gears, clutches, brakes and motors. He earned a BS degree in electrical engineering while

serving in the U. S. Air Force and has more than five years of experience in electro-mechanical drives and drive systems.

Based in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, USA, Lenze-AC Tech supplies a complete range of motion control solutions, including servo drives and motors,

Chris Ball

clutches and brakes, gears and gear motors and variable frequency AC motor drives. â–

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2/6/2007

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fiber.qxp

8/17/2007

10:44 AM

Page 34

Fiber Watch Corning announces FTTH technology breakthrough Corning Incorporated announced that, working with Verizon, it has developed a new optical fiber-based technology that it said represents nothing less than a breakthrough for companies that install fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks In a press release, the company said that its new technology, based on a nanoStructures™ optical fiber design, allows the cabled fiber to be bent around very tight corners with virtually no signal loss. The breakthrough, it said, will enable telecommunications carriers to economically offer true high-speed Internet, voice and HDTV services to virtually all commercial and residential (apartment and condominium) buildings.

Current optical fiber installations lose

34 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

signal strength and effectiveness when bent around corners and routed through a building, making it difficult and expensive to run fiber all the way to customers’ homes.

“This is a game-changing technology for telecom applications,” said Corning President and COO Peter F. Volanakis, who noted that the new fiber cable is as rugged as copper cable. “By making fundamental changes in the way light travels in the fiber, we were able to create a new optical fiber that is over 100 times more bendable than standard fibers.”

The new fiber has a huge potential market as there are more than 680 million apartment homes worldwide, including more than 25 million in the United States, the release said. The

high cost of installation and difficulty in delivering fiber to the home made this market unappealing to most providers, it noted. It added that the new fiber also enables simpler and more aesthetically pleasing designs for the cable, hardware and equipment An early proponent of this emerging technology was Verizon, the release said. “We are working closely with Corning to solve the challenges of providing fiber solutions to high-rise apartment complexes across the United States,” said Verizon executive Paul Lacouture, who said the new technology “will enable us to bring faster Internet speeds, higher-quality highdefinition content, and more interactive capabilities than any other platform which exists today.” ■

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7/10/2007

9:38 AM

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6.7.2007

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fastup.qxp

8/17/2007

10:46 AM

Page 38

Fastener Update Study: strong Chinese industrial fastener market to 2010 Industrial Fasteners in China, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry research firm, projects that demand in China for industrial fasteners will increase 9.4 percent annually to US$5.3 billion in 2010.

A press release cites gains being made in several areas, including rapid growth in manufacturing production, especially of industrial machinery and motor vehicles, along with increasing production of electrical and electronic products, although it noted that those gains will be less pronounced than over the past decade. It observed that industrial fastener demand will be driven by expansion and modernization of China’s infrastructure and building construction activities.

On the down side, the release said, fasteners would have been stronger if not for advances in alternative joining technologies such as adhesives and welding, as well as new materials and

manufacturing methods that reduce the number of fasteners required in durable goods production.

Externally threaded fasteners, which are less likely to be replaced by alternative joining methods, should remain the dominant standard fastener type, accounting for nearly three-fifths of total fastener demand.

Nonthreaded sales, the release said, will post the strongest gains among standard fastener types, rising 10.4 percent annually through 2010, stimulated by rapid growth in durable goods production and construction activity, as well as by further technological innovations in nonthreaded fastener design.

Aerospace-grade fastener demand will outpace advances for standard fasteners, rising 12.0 percent per year

through 2010, spurred by government investment in nonbuilding construction, commercial aircraft, and aerospace and defense applications, it said.

It noted that aerospace-grade fasteners will continue to represent less than 1 percent of total demand, compared to nearly 20 percent for the U.S., it said.

Construction demand for fasteners will outpace both the OEM and maintenance/repair/operations (MRO) markets, the release said. It added that demand for fasteners for construction use will increase 10.8 percent annually through 2010 and that the OEM market will remain the largest in China.

The 170-page report is available for $4,900 from The Freedonia Group, Inc., at tel. 440-684-9600; www. freedoniagroup.com. ■

Korean fastener event this October Fastener & Wire Korea will be one of five co-located events that collectively are part of Korea Metal Week, which will be held October 24-27 at the Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX) in Korea, (1 Hall).

The event, a press release said, will include a range of technology that includes machinery for bending, forming, rolling, parting, tapping, pressing, soldering and twisting as well as fastening and precision formed parts, fastening and assembly systems, materials and more.

Fastener & Wire Korea is organized by the Korea Metal Industry Cooperative, Korea Trade Fairs Ltd. and B & I Hong Kong. One of the other events that are part of Korea Metal Week includes cable and tube.

For more details, go to www.ktfairs.com.

38 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

IFMSA check presented to IFI director Ray Sullivan, r, chairman of the International Fastener Machinery Suppliers Association (IFMSA) presents a check for more than $53,000 to Industrial Fastener Institute Managing Director Rob Harris. The contribution was related to IFI’s endorsement and

promotion of the IFE show that was co-located with Interwire this past May in Cleveland. “We welcome the opportunity to make a contribution to the efforts of IFI in support of the fastener industry,” Sullivan said.

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8/16/2007

9:19 AM

Page 1

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wire • cable • supplies • equipment

Be seen in PRINT or ONLINE See and be seen among more than 3,000 wire and cable industry companies in WJI’s Reference Guide and companion online “Virtual Trade Show” (VTS) pages.

Published annually and updated daily online, this is the place for your customers to find sources for wire, cable, supplies, and equipment.

A basic listing is free. One company profile is seen in print and online. And, with the many search options offered it is easier than ever for your prospects to find you. In fact, more than 130 visitors actively search the VTS each day.

If you don’t like cold calls, this hot reference source can help keep you face to face with the people who buy your products.

Really looking for the attention you deserve?

Boldface listings, display advertisements, and online banner ads are a proven way to boost your visibility.

Ask our sales team to outline an advertising plan that will work for you. Call WJI sales at: 001-203-453-2777.

Why HIDE when your customers SEEK?

Submit your FREE Reference Guide listing today at: www.wirenet.org/vts/admin/

Wire Journal International is the official publication of The Wire Association International, Inc. 1570 Boston Post Road • P.O. Box 578 • Guilford, CT 06437-0578 USA Tel.: (001) 203-453-2777 • Fax: (001) 203-453-8384 • Web site: www.wirenet.org

wainews.qxp

8/17/2007

10:03 AM

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WAI News Call for Papers issued by WAI for Wire Expo 2008 in Pittsburgh The WAI has issued a Call for Papers for Wire Expo 2008, to be held June 7-11, 2008, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Offering an ever broadening range of topics remains a priority for program organizers.

“We’ve been successful recently in expanding our paper presentations to include a wider variety of subjects,” said WAI Director of Education Marc Murray.

“Topics like lean manufacturing and environmental compliance remain popular, so we’re still encouraging authors to think beyond just the technical.”

But technical topics remain the focus, and Murray said he hopes for a balanced program. “Pittsburgh offers us some great

opportunities to draw from local industry and universities,” he said. “Obviously the ferrous side of things will be covered in a steel town like Pittsburgh. But we’re trying to draw a complementary number of nonferrous and electrical papers as well.”

Almost any topics related to wire and cable are fair game. Organizers said they hope to see technical papers on topics such as wiredrawing mechanics, rod technology, wet and dry lubricants, microalloyed steels, industry trends, wire breaks, and heat treatment. Abstracts are due to WAI headquarters by December 3, 2007. For more details, go to www.wirenet.org and click on “technical” then “call for papers,” or contact Marc Murray at mmurray@ wirenet.org

Mexico: workshop ‘triple header’ A trio of one-day workshops is in the offing this fall when Mexico’s ANTAAC sponsors one new workshop a month from September to November. The first workshop, which will cover steel wire and highspeed drawing, is scheduled for Tuesday, September 25 in Mexico City.

The Asociación Nacional de Transformadores de Acero AC (ANTAAC) is organizing the program to tackle a different topic in each new workshop. Instructors will represent a cross-section of the Mexican wire industry. Scheduled topics are as follows: September – “Advanced Princi-

ples of Steel Wiredrawing in Relation to High-Speed Drawing”; October – “Quality Systems: Advantaged and Disadvantages”; and November – “National and International Standards for Drawn Wire and Electro-Welded Products / International Marketing for Steel Drawn Products.”

Despite a focus on steel topics, organizers say the programs will appeal to ferrous and nonferrous industry professionals alike. For more details, contact ANTAAC at tel. (52) 53-56-85-97; e-mail eduardo@indepa.com.mx or marianamoralesgtz@gmail.com.

Michael joins Board of Directors Malcolm Michael, director/secretary of the Australasian Wire Industry Association (AWIA), was unanimously approved to serve on the WAI Board of Directors at its last meeting.

Michael joined the Wire Association of Australia (now the Australasian Wire Industry Association (AWIA) in 1994 and has served on its National Committee since 1998. As National President in 2001-2003, he initiated 40 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

contact between the WAI and AWIA and signed an agreement of cooperation between the organizations at Wire 2002. He was appointed AWIA Director Secretary in November 2006.

In 1995, Michael founded M & F Group Pty Ltd, a sales and service agent for a range of spring making, wire forming, mesh welding and wire drawing equipment.

Wanted: person for Wire Link scholar program The WAI is seeking applicants for the Wire Link Traveling Scholarship, a program that sends a wire professional to Europe where the winner can see how different companies operate as well as to attend the wire Düsseldorf show.

The WAI is looking for ambitious wire professionals who have been employed for at least three years in the wire and cable (or related) industries, including manufacturers and suppliers. The program alternates from a U.S. representative going to the U.K. and a U.K. representative going to the U.S. through the program’s co-sponsor, the Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers of England.

The 2007 Wire Link Scholar was Gwynn Lewis, planning liaison manager for U.K.-based Caparo Wire, whose U.S. tour included operations such as Keystone Steel, Charter Steel, American Spring Wire, Merit Steel and National-Standard as well as Interwire 2007 in Cleveland.

The 2008 scholarship will be awarded to the candidate who best demonstrates to the judges how the award will help him or her grow professionally, gain a broadened knowledge of the industry and share those benefits with his or her company.

All expenses will be met by the sponsors during the trip to the U.K. The only cost on behalf of the employer will be the employee’s time in relation to the overseas stay and travel to and from the departure airport.

Candidates must be: involved in the wire and cable, or wire and cable related industries; employed full time in the U.S. for at least three years with a U.S. based company; and a Wire Association International member in good standing at the time of application and travel. Applications must be sent to the WAI by December 1.

For more details and a form, e-mail WAI Director of Education Marc Murray at mmurray@wirenet.org. ■

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chapter.qxp

8/17/2007

10:53 AM

Page 42

Chapter Corner Mid-South Chapter offers Twin Tours at Talladega The WAI Mid-South Chapter is heading to Talladega, Alabama, on Wednesday, September 19, 2007, for a special day of wire and wheels. The program starts with a tour of the Talladega Machinery & Supply Company (TMS) facility that includes a networking lunch for attendees.

Following lunch, everyone will go to Talladega Superspeedway for a tour of the International Motor Sports Hall of Fame museum and famed racetrack.

The day will begin with a check-in at 10:30 am at TMS’ Fabrication and Assembly Facility. The tour will begin at 11 am and include this plant and the

CNC machine facility across town, and includes fabrication (laser, burning, forming, robotic welding), assembly, gear manufacturing, equipment rebuild, and heavy conventional and precision CNC machining. TMS will host lunch at noon, providing a networking opportunity for all attendees.

Following lunch, attendees will travel to the museum, which is adjacent to Talladega Superspeedway, known as the biggest, fastest, most competitive motorsports facility in the world. The tour includes the IMSHoF museum as well as a tour of the 2.66-mile tri-oval course. The day will end with a quick

wrap-up around 4:30 pm.

“The opportunity to offer an industry-related tour together with a tour of one of the most famous racetracks in the world is something we are really excited about,” said Mid-South Chapter President Andrew Stromer of Southwire Florence.

The program, including both tours and lunch, is free to registered attendees. Deadline for registration is Monday, September 17. For more info, contact Stromer at Andrew_ Stromer@ Southwire.com; tel. 256-710-7168 or WAI’s Chip Marsh at cmarsh@ wirenet.org or tel. 203-453-1748.

Wire New England: event offers 5 sessions, tabletops Want a cost effective way to learn more about relevant topics affecting today’s wire and cable industry while also exploring products and services that may help your business? Or, maybe you want a one-day tabletop networking opportunity for your company to enhance your visibility to the wire and cable industry in the Northeast?

If you said “yes” to either of these questions, the WAI New England Chapter has the answer for you: Wire New England ’07! By combining five educational sessions with tabletop displays, lunch and a networking reception, the chapter has pulled together an economical one-day program that gives you a practical smorgasbord of options for you and your business. Wire New England ’07 takes place on Thursday, October 11, 2007, at the Holiday Inn in Boxborough, Massachusetts, right off I-495 at Exit 28.

“Our objective is two-fold: to provide you with a range of educational opportunity options along with a mix of tabletop display companies so that both areas can provide value to you and your business,” said New England Chapter Education Chair Denise Coyle of Chromatics, Inc. “This combination allows you to take advantage of the learning sessions as well as check out the products and services of the tabletop vendors. And, you also benefit from 42 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

the networking opportunities at lunch and during the reception.”

On the educational front, the Chapter offers you five sessions that begin at 9:45 am with Robert Young of DuPont Fluoropolymers presenting an “Overview of Fluoropolymer Foam Technology,” followed by “Trends in the Global Copper Market” by John Gross of Scott Brass, Inc. The afternoon sessions begin at 12:45 pm with “Foamed Communication Cables – Technology and Trends” by Borealis Compounds’ Bill Fajardo, followed by “Attracting and Maintaining a Viable Workforce in Today’s Manufacturing Environment,” by Meredith Wise and Andrew Maley of the Employers Association of the NorthEast. “How Companies Are Entering Asian Markets”

by Alex Bryant of East West Associates concludes the program schedule.

Wire New England ’07 provides industry suppliers in the New England region the ability to promote their products and services to current and prospective customers. Each exhibitor gets an eight-foot table for product or literature display, plus a single 110-volt outlet for use with laptops. Each exhibitor will receive two entrance passes to the event, which provide access to the entire event including the educational sessions, continental breakfast

during setup, lunch and the networking reception. The fee for companies wishing to display is $275, and tabletops will be available on a first-come, first served basis.

Doors will be open to attendees from 9 am through 4 pm. The registration fee is $30, discounted to $20 for WAI members, and gives you access to all company displays, any or all of the educational presentations, a buffet lunch (served from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm) and the networking reception, which will run from 3 pm through 4 pm. For individuals who are not WAI members, the chapter is offering free admission to anyone who joins WAI for $95, which includes one free year of New England Chapter membership along with a free copy of the WJI Annual Reference Guide, complete access to the wirenet.org website and member discounts on nearly all WAI/chapter programs and products.

For more information, go to the chapter webpage at www.wirenet.org/members/ chapters/ne.htm to download the pdf registration and vendor forms or contact WAI’s Chip Marsh at tel. 203-453-1748, cmarsh@wirenet.org or event chair Denise Coyle at tel. 908-319-9362, dcoyle@chromusa.com.

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chapter.qxp

8/17/2007

10:54 AM

Page 44

Wire Foundation makes N.E. scholarship less taxing The Wire Foundation, Inc. (Foundation) Board of Trustees recently voted to allow contributions designated to support the WAI New England Chapter Scholarship Fund to be made through the Foundation, thus making them tax deductible for both individuals and companies.

The WAI New England Chapter established its scholarship program in 2006 as a way to improve educational opportunities for academically qualified high school seniors who are involved with their communities and are children of WAI New England Chapter members in good standing. It has presented a total of four $1,000 scholarships the past two years.

Upon learning of the chapter’s scholarship program and wanting to help them build a strong financial base, Foundation Trustee and past WAI and New England Chapter President Scott Higgins of Autac, Inc. approached his colleagues on the Foundation board with the idea that donations could be made to a separate fund under the auspices of the Foundation and have the added benefit of being tax deductible. The board approved of the con-

cept, which also could be extended to other chapter scholarship programs as they are developed.

“We are pleased to provide this vehicle, as it fits very well with the purpose of the Foundation and enhances the educational connection to people in the industry.”

Wire Foundation Chair John Drummond “Scott saw the opportunity that the Foundation’s 501(c)(3) status would allow donations to be tax deductible and could increase the funding of the Chapter’s scholarship program,” said Wire Foundation Chair John Drummond of Scotia Group, Inc. “We are pleased to provide this vehicle, as it fits very well with the purpose of the Foundation and enhances the educational connection to people in the industry.”

The Chapter board readily agreed to the concept, and will begin promoting the tax

deductible option in conjunction with its annual golf tournament on September 13, 2007. And, to get the new program off to a good start, the board authorized $2,000 in seed money for the new scholarship fund.

“The New England Chapter is very excited to have the Wire Foundation’s support as we look to build this important scholarship program,” said WAI New England Chapter President Lori Parent of Breen Color Concentrates. “We have had a number of chapter members approach us about making contributions to the fund both as individuals and from their companies, and this new connection to the Foundation will make that much easier and provide the opportunity for a tax deduction as well.”

Other WAI Chapters are looking into establishing scholarship programs, and they will be afforded this same opportunity through the Wire Foundation.

For more information about the Wire Foundation, contact Treasurer David LaValley at dlavalley@wirenet.org or tel.

203 453-2777, ext. 114.

Ohio Valley Chapter to Learn Lean (Manufacturing) Lean Manufacturing is the topic of the WAI Ohio Valley dinner meeting set for Thursday, November 1, 2007, in suburban Cleveland, Ohio, USA. The event speaker will be Michael J. Roehler, director of quality at National Standard in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where he has responsibility for all Lean initiatives along with the Safety Department.

“Lean is such a hot topic in manufacturing these days,” said Ohio Valley Chapter President Dane Armendariz of Henkel Technologies. “This subject impacts all areas of wire and cable production, and we are pleased to have someone with Michael’s experience and expertise to share with us.”

Roehler will share his more than 25 years of experience in lean manufacturing and performance management with the chapter. In doing so, he will focus on helping attendees gain a better understanding of what lean manufacturing is and why it should be implemented into the workplace as well as the basic steps for implementa-

44 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

tion. His career has provided him with extensive experience in large and small equipment and the processes involved in both wire and non-wire products.

The event will begin at 6:00 pm with check-in and a networking reception, followed by dinner and the program at 7 pm.

Details are being finalized and will be available soon.

See the WAI Connection and October Wire Journal International for more details or contact WAI’s Chip Marsh at cmarsh@wirenet.org; tel. 203-453-1748.

WAI contact info Name Steven J. Fetteroll, executive director David B. LaValley, treasurer Mark Marselli, editor-in-chief Charles H. (Chip) Marsh, membership director Marc Murray, education director Janice Swindells, director of marketing services Robert Xeller, director of sales

Phone e-mail 203-453-2777 sfetteroll@wirenet.org 203-453-0593 dlavalley@wirenet.org 203-453-7579 mmarselli@wirenet.org 203-453-1748 cmarsh@wirenet.org 203-453-2777 mmurray@wirenet.org 203-453-2777 ex.117 jswindells@wirenet.org 203-458-7578 bxeller@wirenet.org

To contact other staff members or for more information about Wire Association International events, membership and publications, our mailing address is 1570 Boston Post Road, P.O. Box 578, Guilford, CT 06437-0578, USA. Tel. 203-4532777; fax 203-453-8384; Internet www.wirenet.org.

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8/10/2007

2:15 PM

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8/28/2007

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Mid-South Chapter returns to Hermitage Golf Course The WAI Mid-South Chapter is returning to the Hermitage Golf Course near Nashville, Tennessee, for its 6th Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, October 19, 2007.

This year golfers will play the scenic President’s Reserve layout which trails through 300 acres of natural Tennessee wetlands and along the banks of the beautiful Cumberland River. The President's Reserve has been recognized by Golf

Digest Magazine as one of the Top 10 courses in Tennessee.

The day begins with check-in and a box lunch at 11:45 am and continues with a 1 pm tee-off. Golfers will vie for both team and individual prizes, with a top prize of $10,000 for a hole-in-one on the designated par 3 hole. Additional skill contests include an accurate drive hole, two long drive holes, three closest-to-the-pin holes plus the popular post-tourney putting contest. The day concludes with the barbecue awards reception and dinner, where the winners will be recognized.

Companies have the opportunity to sponsor everything from the Tournament Awards Reception and Dinner for $500 to a $100 hole sponsorship, including the skill contests for $200 and the hole-in-one for $300.

Sponsorships for the beverage cart Winners of the Mid-South Chapter’s 2006 golf and the box lunch are also availtournament were, from l-r: Dale Price, Warren able for $250. All sponsors are May, Randy Rosser and Lee Underwood.

Canterbury.

A World Of Solutions ForWire & Cable Extrusion.

For quality and innovation in Wire & Cable extrusion, look to Canterbury Engineering. Our vast design and manufacturing capabilities offer a complete line of tooling products and services for your every need, including: Crossheads, In-Line Heads, Tip, Dies, Screws, Barrels, and more. For more information contact: Canterbury Engineering at 1-800-241-7650, or see us online at www.canterburyengineering.com

46 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

given recognition with appropriate signage and in the tournament program, as well as in the wrap-up article in the Wire Journal International. As a bonus, all sponsors may bring promotional material for tabletop display during the reception and dinner.

WAI volunteers who are participating in the Reconvene meetings in Nashville are invited to come early and take advantage of the opportunity to play golf and network with your industry colleagues from the Mid-South Chapter region.

The registration fee of $115 covers the entire day and includes greens fees, cart, range balls, box lunch and the awards reception and dinner. Non-golfers are welcome to attend the reception and dinner for only $35. Deadline for registration is Friday, October 12, 2007.

For more information, contact Andrew Stromer at Andrew_Stromer@ Southwire. com, tel. 256-710-7168 or WAI’s Chip Marsh at cmarsh@wirenet.org, tel. 203453-1748.

hamemform07.qxp

8/16/2007

9:13 AM

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M EMBERSHIP A PPLICATION Send application and payment to: THE WIRE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL, INC. 1570 Boston Post Road, P.O. Box 578 • Guilford, Connecticut 06437-0578 • USA • Telephone: (001) 203-453-2777 • Fax: (001) 203-453-8384

4c, file name: HAmemForm03,

Individual Information LAST NAME

page 32

FIRST NAME

TITLE

M.I.

.

COMPANY

❏ BUSINESS OR ❏ HOME

ADDRESS

CITY OR TOWN

STATE

PHONE (include area code — when applicable include country and city code) E-MAIL ADDRESS

ZIP/POSTAL CODE

COUNTRY

FAX (include area code — when applicable include country and city code)

[

] BIRTH DATE (MM/DD/YYYY)

Required to receive The WAI Connection member e-newsletter

Business Information (required)

GENDER (M/F)

REFERRED BY

A. Which ONE of the following best describes your company’s type of business?

WIRE MANUFACTURING FASTENERS, WIRE FORMING, FABRICATING 10 ❏ Aluminum & Aluminum Alloys (Rod/Bar, Bare Wire, Both ) 61 ❏ Fastener Manufacture 20 ❏ Copper & Copper Alloys (Rod/Bar, Bare Wire, Both) 62 ❏ Four-Slide Forming 30 ❏ Steel & Steel Alloys (Rod/Bar, Bare Wire, Both) 64 ❏ Hot and/or Cold Forming and Heading 40 ❏ Other Metal (Rod/Bar, Bare Wire, Both) 66 ❏ Spring Manufacture 50 ❏ Electrical Wire & Cable (Insulated Wire) 68 ❏ Wire Cloth Mesh Screening 69 ❏ Other Forming and Fabricating (Please specify) 53 ❏ Communications Wire & Cable (Insulated Wire) 55 ❏ Fiber Optics SUPPLIER TO THE WIRE INDUSTRY 72 ❏ Machinery 74 ❏ Process 76 ❏ Accessories B. Which ONE of the following best describes your primary job function?

10 ❏ General & Administrative Management 30 ❏ Technical, Research & Development, Quality Control 20 ❏ Engineering, Operations, Production 40 ❏ Purchasing

:

WIRE END-USER 11 ❏ Appliance 12 ❏ Communications (Voice/Data) 13 ❏ Computer 14 ❏ Construction/Building 15 ❏ Electrical (Equipment/Components/Power) 16 ❏ Transportation/Vehicular 17 ❏ Wire Formed Durable Goods OTHER 80 ❏ Service Centers, Distributors & Warehouses 90 ❏ Consultants 92 ❏ Government, Library and allied 50 ❏ Sales & Marketing 90 ❏ Other (please specify)_________________________

C. As part of my membership, I wish to receive a free subscription to the Wire Journal International.

SIGNATURE (REQUIRED)

DATE

Student Membership — Available to students enrolled full-time in an institution for advanced education and who have an interest in the processes, techniques, and methods for the manufacture of wire. Dues waived with proof of enrollment.

INSTITUTION

GRADUATION DATE

Chapter Membership WAI Chapters provide additional networking and educational opportunities on a regional level. Please select appropriate chapter and complete dues line below. ❏ New England US ❏ Mid-South US ❏ Midwest US ❏ Ohio Valley US ❏ Southeast US ❏ Western US ❏ Poland ❏ India

..

❏ Italy

Membership Dues Calculation Membership Dues:

❏ One year: $95

SAVE! ❏ Two years: $175

MORE SAVINGS ❏ Three years: $255

Chapter Dues (indicate chapter above):

❏ First year: free

❏ Two years: $15

❏ Three years: $30

INDICATE AMOUNT:

NOTE:

Total Amount Enclosed Payment options:

CARD NUMBER

❏ Check

❏ American Express

❏ Diner’s Club

❏ MasterCard

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EXP. DATE

.

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DATE

.

Your membership includes a free subscription to Wire Journal International. Please return this form by fax or mail for proper credit.

Reference Guide

NOTE: All checks must be in U.S. Dollars drawn on a U.S. bank. Credit card payments are preferred for members from outside the U.S. and Canada. If a check or credit card is not used, a wire transfer may be sent in U.S. dollars.

For instructions, contact the WAI Membership Department at membership@wirenet.org or by phone at (001) 203-453-2777.

Your membership dues may be deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense, not as a charitable contribution.

Membership in The Wire Association International, Inc. is held by the individual, not the company, and is continuous unless cancelled in writing. Membership is not transferable.

Dues are non-refundable and are billed annually based upon the member’s anniversary date. Annual dues are set by the WAI Board of Directors, and are subject to change.

September 07

International Technical

Conference Proceedings

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8/17/2007

10:55 AM

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7th Annual Western Chapter ‘Wild West Shootout’ wanting to get additional exposure while Last year, a total of 40 golfers vied in the It’s time to get out the sticks and sharpen supporting the tournament can be one of annual scramble, which concluded with a up your game as the WAI Western Chapter the exclusive sponsors of the skills contests Western-style barbecue dinner at the returns to City of Industry and the Industry or ditty bag or be a hole sponsor for only course.

Hills Golf Club at the Pacific Palms $100. All sponsors are provided with a The winning team was the threesome of Conference Resort for its Seventh Annual hole sign and recognition the day of the Gordon Dunn of Calmont Wire & Cable, “Wild West Shootout” golf tournament on event and in the Wire Journal International Martin Kenner of Commission Brokers, Wednesday, October 17, 2007. The best wrap-up article.

Inc. and Michael Weiss of Whitmor/ ball scramble format gives everyone a shot Wirenetics, who shot a very comat some great team and individual mendable score of 61, 11 under par. prizes, including a shot at winning “We are really pleased to return to $10,000 with a hole-in-one!

Pacific Palms,” said chapter President Check-in begins at 10 am, with the Michael Howard of Coast Wire & shotgun start set for 11 am sharp.

Plastic Tech. “It’s a great course in a Long drive and closest-to-the-pin skill good location that everyone can get to contests are also taking place and the and enjoy.” event will finish with a reception and For more information about the event Western BBQ awards dinner. Nonand to register, contact Derrick golfers looking to network with Stevens at dstevens@emc-wire.com; industry colleagues are invited and tel. 909-476-9776 or WAI’s Chip encouraged to come out for the recepMarsh at cmarsh@wirenet.org; tel. tion and dinner for only $35.

From l-r, the 2006 Western Chapter 6th Annual 203-453-1748.

Registration for the event is $110, Shootout winning team of Gordon Dunn, Michael You can also check out the course at which covers greens fees, cart, range Weiss and Martin Kenne, display trophies awarded to balls and the BBQ dinner. Companies them by tournament co-chair John Stevens. www.ihgolfclub.com. ■

48 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

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europeanoutlookaes.qxp

9/7/2007

9:48 AM

Page 50

European Outlook A

region’s economic health has a lot to do with its outlook, and most of Europe motored along quite well Gross Domestic Product-wise in 2006, and slightly less so this year but still in a positive vein. Wire and cable companies were among those reporting good profits and the year to date has seen a stream of expansions by companies such as Nexans, Leoni, Draka, Prysmian and others.

Then, in a short span in August, a sub-prime mortgage crisis in the U.S. triggered off a series of hits to the global stock markets that threatened globally liquidity, and all of a sudden put a different focus on the outlook.

Yes, the wire and cable industry in Europe appears to be doing well, and yes, there is certainly enough demand from infrastructure needs and sectors such as automotive, telecom and others, but will it be business as usual going forward the rest of this year?

What a difference a month can make.

It was only in the August WJI that a feature on the Asian Outlook cited an Asian Development Bank report as saying what happened in the U.S. had less impact in the global market,

although it noted that if an extraordinary U.S. slowdown took place, it could lead to disorderly adjustments in international financial markets that would spill over into the China and “the remainder of East Asia would not be spared.”

Both Asian and European markets were among those that plunged in August as investors fled, or tried to flee, exposure to shaky positions. This, in turn, has contributed to liquidity tightening, basically ending sub-prime (little or no money down) mortgages and making it more difficult even for consumers with good credit to get mortgages and the damage was not expected to stop there in terms of access to capital. In one week the U.K. FTSE 100 index, which had hit a sixyear high of 6,754, fell below the 6,000 level on August 16; Stockholm’s OMX 30 fell 3.3%; the Oslo index dropped more than 4%; Vienna’s ATX sank 5.1% by companies; Paris CAC40 fell 3.3% and Germany’s DAX slipped 2.4%.

While corporate profits are still strong, a protracted sell-off could eventually have wider ramifications, BusinessWeek’s Mark Scott wrote in an article that

European cable makers were among those reporting good profits in 2006 and orders were strong for 2007 to date, reports Integer Research. Chart courtesy of Integer Research.

50 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

cited an August 15 note to clients from brokerage Credit Suisse (CS) cautioning that markets were teetering between a “healthy correction” and “something far more sinister that could lead to real economic distress.” Despite efforts by central banks to bolster credit markets by injecting billions of dollars in lowcost liquidity, he noted, uncertainty continues.

The question is whether the money squeeze is limited and will be adjusted by the markets or if it has the potential to cause problems elsewhere, such as the ability of companies to have the access to capital needed for expansions, acquisitions or more.

Ironically, this comes at a time when Philip Radbourne, U.K.-based Integer Research, reports that sales and profits of the European cable companies that have been booked so far in 2007 have been the best for the last six to seven years. “What this situation has done is make the outlook for the rest of this year for Europe, North America, Asia and elsewhere uncertain. If the ‘credit crunch’ feeds through to the mainstream companies, and their ability to service their debts, and even worse, if their main customers are hit, then we are talking a major global problem.”

Radbourne stressed that he is not predicting that this gloomy possibility will be the case, only that the settings and conditions are such that the potential exists for it to happen. The outlook right now is murky at best, he said.

The markets may well right themselves during the year, but for now at the very least it is a cause of concern for any business sector, he said.

It should be noted that the above events and comments were made as of press time, and that it was certainly possible the markets could level off or rebound and the credit markets ease up. That said, even if that were to happen, credit seekers, both homeowners and businesses, may find that the days of easyto-come by credit has become a past era.

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9/7/2007

9:48 AM

Outlook largely positive WJI asked a sampling of people in the European market about topics that affected their outlook for the coming years.

Jean François Fardeau, general manager, France’s CERSA-MCI, said that a combination of higher material costs and tighter tolerances/specs has increased demand for his company’s measurement and control instruments.

The fiber industry continues to grow well, although prices are low and competition is high. That, however, makes it that much more important for companies to better master the control process and fully certify their fiber in production, which makes it an overall positive.

For the industry overall, Fardeau said, some of the more pressing issues will be raw material prices, total production costs and product characteristics.

Mergers and consolidation are likely to continue and larger companies do not always have the advantage, he said, noting that smaller companies may be able to make better and quicker decisions. Still, for small and medium size companies to compete, they need to have a good master of their technologies and the capability to answer the present demand, he observed.

Managers have to know their market well enough “to be able to catch the future and to anticipate the demands.

The use of ‘crystal balls’ might be helpful.”

In terms of regions, Fardeau described Asia as “the most important and growing market for us with always significant sales in Europe.” An Asian presence was a key factor to expanding there, he said, adding that a sound market analysis is vital. One other key is R&D, he said, noting that at CERSA-MCI it continues to be kept at a high percentage of labor costs. As for the environment, he said that it is very important and should become part of the market regulation. “It is a question of life on the globe,” he said.

Thomas Holt Jørgensen, sales manager, for Denmark’s Roblon A/S, Industrial Fiber Division, said that he sees his sector increasing business modestly over the next few years, “but only 5-10% per year, not a major increase.”

He said that his chief concern is the price for raw materials and that he expects to see more mergers and

Page 51

“Gimax is not alone in having examconsolidations, which he noted are ined this type of solution, but it can “not particularly good as they will never be the ultimate solution, it is create ‘monopolistic’ situations.” always only a temporary strategy. Asia Jorgensen said that competition from is an important potential market and Asia is coming, “but we still have the can be penetrated by manufacturing advantage of having long and good in Asia (price!), but it can also be relations with European customers, so penetrated otherwise.” He added that it has not affected our market share.”

Gimax has not “had to dump its prices Showing how inter-related the world to penetrate the Asian market either.” can be, he said that at the same time The downside, he acknowledged, is his company is looking for raw material that “there are more and more attempts suppliers in Asia. What has not changed at copying Gimax equipment, more is that Roblon continues to invest in and more attempts to develop machinR&D, but with a focus on areas where ery that we have been manufacturing there is potential growth, such as FTTH, now for almost 15 years.” he said. He added that while environIn terms of company size, Romagnolo mental factors get a lot of attention in said that what matters more is whether the general press and are becoming a company accommodates the market more important, that has not happened requirement, develops its product to in a significant level to date for his meet the demand and not try to impose company. itself on the market, and maintains an At Italy’s Gimax ethical and dignified approach to Group, Sales its way of doing business and & Marketing not assume a ruthless attitude.

Director Enrico “Price is not everything, Romagnolo “Price is not service is all important.” said that his Ali Shehab, Cimteq, a company had everything, U.K. cable software supone of its best service is all plier, said that he believes years ever in that when it comes to com2006, and 2007 important.” petition, smaller companies seems to be today are doing very well repeating this sucbecause they are more agile. cess. “Looking at the “They can change their environmarket at this moment, ment to meet customer demand very we do not expect any sharp quickly. Increasingly, the large multichanges for 2008, although the market nationals do not see small companies has been known to change direction as competitors, but as partners. There abruptly in the past.” is ample room in the industry for large Romagnolo observed that there are volume production, and for small volume numerous factors that affect the market specialized made to order products.” and determine success, a key one of In terms of keys, Shehab said that which is standardization on the market customer demand will be more chalin terms of the finished packaged lenging in the future as customers “are (respooled) wire. Gimax, which has increasingly shopping for best value the advantage there, benefits from for money in an ever shrinking world. an increase in customer demand, he Customers are not only demanding low noted. Labor costs, he added, also have prices but technical data and assistance a great influence in western countries, from wire and cable manufacturers. “but even in areas of the Far East, this This trend is forcing manufacturers to is now becoming something that is taken rely on technological solution to furseriously into consideration by the cusnish customers with their information tomers – so again, our fully automated needs. As a software supplier it is vital machinery benefits from this.” we invest in R&D to survive, we genTo manufacture products in the Far erally focus on R&D projects based East or in any area that offers benefits on customer demand, or on drivers in terms of costs (labor or energy or that will influence our clients’ future even just tax benefits) has always been a solution to obtain a greater degree of competitiveness.” ■ competiveness, Romagnolo said.

SEPTEMBER 2007 51

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INTERVIEW: INTEGER RESEARCH PHILIP RADBOURNE IS DIRECTOR OF THE WIRE & CABLE DIVISION OF INTEGER RESEARCH, A LONDON-BASED RESEARCH AND CONSULTING COMPANY FOR WIRE AND CABLE, AND OTHER COMMODITY INDUSTRIES. WJI: Where has the growth been focused?

Is it in the former Soviet Bloc regions?

Has much of the investment by European manufacturers has been outside of Europe?

Radbourne: Growth has been in a number of sectors. Like the U.S., a backlog of investment is needed in the power networks in old EU countries in Western Europe. Plus trends such as specialty cable–oil and gas, transport all doing well. Also, exports of capital equipment from Germany and Italy mean high demand for high temperature cables. There is money to be made in these and other areas.

Led by Nexans, European companies were well represented in the top revenue cable companies in 2006. Chart courtesy Integer Research, www.integer-research.com.

WJI: Has the European market settled into a competitive position or is it still evolving to compete with Asia?

Radbourne: The European producers are actually in a strong position – they have a clear global advantage in that as the Asian economies develop there has been an increasing need for their sophisticated wire and cable products – all in metric. U.S. companies, of course, do not really exist in this zone.

Many Swiss, French, German and Swedish cable companies are doing very well – supplying exporters to Asia – or indeed following their main customers to Asia. It is interesting to note that companies are reporting very strong profits – in some cases at record levels – not yet back to optical fiber boom days, of course, but industry in much better shape. Prysmian, Nexans, Draka all reporting good profits. The main threats to them are the Asian cable producers themselves – Japanese, South Korean and probably some emerging Chinese cable makers.

WJI: To what degree are those wellknown companies competing with each other?Is it likely they will face more serious competition from low-cost Asian products other than commodities?

Radbourne: Access to low wage rates is clearly not a major factor in the success of some of the leading global 52 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

cable makers in Europe. When it comes to simple products made to UL or IEC standards that can be put in a container/boxes, such as electronic wire, and if delivery is not a critical issue, why not outsource to China or Vietnam?

But the business is not simply about finding low wages. Cable making is a complex mix of know-how, capital equipment and controlling inventory. It has some of the smartest brains on the planet – in terms of management at some of the leading cable makers.

It is a complex business and they know how to make it work. That said, in some cases U.S. distributors are giving Chinese producers a helping hand, educating them in the things they need to know, but for now I believe the leading European cable makers remain in good control.

WJI: Has the European manufacturing story become one of the big companies getting bigger and bigger?

Radbourne: There certainly has been no end so far for acquisitions.

Leoni, Draka, Prysmian and Nexans have been swallowing up the smaller companies. Leoni has been the main acquirer lately. Previously Draka and Nexans had been acquirers, but they are now focused on Asia, and the rest of the world.

WJI: What products will be the future drivers? Have commodities by and large been surrendered to Asia, except for cases where the shipping costs/ need for quicker deliveries make it impractical?

Radbourne: In wire and cable – it is really about product specialization, in higher margin, complex products, where quality, delivery and customer relationship are key. If it is just a commodity product, such as building wire and power cable, then transport costs can become an issue. That’s why companies such as Wilms Group, now expanded into the Czech Republic, can become very successful supplying a range of “commoditized cable products.” They stand out in pricing, delivery and service.

WJI: How do you see the overall outlook for Europe in the next year or two?

Radbourne: Eastern Europe will continue to develop. Poland has been badly run. That may change as it will have continued EU funding, but that does not mean it will take off. The Czech Republic and other more modern Eastern European countries will do well – but still some real laggards in the rest of the EU – some Baltic States and Bulgaria and Romania, which are a long way from “take-off.” France, Germany and most of the other “mature economies” have done quite well and should continue to do so, barring problems with liquidity.

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INTERVIEW: ACIMAF INTERVIEW WITH ACIMAF PRESIDENT/TKT GROUP PRESIDENT FERRUCCIO BELLINA

WJI: How has ACIMAF’s mission (focus) most changed over the last decade in response to change within the industry?

Bellina: In recent years our association has focused on the globalization of the market and we have worked hard to inform our members about the fast changes that will come. We have pushed our companies to be active and present in all the new developing areas and we have started a positive cooperation with our government trade institute to get continuous support for the international development of our members.

WJI: With the higher profile of the Internet in all aspects of business, how important are trade shows today to the wire and cable industry?

Bellina: Trade fairs may not be as important as in the past for the presentation of new developments in machinery and products. The Internet and specialized international conferences are now a good instrument, but trade shows are still a very important way to meet people, to get up-dated information about a market, to find agents, to strengthen contacts with the customers, to know new customers. There are many good reasons to consider the trade shows still necessary for the industry.

WJI: Are European equipment suppliers today competing more with each other or with competition from with

suppliers in Asia? And how important is it for European equipment suppliers to have an active presence (if not manufacturing site) in Asia?

Bellina: Asian competition will, most probably, grow in the near future, but for the moment the European equipment suppliers compete more with each other. To have an active presence in Asia is absolutely mandatory for the European equipment suppliers. There are of course many problems and risks to face when deciding to have a manufacturing site in the area. Some companies do not have a structure big enough to sustain the unavoidable inconvenience so the risk can become too high. A solution can be in my opinion a consortium between compatible companies.

Bellina: Innovation will be the key point: how to produce a better quality at reasonable prices, how to reduce the cost of the labor, energy, pollution, etc.

A continuous improvement of the equipment and the products will be the defense against the cheaper copies of the existing European technology, but, just one example, governments have also to take care to protect the market against products not following the safety rules imposed to our companies in Europe, rules of course expensive.

Without a real sharing of the production regulations in the world areas, I see very difficult times for the manufacturing in Europe, and thinking to a future of the European economy reducing drastically the manufacturing side is, in my opinion, simply insane.

WJI: Looking at the supplier’s customer base, has the European manufacturing story become one of the big companies getting bigger and bigger, and if so, do you see that trend continuing?

Bellina: I don’t see in our market a real possibility for one big company to get bigger and bigger. Our market is a relatively small market and new ideas come from the competition between a reasonable number of producers.

WJI: How do you see the overall outlook for Europe in the next year or two?

What factors – be they industry-specific (i.e., raw materials, energy costs, changing customer demands, etc.) or indirect (i.e., regulatory, labor costs, tariffs, etc.)

– will have the greatest impact?

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INTERVIEW: IWMA International Wire & Machinery Association

INTERVIEW WITH FORMER IWMA CHAIRMAN PAUL WRIGHT

WJI: How has IWMA’s mission (focus) most changed over the last decade in response to change within the industry?

Wright: The IWMA has always been a truly international organization and currently has members in more than 50 countries. Our ethos from the day of our foundation has been – and still remains – the promotion of education, technical excellence and exchange within the wire and cable industry.

Although this mission is the same, there are more places in the world that need our input, particularly in rapidly developing economies like the BRIC countries, Brazil, Russia, India and China; the Gulf and Middle Eastern states and the Asia Pacific region.

Accordingly important links have been established in a number of these key areas and the IWMA now has representative offices in the Ukraine (also covering Russia), China, India and Iran

with more in the pipeline. Another reflection of the changes within the industry is the undertaking of events like our Dubai Cable Symposium in the UAE earlier this year and it is certain that more such technical meetings will be planned for the future.

WJI: With the higher profile of the Internet in all aspects of business, how important are trade shows today to the wire and cable industry?

Wright: Of course we recognize the vital importance of the Internet as a communications medium. Last year we totally re-designed our own website and fully intend to keep it as fresh and up to date as possible. But although the Internet has its place as a communication and promotional tool in the marketing mix we do not think that it diminishes the importance of trade shows in any way. It is seen as comple-

mentary to exhibitions and we do not believe that it can ever be a substitute for face to face meetings. That the importance of trade shows is as relevant as ever can be clearly demonstrated by the experience of the world’s two most important industry exhibitions, wire Düsseldorf and Interwire.

The former is sold out for 2008 with a record number of potential visitors confidentially predicted and the latter enjoyed an increase in exhibitor space and visitor numbers this year.

WJI: Are European equipment suppliers today competing more with each other or with competition from with suppliers in Asia? And how important is it for European equipment suppliers to have an active presence (if not manufacturing site) in Asia?

Wright: This is not an easy question to answer because experiences can differ

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in different sectors. However, there does seem to be a consensus that in sectors where precision, high quality and innovation are pre-requisites then European equipment suppliers are far more likely to be competing with each other than with local suppliers in the Asian market. Perhaps the most important thing is to have a highly competent sales outlet in the market area and this might be preferable anyway to a local manufacturing operation and the attendant problems of maintaining expertise and control.

WJI: Looking at the supplier’s customer base, has the European manufacturing story become one of the big companies getting bigger and bigger, and if so, do you see that trend continuing?

Wright: We believe that consolidation in Europe will continue and well established European suppliers will continue to grow in the forseeable future and some of the bigger companies will become even bigger.

WJI: How do you see the overall outlook for Europe in the next year or two?

What factors – be they industry-specific (i.e., raw materials, energy costs, chang-

Page 55

ing customer demands, etc.) or indirect (i.e., regulatory, labor costs, tariffs, etc.)

– will have the greatest impact?

Wright: We might need a crystal ball! Europe still has a lot to offer the world in precision manufacturing and still has some of the best machine construction companies in the world. As we continue to face increasing costs in manufacturing we must not forget that we have several low cost labor economies within the EU and there is no need to manufacture outside this region yet. European manufacturers are strategically placed to supply other emerging markets and I believe will continue to do so. I am upbeat about our industry and do believe that there is a good future for those companies that are still here, being well run and who continue to invest.

WJI: Anything else you would like to note?

Wright: At the risk of being accused of a “sales plug,” opportunities for networking discussions about these important issues make attendance at events like the forthcoming joint conference Wire 07 Bologna in November even more justified than ever!

UNEVEN STEEL DEMAND IN EUROPE The year 2006 was a banner period for steel use, up 8.5% according to the International Iron & Steel Institute, which projected slower growth for 2007 (5.9 percent) and 2008 (6.1 percent), at which time total consumption would be 1.250 million metric tons.

Western Europe, however, will see less than 2 percent growth in steel demand for 2007 and 2008, the IISI notes.

The outlook for steel demand in Western Europe can be even bleaker, reports MEPS (International) Ltd., a steel consultancy company. It noted in a press release on a new study that 2007 results have been largely tepid.

“Recently published figures show that it was only 1.6 percent in the first quarter. In some countries – including the largest steel consumers Germany and Italy – it is weaker still and the outlook is negative,” it said.

“In a global market, which is doing little to favour European manufacturing industry, the continuing strength of the Euro is eroding competitiveness,”

the release said. Higher costs for raw materials and energy are adding to the difficulties of steel-using manufacturers and the domestic EU-15 economy is not much better, it said. “With stocks of steel still overhanging the market, this means apparent consumption is unlikely to show any increase for the foreseeable future.”

In contrast, the new member states of Central and Eastern Europe are doing much better, the release said. “Recent predictions are for a 4.5 percent increase in their combined GDP this year. Turkey is faring even better.”

Partly due to relocation of manufacturing activity from Western Europe, steel demand is continuing to grow strongly in the rest of the continent, the MEPS release said. Recent industry estimates are that real consumption in Central and Eastern Europe rose by 3 percent in the first quarter of this year, while in the EU -15 it fell by around 4 percent, it noted. For more details, go to www.meps.co.uk.

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FORESHADOWING INDUSTRY TRENDS EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK (ECB) VICE PRESIDENT LUCAS D. PAPADEMOS

In a speech made prior to the stock market plunge, Lucas D. Papademos, vice president of the European Lucas D. Papademos Central Bank (ECB), said that availability to credit was a key to good economic growth in the euro area, but he warned that market liquidity could also be a potential problem.

Financial market liquidity can be defined as the ability of market participants to undertake securities transactions without triggering large changes in asset prices, Papadermos said. The measurement of financial market liquidity is not straightforward, but the symptoms of abundant market liquidity are visible and include high leverage, low bond yields, low volatility, narrow

credit spreads, and high market turnover.

“At the ECB, we have constructed a composite indicator of financial market liquidity for the euro area which is based on a methodology developed by the Bank of England. The indicator covers equity, bond and foreign exchange markets and aims to gauge three different dimensions of market liquidity: tightness, depth, and resilience. This particular indicator confirms that financial market liquidity in the euro area increased gradually from the late 1990s, rose significantly during 2003, and since then markets have remained very liquid. This indicator will be presented in the forthcoming edition of the ECB’s Financial Stability Review, which will be published by mid-June.

“The increase in market liquidity in recent years seems to reflect partly, if not mostly, structural changes: for

example, the liberalisation of international flows of funds, the securitisation of loans, the development of new financial instruments, and the rapidly growing market presence of highly active financial market participants, such as hedge funds. However, ample market liquidity could also reflect the “search for yield” and excessive risk appetite, indicating that liquidity risk could be underpriced. If this is the case, the current favourable market liquidity conditions could suddenly fade away if there were an abrupt and lasting increase in risk aversion.

This could expose several underlying vulnerabilities and result in funding liquidity challenges for highlyleveraged institutions, the unwinding of carry trades and increasing credit spreads across the credit quality spectrum.” ■

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THE PEOPLE COST OF DOING BUSINESS The cost of doing business includes a lot of factors, but line items related to labor for manufacturing wire and cable get a lot of attention. Raw materials, especially for cables, may represent by far the highest percentage of production costs, but those are a fixed cost whereas labor and benefits are variable.

The below chart from the U.S. Department of Commerce presents statistics for the U.S. and a range of European and Asian countries. The chart shows hourly compensation costs that include hourly direct pay and employer social insurance expenditures and other labor taxes. Hourly direct pay includes all payments made directly to the worker, before payroll deduc-

tions of any kind, consisting of (a) pay for time worked and (b) other direct pay. Pay for time worked includes basic time and piece rates plus overtime premiums, shift differentials, other premiums and bonuses paid regularly each pay period, and cost-of-living adjustments.

Other direct pay includes pay for time not worked (vacation, holidays, and other leave, except sick leave), seasonal or irregular bonuses and other special payments, selected social allowances, and the cost of payments in kind. Social insurance expenditures and other labor taxes include (c) employer expenditures for legally required insurance programs and

contractual and private benefit plans and (d) other labor taxes. Social insurance expenditures include employer expenditures for retirement and disability pensions, health insurance, income guarantee insurance and sick leave, life and accident insurance, occupational injury and illness compensation, unemployment insurance, and family allowances.

It is worth noting that low wages unto itself are not the deciding factor of where manufacturing work goes.

As one report notes, if that was so, then Africa would be attracting the world’s attention as its labor costs are far lower than China’s. â–

Hourly compensation costs (2005) for production workers in manufacturing in U.S. dollars. Chart: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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WIRE BOLOGNA 2007 PREVIEW

Wire Bologna 07 preview Wire Bologna 07, the international technical conference that will be held November 5-7 at the Boscolo Hotel Tower in Bologna, Italy, will offer attendees a comprehensive technical program, a myriad of networking opportunities and social events.

The Bologna conference is organized by ACIMAF, IWMA and WAI with the support of CET. This marks the third time the four industry organizations have worked together to create a concentrated educational format, the previous events being the 2003 program in Stresa, Italy, and the 2005 program in Prague, The Czech Republic.

The technical program includes both ferrous and nonferrous topics, with a total of 31 presentations scheduled as of press time that will be presented on Monday, November 5, and Tuesday, November 6.

Authors hail from 12 countries: Austria, Belguim, The Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Poland, Turkey, South Korea and United States.

Abstracts begin on p. 62.

“We are offering the industry a special meeting point where attendees can inquire

58 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

and discuss the latest developments in the wire and cable technologies, but also a site where they can get a good sense of the present and the future of the business,” said ACIMAF’s Ferruccio Bellina. He noted that attendees will be able to exchange ideas in different fields with specialists from all over the world. “We believe that this kind of event, one that is truly global and open to the most innovative companies, can be a real instrument of growth for our industry.”

Bologna is a very good location that will offer attendees many options to extend their visit. Florence is just one hour by train or car and Venice an hour and a half. Aside from the area attractions, guests of conference attendees can go on two different tours.

The first tour, “Inside the World of Italian

Fashion,” is from 10 am to 3 pm on Monday, November 5. Participants will visit local shops that carry famous-name Italian designer labels. Lunch and roundtrip motor coach transportation are included.

The second tour, from 10 am to 5 pm, will enable participants to explore the Province of Ravenna, which is known for its splendid mosaic masterpieces and architectural wonders. The trip includes lunch and motor coach transportation. Cole Porter visited Ravenna during his honeymoon and while looking at a mosaic in the Galla Placidia Mausoleum, he got the inspiration for the famous song “Night and Day.” The event also includes two plant tours, Ducati and Ferrari (see p. 62) and a gala dinner in the Palazzo del Vignola, which was built by Jacopo Barozzi (1503-1573), a famous architect who worked in Rome

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WIRE BOLOGNA 2007 PREVIEW

THE FOUR CONFERENCE ORGANIZERS Associazione Costruttori Italiani Macchine Per Filo

The Associazione Costruttori Italiani Macchine Per Filo (ACIMAF). ACIMAF was founded for the purpose of promoting the image of Italian technology in the sector of machines and products for the wire and cable manufacturing industry. The 75 member companies of ACIMAF offer the wire and cable industry an unequalled range of machinery and products capable of satisfying all manufacturing requirements.

International Wire & Machinery Association

Comité Européen de la Tréfilerie

Comité Européen de la Tréfilerie (CET). CET is the representative association of steel wire drawing in Europe.

It promotes exchanges between its members, in particular, on common topics (environment, standardization, best practices...), with the aim to achieve high quality level and performance of wire and wire products on the European stage.

The Wire Association International, Inc.

The International Wire and Machinery Association (IWMA). IWMA is the world’s largest corporate membership association for the wire, cable and wire product industries and offers a unique range of benefits and events to promote business opportunities within this broad sector of the engineering industry. The IWMA provides valuable assistance to its 300+ member companies as they develop their business within the international marketplace. with Michelangelo. The Palazzo del Vignola is now property of the family Lamborghini, the sport car producers.

In addition to the organizers, various elements of the conference have been enhanced through the generous contribution of the following organizations: The Italian Trade Commission and ACIMAF: Gala Dinner; The IWMA Educational Trust Conference: Translation Services; SAMP-

C.E.T.

The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. WAI is a worldwide technical society for wire and cable industry professionals that is governed by volunteers from around the world. Based in Guilford, Connecticut, USA, WAI promotes, collects, and disseminates technical, manufacturing, and general business information to the ferrous, nonferrous, electrical, fiber optic, and fastener segments of the wire and cable industry.

SISTEMI: Dessert and dessert wines; Messe Düsseldorf GmbH: Luncheons; Niehoff: Conference Proceeding CDs; EuroWire Magazine: Refreshment Break Day One; and TM Associates: Refreshment Break Day Two. Additionally, the following organizations have supported the educational objective of this event: Tecnologie del Filo; the Italian Chapter of the IEEE Dielectrics and

Representing ACIMAF, Giovanni Cecchini Manara welcomes Wire Prague 2005 attendees.

Electrical Insulation Society; and Associazione Italiana di Metallurgia.

The WAI’s 2006 International Technical Conference was held in New Delhi, India.

Past ITC locations include: the Czech Republic, Mexico, Italy, Canada, England, Poland, Belgium, and Germany.

For more information, go to www.wirenet.org.

Technical presentations were well attended at Wire Prague 2005.

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WIRE BOLOGNA 2007 PREVIEW

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Sunday, November 4

Tuesday, November 6

15.00 – 19.00 Registration & Welcome Reception

08.00 – 18.00 Registration 09.00 – 09.10 Opening Remarks

Monday, November 5 08.00 – 18.00 Registration 09.00 – 09.10 Opening Remarks 09.10 – 12.35 Technical Sessions 10.00 – 15.00 Guest Tour - Inside Italian Fashion

09.10 – 12.35 Technical Sessions 10.00 – 17.00 Guest Tour - Ravenna 12.35 – 14.00 Lunch Break & Tabletop Displays 14.00 – 18.00 Technical Sessions

12.35 – 14.00 Lunch Break & Tabletop Displays

Wednesday, November 7

14.00 – 17.00 Technical Sessions

08.00 – 16.00 Tour - Ducati Motors Facility;

18.30 – 23.00 Gala Dinner - Palazzo del Vignola

Ferrari Museum and lunch at the Ferrari Restaurant

ABOUT BOLOGNA About Bologna Bologna is a city of 400,000 people in the Po river valley in Emilia Romagna. Known for its cuisine, its porticoed streets, and for hosting one of the oldest universities in Europe, Bologna is a great tourist destination— especially if you like people and food.

In Bologna, everything starts in the central Piazza Maggiore. Here you’ll find the 13th century Palazzo del Podesta (inside is tourist info), the Church of San Petronio, and Neptune’s Fountain (Fontana di Nettuno), designed by Tommaso Laureti in 1566 with some pretty erotic bronze figures

by Giambologna gushing water for the masses.

Until the late nineteenth century, when a large-scale urban reconstruction project was undertaken, Bologna remained one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe; to this day it remains unique in its historic value.

Despite having suffered considerable bombing damage in 1944, Bologna’s historic centre, Europe’s second largest (after Venice), contains a wealth of important Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque artistic monuments.

Bologna developed along the Via Emilia as an Etruscan and later Roman colony; the Via Emilia still runs straight through the city under the changing names of Strada Maggiore, 60 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

The city of Bologna offers a myriad of sites that make bringing a camera along a must.

Rizzoli, Ugo Bassi, and San Felice.

Due to its Roman heritage, the central streets of Bologna, today largely pedestrianized, follow the grid pattern of the Roman settlement.

The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is the oldest existing university in Europe, and was an important centre of European intellectual life during the Middle Ages, attracting scholars from throughout Christendom.

A unique heritage of medieval art, exemplified by the illuminated manu-

scripts and jurists' tombs produced in the city from the thirteenth to the fifteenth century, provides a cultural backdrop to the renown of the medieval institution. The Studium, as it was originally known, began as a loosely organized teaching system with each master collecting fees from students on an individual basis. The location of the early University was thus spread throughout the city, with various colleges being founded to support students of a specific nationality.

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2 dozen tabletops signed up for Wire Bologna 07 As of press time, a total of 24 companies had signed up for a tabletop for Wire Bologna 07, a multi-organizational technical event that will be held Nov. 5-7 in Bologna, Italy, with 31 technical sessions planned.

The tabletops are a good way to network

industry representatives who will be at the event. The tabletop fee of €725 (US$925) includes one full registration for an individual working at the exhibit.

For more details, contact WAI’s Bob Xeller at rxeller@wirenet.org or Anna Bzowski at abzowski@wirenet.org.

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At the Die Quip Corp table, a Wire Prague 2005 attendee (middle) speaks with Die Quip Corp. President Tom Maxwell, Jr., (seated, right), Die Quip rep Hans Heppner (standing) and Klara Svetecka of the U.S. Commerce Department.

PRINT WHEELS

Tabletop exhibitors

EMBOSSING WHEELS

The following companies have signed up for tabletops as of press time:

GRAVURE PRINTERS

INDENT WHEELS

ACIMAF

Magnetic Analysis Corp

OFFSET PRINTERS

Ceramtec AG

Messe Düsseldorf

HIGH SPEED PRINTERS

data M Software GmbH

METIZ Magazine

Die Quip Corp

Pan Chemicals

EFAF Srl

PS Costruzioni Meccaniche Srl

Esteves - DWD

RichardsApex Europe Ltd

Fort Wayne Wire Die

SAMPSISTEMI

GCR Eurodraw SPA

SCOB - Paul Schaaf

Gem Gravure Co

Sikora Italia Srl

INTRAS

TKT Group

IWMA

Wire Association International

Locton LTD

Witels Albert GmbH

Uses “Gillies” engraved wheels for superior print quality.

phone: 508-852-2502 www.wgillies.com

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WIRE BOLOGNA 2007 PREVIEW

TECHNICAL PROGRAM The technical program sessions will run on Monday, November 5, and Tuesday, November 6. Topics are divided into ferrous and nonferrous/electrical sessions, with 31 presentations.

A total of 14 countries are represented in this international exchange.

Simultaneous translation in Italian and English will be provided by the IWMA Educational Trust. Conference Proceedings CDs will be provided to delegates by Niehoff.

“Optimization of strength and forming behavior of SiCr-alloyed oil-hardened spring steel wire,” Kersten Liebermann, Hans-Jürgen Schorcht, Mathias Weiß, and Ulf Kletzin, all of Ilmenau Technical University, Germany.

The need to improve the precision of helical compression springs involves evaluating and optimizing the entire production process of the raw material (spring steel wire), with regard to strength and forming behavior. In the case of oil-hardened and tempered spring steel wire, improving the adjustment of the different

quenching and tempering process parameters will help meet the need. This paper describes a systematic investigation and the results achieved, as well as the properties of helical compression springs produced with various types of hardened and tempered spring steel wire.

“The influence of alloying elements on the microstructure of pearlitic steels,” Choong Yeol Lee, POSCO, South Korea.

This paper examines the effects of Si and Cr additions on the microstructural characteristics and the mechanical proper-

FACILITY TOURS Ducati: two wheels and plenty of speed the attraction On Wednesday, November 7, tour goers will visit the world-renowned Ducati Motors manufacturing facility in Bologna where racing-inspired motorcycles are produced for sales in more than 60 countries.

Ducati motorcycles have long been known for their excellence in design and performance. From the first post-Second World War bicycle-like low-displacement motorbikes Ducati has grown over the years into a racing giant that is consistently competitive in both the racing arena and the world motorcycle marketplace.

In the 1960s, Ducati earned its place in motorcycling history by producing the then

fastest 250 cc road bike available, the Mach 1. In the 1970s Ducati began producing large-displacement L-twin (i.e. a 90° V-twin) motorcycles and in 1973 released an L-twin with the trademarked desmodromic valve design. The company’s lineup today includes sport bikes, sport touring bikes, superbikes and more.

Ducati completed testing the Desmosedici GP7, its MotoGP race bike.

The GP7 complies with new regulations requiring a maximum of 800 cc (as compared with the 989 cc of the GP6). The GP7 is a very powerful 800 cc MotoGP race bike, as illustrated in the 2007 Qatar

The legacy of classic Ducatis such as this can still be found in its current hightech models.

GP, where the four Ducatis produced, by a considerable margin, the highest top speeds of the entire MotoGP grid.

Ferrari: a legacy of elegance and power The second stop on the tour will be at the Ferrari Museum located on the outskirts of Modena. See the history of the brand by viewing select cars that have been raced on circuits around the world. Tour goers will lunch at the Ferrari restaurant.

Ferrari S.p.A., based in Maranello and Modena, Italy, was founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929 as Scuderia Ferrari. The company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street legal vehicles in 1947 as Ferrari S.p.A.. Ferraris are seen as one of Ferraris are known for their sleek looks the ultimate status symbols of wealth in the and formidable capability.

62 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

world. Throughout its history, the company has been noted for its continued participation in racing, especially in Formula One, where it has largely enjoyed great success, especially during the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, late 1990s, and 2000s.

Finally, after years of financial struggles, Enzo Ferrari sold the company’s sports car division to the Fiat group in 1969 in order to help ensure continued financial backing for the foreseeable future. Enzo Ferrari himself retained control of the racing division until his death in 1988 at the age of 90.

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WIRE BOLOGNA 2007 PREVIEW

ties of hypereutectoid pearlitic steels in as-rolled and drawn pearlitic steels. Coaddition of Si and Cr enhances both the tensile strength and ductility, whereas the addition of Cr alone increases the tensile strength but decreases the ductility. The effects of Si and Cr addition on the cementite decomposition were also examined using 3DAP. “Latest developments in the rolling of wire rod for engineering steels,” Alberto Franchi, N. Gaudenzi, and F. Guarneri, ORI Martin SpA, Italy.

Italy’s ORI Martin SpA, a producer of engineering steels, has introduced a revolutionary patented computerized system into its wire rod production to detect surface defects in hot conditions in the rolling line. The thermomechanical rolling of wire rod in the range of 10- to 25-mm diameters also has been developed. This, in combination with a tight diameter tolerance, opens new possibilities for the use of wire rod.

Per Tidval, Magnetic Analysis Nordic AB, explains a new method for detecting longitudinal defects in hot wire rod at Wire Prague 2005.

“Modern machines for production of steel strand and rope with direct cabling and indirect double-twist cabling,” Alberto Cervino, GCR Eurodraw SpA, Italy.

Indirect cabling is the method by which wires or simple strands are twisted around their own axes (twisting of the wires and double twisting of the strands). These twists become double twists around the

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Tubular stranders Rigid stranders: disc-type design Rigid stranders: fork-type design Rigid stranders: fast-loading design, by rows Planetary stranders Power cable drumtwisters Telephone cable drumtwisters Armouring lines Bow twister machines Skip stranders Pay-offs and take-ups portal traversing design bridge type design column-type design caliper-type design Rewinding lines Belt-type caterpillar capstans Single- and double-disc capstans Rotating caterpillar capstans for drumtwister-lines Taping heads for plastic- and steel tapes Transposed wire machines KEVLAR serving lines

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SEPTEMBER 2007 63

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Srimanta Pal, Indian Statistical Institute, India; and Dipak Chandra Patranabis, Jadavpur University, India.

In order to prevent accidents, wire ropes must be evaluated by proper nondestructive methods. Periodic in-situ measurement of faults is useful to determine the effects of various parameters on rope life.

All wire ropes wear out eventually, gradually losing work capability, thus necessitating periodic inspections, lubrication, and tensioning. This paper discusses the in-situ condition of three cage ropes and four skip ropes of 20-mm full locked coil (FLC) construction in a uranium mine.

During Wire Prague 2005, Bernd Lohmueller, Niehoff GmbH & Co. KG, highlights the need for equipment suppliers to react to a changing global market. axis of the cord. The unique feature of the twisting machine discussed in this paper is the application of double twisting to the concept of indirect cabling (back twisting). This paper includes a comparison of some parameters between the double twist machine and the tubular machine.

“Wire pull control improvements on skip stranding machines through electrical system,” Giovanni Pirovano, Continuus-Properzi SpA, Italy.

The traditional wire pull control on skip stranding machines has shown certain limitations in terms of consistency and

accuracy of the pulling condition established upstream from the stranding point.

The first skip stranding machine based on a radically new concept design was delivered in 2005. It features the installation of a fully electrical system on the six cradles to control the wire pull during uncoiling.

This paper describes functions and features of this new electrical system.

“Critical evaluation of full lock coil ropes in cage and skip winders in a uranium mine based on nondestructive observation,” Debasish Basak, Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, India;

“Advanced semi-automatic straightening technology,” Marcus Paech, Witels Apparate-Maschinen Albert GmbH, Germany.

A revolutionary aspect of advanced semi-automatic straighteners is the idea of using modules, each equipped with a roll adjusting mechanism and a straightening roll which can be assembled to straighteners with any number of rolls. Depending on the specific boundary conditions, like process material yield point or modulus of elasticity and peripheral needs, straighteners with a specific roll number can be made quickly and at low cost.

“The construction of a submarine interconnection between Sardinia and the Italian mainland,” Fabio Bocchi, Prysmian Cables & Systems, Italy. ”The Upcast® system – new developments,” Matti Nordman, Upcast Oy, Finland.

This paper presents a number of new, major features that have been recently introduced in the Upcast continuous casting system. These include increased max-

INSIDE

October 2007

WIRE JOURNAL

®

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

INSIGHT:

Featuring:

Colorants, compounds & additives

Adding a color advertisement in Wire Journal International’s (WJI) October issue on colorants, compounds & additives is a great way to compound your marketing efforts and keep your company name in front of the wire and cable industry decision makers who read WJI. For details contact Bob Xeller or Anna Bzowski on WJI’s sales staff.

Tel.: 001-203-453-2777 E-mail: bxeller@wirenet.org or abzowski@wirenet.org

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imum output from both single- and double-furnace systems, introduction of a new Omega-type inductor that doubles the previously available power range and decreases specific power consumption, and replacement of the conventional stepped power control for inductors with a transistor converter type stepless power control system.

“Effects of high-pressure descaling and alcohol on the rod surface quality,” Selami Elbasi and Halil Goker, Er-Bakir, Turkey.

Surface quality in general, and surface oxide thickness and dusting characteristics in particular, are very important for the further processing of copper rod. In wiredrawing operations, the drawing dies, emulsion, and filtration systems are affected by rod surface quality. This paper investigates the effect of alcohol in the emulsion and the application of highpressure descaling in the rolling mill. This combined application was found to improve surface quality considerably.

Rebecca Victoria Slater, The University of Bradford, explains the value of researching archaeological metals at Wire Prague 2005.

“Copper alloy wires – applications, technical requirements and modern production methods,” Bernd Lohmueller, Maschinenfabrik Niehoff GmbH & Co. KG, Germany.

This paper discusses three of the main applications for wires made out of copper

alloy: 1. Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM), 2. battery pins, and 3. micro-plug pins. It presents the commonalities as well as differences in the technical specifications and requirements for each application. It examines different specifications requirements such as tensile strength, sur-

mr na

org

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CONFERENCE REGISTR ATION FORM WIRE

07

BOLOGNA

5 - 7 NOV E M B E R 2 0 0 7 • B OL O G N A • I TA LY

International Wire & Cable Conference • 5-7 November

Please complete the information below and submit the form to: The Wire Association International, Inc.•1570 Boston Post Road•P.O. Box 578•Guilford, CT 06437-0578•USA or Fax to: (001) 203-453-8384.

Last Name

First Name

Middle

Job Title Company Address City

State

Postal Code

Country

Phone (Include Country Code)

Fax (Include Country Code)

E-mail:

[

]

REGISTRATION FEES The registration fee includes session attendance, conference proceedings CD, documentation, refreshment break, and lunches.

Options

Euro €

U.S. $

Single Day Registration

Member Non-member

€195* €275

$250* $330

Two Day Registration

Member Non-member

€295* €375

$360* $440

Optional Ducati/Ferrari Tour (Wednesday, 7 November)

Member Non-member

€40* €45

$55* $65

Guest Tour - Ravenna & UNESCO Monuments (Tuesday, 6 November)

Name on Card (Please Print)

Card Number

€70

$90

Guest Tour - Inside Italian Fashion (Monday, 5 November)

€70

$90

Tabletop Displays

€750

$925

€65* €70

$80* $90

Additional Gala Dinner Ticket

Registration Fee is Paid by: ❑ Check enclosed in US dollars payable to The Wire Association International, Inc. ❑ Visa ❑ MasterCard ❑ American Express Fax registrations must use credit cards for payments of ALL meeting fees. Fax No.: (001) 203-453-8384

Member Non-member

Expiration Date (mm/dd/yy)

Signature

Cancellation/Refund Policy: Refund requests must be received in writing by 20 October 2007 to receive a full refund.

* To qualify for the member rate, you must be a member of one of the four organizing associations (ACIMAF, CET, IWMA, WAI).

QUESTIONS: If you have any questions, please contact IWMA at +44 1926 834680 or by email at info@iwma.org or WAI at +1 203.453.2777 ext. 138 or by email at hcorreia@wirenet.org. More information is available at www.iwma.org or at www.wirenet.org.

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INTERNATIONAL WIRE & CA BLE CONFERENCE 5-7 NOV EM BER 2007 • BOSCOLO HOTEL & TOW ER • BOLOGNA • ITALY

SUPPLIERS M ARKET CORNER — TABLETOP REGISTRATION The Suppliers Market Corner tabletops will be held on Monday and Tuesday, 5 and 6 November. This will be an event designed to maximize interaction between attendees and suppliers. Space is limited and will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. The registration fee of €750 or $925 includes the cost of the table and one full attendee registration (access to the technical program, luncheons, dinner). Additional company personnel may attend at a rate of €295 or $360. More information is available online at www.wirenet.org or www.iwma.org.

Name: Company: Address: City/Country/Zip: Telephone: Fax: E-mail:

Payment by check or credit card is due with the tabletop registration. Credit cards will be processed in U.S. $. ❏ American Express ❏ Diners Club ❏ Master Card ❏ Visa ❏ Discover ❏ Check Enclosed

Card Number Name on Card Exp. Date

Signature:

Please return this form to: The Wire Association International, Inc. 1570 Boston Post Road • Guilford, CT 06437 USA Tel.: (001) 203-453-2777 • Fax: (001) 203-453-8384 E-mail: bxeller@wirenet.org or abzowski@wirenet.org If you have questions regarding the Suppliers Market Corner, please contact Bob Xeller or Anna Bzowski at the Wire Association International, Inc., at the above address.

.............................................

CONFERENCE

ORGANIZED BY:

Associazione Costruttori Italiani Macchine Per Filo

C.E.T.

Comité Européen de la Tréfilerie

International Wire & Machinery Association

The Wire Association International, Inc.

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face quality, straightness, plating, shape, and geometry. It also addresses changes effected to meet cost reductions pressures and environmental regulations.

“Fire refined copper rod production in a clean environment,” Giulio Properzi, Continuus-Properzi SpA, Italy.

After a short presentation of the latest achievements in FRHC copper rod production with a continuous or a batch process, this paper focuses on 10 years of studies and developments to achieve full control of harmful emissions. It discusses data founded on years of trials in emission controlling systems. It also describes and compares the baghouse, wet scrubber, post burner, and regenerative thermal oxidizer with ceramic blocks.

“The use of large size double-twist stranders for the production of mediumvoltage cables of up to 61 wires,” Giovanni Cecchini-Manara, OM Lesmo SpA, Italy.

The recent introduction of a doubletwist strander with a 2500-mm reel for the manufacturing of 61-wire conductors with a large cross-section for medium voltage pushes the use of this alternative technology to limits that were in the past achievable only by conventional stranding machines. The rationale behind this is to obtain higher output, shorter loading time, and better overall efficiency, ultimately getting faster return on investment. This paper covers the technical aspects of the new equipment as well as a comparison of the several processes able to obtain medium-voltage conductors.

“Plasma: a clean and cost-effective alternative to chemical and heat treatment,” Igor Rogelj, Plasmait GmbH, Austria.

This paper discusses plasma technology as a clean alternative to conventional heat and surface treatment. It outlines the application of this technology in processes such as drawing, enameling, plating, and extrusion. The benefits of a plasma process include complete degreasing, deoxidation, and surface activation for better coating/ adhesion; reduction of energy used for tin bath heating; and leadfree tinning. The paper focuses on a specific application in a hot-dip tinning line for 2-mm copper wire running at 1.5 m/s.

“The evolution of lubricant recovery for dry draw operations,” Roy Warner and Tim Babcock, Envirotec Consultancy Ltd., USA. Lubricant recovery removes contaminants, leaving behind the lubricant that has not been consumed in the die box.

The technology employed in the recovery process has been refined to deliver increasingly higher levels of performance

and mechanical reliability. The future of the process lies in conditioning, which sees lubricant remaining in the die box having impurities removed at the time of generation, ensuring the lubricant is maintained in top “condition” at all times.

“Steel patenting technology in the manufacture of steel tire cord,” Thomas W. Tyl, Tire Wire Technology, LLC, USA.

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Liquid Quenchant Fluidized Bed Technology (LQF – US Patent Pending) overcomes concurrency constraints and significantly reduces energy requirements by altering the forced convective heat transfer coefficient and not quenching or soaking media temperature. High quenching rates from austenite to soaking transforms steel near the TTT nose. The resulting fine pearlitic microstructure is desirable for drawing to high strength and torsional properties.

“Energy savings in continuous lines,” Rene Branders, Le Four Industriel Belge SA, Belgium.

Globalization presents new challenges and high levels of competition to the wire industry. This paper depicts and analyzes substantial economies in new process patenting/annealing galvanizing lines.

High speed, fuel savings, ecologically low-cost materials, and zinc savings are among the factors that are improving the economics of the patenting and annealing process.

Alberto Cervino, GCR Eurodraw SpA, discusses MTX wiredrawing technology at Wire Prague 2005.

“Polymeric lubricants for cold heading and cold extrusion process—status and outlook,” John Griffiths, Henkel, Italy.

Recent years have seen an increasing interest in polymer-based lubricants in cold heading and cold extrusion processes because of technical and economical

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70 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

advantages. This paper focuses on two different approaches: a) replacement of reactive soap over phosphate and b) replacement of both phosphate and soap in a one-step process. It outlines the technical principles behind this process, commercial benefits, and real life experience with these lubrication systems, along with an outlook on future developments.

“Effect of drawing in sigmoidal, concave, convex and conical dies on mechanical properties of high carbon steel wires,” Bartlomiej Pikos, Jan W. Pilarczyk, Bogdan Golis, and Rafal Wludzik, Czestochowa University of Technology, Poland, and Jan Krnac, Zelezarny a Dratovny Bohumin, Czech Republic.

This paper investigates the effects of high-carbon steel wire dies with different approach zone shapes. It has been found that the highest number of twists and cycles to failure during rotational beam fatigue testing were achieved with wire drawn in sigmoidal or concave dies.

These dies also decreased longitudinal residual stresses at the wire surface and improved surface roughness. It was also found that they achieved more homogeneous distribution of microhardness on wire cross sections than conical dies.

“Development and innovations in tungsten carbide dies,” Giancarlo Arrighetti, TKT Group, Italy.

This paper discusses developments in the application of hard metals in metal working. It addresses hard metal in the

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production of wiredrawing dies; the system of using hard metal nibs with modular dies that can be disassembled; the evolution of disposable dies into innovative pressure dies to improve lubrication, increase drawing speed, and constantly produce wire of superior mechanical and surface properties; and different types of nib and pressure dies.

“Evaluation of hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of PC wires,” Shingo Yamasaki, Seiki Nishida, Daisuke Hirakami, and Toshimi Tarui, Nippon Steel Corp., Japan.

To evaluate the hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of PC wires by clarifying the dominant factors of the FIP test, this paper investigates the relationship between the absorbed hydrogen concentration and the fracture time in the FIP test. It was found that there is critical diffusible hydrogen concentration below which wires do not fracture, and the fracture time is influenced by the solution temperature and Rsol, the solu-

tion volume per unit surface area of a specimen.

“The advantages and importance of lubricant filtration,” Olaf Greshake, Reber Systematic GmbH & Co. KG, Germany.

This paper discusses topics related to lubricant filtration, including the following: effects on lubricant life; machine maintenance; machine cleanliness and operator friendliness; the advantages of compact band filtration Vs and flat-bed systems; environmental effects; the necessity to filter resistance annealer coolant systems; the correct grades of filter paper to be used for rod, intermediate, and fine drawing; and central vs. individual systems.

“Precision ceramics applied in the wire drawing industry,” Dieter Mangold, CeramTec AG, Germany.

This paper discusses topics related to ceramics that include: the importance of surface finish and its structural composi-

tion; the effect of surface finish on the wire or wire coating, particularly for nickel, tin, and silver-plated wires; precision tolerances to avoid eccentricity, particularly applied for high-speed modern multi-wire drawing machines; the various types and compositions of ceramics available for specific applications; ceramic coatings applied to steel-based drawing pulleys; and life expectancy for both solid and coated ceramics.

“Non-contact speed and length measurement for wire and cable,” Danny Buelens, Proton Products Europe NV, Belgium.

This paper presents a new technology specifically designed for the non-contact measurement of wire and cable length during production. This new technology offers considerable advantages over the established contact techniques. The main advantage of the technique is the reduction of “cable give-away” of 1 to 1.5%, resulting in savings for the average cable manufacturer.

“Evaluation of motor winding insulation performance under pulse waveforms,” Andrea Cavallini, Davide Fabiani, and Gian Carlo Montanari, University of Bologna, Italy.

Pulse-like voltage waveforms generated by electronic power converters supplying induction motors are believed to be the main cause of insulation failures of motor magnet wire with respect to conventional operation at power frequency. This paper discusses development of corona-resistant insulated wire with improved insulation reliability under pulse waveforms. It also considers new standards being developed by the International Electrical Committee (IEC) for evaluating the performance of motor winding insulation subjected to pulse waveforms.

e-mail Dave.Evans@george-evans.com

72 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

“Technical and technological solutions adopted by Sampsistemi to reduce energy consumption along wire and cable production lines,” Enrico Conte, Sampsistemi, Italy.

In recent years, the cost of energy consumption, or rather the kWh/kg of finished product manufactured, has become more and more important in the wire, strand, and cable sector. This paper examines several significant cases, all support-

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ed by weekly lab tests and data from customers’ production lines.

“Cable marking systems and news in optical fiber coating systems,” Werner Lichtscheidl, Medek & Schoerner GmbH, Austria.

This paper describes Medek & Schoerner’s range of cable marking machines and fiber optic processing lines.

Its offerings include high-quality gravure printers for speeds up to 1500 m/min, embossing meter markers and hot foil sequential meter markers for highest accuracy of length measurement. The company’s state-of-the-art production technology takes micro Flat Flexible Cable (FFC) to a new level: faster, finer circuits. Made using cold extrusion and UV hardened resins, FFCs are now available that are finer and flatter that before.

“Concept for material saving and quality optimization on jacketing and insulating lines,” Cornelia Fischer, Sikora Italia, Vicenza, Italy.

One solution for quality optimization in jacketing and insulating is the continuous measurement and control of the relevant data directly during the jacketing process.

Today’s technologies allow for absolutely non-contact, reliable measurement gauges delivering most precise measurement values on the product’s diameter, (multiple layer) wall thickness, eccentricity and ovality. The use of very fast digital signal processors eliminates the effects of vibrations or environmental influences.

“PVC improvement: a new range of ecocompounds,” Claudia Attanasio and Laura Colloca, B&B Compounds, Italy.

This paper discusses a new range of highly innovative compounds with nanofiller that exhibit lower environment impact both in their production and throughout their life cycle. The compounds show resistance to flame, reduction in smoke density and HCl emission, optimal electrical properties (as high-volume resistivity values), and a high thermal stability with a significant reduction in density and therefore weight. The products are free from dangerous substances like phosphoric plasticizers, DEHP, or heavy metals. ■

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SEPTEMBER 2007 73

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PVC compound influence on spark test failures; a manufacturing DOE study Compound selection and use of laboratory work were found to be key factors in reducing such failures while reducing overall costs.

By Eric Bates

park testing is done on virtually every S foot of electrical wire to ensure quality. UL 1581 paragraph 900 specifies the spark test used as an alternate to the dielectric withstand test. Since the test is a continuous, non-destructive test, 100% inspection can be done. In the case of building wire constructions such as THHN wire, an applied AC voltage of 7500 V is applied on “circuit sizes” (10-14 AWG wire). The test is commonly done by routing the wire path on the wire line through a spark tester that uses a bead-chain electrode to apply voltage to the wire.

Quality problems resulting in spark test failure can be a significant source of scrap and lost productivity to the wire maker.

These problems can be elusive, as several factors can affect the spark test results. The manufacturing floor environment also adds a “noise” factor as different operators can have different styles or approaches to dealing with spark test issues.

One approach to dealing with this problem is to brainstorm the factors affecting the spark test. This was done using a “fishbone” diagram looking at known and suspected factors in the process, methods, equipment and materials. Below is a partial list of factors that can affect the spark test on THHN wire: • Copper conductor stranding; • Copper drawing fines; • Degraded PVC compound; • Un-melted PVC;

74 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

Table 1. L16 Experimental Design.

Table 2. ANOVA Table, Signal to Noise Ratio analysis.

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ure rate, and how much some of the other known factors contributed. It was also considered likely that interactions would be present. It was agreed that studying the compound factor interaction with other processing factors could help to better understand the “robustness” of the compound.

One of the factors used was the extruder temperature, which is the average of the extruder zone settings (not the melt temperature). This factor was added due to recommendations from the external compound supplier. As a result of some preliminary testing showing that the external supplier’s compound did not perform as well, the response from that source was to recom-

Table 3. ANOVA Table, means analysis.

• Degraded and un-melted nylon; • Color chip amount and quality; • Poor extrusion temperature control; • Centering and tooling selection; • Poor start-up procedure; • Screw design and screw/barrel wear; • Contamination (pre-extrusion or during extrusion); • Mechanical damage; • Insufficient cooling; • Insufficient drying of cooling water; • Sparker calibration and maintenance; and • Use of rewind equipment.

As can be seen, this list is comprehensive enough that good control of the whole process is needed to produce wire with a low spark failure rate. Experienced operators, supervisors, managers, and maintenance all need to work together in order to bring the sparker failure rate down.

However, some factors, like the selection of the PVC compound that is used, require additional technical support beyond the tactical manufacturing team. In this case, there were two compounds available: one internally sourced by Essex and one supplied by an outside compounder. The overall costs of

these materials were similar on a compound basis (of course internal costs were a little lower). In order to make the compound selection correctly, the overall cost to the wire manufacturer needed to be considered, and not just the compound cost itself. The overall cost due to the compound includes the productivity and scrap rates, which in turn are highly influenced by the sparker failure rate. It was determined to study the sparker failure rate contribution from compound selection.

Methods and procedures To isolate and look at the effect of the PVC compound on the sparker failure rate in a “noisy” plant environment, the method chosen was to use a statistical Design of Experiments (DOE), with an orthogonal array and data analysis using ANOVA. Because of the statistical experiment design, noise could be dealt with better this way than with other techniques (e.g. one-variable-at-a-time experimentation). While the primary focus of the experiment was on the PVC compound, there was also a desire to understand how much the PVC compound selection actually contributed to sparker fail-

Bates At the time this research was done, Eric Bates was Director of Polymer Technology at Essex Electric Inc. He has more than 25 years of experience in polymer compounding and R&D work and is now a consultant to the wire and cable industry and the polymer compounding industry with Zion PolyChem, Inc. A member of WAI and the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), he received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1981, and his M.S. in Technology in 2007 from Purdue University. This paper was presented at WAI’s 76th Annual Convention, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, May 2006.

Table 4. Means response chart for factors (ppm sparker failures).

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Table 5. Interaction Response Chart, Compound X Conductor type (ppm sparker failures).

Table 6. Interaction Response Chart, Compound X Temperature (ppm sparker failures).

mend raising the temperatures at extrusion by 10-15ÂşF on their compound. It was decided to try this to see whether it made any difference.

An L16 orthogonal array design was used for the experiment. While the experiment was to assess only five variables, it was felt that some of the interactions could be significant, and that the error level could be large.

This led to the L16 design. Table 1 shows the factors for the L16 experiment.

Running an L16 experiment on the plant floor over the course of several shifts required a constant engineering presence during the run. Lessons learned from earlier DOEs on different projects showed that it was critical for an R&D engineer to follow each run in order to identify, control and minimize noise factors that arose during the trails. There were several of these, which will be noted in the Discussion subhead that follows.

To evaluate the spark test response, the variable of spark failures was standardized by making each of the trials a minimum of one hour. The number of sparker blows on each process reel was logged and the number of blows on a reel was converted to ppm based on the number of feet produced on the process reel. It should be noted that in this case the wire was to be subsequently rewound in a spooling operation and that the blows would be removed at that point.

While the number of feet produced varied depending on the wire size, conductor type, etc., converting the numbers to ppm had the effect of normalizing the data. As a noise factor, the ppm level of each reel produced

76 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

was measured. This was either two reels or three depending on the size and construction.

Results The data were collected at the plant, and then analyzed using the Taguchi Analyst software program written by Texas Instruments. While this is an older, DOS-based program, it worked well with the data to generate ANOVA tables and response tables. The data were looked at both from the standpoint of the Signal-to-Noise ratio and the means analysis. See Tables 2-3.

While the ANOVA table is useful for statistical determination of significance of the factors, it is often instructive to look at the response charts or graphs for a better feel of how the factors responded practically. The response charts are shown in Tables 4-6.

Discussion The ANOVA tables both showed the same two factors as being predominant; i.e. the compound selected and the conductor type. These factors were significant with 99% confidence. It is interesting that in both the Signal to Noise analysis and the means analysis these two factors related to each other similarly, however, the Signal to Noise analysis had much less contribution from error. It can be interpreted that the Signal to Noise analysis captured some additional variation and was able to assign it to the variables, while the means analysis could not assign the additional error due to noise varying with the factors.

The stranded conductor type performed

much worse on sparker failures than the solid conductor. This makes sense on a practical basis as the stranded conductor offers more opportunities for flaws in the wire construction. The stranded conductor manufacture process is an additional step that is subject to variation, and conductor issues like “cross-overs� and lay length variation/tension issues are known to affect the spark test.

Another factor was present as a limitation on this work. It was found necessary to use two different wire lines for the trials: one for the solid conductors and one for the stranded conductors. While the wire lines were very similar in set-up, there were some subtle differences between the lines that may have influenced the test. So the individual line selection is a potential confounding variable with the conductor type on this test. Since the wire manufacturer needs to make both stranded and solid conductors for the market needs, it is not an option to eliminate one type of conductor in order to reduce sparker failures. However, several items suggested in this paragraph can lead to further study as to what can be done to mitigate the effect of the conductor type on the spark test.

On the other hand, the compound selection is easily controlled by the manufacturer.

The means response table shows that overall the sparker failure rate using the P090 compound was about 1/3 that of the commercial compound G (67% reduction). This is a remarkable finding and is certain to affect the overall cost of the finished product made with the two compounds. While additional work is needed to understand the overall effect on the finished product cost while considering the several variables involved in spark test failure rates, this is a factor that should not be ignored in the compound selection decision. In this case the finished wire experiment was actually the confirmation of work done earlier in the laboratory to produce a compound with outstanding process stability. A proprietary test was developed to measure the % process instability by use of Pilot-scale and lab-scale test equipment. The P090 compound was adjusted using raw material substitutions and minor ingredient components to bring the process instability as low as possible in the lab.

The other interesting thing regarding compound selection was the interaction of the compound with the conductor type. While the interaction was not significant at 99% or 95% confidence, both analysis of data

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included this as a factor that should not be ignored. Closer examination of the interaction chart (See Table 5) is warranted. Here it can be seen that while both compounds performed worse in combination with the stranded conductor, the P090 compound showed about 2.5 times more sparker failures with stranded conductor. However, compound G resulted in nearly five times more sparker failures when using stranded conductor. One active theory to explain this is that the P090 compound is more robust to process and dimensional variations due to its lower process instability as seen in the lab. In fact some data were taken during the trial to look at the dimensional variations seen during extrusion. While the dimensional data has not been subject to the statistical rigor presented here, there are indications that in fact the dimensional variation was lower with the P090 compound.

While the temperature factor was eliminated in the Signal to Noise analysis, it showed up as a very minor contributor (<1%) in the Means analysis. Closer examination of the interaction chart (See Table 6)

shows that both compounds performed just slightly better at the higher temperature.

However, the supplierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theory that simply raising the extrusion temperature 10-15ÂşF on compound G would make it perform as well as the P090 compound was unsupported.

While the data support up to a 67% reduction in the sparker failure rate due to compound selection, there are other factors which can potentially offset this if not controlled. In subsequent work, it was found that while the sparker failure rate at the extruder could be substantially reduced, in order to capture this cost improvement, it was necessary to address other parts of the manufacturing process. Specifically, the rewind lines required attention. In this case, while the wire as made had a very low spark failure rate, damage during the rewinding operation could entirely offset this. Once the compound changes were implemented, the rewind line could be focused on, and spark test failures (and product cost) were reduced sequentially.

Conclusion Compound selection can indeed dramatically affect the sparker failure rate and can cut the rate by as much as 67%. Laboratory work to minimize the process instability of a compound can be highly effective and result in compounds that are better suited for lowering the overall product cost and making a more robust product and process.

This technology has been applied successfully in developing compounds in other applications as well and is now being used in the developmental process for non-lead conversion in building wire. â&#x2013;

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Mathematical model simulating thin-diameter steel wiredrawing in the presence of back tension Taking into account factors such as back tension, pulling forces and power consumption, it was possible to develop a PC-driven methodology that optimizes the drawing process for thin wire.

By Vladimir Bitkov

Modern wiredrawing machinery

depend on PLCs or PCs to control and manage all the working and functional parameters. Factors from processing speed and power consumption to wire production volume and uptime are all monitored, with the operational information stored and processed. Computers can ensure that the wire production process flows in an optimum condition.

This paper looks at how technology was able to be used to maximize process potential for thin-diameter steel wire, specifically considering, among other factors, the impact of back tension for the wiredrawing process.

Optimization parameters The goal here is how to optimize continuous processing of wire by machines that have a loop type design with arm dancer control of drawing speed. This type of drawing machine has adjustable back tension that forms from the unbalance of the rotation speed of successive capstans and from the wire as it passes through the adjusting and guiding rollers. The back tension has dual action on the wire drawing process: it reduces contact stress in the deformation zone, thus reducing die wear and tear because there of reduced friction forces, but the back tension also increases the drawing

Fig. 1. Diagram illustrating conventional method of wiredrawing using two capstans of drawing machines with sensor arm control.

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force, which in turn results in a reduction of the load factor and increases the probability of a wire break.

The goal is to formulate the necessary conditions to obtain optimum results from the drawing process by hypothesizing a maximum manufacturing output, G, with the minimum of losses possible for those particular manufacturing conditions per the following:

Eq. (1)

Fig. 2. Hardening curve of a low-carbon steel wire (1 - 0.07% C, 2 - 0.13 % C).

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Fig. 4. Schematic showing hot-rolling rod being pulled through the descaler rollers.

Fig. 3. Variations of the back pull as a function of the wire wraps number in the preceding capstan and as a function of the friction condition when drawing the wire from 4.56 mm to 3.79 mm. (fc = 0.1, fR = 0.2.)

The energy consumption is represented

by Wi and the consumption of metal and auxiliary materials is indicated by Mi. It is beneficial to attempt to reduce both factors to a minimum during the metal drawing process.

The principle is based upon the energy consumption required by the electric motors that control the traction devices on the machine, the rotation of which guarantees that the necessary drawing force is created on each pass.

The required power to draw the metal is calculated as follows

Eq. (2)

where WΣ is the power required for the drawing process in kW; N is the number of capstan drive motors; is the wire drawing force in the Pi die i, in N; Qi+1 is the back pull of the wire in the die (i +1); η is the efficiency of the capstan drive i; υι is the peripheral capstan, i speed, in m/s; and Wix.x is the power demanded by the ith capstan drive i under zero load conditions.

Thus, to reduce WbΣ to a minimum, it is essential that the drawing process will be completed with the smallest number of passes, with the minimum amount of drawing force on each pass and as large a back tension as possible. The wire drawing speed is not a variable parameter as under any given condition it determines the productivity of the process. Therefore, to satisfy the condition, the wire drawing speed has to be the greatest under any given conditions.

For ease of calculation, the efficiency under zero load conditions will be taken to be constant for all given speeds. The main variables in the drawing process will therefore be the number of passes N, the drawing force Pi and the value for the back pull Qi. The number of passes, N, is a function of the draft at each pass, that is to say N =N(i). The draft at each pass also depends upon the drawing stress, which must be less than the deformation resistance of the deformed metal upon passing through the die. The second variable for N is the degree of initial strain hardening suffered by the metal, so it can be written as:

Dr. Vladimir Bitkov is a senior researcher at the Institute of Engineering Science of Russian Academy of Science (Ural Branch). He previously was the head of the quality department at a hardware metallurgical plant in Russia. A specialist in the field of wire production, he studies problems of wire breakage while drawing with large deformations, liquid friction application under wiredrawing and ways of processing super fine size wires. He is the author of more than 30 technical papers published in Russia, the U.S. and England. In 2004, he wrote and published a monograph, “Technology and machinery for wire production.”

He is also a co-author of two patents on pressure dies. This paper was presented at WAI’s International Technical Conference, New Delhi, India, October 2006.

where λi is draft on the ith pass;

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Fig. 5. Schematic showing forces acting on roller and neck when wire rod is under pulling conditions.

σbo is wire rod tensile strength; and σsi is deformation resistance prior to the ith die.

In reality for low carbon steel wire, the value of λi must not exceed 2.5 on each pass. In order to determine the relationship between the parameters Pi and Qi based upon the input parameters, let us to observe the action of the main forces on the metal wire during drawing process.

Drawing die forces on wire

Fig. 6. Effect of the parameter L and the parameter h (mm) on the angle. ing capstans as well as indicates the forces that act upon the wire. The drawing force Pi on the capstan Ci can be expressed by the following function:

Eq.(3) where Pbi is the drawing force component which is linked to the deformation of the metal in the die, which in a general form can be described as follows

Fig. 1 illustrates the conventional model of wire drawing with two draw-

Fig. 7. Influence of number of rollers on normal force (F) and the pulling force (P): (R = 33 mm, 2r = 6.3 mm, Qs = 350 N/mm2, L = 110 mm, hi = 12.5 mm; f = 0.1.)

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Eq.(4)

where d i-1,d i is the wire diameter on the entry and on the exit from the i die; σs is the average deformation resistance within the bounds of reduction zone of the ith die; α is the semi-angle of the die reduction cone; k is the coefficient of strain hardening; λ is the draft in the ith pass through the die; f is the coefficient of friction between the die and wire surfaces; and Pqi is the drawing force component which is linked to the overcoming

Fig. 8. Influence of hot-rolled diameter and roller radius on pulling force (n = 6, Qs = 350 N/mm2, L = 2R + 10 mm, f = 0.1.)

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of the back tension.

Eq.(5) where Qi is the back pull of the metal wire at the entrance of die i.

According to Tarnavskij1 the drawing force for round shapes together with the calculation of the back tension is determined by the following formula Eq.(6)

Fig. 9. Drawing force and back pull calculated to reduce a 6.5 mm low-carbon steel wire to 1.354 mm per Tarnavski. See Eq. (6). Drawing force: 1 - Q1 = 0; 2 - Q1 = 3000 N and Q ; 3 - Q1 = 0. Back pull in the wire on a die input: 4 Q1 = 3000 N; and 5 - Q1 = 0.

Table 1. Technical data of wiredrawing machine.

where: σsi is the average value of the deformation resistance taking into account the strain hardening; Fi-1,Fi is wire cross-sectional area before and after the ith pass; fi is the friction coefficient between the wire and the die; ai is the semi-angle of the die reduction cone; di,li are the diameter and length of the die calibration zone; ei=Qi/Fiσsi is the relative back tension of the wire in the i die; ci=1-ei; ai=fictgai; and λi=Fi-1/Fiis the draft on the die.

The average value of the metal deformation resistance on the ith pass is as follows according to Perlin2 Eq.(7)

Table 2. Reductions of hot-rolled wire* (6.5 mm) under multiple dry drawing.

where: σbi-l,σbi is the tensile strength of the wire before and after reduction on the ith pass.

Approximation of experimental values of the tensile strength of the 1.35 mm wire drawn from a 5.5 mm hotrolled rod in function of total elongation deformation demonstrate that the strain hardening curve is most precisely

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described by a power function of the following type:

Eq.(9)

and to the power dissipated by the descaler roller necks. The basic equation can be noted as follows4:

Eq.(8) Eq.(10) where: σbo is the tensile strength of the hotrolled rod; and m and n are empirical coefficients.

Fig. 2 shows the strain hardening curves for two types of low carbon semi-killed steel used for making steel wire. The relationship Ii /di of the die in Eq. (6) varies as a function of the diameter di and as a function of the dimensions of the die and is normally between the orders of 0.3 to 0.6. The die semi-angle αi = 5÷6°. The friction coefficient fi according to Perlin and others2, can be assumed to be equal to 0.05 in the case of drawing using a dry lubricant, while it is acceptable to assume that fi = 0.005 ÷ 0.01 where the die friction is hydrodynamic in nature.

where: Pi-1 is the drawing force on capstan; Ci-1; ϕRil, ϕRi2 and ϕc-l are the angle made by the wire while moving around the perimeter of the roller which is exerting the pull, the angle made with the returning roller and the angle of the capstan in relation to the wire respectively; and f R, f c are the friction coefficients between the wire, the roller surfaces and the capstan.

It is possible to change the value of Qi (Fig. 3) under any given conditions by varying the ϕc-l value, that is to say by changing the number of waps, which are wrapped around the capstan. In reality Qi can be considered be equal to between (0.06-0.39) Pi-1 as a result of varying fRi and fc between the values 0.1 and 0.23.

Calculating wire back tension Parameter Qi in Eqs. (2), (3), (6) and (7) for wiredrawing by loop-type machines depends on the condition of the wire passing on rollers and on the previous capstan. The descaling apparatus causes the back pull Qi on wire at the first capstan where the scale is removed from surface of the steel hotrolled rod via the use of rollers sequence. The total drawing force has to be large enough to overcome the reduction resistance in the die and the pull of the hot-rolled rod through the descaler rollers. For the second and subsequent capstans, the minimum back pull is given by the force that is necessary to apply to the final wap of the wire on the previous capstan to avoid the wire slipping with respect to itself.

The minimum value back pull depends upon the drawing force Pi-1, upon the number of waps of wire on the capstan and upon the friction coefficient f c between the capstan and the metal wire.

Further, the back tension is created on rollers Ri-1 and Ri-2,. The values of the back pull Qi in a wire on the die input will be determined upon the basis of the Ejler-Zhukovskij formula

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Evaluating back tension in the descaling apparatus The higher oxides of iron differ by their friability. They break and flake off from hot-rolled rod with a certain degree of the bending, tension or twisting strain. This effect is used for deleting scale from the hot-rolled rod with the help of rolling descalers installed before the drawing machine. Knowing the value of the forces which have to be applied to front end of the hot-rolled rod to make the rod move through the descaler rollers allows one to establish the effect of the back-pull during the first reduction. The definition of the pulling force of hot-rolled rod through the descaler rollers is produced by the Upper-Bound Method with the use of the basic power equation of the theory of perfect plasticity.

Fig. 4 shows the hot-rolled rod movement as it passes through the descaler rollers. Fig. 5 shows the forces that act upon the roller i and the neck. The hotrolled rod of radius r travels through the descaler rollers under the action of the force P and with velocity υ. The power Pυ is equal to the power dissipated as a result of the n-multiple bending and the reverse bending of the hot-rolled rod

where: 2N is the power dissipated in the bending (section A) and the reverse bending (section B) areas of the wire seen in Fig. 5; F is a normal pressure in the neck of radius R1; R is the radius of the descaler roller; f is the friction coefficient; i indicates the roller number; and n is the rollers number in the descaler.

It is assumed that the bending power of the roller i is the same as the reverse bending power on the same roller of the descaler. The following relationship is used in order to calculate: Eq.(11)

Eq. (11) is deduced allowing for taking into consideration that for small angles “α ≈ tanα = f”.

The angle γ is calculated from the following geometric relationship Eq.(12)

If in case of change of the parameter hi, the wrapping angle by the rod is augmented, the augend signed «+», and if the wrapping angle decreases, it is signed «-». With hi = 0 angle γ is determined as

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Eq.(13)

In light of the aforementioned, it can then be accepted that γ " i-l = γ ' i = γ i , γ " i = γ ' i+l = γ i+l ..... γ " n= l γ'n=γn.

The angle γi is determined by the parameter Li and by the parameter hi. In the case of modern descalers, the parameter Li is a constant value and the angle γi varies as a function of the parameter with the vertical movement of the moving rollers.

The variation of the parameter L and the value h is illustrated in Fig. 6 as a function of the wrapping angle of the rollers by the hot-rolled rod. The main variation on the value of the wrapping angle of the rollers by the hot-rolled rod is caused by the diameter of the rollers, the spacing of the rollers characterized by the parameter L and the value of the vertical movement of the mobile roller axes relative to the center of the fixed rollers.

The results of the calculation the pulling forces of the hot-rolled rod through the descaler rollers are illustrated in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. The value of the pulling force of the hot-rolled rod through the descaler rollers is determined by the radius of the roller, the value of the yield strength of the hotrolled rod, the cross-section area and the numbers and spacing of the rollers.

It is particularly important to pick the correct roller diameter when designing the descaler, since above all this radius determines the value of the pulling force of the hot-rolled rod through the descaler rollers.

The curve (1) in Fig. 7 represents the variation of the normal force that acts on the roller neck. The normal force Fl is about 30-40% greater than the pulling force. It is therefore necessary that the choice for the diameter of the roller neck and bearing is made on the basis of the normal force, and not on the basis of the value of the pulling force.

Results of mathematical simulation Wiredrawing process simulation based on the equations in this paper have made it possible to optimize in practice a drawing technology of a thin size steel wire by the multiple machines taking into account the back tension. Specifications of drawing machines in Table 1 are submitted. The steel boxes for the drawing tool were

cooled by flowing water. The die angle value was equal to 12°. A typical drawing sequence for dry wiredrawing used. The main data concerning the used drawing dies are given in Table 2. Fig. 9 states the values calculated for the required drawing force to reduce a 6.5 mm hot-rolled rod to a 1.35 mm low-carbon steel wire using conventional technology. Curves of change of a back pull in a wire, which forms on rollers and capstans of the drawing machine, are also given. The back tension Ql in a wire forms at the first reduction due to the pulling force of hot-rolled wires through the rollers of the descaler.

The analysis of calculated and experimental data has shown that overcoming back pull requires about 20% of all power consumption. The rod pulling force through descaler rollers augments gain of a drawing force on the first capstan by 30 % approximately. It is necessary to take into account this condition at a select of motor power of the first block.

drawing speed and wire diameter on each pass n an optimum condition.

References 1. I.N. Nedovizij and A.L. Tarnanskij, “Skorostnoje volocenie stalnoj nizkouglerodistoj provoloki,” Moskva, Metalluriszdat, 1954. p. 188.

2. I.L. Perlin and M.Z. Ermanok, “Teorija volocenija,”Moskva, Metallurgija, 1971, p. 448.

3. V. Bitkov, “Similation of Back-Pull Wire Drawing,” Wires & Cables International Conference, Oct. 4-5, 1995, Florence, Italy, pp. 10-22.

4. V. Bitkov and A. Zalazinsky, “Analysis of Rod Pulling Force Through Descaler Rollers,” Wire & Cable Technology International, May/June 2002, pp. 42-44. ■

Conclusions With the help of the Upper-Bound Method and the basic power equation of the theory of perfect plasticity, the formulas for analysis of the pulling forces of hotrolled rod through the descaler rollers of any type are deduced. The formulas allow also to calculate the magnitude of normal forces operating on rollers necks that allows the correct specification of neck diameter and bearings to avoid their breakage during descaler operation. Calculated values of the pulling forces of hot-rolled rod on magnitude are close to the experimental values.

A mathematical model and optimization conditions for the wiredrawing process have been defined as well as calculating the back pull, which is created on the descaler rollers, guide and control rollers and on the capstans of the drawing machine, which together allow the wire drawing operation to be simulated on a modern personal computer.

The engineering evaluation of wiredrawing forces taking into account of all back pulls ensures deriving hard data about energy-power parameters at a design stage of a wire drawing technology.

The drawing machine is able to optimize the process for thin-size wire deformation through use of a PC for data handling and instantaneous delivery of control actions from sensors of the drawing force, the

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Metallurgical and wiredrawing performance comparison of ETP and oxygen-free copper Under ideal rod and wire manufacturing conditions, oxygen-free copper has the potential of offering superior quality and properties.

By Masoud Garshasb, Ph.D.

The differences between manufacturing

ETP and oxygen-free copper products are reflected in their metallurgical and physical characteristics, which ultimately define their performance and suitability for different wire and cable products. ETP rod manufacturing involves casting in a metallic mold followed by hot-rolling stages in contrast to oxygen-free (OF) products that use casting in a graphite mold, which may be followed by cold rolling. The metallurgical attributes include microstructure, defects and inherent impurities. The consequential microstructures have direct impact on wiredrawing and annealing characteristics. The distinctive differences include

Fig. 1. Copper-oxygen phase diagram3.

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copper matrix non-uniformities and inclusions, which have a substantial influence on wiredrawing productivity and product performance. Oxygen plays an important

role on the physical and metallurgical properties. The presence of oxides in ETP is inherently associated with properties that are absent in OF rod. Ultimately, the

Table 1. Manufacturing process methods for ETP and OF rod.

Fig. 2. Oxygenâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;hydrogen equilibrium in copper5.

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Fig. 3 Hydrogen solubility in copper (micrograph x 150 xs). collective material properties of ETP and OF copper are reflected in wiredrawing and product applications. Failure analysis of wire breaks is used as a tool to study these metallurgical aspects of copper performance.

Introduction Oxygen free (OF) and Electrolytic Tough Pitch (ETP) have inherent property differences that are a reflection of their methods of manufacturing. A summary comparison of the ETP and OF processes is shown in Table 1. Both ETP and OF processes start with a supply of high-quality copper cathode. There are a variety of ETP manufacturing methods, which are generally based on wheel and twin-belt casting technologies1,2. In ETP manufacturing, it is required to melt the copper in a high-production rate furnace called a shaft furnace. The shaft furnace is a tall structure that cathode bundles are charged into the top and molten metal flows from the bottom. The furnace has rows of burners operating in a fuel-rich condition that are required to protect the furnaceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ceramic refractory lining and also to avoid premature oxidation of copper. Then the molten metal is transferred to the caster area via vessels generally known as launders and holding furnaces. Both of these vessels are under a fuel-rich flame and their internal linings are made of ceramic refractory. The holding furnace is required to regulate the flow of molten copper from the shaft furnace to the caster, which requires a precise control of flow. The molten copper is ultimately directed to the caster via tundish or pouring spout, depending on the casting technology used.

Fig. 4 Metallographic cross section of copper rod: a) OF showing columnar structure; b) ETP rod showing grain structure.

In the casting process, by using moving water chilled molds, heat is extracted from the molten copper and results in a solidified bar. The solidification mold for ETP copper is either made of steel belt or a copper alloy wheel. The solidified copper bar then enters into hot rolling stages which, depending on the bar size, include 10 to 16 rolling steps. The rolling steps are located such that they deform the copper in alternative directions until the desired rod size is achieved. Following the hot-rolling process, heat extraction continues using a coolant liquid.

Through the rolling process, hot metal is exposed to atmospheric conditions that make the copper rod vulnerable to various degrees of oxidation. On the other hand, the process of rolling by itself may generate oxides particles that are rolled into the copper and known as rolled-inoxide. Thus, a pickling process is required to remove the rolled in and other forms of oxide particles. Following the pickling stage, a layer of wax is added to the ETP rod to retard oxidation and increase shelf life. At the end of the manufacturing line, the ETP rod goes through coiling and final packaging steps.

In contrast to the ETP manufacturing, the oxygen-free (OF) process is relatively simple as it requires fewer manufacturing steps. In oxygen-free manufacturing, the cathode is melted in a graphite furnace.

The molten metal flows into a reservoir that leads to the caster mold, which made of graphite components. The molten metal solidifies in the graphite die into its desired rod size, which in turn is pulled using a stepping motor. The rod exits the graphite mold at room temperature.

Therefore, throughout the OF process,

from melting to the final formation of rod, the copper is never exposed to an oxidizing condition. Consequently, no pickling step is required. In some cases, the OF rod may go through an additional process of cold rolling stages.

Garshasb At the time this paper was written, Masoud Garshasb, Ph.D., was manager of quality and technical services at Phelps Dodge Copper Products, Miami, Arizona, USA. His company has since been sold and is now called Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., where he is quality manager. He He previously worked with Alcoa and Hazelett. He earned his doctoral degree from Syracuse University, USA, where his work involved metallurgy and failure analysis of electrical conductors and projects for the Office of Naval Research. He has authored numerous publications in the field of metal processing, including a paper published in the April WJI that won a Silver Certificate Award. This paper was presented at WAIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 76th Annual Convention, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, May 2006.

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Metallurgical comparison

Fig. 5. Cross sectional view showing the columnar growth, left, versus at the equiaxial growth, right.

Fig. 6. A conceptual section through an OF rod showing equiaxial and columnar growth.

Table 2. Characteristics defects resulted from manufacturing processes.

Fig. 7. ETP copper inclusions wire breaks: a - ceramic refractory; b - roll steel H 13.

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As expected, the main source of metallurgical and physical property differences between ETP and OF copper rod are related to the presence of oxygen, which governs the characteristic and manufacturing differences between these two types of copper. Oxygen and copper have a strong affinity to react with each other in a broad spectrum (Fig. 1), ranging from pure copper to cupric oxide, CuO3. ETP products require between 100 and 600 ppm of dissolved oxygen as per specification, ASTM B-494. This oxygen content is present in two phases: dissolved in copper in the form of a solid solution and also as a small fraction as cuprous oxide (Cu2O).

Nevertheless, in the reality of ETP manufacturing, this ideal proportionality may get local variations resulting in undesirable forms of copper-oxygen ratios that may deteriorate copper drawability and ductility. In principle, the existence of copper-oxide particles is an inherent character of ETP rod because copper at high temperature in the presence of oxygen is highly vulnerable to oxidation. During the course of manufacturing ETP copper, there are a few conditions that are prone to develop undesirable forms and distributions of oxides. Premature solidification and oxidation of copper at the caster entrance is a source of generating copperoxide particles. On the other hand, nonhomogeneous distribution of oxide particles during the solidification process within the caster can result in ductility variations within the rod. Furthermore, the hot-roll process may generate oxide particles and subsequently roll them into the rod matrix.

Since the melting process of ETP copper production occurs in a fuel-rich (excess hydrogen) environment, the copper properties are influenced by the hydrogen-oxygen equilibrium in the molten stage, (Fig. 2) which drastically changes during the solidification process5.

At equilibrium condition, high hydrogen levels may exclude oxygen and vice versa. The phase boundary line shows the border under which hydrogen and oxygen exist in equilibrium. At conditions above the equilibrium line, hydrogen and oxygen may not coexist in copper and hence generate water or steam. This equilibrium principle has a strong influence on copper-rod manufacturing. For example, the 100 to 600 ppm of oxygen requirement

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Fig. 8. Silicon inclusion wire breaks in OF rod. A: wire breaks; B: OF rod.

Fig. 9. Copper oxide generated in an ETP wire break at the caster entrance.

Fig. 10. Pulse mark defect on OF rod surface at surface.

Fig. 11. Pulse mark cracks relation to grain boundaries.

for the ETP copper dictates a particular range of hydrogen within the ETP copper.

Deviation from the equilibrium condition may result in the steam generation, which in turn results in porosity in the copper matrix during the solidification process.

Generally, hydrogen solubility in molten and solid copper increases by increasing temperature6 (Fig. 3). Obviously this is an important quality criteria in the production of oxygen-free copper because the detrimental effect of hydrogen is highly amplified in the absence of oxygen. At the melting point of copper, there is a sudden and significant drop in hydrogen solubility, where solubility drops from 5 ml/100 gm of copper to less than 2 ml/100 gm.

This indicates that some amount of the dissolved hydrogen may convert to porosity upon solidification. Fig. 3 shows the hydrogen-based bubbles generated at the grain boundary of solidified copper. The porosity has a tendency to appear at the grain boundaries or their intersections, as the gases are rejected from the crystalline structure of copper at the solidification front. Hydrogen, and some other gases,

are present in molten copper in their atomic form, while in their gaseous state they exist in their molecular bonding.

Therefore, upon solidification some of the hydrogen content of the molted copper may shift to its molecular form. H2 â&#x2020;&#x201D; 2H. However, as is shown in Fig. 2, water in the copper cannot exist as a water molecule (H2O). Rather, it exists in the form of 2H and O atoms. H2O â&#x2020;&#x201D; 2H + O. Therefore, with or without oxygen, presence of hydrogen in copper is in its atomic form. Upon solidification in the presence of oxygen, hydrogen may turn into steam and in the absence of oxygen it turns into hydrogen porosity. The presence of hydrogen or steam may manifest itself into bubbles or porosity. This often contributes to hydrogen embrittlement where the bubbles of hydrogen or steam can precipitate at the grain boundary and result in their weakening and hence deteriorating mechanical and physical characteristics7 of copper, such as elongation and ductility. This vulnerability to hydrogen embrittlement is one of the reasons that well-defined tests are present for oxy-

gen-free copper in applications where there is potential of generation of hydrogen/steam bubbles in the grain boundaries during a particular service condition. The preceding discussion underscores the importance of avoiding moisture in copper in the production of OF rod. As the oxygen content of the molten copper may be absorbed by the crucible and graphite die, the construction component of an oxygen-free caster, the hydrogen may turn into porosity.

The grain structures of ETP and OF rod are inherently different (Fig. 4). ETP rod grain boundary configuration and size are generally determined by the hot-rolling process, during which the grains are continually elongated and breaking into smaller sizes. However, the high temperature condition results in continuous grain growth. In contrast, the oxygen-free copper rod structure is a cast structure; hence its grain configuration is different from the ETP rod. The metallurgical structure of the OF rod is directly influenced by its solidification process. Following the initial nucleation of the solidified shell on

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the graphite mold, the columnar growth of the copper structure starts growing toward the center of the die/mold.

According to the basic metallurgical rules of solidification, the solidified grain grows in the direction opposite to the direction of heat extraction. Since during the oxygenfree casting the heat is extracted radially away from the graphite solidification die, the copper crystal grows toward the center of the die and away from the die wall. In the resulting columnar structure, the solidified columns tend to converge toward the center of the die. Presence of a welldefined columnar structure is an indication of continued and uninterrupted heat extraction to the completion of the process.

Within an OF rod it is possible to have equaxial in addition to columnar growth.

The equaxial growth occurs when solidification and the direction of grain growth becomes independent of the direction of heat extraction. Therefore, the grain growth will proceed without a particular directionality and the resulting columnar structure. The presence of an equaxial zone at the center of an OF rod may result in larger grain size, which under some conditions, may be a beneficial feature for wiredrawing. The relative size of the equiaxial grain zones at the center of the OF rod is important for quality and manufacturing defects. Figs. 5 and 6 show the geometrical relation of the grains of columnar and equaxial growth.

The caster pinch roll pulls the rod with a pulsing mechanism to remove the solidified zone out of the die and replace it with a new segment of molten metal. However, if the pulsation happens prior to complete solidification, the heat extraction may get interrupted and hence the remaining molten metal at the center of the rod may continue with the solidification process independent of the direction of heat extraction. The resulting grains are equiaxial, i.e. their growth is not directional and they tend to grow equally in all directions, and hence there is no columnar growth.

Quality and drawability The differences in the manufacturing processes and the metallurgical characteristics of the ETP vs OF rod are reflected in the nature of the defects that may result in a wiredrawing failure. A comparative summary description of the types of

88 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

defects resulting from specific manufacturing steps of ETP and OF is given in Table 2. The impurity content of the cathode supply is a quality concern of equal proportions for ETP and OF rod. Meltingand molten-metal transfer in the ETP system is involved, with close contact with ceramic refractory, which inadvertently releases some of the ceramic particles (Fig. 7). However, furnace construction components may generate silicon-base inclusions (Fig. 8), which may occasionally occur in the OF rod. The casting process in the ETP rod has the potential for inclusions because of the metallic mold and oxide particles, such as icicles that are generated prior to the entrance to the caster.

The oxygen content of ETP makes it inherently vulnerable to oxide type inclusions, which are characteristically absent in the OF rod (Fig. 9). On the other hand, porosity defects are a major concern in the OF rod particularly because the rod is a cast structure, without the benefit of hot rolling. The direct presence of visible porosity is usually not a concern for ETP copper. The required hot rolling in the ETP manufacturing creates the potential of generating rolling material-type inclusions, often H13 steel (Fig. 7-B). In addition, casting parameters of the OF rod may amplify some of its characteristic surface defects. For example, during the pulsing process, if the segment is not properly solidified, it can generate cracks at the pulse marks, which may be a wiredrawing quality concern as it deteriorates copper elongation and drawability, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

Conclusion OF and ETP copper are produced by distinctively different manufacturing methods, which are reflected in their quality and application criteria. Because of the differences in molten-metal handling, casting and solidification procedures, the oxygen-free copper has less ceramic-type inclusions originating from the ceramic refractory linings. On the other hand, oxygen-free copper may have occurrences of silicon-based particles that originated from the graphite components of the oxygen free casting units. Furthermore, ETP copper quality is highly influenced by its oxygen content, as required by specifications, and may have direct quality implications in wiredrawing practice. Oxide-

related quality concerns are practically nonexistent in oxygen-free rod. In contrast to ETP, hydrogen is a concern in oxygen-free rod and may result in porosity and internal defects that could reduce ductility of copper. Under ideal rod and wire manufacturing conditions, oxygenfree copper has the potential of having superior quality and properties.

Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge John Quinn for his continual support and motivation; Bill Spellman for his direct and continuous involvement, valuable advice and support in all aspects of this study; Pat Hyde for her involvement and assistance; and Terry Glassman and Shane Andrews for the preparation of the micrographs.

References 1. Nonferrous Wire Handbook, Vol. 2: Bare Wire Processing, Wire Association, eds. J. Dunleavy and O. Tassi, 1989.

2. Nonferrous Wire Handbook, Vol. 3: Principals and Practice, Wire Association International, ed. H. Pops, 1995.

3. Nonferrous Wire Handbook, Vol. 3: Principals and Practice, Wire Association International, ed. H. Pops, 1995. p., 16.

4. ASTM B 49, American Society for Testing and Materials: Copper rod drawing stock for electrical purposes.

5. P.K.Trojan, T.R. Ostrom and R.A. Flinn, Melt Control Variables in Copper Base Alloys, p. 467.

6. P.K.Trojan, T.R. Ostrom and R.A. Flinn, Melt Control Variables in Copper Base Alloys, p. 466.

7. ASTM WF-F68, American Society for Testing and Materials Oxygen-Free Copper in Wrought Forms for Electron Devices. â&#x2013;

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Products New mini-split cables work well for HVAC applications Coleman Cable Inc. (CCI) announced that it is the first company to offer BaroSplit™ Mini-Split Cables as a versatile solution for the HVAC market.

Launched under the Baron brand, the cables come in reel lengths of 50/100250 ft in three constructions, Baro-Split Corra/Clad® MC cable, Baro-Split Compact 600® and Baro-Split Shielded Low Voltage cables, as described below.

The MC cable consists of UL-listed THHN soft drawn annealed solid copper conductors, is cabled with fillers and wrapped with an overall solid Flexi-Rib™ aluminum sheath. The watertight continuous sheath is covered with a PVC outer jacket for outdoor use or direct burial and

meets all electrical codes. It is UL approved and meets/ exceeds NEC Article 330 requirements.

Compact 600 is a control tray cable with a TPE jacket that is direct burial rated, flexible and easy to strip/install. The low voltage cable is an 18/2 stranded bare copper with an overall shield, as required on control circuits for many models. It is ETL approved, light resistant and outdoor rated.

Contact: Tom McCollum, Coleman Cable, Inc., tel, 847-672-2300; www. colemancable.com.

Reconditioning wear components a plus for cablers U.S.-based Cemanco notes that its program for reconditioning ceramic drawing tools is as an economically interesting alternative to purchasing new parts.

Even expensive wear components of best quality are subject to increasing wear during production, the company stated in a press release. Especially producing finished products (especially fine wire), the condition of these components has a direct influence on product quality, it said. As a result, it added, the components have to be replaced for quality reasons long before the end of their useful life.

By offering a service for reconditioning high-value wear components, manufacturers can save money while helping improve

product quality, the release explained. “In addition to erasing wear marks special attention is paid to surface quality. The reconditioning process achieves a diamond polished high gloss surface that increases product quality and extends component

life. Reconditioned ceramic step-cones also maintain the aspect ration of the individual steps as per customer specifications.”

Contact: Rainer Lashofer, Cemanco, tel.

954-970-3099, rainer@cemanco.com.

Straighten, feed and cut technology is expanded Italy’s Cometo, represented in North America by Lesmo Machinery America, notes that it has added to the range of individual components it offers for straighten, feed and cut machines.

The new equipment, a press release said, can process round and shaped material, such as wire, rod, metal strip and/or tubing up to .5 in. (12 mm) diameters. The systems include: a single, dual or multi-plane mechanical roller type wire straightener; 1, 2 and 3 module feeders with mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic roller open/closing options; various drive options for motor or pulley driven requirements; a pneumatic or hydraulic cutting unit with hardened and ground tool steel cutting blades; controls via a programmed menu or simple manual function; and various power options.

Cometo supplies individual components to be added to lines or for use by OEM machinery suppliers. The shown unit, a prototype for 1-4 mm wire for the German market, offers adjustable speed from 66 ft/min up to 361 ft/min via control panel, max. cutting length 3.3 ft; cutting length tolerance of +/- 0.01”; and up to 120 cuts/min.

Contact: Lesmo Machinery America, tel. 905-761-6165; sales@lesmoamerica. com.

Pre-labeled, color-coded cable assembly is an NECA award-winner Clifford of Vermont, a Power & Tel company, reports that one of its products, QuikPull, is a pre-labeled, color-coded cable assembly built to specification that last year was honored by the National Electrical Contractors Association, makes installation much easier.

NECA chose Quik-Pull as one of 25 companies cited at its show for innovative products, a press release said. “Rather than pulling single wires for multiple runs, one 90 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

assembly is pulled, making jobs quicker and easier. Plus, fewer electricians will be needed.”

Available specs include: wire type, gauge, color and stranding for building wire, electronic cable, coax cable and fiber optic cable, all bundled and shipped within two to three days, it said, adding that custom armoring is available and that core material can range from .32 in. to 2.5 in.

Tray-rated custom jackets are made to

specification, with a sunlight-resistant PE or water-, gas- and oil-resistant PVC jacket in just about any color able to be manufactured and printed with any alpha-numeric information, the release said. Custom twisted pairs are specified by length per reel, and are available in a variety of AWGs, wire types and colors, with custom printing, marking and striping available, it said.

Contact: Clifford of Vermont, tel. 800451-4381; cablesales@cliffordvt.com.

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Line of power and control cables can withstand flexing and torsional bending U.S.-based C&M Corporation reports that its engineers have designed high torsional flex power/control composite cables ideal for assembly line hand tool applications.

The cables contain high flex conductors and strength members to with-

stand the flexing and torsional bending prevalent in assembly lines and other factory environments, a press release said. C&M Duralon™ jacketing, it added, is used to provide abrasion resistance and protection from oils and chemicals often encountered in

many industrial environments.

The cable construction is designed to provide very long life, eliminating the need to replace the power and/or control cables during the life of the equipment as well as preventing any production down time due to cable failure, the release said.

Contact: C&M Corporation, sales@cmcorporation.com; www. cmcorporation.com/torsioncable

Medical cable is ‘internally ruggedized,’ able to be both durable and flexible U.S.-based W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) has launched a new internally ruggedized medical cable that it said provides excellent durability while remaining lightweight and flexible.

This technology, a press release said, improves crush, torque and kink resistance, extending cable life and reliability in demanding medical applications such as video endoscopy and powered surgical procedures.

The Gore™ cable has a rugged design to ensure reliable video images and consistent electrical performance where it is most critical, it said, adding that advances in medical equipment and

increased expectations for reliable performance require improved cable robustness.

The Gore medical cable is designed for use in applications where caster rollover, floor contact or cable torque is present. Other potential applications include surgical handpieces, foot switches or more general powered surgical instruments.

Contact: W. L. Gore & Associates, tel. 800-445-4673 or 302-292-5100; www.gore.com/medicalcable.

System Solutions Straighteners PS Rolls Guides Drives Preformers

Superior straighteners for demanding applications.

Are you looking for precision straightening units for demanding applications?

Precision roller mounting methods coupled with all roller adjustability provide operators with precise adjustment features .

WITELS-ALBERT USA Ltd. Phone: 410 228 8383, FAX: 410 228 1813 info@witels-albert-usa.com, www.witels-albert-usa.com

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Spooler can be used in-line with extrusion lines At wire Bangkok 2007, Germany's Maschinenfabrik Niehoff planned to present its NPS SV400 model, a single spooler for insulated conductors, that is part of the Niehoff Package System (NPS).

A press release noted that the system, which can process NPS400/100 spools with a flange diameter of 400 mm and a traverse width of 100 mm, which represents an “increasingly popular and handy miniature bundle format.”

This small package, the release said, complies with the requirements of the

Japanese automotive industry and can be directly manufactured inline with extrusions lines.

Several cable manufacturers in Asia, the release said, have already replaced the hard-to-handle cable rings

by NPS400/100 spools. “In Europe, the NPS has almost entirely replaced all alternatives such as cardboard barrels, boxes and disposable packaging,” it said.

Contact: Maschinenfabrik Niehoff GmbH & Co. KG/ Niehoff Endex North America Inc., ww.niehoff.de/ www.niehoff-usa.com.

UL-verified Cat. 6A shielded cable uses just one foil Hitachi Cable Manchester (HCM) reports that it has launched a new line of 10 gigabit Cat. 6A shielded (F/UTP) cables made at its plant in Manchester, New Hampshire, that meets UL requirements while eliminating some shielding.

A press release said that HCM “is the first cable manufacturer to obtain Underwriters Laboratories’ Category 6A verification for its 10 gigabit shielded cables.”

The verification, it said, ensures that the cables (CMP and CMR), when mated with verified Cat. 6A shielded connectivity, will deliver the highest performance possible.

One advantage to the new cable line is

92 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

that it uses a single foil wrapped around the cable core, the release said. Some other constructions, in addition to the outer foil wrap, also include a foil wrap around each of the four cable pairs, it said. Cutting out that extra construction helps reduce costs as well as reduce time for the termination process, it said. HCM Marketing Manager Steven Kenney said that in addition to being affordable and easy to install, the UL verification demonstrates that the cables will meet or surpass the requirements of the Cat. 6A standard.

Contact: Hitachi Cable Manchester, tel. 800-772-0116; www.hcm.hitachi.com.

Cable technology now has global market reach U.S.-based CommScope, Inc., announced that it has extended the reach of its SYSTIMAX® GigaSPEED® X10D FTP (Foiled Twisted Pair) Solution to the global market.

The solution, released in October 2006, was only available in the European, Middle East and African (EMEA) market, a press release said.

The technology, it said, was developed for customers around the world with a strong preference for FTP solutions and is designed to support and exceed the IEEE 802.3an 10GBASE-T (10 Gb/s Ethernet over twisted pair cabling) standard ratified last summer.

The release said that the cables have been optimized with the GigaSPEED X10D connectors and cords to minimize internal channel crosstalk and crosstalk between channels in close proximity. Further, they have a fourpair construction and aluminum foil tape and are equipped with a patented high-technology pair isolator and an optimized twist and strand scheme to provide an extra margin of performance for high-bandwidth applications, it said.

“The solution delivers next-generation support by providing double the bandwidth of today’s Cat. 6 cabling channel and guaranteed performance in worst-case installation conditions out to 500 MHz,” the release said.

Contact: CommScope, www. commscope.com.

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Corrugation line offers many special features Austria’s Rosendahl reports that its newest corrugation lines can help cable makers offer the highest cable quality while increasing productivity.

Special features, a press release said, include: a patented three-capstan concept for excellent process and impedance stability; three-step static forming stages to minimize VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio); an RF-Caterpillar for gentle handling of the welded tube via profiled belts and high speed stability due to digitally

synchronized drives; an eccentric corrugation head for long tool life and minimum tube wear; a special tool design for perfect corrugation profiles; helical and annular corrugation; a corrugator production speed up to 6000 rpm; a tube cleaning system that removes all lubricants and water from the corrugated conductor; an online contour measurement; process and cable design know-ho; and reduced product costs due to the ability to process thin wall copper tapes.

The release noted that the company’s technology can produce corrugated inner conductors and helically or annular corrugated outer conductors from ¼” up to 15/8” (optionally 2-1/4”) on one line.

Contact: Rosendahl GmbH, www.rosendahlaustria.com.

FTTP drop cable product line okay for many indoor-outdoor building applications U.S.-based Superior Essex, Inc., announced that its latest Fiber-to-thePremises (FTTP) drop cable product line was accepted for listing by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Rural Development Utilities Program (RDUP).

The newly listed cable products include the company’s Series 57 FTTP cables, which provides both a small diameter and

a UL-rated Optical Fiber Nonconductive Riser (OFNR) flame/safety rating, a press release said. The OFNR flame/safety rating, it noted, allows this cable to be installed outdoors as well as inside most commercial buildings and within typical residential buildings in the U.S. “Most people will quickly recognize the advantages of being able to use one cable

Calibrator documents and supports mechanical, electrical and thermal data Germany’s burster reports that its DIGISTANT® model 4423 represents the first calibrator that can supply the necessary information for mechanical, electrical and thermal values.

Quality assurance systems for production processes today require the regular recalibration of measurement equipment like control units, transmitters or sensors as well as documentation of the results, a press release said. It noted that the 4423 model “can not only calibrate almost anything but also supports the documentation of the calibration results effectively.” It said that 50 calibration routines with up to 21 measuring values each can be saved in the non-volatile memory, and that, after a check of the input data, a possible adjustment and a check of the output data the measuring values are acquired simultaneously.

The DIGISTANT can measure/source 13 types of thermal elements, 13 RTD types, resistance, current, voltage, frequency/ impulse, pressure, force, torque and displacement, the release said.

“Smart sensor interfaces have been developed to enable the carrying out of force, torque, displacement or pressure calibrations. Thus practically any sensors may be connected to the DIGISTANT.”.

The instrument-related software DIGICAL, developed especially for the DIGISTANT, supports the complete calibration process from establishing procedures to documenting the results according to DIN ISO 9000, while the results can be stored in the equipment for generating documentation and logging then later read out via the integrated USB interface, it said.

Contact: burster GmbH, www.burster.de. ■

for both indoor and outdoor applications,” said a company official, who noted that having an OFNR safety rating for outdoor applications is of value as cables that lack it “typically contain materials that are considered flammable, which can advance the spread of a fire to the home.”

Contact: Superior Essex, Inc., www.superioressex.com. ■

Sjogren Wedge Grips and Replacement Parts

Morgan-style

Sleeper & Hartley-style

Vaughn-style

Sleeper & Hartley-style with Thumb Release

Whether you require a standard wedge grip assembly or a customized unit, Sjogren Industries has the flexibility to manufacture an assembly to your requirements.

Sjogren Industries, Inc. Tel: 1-508-987-3206 Fax: 1-508-987-1965 Email: sales@sjogren.com www.sjogren.com

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Media Fastener company has updated, ‘user-friendly’ website Chandler Products, a manufacturer of cold-headed fasteners, announced that it has updated its website with a new userfriendly design and updated information.

The website now offers options that include a request form for quotes and the ability to place orders online. Other information available on the website includes product offerings and capabilities, engineering data capabilities, quality assurance, literature requests and affiliated resources, as well as contact information. Users can also submit fastener problems through the “Got a Fastener Problem?” option for help in finding a solution for their specific application needs.

Chandler Products notes that it has been

in the fastener industry for more than a half a century, although its roots trace back to 1913 when Frederick C. Chandler and seven others left Lozier Motors of Detroit to form their own automobile company. They produced several automobiles in the 1920s that sold quite well.

Eventually Chandler was sold to the Hupp Motor Car Company and the entire Chandler line was dropped.

In 1930, Chandler was commissioned to produce bolts for the Hupp Corporation.

The same dedication to quality that Chandler had put into cars was now turned to the manufacture of fasteners.

Contact: Chandler Products, www.chandlerproducts.com.

Genca.Your Complete Source for Wire & Cable Extrusion Tooling Products.

Genca, setting the standard in excellence with innovative solutions and quality engineering for a wide range of extrusion tooling products, including: Crossheads, In-Line Heads, Tips, Dies, Screws, Barrels Breaker Plates, and much more. For more information, contact Genca at 1-800-237-5448 or visit us online at www.genca.com.

THE PINNACLE OF INNOVATION

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Book is ‘how-to’ for moving to lean manufacturing In “Developing a Lean Workforce — A Guide for Human Resources, Plant Managers and Lean Coordinators,” authors Chris Harris and Rick Harris walk the reader through a simple, step-by-step guide for taking a mass production workforce — consisting of production associates, team leaders and area supervisors — and turning it into a lean production, frontline work force with the necessary skills, training and attitude.

Developing a Lean Workforce, by authors Rick Harris and Chris Harris, assists the reader in changing the way his or her facility looks at its people, and shows how it works by following a company that went through the process.

Contact: Productivity Press, productivitypress.com. ■

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WJI Classified Ad Information

Wire Journal International classified advertising is the most cost-effective way to get your sales message out through WJI’s circulation of more than 15,000. Your ad will also appear on wirenet.org and wcexpo.com, adding thousands of viewers.

WIRE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS seeking employment positions are entitled to FREE “Position Wanted” classified ads. Limit: one ad per issue, maximum three ads per year. This WAI membership benefit is not transferable to nonmembers or to companies.

CLASSIFIED AD RATES: • $1.25 per word for Wire Journal International and on-line classifieds at wirenet.org and wcexpo.com (20 word minimum). • Blind box numbers, add $10. • Boldface headlines, add $5 per line (up to 18 characters per line). Be sure to specify category.

BLIND BOX INFO: Blind box numbers assure the confidentiality of the advertiser in both the WJI and the on-line publication. Responses are mailed out within two business days after

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES SENIOR QUALITY & STANDARDS ENGINEER. Alcan Cable, a manufacturer of aluminum wire and cable, has an opening for a Senior Quality and Standards Engineer in the Technology Center in Williamsport, PA. The position is responsible for managing and directing divisional Quality Management, Customer Support, Cable Design, Laboratory Accreditation and Product Certifications.

Position is also accountable for managing an effective system to achieve and maintain the certifications and listings for new products from national and international laboratories (UL, CSA, ANCE, etc.).

The incumbent will manage a department comprised of at least 1 supervisor and several technologists/ technicians.

Job Requirements: • 5 -7 years of experience in the testing and application of electrical products, preferably in a manufacturing environment.

receipt. Responses to Blind Box ads should be addressed to: Wire Journal International, Box number (as it appears in print or on-line), P.O. Box 578, Guilford, CT 06437-0578 USA. PAYMENT POLICY: No agency commissions or cash discounts allowed. Ads are billed upon publication, or on secure cyber-cash sites on-line.

DEADLINES: Copy is due a full month in advance, i.e., it must be received by March 1 for publication in the April issue.

Classifieds booked on-line, run for at least one-month on-line, from the date of booking. Wire Journal International “Print classifieds” booked on-line as an “add-on” to an “on-line classified” booking will run in the next available issue of the WJI. USE OF THE WIRE JOURNAL CLASSIFIED ORDER BLANK located on the reverse side. Please type all copy submitted. Fax copies are acceptable; our fax number is 203-4538384. Telephone orders will not be accepted.

COMMISSION BROKERS, INC. EQUIPMENT SPECIALISTS TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRE & CABLE INDUSTRY APPRAISERS • COMMISSION BROKERS • INDIVIDUAL PIECES OR ENTIRE PLANTS

FOR SALE 1 - NORTHAMPTON 760mm D.T. Buncher 1 - NORTHAMPTON 630mm D.T. Buncher 1 - NEW ENGLAND BUTT 12-Head 18” Planetary Cabler 1 - WATSON 36” Rotating Cabler Line 1 - SYNCRO FX-13 Rod Breakdown Drawing Line, Copper 2 - VAUGHN 10-Die Rod Breakdown Drawing Lines, AL and CU 1 - ENTWISTLE 4.5” 24:1 L/D PVC Extruder 1 - DAVIS STANDARD 2.5” 24:1 L/D Nylon Extruder 1 - D/S 2” 30:1 L/D Hi-Temp Extrusion Line 1 - D/S 2” 24:1 L/D / 1.25” 30:1 L/D Extrusion Line 6 - BARTELL 60”, 72” Payoffs and Take-ups 1 - 30” Core Neutralizer Payoff 1 - NEB 18-Head 22” Rigid Strander, L-R

1 - CLIPPER Model PS50 Parallel Axis Dual Reel Take-up 1 - CLIPPER Model PS36 Parallel Axis Dual Reel Take-up 1 - ENTWISTLE 36” Dual Reel Take-up, Model THE 24/36 1 - DAVIS STANDARD 30” Dual Reel Take-up 1 - SYNCRO DFH Spooler, 30” Reel w/ENDEX Dancer 1 - DAVIS ELECTRIC Model CRS30 Rewinder 1 - E.J.R. Triple Head Taper, Model 2002HT 1 - VIDEOJET Model 37e InkJet Printer, new 2000 1 - ADVANTAGE Chiller, Model MK-25AM41HBX, 9/98 41 - 48” x 32-1/4” ID x 25” Barrel x 3” Arbor Toroidal Reels

Contact: Martin Kenner

COMMISSION BROKERS, INC. P.O. Box 8456 • Cranston, RI 02920-0456 • Tel. (401) 943-3777 • Fax: (401) 943-3670 WEB: www.commissionbrokers.com • E-MAIL: marty137@aol.com

SEPTEMBER 2007 95

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WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFIED AD INFORMATION NAME _________________________________________________________________________TITLE_________________________________________________________ COMPANY ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY ________________________________________STATE _______________POSTAL CODE _____________________COUNTRY_______________________________ PHONE ______________________________FAX________________________________EMAIL ______________________________________________________________ AD CATEGORY____________ ISSUE YOUR AD BEGINS___________E-mail NUMBER OF ISSUES RUN _______LAST ISSUE ________________RUN TILL FURTHER NOTICE? YES____ NO ____ FULL RUN (WJI & ON-LINE) YES____ NO ____

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Send to: Attn: Classified WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL P.O. Box 578 Guilford, CT 06437-0578 USA

HEADLINE (MAXIMUM 18 CHARACTERS) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ HEADLINE, 2ND LINE (18 CHARACTERS) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ENTER COPY HERE: RATE: Head @ $5 line $ _________ Full run: word count @ 1.25 $ _________ Blind box @ $10 $ _________ Total cost of insertion $ _________

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

• Demonstrated proficiency in applying quality principles and tools

Alcan Cable is located in Williamsport Pennsylvania, a medium sized city with ready access to a wide range of exciting outdoor activities. In addition to a competitive salary, we also offer an excellent benefit package which includes Medical/Dental Insurance, Pension Plan, 401K Savings, Disability Plan and Bonus Plan. Qualified applicants should submit a letter of application, resume and salary requirements to: Alcan Cable, Human Resources – Senior Quality & Standards Engineer, 409 Reighard Avenue, Williamsport, PA 1770.

F I E L D S E RV I C E E N G I N E E R .

Growing Mid-West area international CNC wire forming machinery distributor has an immediate opening for an entry level field service engineer. A minimum of an Associate’s degree in engineering technology is desired. This person will be trained to install and start-up wire and tube bending/forming machinery, provide on-site operator training, trouble-shoot machinery in the field and via telephone, assist operators via telephone, receive and ship spare parts to customers, etc. Desired qualifications include electrical and electronic knowledge, mechanical aptitude, and basic computer skills. Hydraulic knowledge a plus. Strong oral and written communication skills are necessary. Willingness to travel is a strong requirement, up to 50% of the year. Travel includes flying and driving. Must be able to travel outside of the USA. Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits include health and dental insurance, company funded 401(k).Please respond to Box 9-3.

• Strong interpersonal skills to be able to effectively interact with people at all levels with tact and diplomacy, including Technology staff, Cable plants, Sales/Marketing, IT, and outside agencies. Supervisory experience preferred.

• Previous success in managing a laboratory information system.

• Familiarity with, and prior involvement in the standards development process is preferred.

Serving the non-ferrous and ferrous industries since 1983

96 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

ACCOUNT MANAGERS WANTED. T&T Marketing, a growing compound distributor and manufacturer in the Wire & Cable Industry is seeking highly motivated sales managers for the New

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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

DIES

MEDIA

England and the Midwest (Chicago) areas. Products include: PVC, PE, TPV, TPE, TPU, EPDM, Nylon, Filling Gels, Fluoropolymers, Masterbatches, and LSNH materials. Ten years sales experience and willingness to travel required.

Wire & Cable experience highly preferred. Excellent salary, commissions and benefits. Qualified candidates may send resumes by e-mail to resume@ ttmarketinginc.com.

lent lead times. Contact Paulette, OwnerSales, by telephone at 1-508-226-1508 or by e-mail at apollodie@ wmconnect.com.

Part 3: Annealing Problems (37 min.). The set can be ordered for $285, $225 for WAI members, plus shipping, or by individual parts for $95, $75 for WAI members, plus shipping. To order, go to wirenet.org and click on the icon at the lower right side of the screen for the WAI Store.

INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR We are a 65-year-old manufacturing company, with 26 products that could be added to your distributor list. We are looking for independent distributors already involved in the wire industry, with at least 10 years experience. Please provide resume to Box 9-2.

PERSONNEL SERVICES LET OUR SUCCESS BE YOUR SUCCESS.” Wire Resources is the foremost recruiting firm in the Wire & Cable Industry. For 30 plus years our clients have secured the services of thousands of key individual contributors, managers and executives. For corporations we provide recruitment, outplacement, and salary assessment functions. For the job seeker exploring new opportunities, we provide a wealth of information. Our services are performed in absolute confidence. Contact: WIRE RESOURCES, INC. 522 E. Putnam Ave, Greenwich, CT 06830, tel: 203-622-3000 or 800394-WIRE, email: wri@wireresources. com, Internet www.wireresources.com.

DUNHILL PROFESSIONAL SEARCH OF GREENWOOD. Serving the Wire and Cable Industry since 1978. Phone: 864-366-5555; e-mail dunhill@wctel.net. Contact: Hal Freese.

DIES DIES. Case size R4s and up. Send us your dies. We will sort, check for cracks and buy usable dies. 205-841-8400.

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APOLLO DIA-CARB COMPANY. Buy & sell new/used Natural & PCD DIAMOND DIES. Fair prices & excel-

MOLONEY DIE COMPANY. Low prices on all sizes of new, used and recut carbide dies. We also recut tapered nibs.

Fast turn-around. Quality service since 1985. Tel. 904-388-3654.

CARBIDE SPECIALISTS, INC. offers excellent quality, price and delivery on all carbide wire die needs (R2-R12). Yes, you can have all three! Give us an opportunity to prove it. For personal attention to your specific requirements, contact Ray Northern at 440-951-4027; fax 440-954-9094.

THE BOOK OF WIRE & Cable TERMS. This 350-page book is an indispensable publication covering both ferrous and nonferrous terminology.

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BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY WIRE MILL FOR SALE. Northeast location close to all major shipping arteries.

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EQUIPMENT WANTED WE BUY SURPLUS LASER MICROMETERS. For a quote simply fax or email the manufacturer name and model #'s. Any condition. Fax 1-386426-2056; e-mail: johnknight@ microtex.net; www.microtex.net.

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MEDIA ANNEALING: PARTS 1-3. This threepart video set presents information from industry expert Dr. Horace Pops. His research, technical conferences and symposia has been assembled into this detailed tutorial for wire industry professionals.

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Electrical Manufacturing Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 619-435-3629

Anbao Wire &Mesh Co Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 BJ Hur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 86-335-389-3600

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Beneke Wire Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Michael Beneke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 502-367-6434

FMS Force Measuring Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Paul Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ph. 847-392-7872

Beta LaserMike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Bob Stockholm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 937-233-9935

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Gem Gravure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 David Gemelli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 781- 878-0456

Canterbury Engineering Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Brian Schemenaur, Bill Holmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 800-241-7650

Genca Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94 Brian Schemenaur, Bill Holmes . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 727- 524-3622

Carris Reels, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 David Ferraro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 802-773-9111

GCR/Eurodraw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 39-029-39631

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W. Gillies Technologies LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Mark Spencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 508-852-2502

Copperweld . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Anthony Hale, Barry Moorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 931-433-0465

Gimax Srl/Cable Consultants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17-18 Enrico Romagnolo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 39-0444-551790

Dow Wire & Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 800-441-4369

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SALES OFFICES NORTH AMERICA

EUROPE

Robert J. Xeller Anna Bzowski Wire Journal International 1570 Boston Post Road P.O. Box 578 Guilford, CT 06437-0578 USA Tel: (203) 453-2777 Fax: (203) 453-8384

U.K., France, Spain, Holland, Belgium, Denmark & Scandinavia Jennie Franks P.O. Box 33 Moulton Newmarket, Suffolk, England CB81SH Tel: +44-1638-751132 Fax: +44-1638-750933 E-mail: franksco@ btopenworld.com

98 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

ASIA/WAI India Office Germany, Austria, & Switzerland Dagmar Melcher Media Service International P.O. Box 103 D-82402 Seeshaupt Germany Tel: +49-8801-914682 Fax: +49-8801-914683 E-mail: DMelcher@t-online.de

Anand Bhagwat Wire & Cable Services Pvt. Ltd. (WCS) E-mail abhagwat@wirenet.org or mobile 91-98-508-38467

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ADVERTISER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PAGE

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Lesmo Machinery America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Allan Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 905-761-6165

Howar Equipment/Metavan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91 Chris Hauer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 905- 738-4010

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Mathiasen Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96 Mark Mathiasen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 860-873-1423

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Huestis Machine Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16, 24 Joe Snee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ph. 800-972-9222

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CBR931 – SETIC 4 pair Group Twinner, Year of EXTRUSION Manufacture:LINES 2000 PLANETARY CABLER Double Twist Model GT560-4-4-M, 2IIIOFF SRT350-2 EXPL231 3 1/2” D.Std. 24:wire 1 Therm jacketing line.

CBR751 22” Watson 37 (6+12+18) planetary Equalizing DRM Cross Member Motor(2) Skalteks A12PS, 40” Hall800 belttaper, cat, Viteck TDV-260-3 cabling linecapstans, with dual capstan, binder, 84” shaftizedvert.

Payoff, TRLB -1-MTURA Motorized Tape Applica22” accum 16’,400 (2) D.E. 36” takeups, CTC less takeup, 72” S/L payoff. torCRT350 Capstan, 1000 Single Twist tape payoff, Rotating cone former, binder,AST Lasermike, Zumbach TAKEUPS Cabler. 5000 TPM. Quantity: 2 eachcounter, Videojet CAPAC, Fusion UV cure, Hall footage TKU846 NEW Samp 560mm dual shaftless parallel 9900 printer, trough.

CBR933 –6” SETIC 424:1 pair Group Twinner, Year of axis hi speed takeup forJacketing telephone.

EXPL232 NRM line, Manufacture: 2000 TKU845 EKP50 parallel axis hi(2) SkaltekNokia A12PS payoff,mm s (2)dual 60” reel Bartell takeups w/OH Back Twist Model GTSD30” N-4-4-M, 2 Off 30T SRT traverse, 36”Payoffs, Royle B/W capstan, horiz accum, speed takeups.

350-2 Equalizing Capstans, TRLB 400 -1-M Motorized Carrier chiller, Zumbach CAPAC, Videojet 9900shaft printer, TKU837 36” Davis Electric TAP-36, parallel Tapefootage Applicator, DRM900 Cross Hall counters, Fusion cure,member trough. motorized w/dancer. payoff, CRT350 Rotating Capstan, AST 1000 Single EXPL230 6” Davis Standard 24:1mTherm IIItire Jacketing TKU792 NEW Rosendahl 2.2 portal type traTwist Cabler.

5000 TPM. Quantity: 2 each line, (1987), versing take40” upMGS/Hall w/accum.belt caterpuller, (2) 60” Bartell takeups, 10 ton chiller, Zumbach CAPAC, Beta laserTKU841 60” - 96” Bartell shaftless take ups/payoff. mike, footage counter, trough, Viteck TDV-240-4 22” vert Skaltek portal payoffs & takeups Models: UX25T, 16’ accumulator.

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Jacketing 40”AX26, Hall belt Viteck TDV-400COILERS CBR928 mmtakeups, 12+12 position 4 22” vert.ROSENDAHL accum, (2) 60” 500 Bartell footage ribbon strander – and CLR127 (5) Reelex/Windings dual figure 8 UV winders, counter, Videojet, 20Pourtier. ton chiller, trough, fusion cure SKALTEK Floor traversing, Payoffs and Takeups: oven, dryer, (2) Skaltek A12PS payoffs.

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1.6m, 2.0m, 2.2m, 2.5m, 3.0m. 24:1 Therm III, 1995, EXTRUDERS EXPL233 4 1/2” Davis Standard NOKIA DUAL TAKEUPS (3) EKP-5 2001,30”Sterling (2) EKP-50 Jacketing (2) 48” Hall driven Payoffs, Lot: D. St.Line, extruders, 6” 24:1, 4 1/2” 24:1, 3 1/2” 24:1, 1998, (2) EKP-100 1995. dual capstan, Viteck TDV-300-4 14” vertical accum, (2)

2 1/2” 24:1 vertical, 2” 24:1.

60” Bartell takeups, footage counter, lasermike, trough, Fusion UV cure oven, print head.

EXPL304 – ROSENDAHL Skin-Foam-Skin InsulaEXTRUDERS tion Line,NEW Year Samp 2000. Deangeli TE35/24, 1 1/2” verEXP604 Henrich Drawing TYPE UWG 17EXP637 (2) 1 with 3/4”Annealer, Entwistle, hi-temp (FEP), Thertical extruder motor. Preheater 01-26, Extruders: 30mm, moflite EITE-01-GL-200-3/P-RE. extruders, 24:1 L/D, 42” Centerline, 5-Zone.

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(1989), 250 RPM max, 3” - 18” lay Quantity: 1 each dual capstan. range, 1” OD max, 6000 LB max, 30 HP DC cradle CBR741/CBR743 36” Cook S. twist bunchers, drive, 15 HP AC reel(3) drive.

BH-36, Yr. Mfg. 1972, 14” conc. taper, also (1) BHCBR800 48” Northampton (NMC) D. Twist strander 30, BH24, Yr. traverse, 1978. S/L cradle, dual capstan, (2) (bow(3) type), Uhing CBR716/CBR722 (9) 760 mm Samp D.T. bunchers, conc. binders.

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L100 cutter counter, OTHER IN STOCK CBR708 60”EQUIPMENT Ceeco footage 1+6 planetary cabler.

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CBR923 POURTIER 1250mm trav.

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Twister, 12CBR720 2.2m Pourtier drum (5) 1.8m 630mm Payoffs.

RWD376Neutralizing 40” Viteck rewind linetwisting with S/Lline takeup, S/L rotating payoffs, rot. Cat, binder.

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Motorized payoff DIN 1000 reels, 90 mm Biwater Mfg 1980’s. extruder head, gravimetCLR15424:1,Microdia (2) Reelex S500 (1)Maguire LH, 1 RH, single w/ WRD690 Syncro F13 13 die, 350140T HP drive, ric blender,dancer.

100 meter O.H. accumulator, 800mm controls, RA5, 300 KVA annealer, 30” spooler, 30” drop diameter driven capstan, Biwater dispatch CLR155belt (2) Reelex D500, (1)500mm RH, single w/controls, coiler. Reelex BDA630 vertical accumulator, Reelex winder, dancer.

WRD691 (4) Syncro C13 Dwg. Machine, D1500 dual head auto cut andinter. change over.

Quantity: BRAIDERS 1ceramics, each 100 HP DC, C3 annealer, 30” spooler.

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TBR145/TBR146 (2) 630mm 1+6 (2) 1+12 Shadowgraphs, etc. 24 BRD305 Wardwell Carrier cable.

630mm Ceeco tubular stranders, encircling DANCERS/ACCUMULATORS bearing, spin safe cradles.

DAN187 (6) Reelex motorized AC300 dancers.

MISCELLANEOUS DAN184Sciences (16) Hall dancers 10’ +/Unit Yr. Mfg. 1990, Energy Irradiation nitrogen generator.

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SEPTEMBER 2007 99

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Talladega Machinery & Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Bob Douglas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ph. 256-480-5124

Precision Wire Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97 Glen Early . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 800-358-9942

Tubular Products Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Steve Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 205-856-1300

Properzi International, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Harold Howes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 563-445-0700

Upcast Oy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 358-207-577-400

Queins & Company GmbH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 H. G. Queins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 49-2472-8080

Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99 Rahul Sachdev . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 860-583-4646

Rosendahl Maschinen GmbH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Mike Kos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 828-328-4319

Witels Albert USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91 Bob Flower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 410-228-8383

Reel-O-Matic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Brian Rich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 405-672-0000

Woodburn Diamond Die, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Jackie Lichty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 260-632-4217

SAMP USA Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 David Graff, Debbie Harwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 301-223-8584

Wyrepak Industries, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Ray Browne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 860-632-5477

Sanxin Wire Die . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Doug Thornton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 434-906-2340

Zumbach Electronics Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Keith Donahue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 914-241-7080

Sealeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Eliz Rinehart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 804- 275-1075 Sheaves Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92 Stew Walton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 866-344-6786 SIKORA AG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Jeff Swinchatt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 770-486-1233 SIKORA International USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Jeff Swinchatt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 770-486-1233 Sjogren Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93 Carl Sjogren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 508-987-3206 Sweed Machinery Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Curt Spivey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ph. 541-855-1512

Wire Association International ads Contact: . . . . . . . . . .Ph: 203-453-2777 Fax: 203-453-8384 Wire Expo 2008 Exhibit Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Wire Expo 2008: Call for Papers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25, 26 2008 WJI Reference Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 WAI Membership Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Bologna International Technical Conference . . . . . . . . . . .66, 68

Coming next month â&#x20AC;˘ Compounds, Colorants & Additives

SALES OFFICES NORTH AMERICA

EUROPE

Robert J. Xeller Anna Bzowski Wire Journal International 1570 Boston Post Road P.O. Box 578 Guilford, CT 06437-0578 USA Tel: (203) 453-2777 Fax: (203) 453-8384

U.K., France, Spain, Holland, Belgium, Denmark & Scandinavia Jennie Franks P.O. Box 33 Moulton Newmarket, Suffolk, England CB81SH Tel: +44-1638-751132 Fax: +44-1638-750933 E-mail: franksco@ btopenworld.com

100 WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

ASIA/WAI India Office Germany, Austria, & Switzerland Dagmar Melcher Media Service International P.O. Box 103 D-82402 Seeshaupt Germany Tel: +49-8801-914682 Fax: +49-8801-914683 E-mail: DMelcher@t-online.de

Anand Bhagwat Wire & Cable Services Pvt. Ltd. (WCS) E-mail abhagwat@wirenet.org or mobile 91-98-508-38467

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