Part II: Corporate Social Responsibility

WIRE JOURNAL DECEMBER 2019

®

INTERNATIONAL www.wirenet.org

Corporate Social Responsibility Part 2

Plus: Wire and Cable Verona Wrapup

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CONTENTS

Volume 50 | No. 12 | December 2019

IN EVERY ISSUE Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Industry News . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0

36

Patent Report . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0

42

Asian Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4 People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6

FEATURES

Fiber Watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8

Wrapup: Verona ITC . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Fastener Update . . . . . . . . . . 2 9

It is unknown whether Shakespeare ever visited Verona, the setting for two of his plays—Romeo and Juliet and The Two Gentlemen of Verona—but the location proved to be superb for the Oct. 21-22 staging of Wire & Cable Verona 2019. The presentations might not have been as lyric, but this audience loved them.

WAI News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 0 Chapter Corner. . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 Technical Papers . . . . . . . 5 2 - 6 2 Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 3 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1 Career Opportunities . . . . . . 7 1 Advertisers’ Index . . . . . . . . . 7 2

Part II: Corporate Social Responsibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 In Part 1 in the October WJI, the focus was on the largest wire and cable manufacturers. In Part 2, the focus is on smaller companies, and it’s a different story. What can a company do without big staffs and budgets? Here, three manufacturers discuss what they have done, and two experts—including a supply chain guru—insist that steps can be taken without risking an operation’s viability.

TECHNICAL PAPERS NEXT ISSUE

January 2020

• Marketing: social media • Sector Update: Take-ups & Payoffs

Transverse load influence on tensile fatigue resistance of high-strength steel wires for structural applications in civil engineering Maricely De Abreu, Mihaela Iordachescu and Andres Valiente 52 IWCS Paper: Radiation tolerant optical fibers as sensors to measure process and environmental responses to polymeric materials Eric Goldberg, Lauren Richardson, Cliff Wagner, Dan Homa, Gary Pickrell, Anastasia Yakusheva, Matthew Davis and Brian Risch

58

COVER Part 2 of the WJI feature on corporate social responsibility and whether it can be embodied in the operation of smaller manufacturers.

DECEMBER 2019 | 3

CONTENTS

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

32 Technical conference marked 20th anniversary for WAI’s Poland Chapter The 8th International Drawing Conference 2019, held Nov. 6-8 in Podlesice, Poland, marked two special hallmarks for the organizers: it was the 20th anniversary for WAI’s Poland Chapter, and 70 years for Czestochowa University of Technology (CUT), which has been a key affiliate and supporting body to the chapter. Above, Hans Kusters, president of the European Committee for Wire Drawing, presents his Plenary Lecture.

4 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

36 Verona ITC an inspirational event The quality of the presentations at the International Technical Conference (ITC), held Oct. 21-22 in Verona, Italy, and planned by the Italian Machinery Manufacturers Association (ACIMAF) and the WAI, was roundly praised by attendees. The 11 presentations ranged from industry outlooks to new technology. The first day also included tabletop displays and a gala dinner, while the next day saw two plant tours and a memorable tour of the Masi winery, and calls for another ITC to be held.

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EDITORIAL WIRE JOURNAL ®

EDITORIAL

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

If you plan to skip the feature, read this 1st The feature in this issue on corporate social responsibility (CSR) covers small- and medium-sized manufacturers, but it’s also lacking. In one key area, the supply chain, there was little rush by manufacturers to be part of a conversation that was on the record. Yet the topic is not part of an alien world.

To that end, below are some excerpts from the feature Q&A with EcoVadis’s Dave McClintock, who stressed that SCR is not an all-or-nothing deal, that the starting point can be simple and that it can lead to a positive ROI ... if you look into it.

McClintock: EcoVadis views sustainability assessment through a contextual lens. ... That basically means the relevance to their business activity, and their size. Thus ... the expectations for a small company are far different from a large one to be “sustainable.” ... It could be as simple as choosing an alternative renewable energy provider for electricity. ... Sustainability is part of a sound business plan and is a differentiator to win over new business. Companies big and small are realizing this and driving more sustainable outcomes to do good for the world, and the bottom line.

Supply Chain guru Robert Martichenko also has some cogent thoughts, so give the feature a try.

A memorable ITC return to Italy Shakespeare never thought of manufacturing when he penned Romeo and Juliet and The Two Gentlemen of Verona, but the backdrop of the location was just one more element that made the Oct. 21-22 event seem so right. The presentations were good, attendee interaction was positive, and the plant tours/ winery visit all meshed well. See p. 36.

Kudos to WAI’s Poland Chapter WAI’s Poland Chapter, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary, was active in the Nov. 6-8 staging of the 8th International Drawing Conference. See p. 32. The chapter has been a key organizer of the biennial conference.

Congratulations go to chapter President Prof. Jan Pilzarzyk and Vice President Prof. Tadeusz Knych, both of whom are past winners of the Association’s Mordica Memorial Award.

Mark Marselli Editor-in-chief

6 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

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CALENDAR FEBRUARY 19-22, 2020: AWPA Annual Meeting Scottsdale, Arizona. This event will be held at the Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch. Contact: AWPA, tel. 703-299-4434, info@awpa.org, www.awpa.org.

MARCH 24-26, 2020: UL and IWCS China 2020 Shanghai, China. This event will be held at the Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre. www.ulandiwcschina.org.

MARCH 30-APRIL 3, 2020: wire Düsseldorf 2020 Düsseldorf, Germany. This biennial event, the industry’s largest, will be held at the Messe fairgrounds. Contact: Messe Düsseldorf North America, tel. 312-781-5180, info@mdna.com, www.mdna.com.

APRIL 18, 2020: WCMA Annual Distinguished Career Award Harford, Connecticut. The Hartford Convention Center, will hold this event by the Wire & Cable Manufacturers Alliance, Inc. (WCMA). Registration/hotel room booking will open in early 2020. For more event details, go to https://wcmainc.org/page/distinguished-career-award.

JUNE 2-4, 2020: WAI Operations Summit & Wire Expo Uncasville, Connecticut, USA. This WAI event, to be held at the Mohegan Sun, will include its trade show, operational programs and WAI’s 90th Annual Convention. The conference is June 2-4, and the trade show is June 3-4, www.wireexpo20.com.

JUNE 11-13, 2020: Guangzhou International Wire, Cable and Accessories Fair Guangzhou, China. This annual event, to be held at the Bombay Exhibition Center, is organized by Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd., and others. Tel. 86-20-3825-1558, wire@china.messefrankfurt.com, www.china.messefrankfurt.com.

SEPT. 23-26, 2020: wire China Shanghai, China. The 9th staging of wire China will be held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) in Shanghai, China. The event is organized by Messe Düsseldorf and its subsidiary, Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. www.wirechina.net.

OCT. 11-14, 2020: 69th IWCS International Cable & Connectivity Symposium Providence, Rhode Island, USA. Contact: Michelle Melsop, IWCS, mmelsop@iwcs.org, www.iwcs.org.

NOV. 23-25, 2020: wire & Cable India Mumbai, India. This biennial event, to be held at the Bombay Exhibition Center, is organized by Messe Düsseldorf GmbH. Contact: Messe Düsseldorf North America, tel. 312-781-5180, info@mdna.com, www.mdna.com.

MAY 10-13, 2021: Interwire 2021 & WAI’s 91st Annual Convention Atlanta, Georgia, USA. This WAI event, to be held at the Georgia World Congress Center, includes its trade show, technical programs and 91st Annual Convention. www.wirenet.org.

WIRE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL EVENTS JAN. 23, 2020: New England Chapter Annual Meeting Uncasville, Connecticut, USA. Contact: Shannon Timme, tel. 203-453-2777, ext. 126, stimme@wirenet.org.

JUNE 2-4, 2020: WAI Operations Summit & Wire Expo Uncasville, Connecticut, USA. This WAI event, to be held at the Mohegan Sun, will include its trade show, operational programs and

8 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

WAI’s 90th Annual Convention. The conference is June 2-4, and the trade show is June 3-4. For more details, go to www.wireexpo20.com.

Conference Chairman Antonio Ayala at ayala1953@gmail.com or Bob Xeller, tel. 203-453-2777, ext. 119, bxeller@wirenet.org

OCT. 27-29, 2020: ITC Monterrey Monterrey, Mexico. To be held at the Crowne Plaza, this WAI event will include a technical program, table tops, plant tours and a fundamentals course. Contact: Steve Fetteroll, tel. 203-453-2777, ext. 115, sfetteroll@wire.org. Also,

MAY 10-13, 2021: Interwire 2021 & WAI’s 91st Annual Convention Atlanta, Georgia, USA. This WAI event, to be held at the Georgia World Congress Center, includes its trade show, technical programs and 91st Annual Convention. www.wirenet.org.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

INDUSTRY NEWS Citing harsh market conditions, Bekaert plans to close its U.S. plant in Shelbyville The Bekaert Group announced that it will phase out its U.S. steel wire operations at its Shelbyville plant in Kentucky, laying off approximately a hundred employees.

A press release said that Bekaert intends to phase out the steel wire production at the plant by January 2020.

The Shelbyville plant makes steel wire for sectors such as construction, consumer goods and industrial. “External developments in demand and pricing trends have had a negative impact on the profitability and competitive position of Bekaert Shelbyville over the past years, calling for a realignment of our steel wire solutions activities in the country,” it said.

The Dramix® production line serving concrete reinforcement markets will remain in Shelbyville until a permanent location is determined. Some of the product lines made at Shelbyville will be moved to two other U.S. Bekaert plants—Van Buren, Arkansas, and Orrville, Ohio—while others will be stopped or sourced and distributed through alternative channels. The plan is to extend the manufacturing operations in Van Buren and Orrville with the respective technology and expertise.

“Management regrets the need to implement this measure, but sees no other option to safeguard a long-term competitive position of its steel wire activities in North America,” the release said. “The steel wire solutions activities are projected to further contract in the last quarter, mainly because of the impact of the social protest actions in Latin America, trade tariffs, and further economic slowdown globally. We do not foresee a downturn in construction markets other than the usual seasonality impact and we expect the business environment ... to remain challenging.

into the U.S. market at less than fair market value and had received illegal subsidies from the Chinese government. It issued two separate penalties that ITC has now approved.

DoC had set a dumping rate of 63.47% for mandatory respondents Shanghai Silin Special Equipment Co., Ltd. and Hebei Huatong Wires and Cables Group Co., Ltd.; a separate rate of 58.51% for certain other companies; and 63.47% for all other Chinese producers and exporters.

The subsidy rate was 165.63% for mandatory respondents Shanghai Silin Special Equipment Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Yang Pu Qu Gong; 33.44% to mandatory respondent Changfeng Wire & Cable Co., Ltd.; and 33.44% for all other Chinese producers and exporters.

An official of Southwire Company, which along with Encore Wire Corporation had petitioned for the penalties, lauded the decision. “Southwire has long been a believer in the power of free trade, and the ITC’s finding, coupled with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s final determinations on dumping and illegal subsidization, will better allow us to compete with Chinese producers of wire and cable on a level playing field,” said Southwire Executive Vice President and CCO Norman Adkins.

With the ITC vote, Commerce was expected to issue AD/ CVD orders by Dec. 9, 2019. Commerce will also instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to begin collecting cash deposits on such imports at rates ranging from 81.27% to 218.42%. In 2018, imports of aluminum wire and cable from China were valued at an estimated $115 million.

Prior bid dropped, British Steel agrees to be bought by a Chinese company Jingye Steel has entered into a deal to buy British Steel, which had previously agreed to be sold to a buyer—Oyak, a Turkish army pension fund—that later dropped its offer because the operations were not commercially viable.

Per published reports, China’s Jingye Steel, via its U.K. operations, has entered into a contract to buy British Steel. British Steel’s Official Receiver and others part of the process, confirmed that contracts have been entered

ITC confirms penalties against imported Chinese aluminum wire and cable The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), finding that imported aluminum wire and cable from China was sold below market rates and had been supported by illegal subsidies, has imposed substantial penalties.

A press release said the ruling supports the Oct. 22 findings of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DoC) that Chinese manufacturers had been selling these products

Jingye Steel has entered into a deal to buy British Steel.

British Steel photo.

Got news? E-mail it to the WJI at editor@wirenet.org.

10 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

Anixter agrees to be acquired for $3.8 billion by investment firm Anixter International Inc., reports that its board of directors has unanimously agreed for the company to be bought for approximately $3.8 billion from an affiliate of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R), a private investment firm.

A press release said that the deal to acquire Anixter, which supplies communications and security products and electrical and electronic wire and cable, is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2020, pending approvals. Founded in 1957, the Fortune 500 company notes that it stocks some 65,000 products, the world’s largest and broadest range of wire and cable.

“We believe this transaction is in the best interest of Anixter and our stockholders,” Anixter President and CEO Bill Galvin said in the announcement. He observed that CD&R has a strong reputation and a track record of success in helping industrial distributors, like Anixter, prosper and grow. “It’s a great outcome for Anixter’s employees, customers and partners. As a private company,

Wire & cable in the news What’s a Russian spy ship up to?

Yantar can deploy deep-diving submarines, has two different remote-operated vehicle (ROV) systems and can A recent report in Forbes asks whether the Yantar, a reach almost any undersea cable on the planet. That, the Russian Navy ship known for spending time at locations article said, includes deep water where a cable would be where undersea cables are laid, has been up to no good. considered safe.

The Nov. 11 report, citing open source intelligence, said Described by Russia as an that the controversial suspected oceanographic research vessel, spy ship left her home port in early the Yantar has been known October, and was not seen until to have conducted searches Nov. 8 in the Caribbean. The sudden near Internet cables in the appearance of the Yantar by ship Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. trackers was deemed “unusual.”

In 2016, it was tracked off the Per the Forbes report, the Yantar Syrian coast, making “frequent had been previously detected in stops at points along a cable route the vicinity of the undersea cables (that) suggested a submersible which connect the world. Called was examining the sea floor.”

Submarine Communications Cables Yantar’s previous deploy(SCC), these crisscross the world’s The Yantar’s unknown itinerary has made it ments have been visible on the oceans carrying Internet traffic and “a vessel of interest.”

Automated Identification System military communications.

(AIS). Because she is ostensibly a The Yantar was described as being research ship, she broadcasts her position on AIS to avoid of particular interest among Western navies because it collisions. But this AIS appears to have been switched off was suspected of placing listening devices on underfor most of the voyage. This could well be a non-story, sea communications. The vessel was said to be specially but if nothing else, it does have some of the makings for a equipped for clandestine missions, having at least three movie script. separate systems for conducting seabed warfare. The DECEMBER 2019 | 11

INDUSTRY NEWS

into with Jingye Steel (UK) Ltd. and Jingye Steel (UK) Holding Ltd., to acquire the business and assets of British Steel Limited in liquidation, including the steelworks at Scunthorpe and U.K. mills and the subsidiary businesses of FN Steel, British Steel France and TSP Engineering.

The deal has yet to be finalized, and is conditional on regulatory approvals and certain employee consultation procedures. “The parties are working together to conclude a sale as soon as reasonably practicable...and the business will continue to trade as normal, during the period between exchange and completion ...”

Per the reports, Jingye is a privately owned Chinese corporation founded and led by Li Ganpo a former senior Communist Party official who became a self-made industrial tycoon. His Jingye Group has interests in steel and manufacturing, chemicals, real estate, finance, trade, pharmaceutical, hotels and tourism. It has more than 22,000 employees.

British Steel, which includes wire rod in its product mix, was described as Britain’s second largest steelmaker after Tata Steel. The steelmaker was put into liquidation in May, years after being acquired by private equity firm Greybull Capital LLP for 1 pound. The offer from Oyak has been reported as having been between $73 million and $85 million. At one point, Oyak had told The Guardian that it was considering doubling the production capacity of British Steel.

INDUSTRY NEWS

we believe Anixter will have greater flexibility to focus on and accelerate our long-term strategic priorities.”

“Anixter is an exceptionally well-positioned industrial distributor with leading market positions and differentiated capabilities that deliver strong customer value,” CD&R Partner Nate Sleeper said in the announcement. “We look forward to partnering with the outstanding management team, led by Bill Galvin, on initiatives to grow the business and further strengthen its competitive position while maintaining Anixter’s distinctive culture grounded in operational excellence, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to the company’s employees, customers, and global partners.”

The release said that Bill Galvin, along with other members of Anixter’s executive management team, are expected to continue to lead the company once the deal is completed. The transaction is subject to different approvals of Anixter’s stockholders, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

At its website, CD&R notes that since being founded in 1978, it has managed the investment of $28 billion in 86 companies, including numerous electrical and industrial distributors. The firm has offices in New York and London.

Chantiers de l’Atlantique had built one vessel per year, until 2018, when it went to two vessels. That made it essential for the shipyard to have dependable deliveries of cable.

Those logistics were handled by the Nexans Logistics and Solutions Centre in Nanterre, which made sure the cables were supplied so that they would be as easy as possible to install. “Indeed, while the demand grew from 4,000 to 7,000 cuts per year in 2018, Chantiers de l’Atlantique didn’t even feel any impact on their logistic flow.”

Subcom to supply a submarine cable to run between Oman and Australia Australian submarine cable infrastructure development specialist Sub.Co announced it has selected Subcom (formerly known as TE Subcom) to build a new international subsea cable system that will directly connect Muscat, Oman, to Perth, Australia.

Nexans awarded 5-year extension to a long-time supply deal with ship builder Nexans reports that it has been awarded a five-year contract extension to supply cables for Chantiers de l’Atlantique, a world-leading ship builder.

A press release said that Nexans has been supplying cables to Chantiers de l’Atlantique for 45 years, and that the latest news represents a confirmation that the relationship continues. The ship builder, it said, has an enviable backlog for passenger vessel construction, booked solid for the next decade.

Per a company spokesperson, Nexans will provide its full range of SHIPLINK® products, which include fire-resistant low- and medium-voltage power, control and instrumentation cables. Depending on the size of a ship, anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 km of cables is needed.

Photo of Nexans cable reader to be installed for a ship being built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique. Photo by Bernard Biger/Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

12 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

A map of the proposed route for Oman Australia Cable.

A press release said that, once completed, the Oman Australia Cable (OAC) will be the only express cable between continental Australia and EMEA, providing a secure, diverse and low latency route between the two continents. OAC will form part of a new “Great Southern Route” between continental US, Australia and EMEA, the Brisbane-based company said.

The OAC cable system design calls for a three-fiber pair system with an option to upgrade to four-fiber pairs based upon final demand. It will span approximately 9,700 km, with additional branching units designed to extend the system into Salalah, Oman and Djibouti in the future.

In the past 12 months, Perth has seen significant investment in submarine cables and cloud hosting facilities with three new submarine cable systems completed (ASC along with Indigo West and Indigo Central) and two new major data center facilities commissioned (NEXTDC P2 and Equinix PE2). Both Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services have established cloud on-ramps in Perth for regional availability zones, and others are expected to be announced soon.

In deciding to land the cable in Oman, the company cited recent investment from major cloud, network and data center providers in the region as key reasons for selecting Muscat. The city has fifteen submarine cables terminating

Tied to this was a second reason: to allow the industry to see first-hand the new FAT616 model, which can process spools from 6 in., to reels up to 16 in.

MGS Open House showcased latest developments to its FAT family The MGS Group recently hosted a group of current and potential customers to an Open House at its R&D center in North Branford, Connecticut, where the company showcased the expanded processing range for its FAT (fully automatic take-up) family.

Per Jeff Swinchatt, the company’s director of sales and marketing, during October, MGS hosted representatives from across the U.S. and Canada. The focus was on the latest MGS development: the fully automatic FAT616 take-up. He explained that there were two reasons for the Open House. One relates back to Interwire 2019, where attendees got to see how smoothly the FAT820 model could process wire from spools as small as 8 in. to reels as large as 20 in. The system got rave reviews, but some attendees asked whether it was possible to provide a model that could handle smaller sizes. Also, some people weren’t able to attend the event, so offering another opportunity to see the machine in actual plant type conditions was a good idea.

MGS staff talk with a customer during an Open House at the company’s R&D center in North Branford, Connecticut.

Customers had been asked to provide samples of their spools, reels and wire, and the MGS engineering team showed how well the FAT616 could process those smaller sizes, Swinchatt said. “We thought many of our friends would be interested in seeing the FAT616 in operation, and

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INDUSTRY NEWS

there and will soon have a new Equinix facility being operated under a joint venture between Equinix and Omantel.

OAC is expected to commence manufacturing later this year and is scheduled to be completed by December 2021.

INDUSTRY NEWS

the feedback was fantastic,” he said. He complimented the efforts of the company’s engineering team, which he described as “truly amazing,” for designing a system that focused on optimum ease of operations and maintenance, increased throughput and worker safety/reduced fatigue.

Banker Wire up to full operating speed in new plant in Mukonago, Wisconsin Earlier this year, Banker Wire, a leading manufacturer of woven and welded wire mesh for architectural and industrial applications, completed the relocation of its company to a new site that now houses its 150 employees and manufacturing equipment.

It was a very short move for the company in terms of distance, as it is only about two miles from its former location, but a press release said that the company will have much more flexibility in its 182,000-sq-ft facility in the Bear Industrial Park in Mukwonago, Wisconsin.

Specifically, the larger location allowed Banker Wire to custom design the overall layout to enhance the work environment for employees, expand production capacity, and improve manufacturing efficiency.

“As our company has grown and evolved, we reached a point where we had to decide whether we should add on to our previous facility or build a new one,” said Banker Wire President Dave Stout. “We decided to push forward into a new facility, which I believe is now the best, most efficient wire mesh manufacturing location in the world. The facility has provided an incredible foundation for our company’s continued growth.”

The new site includes an employee wellness center as well as expansive gathering spaces equipped with media displays for company-wide meetings and employee training programs. The addition of a sample room gives architects, designers and other clients a prime space to view hundreds of samples and various finishes.

Established in 1896, Banker Wire has an extensive history in the greater Milwaukee area. It started out as a metal fabricator and by the mid 1970s, under new ownership, it transitioned from a reselling operation to a manufacturer. Today, it “has emerged as the expert manufacturing source for pre-crimped woven and welded

Banker Wire is in a full operational mode at its new, larger location. wire mesh following several decades of developing new processes and designing new equipment.”

The company’s mesh is used for a wide range of industrial applications, but also for architectural uses, for which it offers more than 8,000 patterns of woven wire mesh as well as a selection of ornamental welded wire mesh in all alloys and finishes. The products are used for both interior and exterior applications such as parking garages, millwork and cladding, to space dividers, displays and enclosures.

The new site, the release said, will enable the company to handle mesh projects as small as one sq ft to orders upward of 150,000 sq ft.

Google has not lost its taste for cable Google plans to lay a 1,000 km of undersea fiber-optic cable to Panama, a site that was said to have been chosen for its strategic location.

Per multiple media reports, Cristian Ramos, the head of Google’s infrastructure partnerships division, was quoted as saying that, “This cable is part of an inter-American cable we have built ... It’s a way to make Panama a part of this ecosystem that we’re building, a global network in which Google (has been) investing more than $47 billion over the past two years.”

Ramos was joined at the press conference with Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo, who called the Google project “positive news” for his government’s

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INDUSTRY NEWS

efforts to raise the country’s competitiveness and combat inequality and poverty.

Ramos said that the parties were already working on charting the “Curie” cable’s route with an eye toward entering the cable-laying phase, noting that estimates are that it will be operational within one year. The Curie cable, the property of Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, extends for some 10,000 km from California to Valparaiso, Chile.

Ramos said that Panama was chosen as a connection site because of its “strategic geographic location.” It was cited for having the “facilities and conditions such that the cable can be seated satisfactorily and on time.”

The cable, once active, will enable “savings of up to 38% in (Internet service) costs” and further Panama’s goal of providing Internet access to all the country’s population by 2024.

WireCo supplies replacement hangers for use in George Washington Bridge Earlier this year, WireCo WorldGroup was awarded a contract to supply the replacement hangers for the George Washington Bridge, a structure that has been billed as “the busiest bridge in the world.”

A press release said that the renovations to the bridge, completed in 1931, are part of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s nearly $2 billion “Restore the George” program that repairs and rebuilds key components of the bridge and its approach roads. The most significant project is the $1.03 billion replacement of 592 vertical cables, known as suspender ropes. WireCo is supplying those cables, which support the bridge deck across the river. WireCo, which is providing the company’s patented High Temperature Socketing material.

The company also supplied the replacement hangers on the Manhattan Bridge in 2012.

An article in newjersey.com described the role of the suspender ropes. The suspender ropes hold up the bridge, looping around the span’s four main cables before dropping straight down into the bridge’s innards,

WireCo is supplying the suspender ropes being used for the “Restore the George” initiative to ensure the longterm continuation of the stately George Washington Bridge.

DECEMBER 2019 | 15

INDUSTRY NEWS

where they attach to steel girders. The bridge has 592 of these ropes, and replacing them requires a delicate touch. If weight is removed from one rope without proper balancing of all the rest, it might cause the bridge to tilt. That, combined with factors like wind and traffic, could lead to cataclysm. To be safe, workers install two temporary suspenders before removing the first permanent one.

The overall “Restoring the George” project also includes rehabilitation of the bridge’s four main cables and their 488 anchorage strands, construction of a new pedestrian safety fence and replacement of the bridge’s signature necklace lighting. Construction began in the second quarter of 2017 and is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2024.

The George Washington Bridge, which spans the Hudson River and connects northern Manhattan and Fort Lee, New Jersey, is crossed each day by nearly 300,000 vehicles. At the time it was built, the GWB was the largest suspension bridge in the world.

Ducab to supply solar cables to Etihad Energy Service Company United Arab Emirates-based Ducab announced recently that it would supply its SolarBICC cables—specially designed for a growing solar energy market—to Etihad Energy Service Company (Etihad ESCO) for its in-house solar power plant.

A press release said that the deal, announced at the 21st Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), reaffirmed their organizations’ commitments to making solar power more accessible to more people across the UAE. Etihad ESCO LLC’s solar power project is expected to go live in February 2020.

“Solar power is one of the fastest-growing sources of new energy worldwide,” said Dr Ahmad Bin Hassan Al Shaikh, chairman of Ducab. “It is a public priority in the UAE and plays a strong role in Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050. With this in mind, we developed our specialized SolarBICC cable range specifically to meet the unique needs of this expanding market.”

Ducab and Etihad ESCO staff at the signing of a contract to assure supply of cabling for solar uses.

The project, the release said, is expected to generate 3,251,900 KWh in annual energy savings. Etihad ESCO CEO Ali Al Jassim said that the latest partnership with Ducab “aligns with our commitment to creating and sustaining a vibrant market for energy performance contracts.”

Ducab has worked closely with solar power project developers in the UAE in support of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, and the nation’s ambitions for a thriving renewable energy sector. Its SolarBICC cables portfolio is dedicated to the needs of the sector and helps to realize more efficient and powerful energy infrastructure.

Ducab is equally owned by Abu Dhabi’s General Holding Corporation (Senaat) and Investment Corporation Dubai (ICD).

India agency recommends placing of duties on some Asean copper wire rod India’s Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has recommended imposing countervailing duty on imports of continuous cast copper wire rods from four of the Asean countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

A report said that the duties, which vary between 3.46% and 10.27%, would be imposed for five years as the imports were causing harm to the domestic industry.

According to a notice posted on DGTR website, Hindalco

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DeWAL PTFE Films and Tapes

Global Steel Wire to upgraded its continuous billet caster Spain’s Global Steel Wire S.A. (GSW), part of the Celsa Group, reports that it has placed an order with the SMS Group to upgrade the company’s continuous billet casting machine.

A press release said that the caster now used by GSW— which specializes in wire rod in special steel grades for the automotive and special engineering industries— produces roughly 900,000 tons of steel per year in 180-mm-sq sections. The goal is to increase production flexibility by broadening the range of cast formats to include 200-mm to 240-mm-sq sections. The upgrade will also increase casting speeds, and enhance the productivity and the quality of the cast products.

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DECEMBER 2019 | 17

INDUSTRY NEWS

Start-up of the upgraded machine is scheduled for early Industries and Vedanta Ltd. were cited as being among 2021. The order includes the installation of CONDRIVE the major producers of the metal, while consumer durable mold-oscillation drive systems on all strands, one of which manufacturers—like Havells, Crompton Greaves and KEC has already been tested and is running. Also included are International—are its importers. electromagnetic mold stirrers (CONSTIR-MEMS) that DGTR said in its order that imposition of the counterwill help achieve the required quality standards. Another vailing duty would not restrict imports from the subject feature, CONSTIR-MWS (Modulated Wave Stirring) will country in any way, and, therefore, would not affect the reduce stirrer energy consumption by up to 30%. availability of the products to the consumers. It said that Taking another step towards Industry 4.0, the CONSAFE fair competition in the Indian market will not be reduced thermal mold mapping technology will be implemented in by the imposition of the countervailing measures as the order to help analyze and improve the process conditions to levy of the countervailing duty “is restricted to an amount achieve best quality. necessary to redress the injury caused to the domestic industry by the imports of subsidized subject goods.”

DGTR instead believes imposition of countervailing measures would remove the unfair advantages gained by subsidization and create a level playing field.

The period of investigation for the purpose of the present anti-subsidy investigation is from April 2017 to March 2018. The period considered for injury investigation was 2014-18. The investigation was taken up after Hindalco and Vedanta first complained of being hurt by cheap imports of continuous cast copper wire rods. The authority then sent a questionnaire to 17 exporters across the concerned countries asking for their response to the complaints of the producers here.

DGTR falls under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s department of commerce and its order is final. An appeal against the order of the Central government arising out of this final finding shall lie before the Customs, Excise and Service Tax New solutions for challenging applications Appellate Tribunal.

INDUSTRY NEWS

GCC to launch investigation into steel products, including wire rod

Report: superconducting wire market looks to be ‘super’ through year 2023

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) announced that it has started a safeguard investigation on certain steel products to protect the region’s domestic steel industry.

The announcement said that GCC—which includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar—has launched an anti-dumping investigation into a range of imported steel products. The investigation, which covers the period from Jan. 1, 2014, to June 30, 2019, is expected to be completed within 12 months.

A report from Market Research Future (MRFR) projects that the global market for superconductive wire looks to be nearly 10% a year through 2023.

A press release said that the report— Superconducting Wire Market 2019: Size, Growth Opportunities, Trends, Future Scope, Segmentation, Leading Players, Demand and Regional Forecast To 2023—sees soaring demand for superconductors in computer chip design technology within the electronics sector as well as in MRI systems in medical applications to stimulate market growth in the coming years. Developments in the medical field coupled with strong demand for efficient electric motors, can help the superconducting wire market advance at a fast-pace.

Rising demand for semiconducting wires in a variety of end-use applications like particle accelerators, mass spectrometers and MRIs will do wonders for the worldwide market. The superconducting wire market is also benefiting from the ongoing projects that are associated with superconducting wires across the globe.

The report cited one example of such demand as having come from the South Korean Electric company, which had requested more than 3,000 km of superconducting wire from American Superconductor for use in building a 10-km line that runs into the suburbs of Seoul. The emerging superconductor possesses immense potential for different practical application aspects like fault current limiters, MRIs, motors, power cables, magnetic separators, generators, and transformers.

The report looks into superconductor wire by type, application and region. It looks at their use in industrial processing, medical, electronics, and research, including segments such as medical, energy, research and industry. The most prominent markets for superconducting wire in the region are South Korea and Japan, while the North America superconducting wire market is deemed to have significant growth over the coming years.

Top players discussed in the report include Japan Superconductor, Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Phoenix

The GCC plans to impose countervailing duties on copper wire rod from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Oman, the lead country for the Cooperation Council for the GCC, submitted the application to the WTO on behalf of the member states. The investigation will seek to determine whether increased imports of a product are causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury to a domestic industry. The cited steel products include wire rod.

The hearings were held at the premises of the GCC-Bureau of Technical Secretariat for Anti Injurious Practices in International Trade (GCC-TSAIP) for all interested parties to present their views and arguments.

DGTR falls under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s department of commerce and its order is final.

18 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

Düsseldorf, Germany I www.wire.de

The MRFR report covers the superconductive wire market by type, application and region.

Contact, Bruker Corporation, Eaton, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Superox, Theva Dunnschichttechnik GmbH, Fuji Electric, American Superconductor Corporation, Fujikura Ltd., and Superconductor Technologies Inc. To request a sample chapter and for more information, go to www.marketresearchfuture.com.

Be there when the future starts: The world‘s leading trade fair for the wire and cable industry is the sector’s most important international meeting place. More innovative: Experience visionary machinery, technologies and processes. Broader: For the first time, manufacturers of end products - springs and fasteners - will be part of the show. Therefore, the complete value chain from raw materials to industry to high-end results is presented. In focus: trends in mesh welding machinery. And wire is getting greener: The ecoMetals Trails lead you to the pioneers of sustainability.

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Pelican Wire wins award for how the company overcame adversity Pelican Wire was named the winner of the 25th annual Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award.

A press release said that the award, chosen by an independent panel of judges, centered around a company’s ability to overcome adversity to achieve success. The narrative submitted for the award centralized around the 2008 death of Pelican Wire founder, Larry Bill, and how his wife, son and work family gathered the resources to fulfill a man’s dying wish to turn the Florida-based company over to employee ownership. Accomplished during the Great Recession, when funding was scarce and manufacturing slow, Pelican Wire has forged ahead through the past decade and grown through acquisition and product development.

Following the passing of his father, Ted Bill left an engineering career at Disney World to serve as CEO. He led the effort that saw the business converted to an ESOP in 2008. Since then, Pelican Wire has grown to a $37 million company, with more than 14,000 SKUs found in a wide range of industries, from aviation and aerospace to medical devices and automotive.

Bill attributes that success to the company’s team of employee-owners. See p. 50. He said that the ESOP’s sense of ownership among employees fosters accountability, to themselves and each other. In their annual statements, employees see tangible evidence their success is directly tied to the company’s profitability.

The company continues to focus on its manufacturing capabilities, expanding into new products. At this point, the results are so good that an expansion likely will be needed, a fitting tribute to his dad.

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For show information: Messe Düsseldorf North America Tel. (312) 781-5180 _ info@mdna.com www.mdna.com For hotel and travel arrangements: TTI Travel, Inc. Tel. (866) 674-3476 _ info@ttitravel.net

wir2002_82,867x242,341_2c_US_2.indd 1

DECEMBER 2019 | 19

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INDUSTRY NEWS

join the best: 30 March–03 April 2020

PATENTS

Patent REPORT Technical advances are a necessity for any industry, and to that end, companies invest considerable resources in R&D. This monthly section will list the abstracts of recently approved U.S. patents. Most are direct to wire and cable while a few may be more indirect/downstream.

Sealing and retention plug for a hybrid cable U.S. Patent No.: 10,459,170 Patent date: Oct. 29, 2019 Filed: July 11, 2018 Assignee: CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA, Belgium Inventors: Thierry Declerck, Nicolas De Jaegere A system (10) and method that facilitates the delivery of power and fiber communications together is provided. The system and method enables quick and easy connection of a hybrid cable (12) to telecommunication equipment. The system provides a sealed robust connection for both conductors (78, 80) and fibers (50) at a single location (56). It can be used to avoid the need for local powering of fiber based communication devices and networks.

Carbon fiber based tubing encapsulated cable U.S. Patent No.: 10,458,191 Patent date: Oct. 29, 2019 Filed: Sept. 18, 2017 Assignee: Trican Well Service, Ltd., Canada Inventors: Scott Sherman, Sean Majkoa Tubing encapsulated cable consists of one or more electrical conductors and possibly one or more fiber optic cables sheathed in a corrosion resistant metallic alloy. However, pumping during the installation of tubing encapsulated cable is required to overcome the capstan effect of the tubing encapsulate cable inside the coil tubing as the tubing encapsulated cable travels through the coiled up wraps of coil tubing. In an embodiment of the invention the tubing encapsulated cable consists of one or more electrical conductors and possibly one or more fiber optic cables sheathed in a fiber reinforced composite sheath. Because there is little drag between the fiber encapsulated cable and the coil tubing, conventional pumping operations used to install braided wireline into coil tubing may not be required when installing fiber encapsulated cable into coil tubing. Additionally, the smooth outside surface and relatively small diameter of the fiber encapsulated cable are desirable attributes for well intervention work because the smooth surface is more resistant to chemical attack than braided wire while the smooth surface and relatively small diameter provide little viscous drag while fluids are pumped through the coil tubing in the course of intervention operations.

20 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

Wire rod for non heat-treated mechanical part, steel wire for non heat-treated mechanical part, and non heat-treated mechanical part U.S. Patent No.: 10,457,998 Patent date: Oct. 29, 2019 Filed: Jan. 27, 2016 Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, Japan Inventors: Makoto Okonogi, Daisuke Hirakami, Tatsusei Tada A steel wire for a non heat-treated mechanical part includes, as a chemical composition, by mass %, a predetermined amount of C, Si, Mn, Cr, Mo, Ti, Al, B, Nb, and V, and limited P, S, N, and O and a remainder of Fe and impurities; in which a structure includes, by volume %, a bainite of greater than or equal to 75.times.[C %]+25, and a remainder of one or more of a ferrite and a pearlite when an amount of C is set to [C %] by mass %; when an average aspect ratio of a bainite block in a second surface layer area of the steel wire is set as R1, the R1 is greater than or equal to 1.2; when an average grain size of a bainite block in a third surface layer area of the steel wire is set to P.sub.S3 .mu.m, and an average grain size of a bainite block in a third center portion of the steel wire is set to P.sub.C3 .mu.m, the P.sub.S3 satisfies Expression (c), and the P.sub.S3 and the P.sub.C3 satisfy Expression (d), a standard deviation of a grain size of the bainite block in the structure is less than or equal to 8.0 .mu.m; and a tensile strength is in a range of 800 MPa to 1600 MPa, P.sub.S3.ltoreq.20/R1 (c), P.sub.S3/P.sub.C3.ltoreq.0.95 (d).

Cable and wire harness U.S. Patent No.: 10,457,228 Patent date: Oct. 29, 2019 Filed: April 8, 2019 Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd., Japan Inventors: Yoshikazu Hayakawa, Tomoyuki Murayama, Hirotaka Tomoyuki, Takahiro Fatatsumori A cable includes a plurality of electric wires, and a tape member spirally wound around an assembled article that is formed by twisting the plurality of electric wires. The thickness of the tape member is not less than 0.028 mm and not more than 0.090 mm, a width of the tape member is not less than 18 mm and not more than 35 mm, the tape member is

U.K. patent decision had ‘outstanding’ benefit for filer If you have U.K. inventors or a U.K. place of business, this could affect you, but even if you don’t, this decision should be of interest.

In the U.S., agreements normally control compensation for employees who are inventors. Employees sign an employment agreement requiring them to assign their inventions to the business. The express consideration in these agreements is usually $1 for other “valuable consideration.” That other valuable consideration is the person’s employment by the company. The employee gets hired to invent, and the company gets the benefit of those inventions.

The U.K. has a statute that controls the ownership of inventions made by employees. Basically, if an invention is made by an employee who is expected to invent, the business owns it. That statute also controls the payment of a fair share of the benefit derived or expected to be derived on a patented invention of “outstanding benefit” to the employer. That definition can create some unexpected consequences if the outstanding benefits stem from a patented invention.

So, what is an outstanding benefit?

The U.K. Supreme Court recently ordered Unilever PLC to pay a former employee of one of its subsidiaries £2 million. The employee, Professor Shanks, worked for Unilever Central Resources Ltd. from 1982 to 1984. He developed a sensor for monitoring glucose, insulin or immunoglobulin levels in diabetics known as the Electrochemical Capillary Fill Device and a similar system known as the Fluorescent Capillary Fill Device. Unilever patented the technology, licensed it and later sold it, making £24 million.

This decision came as a surprise to many. Requests for additional compensation are not common in the U.K. and the standard outstanding benefit was considered a very high standard. Professor Shanks was persistent in his claim for compensation. He first filed it in 2006 with the Comptroller General of Patents, who ruled against him in 2013. Professor Shanks then appealed to the High Court, and then the Court of Appeals. Each ruled against him. The Supreme Court did not.

The Supreme Court disagreed with the comptroller’s comparing the £24 million to Unilever’s overall revenue. The comptroller believed that £24 million

was substantial, but not when compared to the overall revenue of Unilever.

Professor Shank’s counsel argued that this belief results in large companies being just too big to compensate inventors.

The Supreme Court, which focused on the benefit derived from the licensing revenue and sale of the technology, found that Unilever made only a moderate investment, obtained patents and negotiated licenses. It had a large reward, with no significant risk, that reflected a very high rate of return that was not related to Unilever’s wider business assets or infrastructure, or any bargaining power due to its size.

The Court concluded that there was an outstanding benefit, and ruled that fair compensation was 5% of the £24 million.

Key points • Employers own an employees’ invention if it was either created as part of the duties that one would reasonably expect to result in inventions or if there was a special obligation to further the interests of the employer’s undertaking.

• To be an employee under this statute, the person must be mainly employed in the U.K., but it could apply to someone who lives elsewhere if they are doing work for a business located in the U.K. With international businesses and remote workers, this could affect many businesses.

• You cannot contract away this obligation.

• Any request for compensation has to be made after a patent is granted and within one year after it ceases to have effect.

• The patent can be granted anywhere; a U.K. patent is not necessary.

The takeaway?

This decisions could lead to many claims for compensation. Any company with U.K. employees or a business in the U.K. should take special interest in this decision. It is also of interest that such a case conceivably could have the potential to someday “have legs” with presiding bodies of other courts that oversee patents.

Bill Honaker has been an intellectual property attorney for more than 30 years, helping businesses—from Fortune 100 firms to individual entrepreneurs—protect their patents, trademarks and copyrights. A former Patent Office Examiner, he is a partner with Dickinson Wright, PLLC. He notes that he is especially good at keeping clients out of court. He can be contacted at whonaker@dickinson-wright.com, tel. 248-433-7381.

DECEMBER 2019 | 21

PATENTS

The IP Patent Primer:

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spirally wound with an overlap of not less than 1/4 and not more than 1/2 of the width thereof, and a tensile strength of the tape member is different between the longitudinal direction and the width direction and is smaller in the width direction than in the longitudinal direction.

Welding wire for gas protective welding of reduced activation martensitic/ferritic steel and method of manufacturing the same U.S. Patent No.: 10,456,873 Patent date: Oct. 29, 2019 Filed: Dec. 15, 2015 Assignee: Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

(section cont’d. on p. 67)

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PATENTS

Inventors: Bo Huang, Qunying Huang, Junyu Zhang, Yutao Zhai, Chunjing Li, Shaojun Liu, Yican Wu Welding wire for gas protective welding of reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steel and the manufacturing method, chemical components (weight percentage, wt %): C: 0.10.about.0.15, Cr: 8.0.about.9.0, W: 1.0.about.1.6, V: 0.15.about.0.25, Ta: 0.10.about.0.17, Mn: 0.50. about.0.70, Si: 0.about.0.05, N: 0.about.0.02, O, Ni, Cu, Al, and Co: 0.about.0.01 respectively, P, S, Ag, Mo, and Nb: 0.about.0.005 respectively, and balance of Fe. The welding wire has Cr equivalent weight of less than 11, Ni equivalent weight of greater than 3.5. It is manufactured with a wire rod through multi-pass drawing. The rod is subject to annealing heat treatment, tempering treatment performed between the passes of drawing. The annealing process is: the rod is at 940.about.1020.degree. C. for 20.about.60 minutes, and the n cooled to below 650.degree. C. at rate of less than 45.degree. C./hour, air-cooled to room temperature. The tempering process is: the rod is at 760.about.820.degree. C. for 0.5.about.2 hours. It reduces forming of .delta. ferrites in welded joints.

ASIAN FOCUS

ASIAN FOCUS Saga of long-ailing Italian steel maker continues: deal fails, but there may be hope On Nov. 5, ArcelorMittal, the world’s biggest steelmaker, pulled out of a deal to buy struggling Italian firm Ilva after it could not get assurances that it would not be held responsible for health-related woes related to pollution caused by the Taranto plant in the south of Italy. That news was crushing on multiple levels for Ilva, which includes wire rod in its production. ArcelorMittal was criticized by trade unions that blamed the steel giant as well as by the ruling anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S)—a foe of big industry—for exiting a deal that would have safeguarded thousands of jobs.

However, the deal may not be completely dead. Per a Reuters report—citing Il Messaggero, an Italian daily newspaper— ArcelorMittal is drafting a plan to re-commit to the 2018 deal, with three conditions: reintroduction of legal immunity, the ability to revise its industrial plan and the layoff of 5,000 workers. The below report, updated by WJI in Nov. 2016, shows how complex balancing production and health concerns can be.

Update: Italian steel complex remains a troubling story The below article updates two previous WJI stories about the Ilva steel plant, which has been both a blessing and a curse.

The article includes excerpts from multiple articles, most notably a 22-page government report, The ILVA Industrial Site in Taranto, prepared by Policy Department A for the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI). bring the plant into compliance with applicable environTaranto is known as “The Spartan City” because it was mental legislation, to punish those responsible for the poor the only colony ever founded by Sparta, in 706 BC. As of environmental performance of the plant and to ensure that 2011, it was the third-largest continental city in Southern damages are remedied. However, the authorities and courts Italy. Italsider, a state-controlled company, began operahave not always agreed on the legal and political responses, tions at the Ilva steel plant in Taranto in 1965. The inteleading to a series of sometimes contradictory decisions. grated steel plant, whose product range includes wire rod, The European Commission has also intervened by starthas employed as many as 16,000 people, and thousands ing infringement proceedings on two separate occasions, more as contractors. Capacity topped 11 million metric one of which tons (mmt), with resulted in a deciproduction at sion by the Court times representof Justice finding as much as ing that Italy had 40% of Italy’s failed to properly steel production. apply relevant EU The flip side was legislation. The the cost for those case illustrates the achievements. potential that the In 1991, Taranto EU Commission was described as has in stimuthe most polluted lating Member city in Italy and States to ensure western Europe, that companies and declared a A solution that everyone can support for the Ilva steel complex remains elusive. comply with EU high environenvironmental mental risk area legislation, but also the limits of that potential. by the Ministry of Environment. The Ilva steel complex Per a 2015 government report, steel making inherently was deemed the largest offender. For years, there were has environmental challenges, but the Ilva complex was complaints about pollution from the massive site, includespecially bad. In 2008, hundreds of sheep were slaughing “red dust” that coated the area. The European Pollutant tered after dangerous levels of dioxins were found in their Emission Register estimated that dioxin emissions from the meat and milk. In 2010, the plant emitted over 4,000 mt of Taranto ILVA operations were responsible for 30% of all dust, 11,000 mt of nitrogen dioxide, 11,300 mt of sulphur such reported emissions in Italy in 2002. An even higher dioxide, 7.0 mt of hydrochloric acid, among other hazardnumber was reported for 2004. There was friction between ous elements. Studies found that cancer rates were higher different factions, some of which wanted better conditions, for local residents. That same year, Taranto authorities while others were afraid that it would result in lost jobs. prohibited children in the neighborhood closest to the plant Starting in 1990, Italian authorities and courts adopted various measures aimed at forcing the plant’s operators to 24 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

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polluted city in the world, behind China’s Linfen and Romania’s Copşa Mică. That same year, the plant emitted 7.4 mmt of CO2, making it one of the 30 largest emitters within the entire EU. There were also questions as to how difficult it would be for any prospective buyer to save the plant. An Italian newspaper, La Repubblica, asked, “Who will take on a company which loses millions each month, some €16 million today but €50 million a month in the past, which has very strict rules concerning pollution and which still has one furnace impounded?”

The potential buyer consortium of ArcelorMittal/ Marcegaglia has pledged to raise production from its current level of 4.8 mmt to more than 6 mmt by 2020. “In recent years Ilva has been through some tough times that have affected all of its stakeholders, including employees and the local community,” said Geert Van Poelvoorde, executive vice president and CEO, ArcelorMittal Europe Flat Products. “(Ilva) is in need of a strong partner and immediate investment to stem the significant losses and guarantee a sustainable future. In ArcelorMittal, Ilva will find an experienced and committed partner ready to transfer its financial support, management know-how, operational expertise and product technology. We have carried out extensive due diligence and are satisfied that with targeted investments and a robust plan the plant can be successfully turned around.”

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from playing outside because the soil was contaminated with harmful substances emitted from the plant.

In 2011, the Court of Taranto requested a survey to evaluate emissions from the steel plants and an epidemio- logical study to investigate the health statuses of the resident population. Based on the test results, in July 2012, the company was banned by a judge from producing hot-rolled coils, as opposed to the cold areas where finishing work was done. The chief executive of ILVA, his son and the former director of the plant were arrested. In December 2012, the Italian government enacted a law recognizing ILVA as a plant of national strategic interest, and allowed it to resume its steel production for a period not exceeding 36 months.

In May 2013, a judge for the Preliminary Investigations of Taranto issued a seizure order of some 8.1 billion euros, an amount equivalent to the cost savings allegedly realized by the Riva Group by not keeping the plant compliant with environmental requirements since 1995—against entities owning the site. The debt-plagued steelworks has been under special administration since 2013.

The European Commission in 2013 and 2014 sent official letters to the Italian government, requesting it to take measures to ensure that the Taranto steel plant operated in conformity with the Industrial Emissions Directive. It also noted that Italy had failed to comply with the “polluter pays” principle.

Per Wikipedia, in 2014, the Italian National Institute of Emissions reported that Taranto was the third worst

PEOPLE

PEOPLE Kris-Tech Wire recently named Kevin Watkins to be the company’s new sales team leader. He joined the company in 2018 as sales manager for the northeast. Prior to that, he was a commodity manager for seven years at Billows Electric Supply, did inside construction sales for three years for Rumsey Electric Co., was an estimator/project manager for two years for Watkins Anton Electric Co and an estimator/ electrician for four years for Brendan Stanton, Inc. Based in Rome, New York, Kris-Tech Wire, is an insulated copper wire manufacturer.

Service Wire Co. reported a number of recent appointments. Steven Stanford has joined the company as National Sales Manager – Industrial, responsible for managing the industrial-focused markets across the U.S. He has more than 30 years of experience in various sales and management roles in the wire and cable industry, including a background in manufacturing Stanford and designing cables for domestic and international industries. His most recent industry position was with General Cable, where he worked for more than eight years, and was vice president, EPC & Sales Engineering. Prior to that he worked for 11 years at Belden Inc., two years at FURON Company/ Dekoron Division and 10 years at Southwire Company.

Charles F. (Chuck) Oldaker, Jr., was promoted to executive vice president. He will maintain his position as CFO along with assuming additional corporate responsibilities. During his career, he has worked in public accounting as an auditor and business taxation accountant and has been involved in many areas during his tenure at Service Wire Co., including finance, accounting, credit, human Oldaker resources, IT, marketing and sales management. He is a graduate of Marshall University’s College of Business. Joe DeBellis has been promoted to director of sales, Houston, responsible for the company’s factory-trained resources and extensive manufacturers’ representative network. He will maintain his responsibilities as national sales manager, utility and transit. He has more than 10 years of industry experience, starting in plant engineering, DeBellis moving to applications engineer, and

26 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

then into various sales roles focusing on the utility market. He holds a B.S. degree in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Jason Cao was named regional sales manager in the Phoenix sales office, where he will service commercial and industrial distributors, contractors, and engineers while working with manufacturers’ representatives. He Cao has more than seven years of industry experience, beginning in outside sales and moving to various management positions. He holds a degree in finance and business management from Kentucky University. Based in Culloden, West Virginia, Service Wire Co. supplies a wide range of wire and cable products.

Times Microwave Systems has named Luke Thompson as production manager for the company’s extrusion department, reporting to Vincent Panuccio, director of cable operations. He has more than 35 years of experience in the wire and cable industry, most recently with RSCC Wire & Cable. He will handle improving extrusion scheduling, quality, and performance. Based in Wallingford, Connecticut, Times Microwave Systems, a specialist in coaxial cables, is a subsidiary of Amphenol Corporation, and a part of its Amphenol Military and Aerospace (AMAO) division.

Encore Wire Corporation announced that Bret J. Eckert will serve as the company’s CFO, treasurer and secretary as of Jan. 1, 2020.

He most recently served as executive managing director for the Houston office of Riveron Consulting LLC, a business advisory firm. Prior to that he was senior vice president and CFO of Atmos Energy Corporation in Eckert Dallas for about five years. He spent the first 22 years of his career with Ernst & Young LLP, where he was a partner for ten years. He had numerous manufacturing clients, including Encore Wire, which he audited for five years. He holds a B.S. degree in accounting and finance from Texas A&M University. He will replace Frank J. Bilban, who has served the company for 20 years. Bilban will Bilban remain vice president-finance and CFO through December 31, and retire in May 2020. Based in McKinney, Texas, Encore Wire is one of the largest manufacturers of building and armoring wire.

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FIBER WATCH

FIBER WATCH Researchers make preform via 3-D printing, believe method has lots of potential Researchers report that they have used 3-D printing to create a preform that can be drawn into silica glass optical fiber, a new fabrication method that could not only simplify production of these fibers but also enable designs and applications that weren’t possible before.

In a report in Optics Letters from The Optical Society, the advance was described as significant. “Making silica optical fiber involves the labor-intensive process of spinning tubes on a lathe, which requires the fiber’s core or cores to be precisely centered,” said John Canning, who led the research team from the University of Technology Sydney.

“With additive manufacturing, there’s no need for the fiber geometry to be centered. This removes one of the greatest limitations in fiber design and greatly reduces the cost of fiber manufacturing.”

Canning’s group, in collaboration with Gang-Ding Peng’s research team at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, reported that the first silica glass fibers drawn from 3-D printed preforms were successful. “Additive manufacturing approaches such as 3-D printing are well suited to change the entire approach to fiber design and purpose,” said Canning. “This could, for example, broaden the applications of fiber optic sensors, which far outperform electronic equivalents in terms of longevity, calibra-

tion and maintenance but haven’t been widely deployed due to their expensive fabrication.”

The researchers used their new technique to fabricate a preform equivalent of a standard germanosilicate fiber that could be used to create multi- or single-mode fibers, depending on drawing conditions. Although they did observe high light losses in the initial fabricated optical fibers, they have since identified the causes for these losses and are working to address them.

“The new technique worked surprisingly well and can be applied to a range of glass material processing to improve other types of optical components,” said Canning.

“With further improvements to limit the light losses, this new approach could potentially replace the conventional lathe-based method of making silica optical fibers. This would not only reduce fabrication and material costs but also lower labor costs because training and hazards are reduced.”

The researchers used a commercially available directlight projection 3-D printer. They said that they are interested in working with a mainstream commercial fiber fabrication company to improve and commercialize the technology.

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11/4/19 1:48:34 PM

Indian fastener associations report harsh times, glimmer of hope The president of the Fastener Manufacturers Association India (FMAI) reports that he has finally begun to see signs of a turnaround for demand of automotive fasteners.

Per a report in the Economic Times, FMAI President Narinder Bhamra said that the ailing fastener industry has slowly begun production again after being shut down over the past few months. Production resumed in the city of Ludhiana, which was described as being home to some 5,000 suppliers, making it a key industry location.

“Plants of all the automotive manufacturers remained closed for months due to recession,” Bhamra said. “As a fallout of this, the city’s fastener industry, which is the largest supplier of fasteners and allied products to the automotive manufacturers, had to cut its production by nearly 70% and we were also forced to reduce the labor and suffered (considerable) losses. Finally, after a gap of almost four months, a bit of movement has started in the automotive manufacturing sector as some companies have resumed their production by 8% to 10%.”

The country’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India, had halted operations at its two facilities in Gurugram and Manesar in September. It had reduced its production in August by 34%, following seven months of prior reduc-

tions. As a result, overall fastener production had been cut in half.

Bhamra said that the recent gains were still too small compared to the volume of business required to break even, but added that they had were pleased to start getting any orders. “We are hopeful that the situation will improve in the coming days and by January, the automotive manufacturers will start operating plants at 50% of the total capacity.”

In another report, Rajkumar Singla, president of the Fastener Suppliers’ Association, Ludhiana, India, observed, “We have been in the business for more than 35 years. All these years, we never came across such a situation. On one hand, the demand for products is falling and on the other, the shutdown in the auto sector has worsened the situation. Our production has gone down by more than 50%. But expenses like labor, power charges, taxes, fuel costs, among others, are rising by the day.”

Pankaj Aggarwal, a fastener manufacturer, said, “We have never seen this kind of situation, Earlier, a recession lasted for some days, but this time it has been more than three months.”

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FASTENER UPDATE

FASTENER UPDATE

WAI NEWS

WAI NEWS

WAI issues a call for ‘Road Scholars’ 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 attend the wire Düsseldorf show.

Candidates must be: involved in the wire and cable or related industries; employed full-time in the U.S. for at least two years with a U.S.-based company; be able to travel from March 21 to April 4, 2020; attend wire Düsseldorf (March 30 to April 3, 2020); and be a WAI member in good standing at the time of application and travel. Applications must be sent to the WAI by Dec. 31.

The 2018 Wire Link Traveling Scholar, Chris Palisch, an engineer at Alan Wire, described his travels as educational, motivating and amazing. For more details, along with rules and an application, go to www.wirenet.org, click on “about us,” then look under “Wire Foundation” and click on “Wire Link Traveling Scholarship.”

WAI wins award for Interwire marketing

2018 Wire Link Scholar Chris Palisch with WintWire Managing Director Marc Turner during his plant tour.

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

The 2020 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 employer cost will be the employee’s time spent overseas and travel to and from the departure airport.

30 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

The WAI has received a gold Mercury Award from the Public Relations Society of America for its marketing campaign for Interwire 2019.

The submission was for the “Integrated Communications” category for strategic campaigns. The honor is awarded for “a program that employs the creative and effective integration and WAI’s Janice Swindells with leadership of public the 2019 Gold Mercury Award. relations strategies and tactics with other promotional marketing communications.”

“Judging is handled on a national basis, not by the chapter, and since campaigns are much more complex than isolated tactics, I am thrilled to receive this significant honor,” said WAI Marketing Director Janice Swindells.

The following individuals either recently joined WAI or became Platinum Members through their companies.

Michael Arias Operations Carris Reels of California

Caleb Davidson Lead Man Alan Wire

Jerry Hunt Operations Carris Reels of California

Scott Badger CFO Mount Joy Wire Corp

Dwayne Davis Supervisor Alan Wire

Brian Killam Sales Manager Gerard Daniel Worldwide

Hyacinthe Badiane Global Process Engineer Hobart Filler Metals

Jaideo Debie Plant Director ArcelorMittal Hamilton East Inc

Wyatt Koontz Process Engineer Southwire Co

Leo Beamon Production Manager Illini Wire Mill Inc Chadd Braddock Operations Manager G&S Bar and Wire LLC Matt Cardwell Process Engineer Service Wire Co Austin Chamberlain Breakdown Operator SDI LaFarga LLC David Channell Supervisor Alan Wire Roger Chase Furnace Process Engineer SDI LaFarga LLC Neil Churnega Wire Manufacturing Lead Prince & Izant Nichole J Damas Senior Coordinator ArcelorMittal Hamilton East Inc

William Dorow Product Specialist Lutze Inc

Sean K McGuffin Process Engineer Marmon Utility LLC

Vern Row Production Manager Liberty Engineered Wire Products Inc Zac Schall Process Engineer Hobart Brothers Co Kyle Sennebogen Lead Utility SDI LaFarga LLC Chris Snelbaker Quality Engineer Gerard Daniel Worldwide

Richard Everett Process Technician Hobart Brothers Co

Ross McLeod Continuous Improvement Manager Alan Wire

Edward Thomas Sutter Regional Sales Manager Champlain Cable

Lindsey Fitzgerald Account Manager Lone Star Reel Corp

Emily Mendell Manufacturing Engineer Superior Essex

Matthew Tarney Product Market Manager Lutze Inc

Mike D Frey Production Supervisor Haynes Wire Co

James Owens Process Technician Hobart Brothers Co

Cordell Teague Breakdown Operator SDI LaFarga LLC

Brad Gilkison Process Engineer Service Wire Co

Josh Pena Breakdown Operator SDI LaFarga LLC

Chuck Trott General Manager Illini Wire Mill Inc

Ashley Graham Customer Service Carris Reels Inc

Mitch Powell First Helper SDI LaFarga LLC

Chuck Walker CEO Univertical Corp

Kyle Heckman Hobart Brothers Co

Liz Pulsifer Sailer Marketing Carris Reels Inc

Raheem Washington Breakdown Operator SDI LaFarga LLC

Timothy S Rayburn Manufacturing Engineer Haynes Wire Co

Michael Wolfe Engineer Prysmian Group

Aaron Herder Tool and Die Technician Southwire Co

DECEMBER 2019 | 31

WAI NEWS

MEET YOUR PEERS. ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS. JOIN WAI TODAY.

CHAPTER CORNER

CHAPTER CORNER

Technical conference marked 20th anniversary for WAI’s Poland Chapter The 8th International Drawing Conference 2019, held Nov. 6-8 in Podlesice, Poland, marked two special hallmarks for the organizers: it was the 20th anniversary for WAI’s Poland Chapter, and 70 years for Czestochowa University of Technology (CUT), which has been a key affiliate and supporting body to the chapter.

“This was a special moment for us, due to our roots both as part of the WAI and with Czestochowa University,” said Poland Chapter President Prof. Jan W. Pilarczyk, who provided the following report and photos. He had moderated the program with help from Prof. Tadeusz Knych, the chairman of the scientific committee, who also serves as vice president of the Poland Chapter. Both men are past winners of WAI’s Mordica Memorial Award, Pilarczyk in 2004 and Knych in 2015. Also helping moderate was Prof.

Adam Zieliński.

Nearly a hundred people attended the event, which had 13 presentations. The conference theme— “New technological aspects of producing wire rods, wires and metal products manufactured using modern metal forming processes”— focused mostly on modern methods of forming and drawing processes and production of wire rods and wires. Per the organizers, it was also “an opportunity to gather the producers of carbon steel wire rod with their clients and create the prospective cooperation for partners.” A special conference guest was Hans Kusters, president of the European Committee for Wire Drawing, who presented a most-interesting Plenary Lecture, “CET: fighting for the benefits of European steel wire drawers in a competitive environment.”

The Poland Chapter, which was created by a vote of the WAI’s Board of Directors at Interwire 1999, has long been active in staging events. Its co-organizers for the 2019 event included Research Network Łukasiewicz – Institute

Hans Kusters presented a plenary lecture on CET’s efforts to help European steel wire drawers.

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Conference attendees had 13 presentations that covered both ferrous and nonferrous topics. for Ferrous Metallurgy, managed by Prof. Zieliński; and the AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow, with the help of Kynch, a dean in the Department of Non-ferrous Metals. The honorary patron was CUT Prof.

Norbert Sczygiol. Other guests were: Wojciech Więcławik, managing director of CMC Commercial Metals Poland, and a member of the CUT University Council; Barbara Stefaniak, product manager of ArcelorMittal Sosnowiec, Poland; Kerstin Wagner, sales manager of WAFIOS AG; Ralf Tatje, managing director of Wilhelm Tatje Enterprise; Giuseppe Petenzi, PAN Chemicals SpA, Italy; and Ewa Pawłowska, managing director of ITALMEC. For the first time, the conference included a discussion panel, the topic being “Industrial problems in the drawing industry.” It included both technical challenges as well as those posed by uncertain market conditions. Piotr Milewski, Drumet Wires and Ropes Factory, discussed the impact of imported steel products, mainly high- and low-carbon steel wires, galvanized or not. He covered Poland, Europe as a whole and the global market.

Jakub Siemiński, Tele-Fonika Kable S.A., discussed the impact of imported steel products, mainly high and low carbon steel wires, galvanized or not. Peter Seidel, Traxit International GmbH, discussed future requirements for lubricants. Also speaking was Knych, who discussed wet drawing lubricants, and potential environmental, economic and legal regulations. He was joined by Andrzej Karwat, chief technologist at Drumet Wires and Ropes Poland.

Panel participants focused on technical problems related to the differences in drawing steel wire and non-ferrous metal wire, which translates into the need for unique solutions for machinery and the entire technological environment. The discussion covered market and legislative issues, including guidelines that have been developed for technical committees operating within the EU structures.

Not surprisingly, much of the discussion revolved around the specifics of the Polish economy and its dynamic development as compared to other EU countries.

Representatives were present from many well-respected companies. In addition to companies named above,

The Wire Association’s New England Chapter will hold its annual meeting on Jan. 23, 2020, at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The meeting will include networking, dinner, a recap of 2019, a raffle, an update on the scholarship program, and more. Supporters and sponsors of the chapter’s events and programs will be recognized. Registration can be done at https://bit.ly/2ObWKAW. Look for more details next issue.

From l-r, Jan Pilarczyk, Adam Zieliński, Norbert Sczygiol, Artur Mazur, Jakub Siemiński, Tadeusz Knych, Stanisław Księżarek, Andrzej Mamala and Adam Świerczyński. attendees came from these other businesses: MET-PRIM Radomsko, WiTechs Wire Technologies GmbH, VoiTec, Institute for Ferrous Metalurgy Gliwice, Institute for Non-Ferrous Metals, Yawal S.A., Drut-Pol – Wire Manufacturer, ArcelorMittal Commercial Long Poland, ITALMEC Sp. z o.o., Welding Wire Machineries, CMC Poland Wire Rods Producer, GAMA METAL Sp. z o.o., GLOBSERV Janusz Wanatowski, KONRAD Sp. j., CLOOS-POLSKA Sp. z o.o., WIŚNIOWSKI Sp. z o.o. S.K.A., ElDrut Steel Wire Manufacturing, Vassena Filiere Company, Italy; PANChemicals, Italy; ŽDB A.S. ZÁVOD DRÁTOVNA Bohumin, Czech Republik; Drahtwerk Friedr. Lӧtters GmbH & Co.; HEBERLEIN GmbH; Magnetic Analysis Corporation MAC Europe; WILHELM TATJE KG, Grossbeeren, Germany; TRAXIT International GmbH, Schwelm, Germany.

One conference highlight was the presentation of the Schneider Memorial Award. Named after Prof. Marian Schneider, the “father” of the Polish wire industry, it recognizes people who have made significant contributions to the development of the wire drawing industry. It is the Polish equivalent of WAI’s Mordica Memorial Award.

The award presentations were made as part of a gala dinner. This part was led by Pilarczyk; Knych; Jarosław Jasiński, a Poland Chapter member; Agnieszka Gwiazdowicz, vice chairman of the committee; and two other Poland Chapter Board members: MSc Piotr Romanski and Dr. Rafał Włudzik. Absent but acknowledged at the event was Prof. Bogdan Golis, an honorary Poland Chapter member who could not be there.

There were two recipients for the Schneider Memorial Award. The nonferrous winner was Dr. Jakub Sieminski, director of R&D Department in Tele-Fonika Kable S.A., for his implementing comprehensive technologies for the production of cables and conductors. The ferrous winner was Prof. Roman Kuziak from the Research Network Łukasiewicz, the Institute for Ferrous Metallurgy in Gliwice, Poland, for the development of the high-strength low alloyed steels with enhanced corrosion resistance.

Davis-Standard plant tour was both educational and enjoyable Attendees who took part in the tour of Davis-Standard’s corporate headquarters in Pawcatuck, Connecticut, on Thursday, Nov.7, got an up-close look at the company’s laboratories and wire and cable extruders as well as learned about the range of its R&D and aftermarket capabilities.

Visitors learned how Davis-Standard could do more for its customers in terms of product lines and technology developments via its 2017 acquisition of Maillefer.

Of much interest was Davis-Standard’s CNC machining centers and whirler set-up that provides precision manufacturing in-house to meet customer demand. The Pawcatuck facility is the primary hub for Davis-Standard’s global operation, which serves wire and cable customers.

New England Chapter members inspect equipment at Davis-Standard during the Nov. 7 tour.

“This was a wonderful opportunity for chapter members to see what goes on in a first-rate extrusion technology operation, and it seemed like everyone who took part really appreciated it,” said chapter President Richard Goyette, EIS Wire & Cable Co. He thanked Davis-Standard for its exceptional job of again hosting the event.

The tour ended with a check presented by Lori Parent, New England Chapter Education Committee Chair, to John Zachow, vice president of sales and marketing for DavisStandard. He thanked the chapter for the $1,000 check for the Mercy Corps (Bahamas hurricane relief fund), a cause that the company supports. Following the tour, a networking dinner reception was held at the Inn at Mystic.

DECEMBER 2019 | 33

CHAPTER CORNER

New England Chapter to hold its 26th Annual Meeting on January 23, 2020

WAI CE L E B RAT ES

WIRE, CABLE, 90 YEARS AN D MANY HAP PY R E T U R NS You’re in for a win-win as the WAI Operations Summit & Wire Expo returns to the Mohegan Sun Resort Casino in 2020.

PLANNING STARTS NOW. It’s GAME ON for visitors, ace speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors who want to replay the event’s 2016 success at this popular New England attraction.

And in the Wire Association’s 90th year, this event brings to light the latest in Manufacturing Best Practices.

MORE SUNSHINE. This is your chance to take home valuable insight you can use right away to achieve more positive, profitable results at your wire and cable plant.

Featuring: A Plant Operations Focus | Exhibits | Bright New Products | Welcome Reception Production Solutions Demos | Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course | Area Plant Tours Plus+ New England Chapter & WAI-member Activities Ask about booth space, sponsorship, or speaking opportunities!

Contact: Bob Xeller or Shannon Timme, sales@wirenet.org; or education@wirenet.org

DETAILS www.wireexpo20.com

Conference June 2-4 | Exhibits June 3-4, 2020 Mohegan Sun Resort Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, USA

WIRE EXPO 2020

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WIRE EXPO E X H I B I T O R S Integrated Control Technologies Joe Snee Associates, Inc. Joe-Tools King Steel Corp.

KN Manufac turing Solutions Lamnea Bruk AB LaserLinc, Inc. Leggett & Platt Wire Group Leibinger Coding and Marking Systems LLFlex Lloyd & Bouvier Inc. M. Holland Madem-Moorecraft Reels USA Magnetic Technologies Ltd. Maillefer Extrusion Oy Mathiasen Machinery Inc. MFL Group The MGS Group Micro Products Co. Microdia USA Morgan-Koch Corp.

Nexeo Plastics Niehoff Endex North America Inc. OMCG, Inc. P & R Specialty Inc. Paramount Die Co. Parkway-Kew Corp.

Precision Die Technologies Inc. Properzi International Inc. Q8Oils Quaker Houghton Rainbow Rubber & Plastics

Reel Options by Vandor Corp.

Refractron Technologies Corp.

RichardsApex Inc. Rosendahl Nextrom Roteq Machinery Inc. Saint-Gobain SAMP USA Inc. Schlatter North America Sikora International Corp.

Sivaco Wire Group Sonoco Reels and Spools Stolberger Inc. DBA Wardwell Braiding Taubensee Steel & Wire Co. Teknikor Tensor Machinery Ltd. Vandor Corp.

W. Gillies Technologies LLC WAFIOS Machinery Corp.

Windak Inc. The Wire Association International, Inc. The Wire Journal International, Inc. Wire & Cable Technology International Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp.

Wire Lab Co. Wire Machine Systems Inc. Witels Albert USA Ltd. Woodburn Diamond Die Inc. Yield Management Corp.

Zumbach Electronics Corp.

*List as of 11/22/19

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Ace Metal Inc. AITMAC Inc. Alphagary/Mexichem Specialty Compounds Amacoil Inc. American Kuhne Arkema Inc. Aztech Lubricants LLC Balloffet Die Corp.

Bartell Machinery Systems Bechem Lubrication Technology LLC Beta LaserMike/NDC Technologies Cablogic Technologies Inc. Carris Reels Inc. Cavallero Plastics Cemanco LC Chemetall/BASF Clinton Instrument Co. Commission Brokers Inc. Condat Conneaut Industries Inc. CTS - Cincinnati Thermal Spray Inc. Die Quip Corp.

DuBois Chemicals/Heatbath E-Beam Services Inc. Elkem Inc. ERA Wire Inc. Esteves Group USA EuroWire/Intras George Evans Corp.

Fenn LLC Filtertech Inc. FMS USA Inc. Fort Wayne Wire Die Inc. Gem Gravure Co. Inc. Graham Engineering Corp.

Guill Tool & Engineering Co. Heany Industries Inc. Howar Equipment Inc. Huestis Industrial IDEAL Welding Systems

WWW.WIREEXPO20.COM

I T C Verona 20 19 I T C flourished from stron g p r o g r a m a n d Ve r o n a b a c k d r o p The return to Italy to stage an International Technical Conference (ITC) proved to be exceptional, as the event flowed smoothly from the first presentation on Monday to the next day’s tours and subsequent visit to the Masi winery, leaving both pleasant memories and calls by attendees for future stagings.

The jointly organized technical conference ITC, planned by the Italian Machinery Manufacturers Association (ACIMAF) and the WAI, was held Oct. 21-22 in Verona, Italy. It was widely praised, both for the content as well as a venue, the impressive Palazzo della Gran Guardia.

The event was envisioned to be a “technical conference of collaboration & innovation” to further industry knowledge and foster discussions between manufacturers and suppliers, and it did just that.

Against the captivating backdrop of Verona, 235 industry professionals participated in the conference, which included presentations, table top exhibits, a gala dinner, and two plant tours. The technical program featured 11 ferrous and 10 nonferrous presentations by speakers representing nine countries. Additionally, 32 companies presented products and services at a table top exhibit adjacent to the conference rooms.

ACIMAF President Ferruccio Bellina led off the event by observing that the global economy remains delicate, and that times are challenging for many industrial sectors. “It is our conviction that these moments require even greater commitment than periods of positive economic growth and that this commitment must be deployed in all the components of the company’s activity, from research and product

CRU’s Chenfei Wang’s global industry outlook was very well received.

Ferruccio Bellina welcomes attendees. At right is WAI President W.T. Bigbee.

PRODUCED BY:

36 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

PARTNERS:

EVENT WRAPUP The Verona ITC drew a total of 235 attendees. development, to quality controls, to sales strategies, just to mention a few aspects,” he said.

Bellina said that Wire & Cable Verona was designed to address such needs, so operators can access new innovative proposals and have unique possibilities of communication and interaction, on a truly international level.

Two WAI Board Members in attendance shared high praise of the conference. “The Verona event was another solid WAI-ACIMAF offering: excellent presentations on the state of the industry, in-depth plant tours, and many networking opportunities,” said Kurt Breischaft of SDI LaFarga. “The nonferrous program was well balanced with something for copper, aluminum, plastic, equipment and the economy in general.”

“The Wire & Cable Verona Italia 2019 event was an unqualified success,” said Brian Burr of Sumiden Wire

Continuus Properzi’s Chiara Properzi and Giulio Properzi at the table top displays.

Anglia Metal Ltd.’s Dimitr Cordublas makes his presentation about a self-annealing microrolling system. His talk was one of 21 made.

WAI volunteers and staff enjoy one of the many area restaurants that added to the Verona experience.

WITH SUPPORT FROM: IWMA

CET . ..

INTERNATIONAL WIRE & MACHINERY ASSOCIATION

Comité Européen de la Tréfilerie

DECEMBER 2019 | 37

EVENT WRAPUP

Prysmian’s Richard Baker and Continuus Properzi’s Giuseppe Marantoni shared moderator duties.

Niehoff’s Bernd Lohmuller discussed considerations for buying new equipment.

A photo of attendees looking at the event banner at the bottom of the stairs that led up to the conference.

38 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

Products Corporation. “The two educational tracks addressed a wide range of technical topics with many diving deep into the area of Industry 4.0 as well as continuous improvement.”

A long-time supporter of the ITC program, Giulio Properzi of Continuus Properzi, said that the event was winner on multiple levels. “A few weeks later, relying on clear-cut, decisive participation data, I am very proud to state the astonishing success of the Conference. It has not been just a matter of extraordinary numbers of attendees but also of the high-level content of the technical program and related activities and of the amazing services offered, without mentioning the marvelous setting of the city of Verona. The results strengthen my conviction that this kind of event should continue to have an important role and should be supported and implemented in the future.”

Properzi added that, despite globalization and the way people contact each other, “the need of a face to face comparison and networking is fortunately still stout, and therefore it is important to sustain and cultivate it.”

Caterina Marchionne, who represented the Italian Trade Agency, told attendees that her office was pleased to

From l-r, Expo Metals’ Davide Dell’Oro and Daniela DiMaggio, and TKT Group’s Sergio Piccolo and Ferruccio Bellina, and WAI’s Steve Fetteroll.

EVENT WRAPUP

GLIMPSES FROM THE SHOW

DECEMBER 2019 | 39

EVENT WRAPUP ITA’s Caterina Marchionne discussed the importance of Italy’s wire and cable industry, both suppliers and manufacturers.

The plush setting for the gala dinner was photo-worthy.

SAMP’s Roberto Bazzini was at home at the Masi tour.

40 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

support the event. “Through a long-lasting and fruitful collaboration, ITA and ACIMAF strongly support wire machinery manufacturers, promoting their participation to the most important trade fairs on foreign markets.” She said that the Italian wire and cable industry has an important international role, exporting its considerable technology. “Italy represents an ideal partner, not only for skills and contents characterizing Italian manufacturers, but also for the flexibility and attention to customer needs.”

Marchionne noted that in the coming months, ITA and ACIMAF will be organizing Italian Pavilions for Wire India 2020, Wire China 2020 and Interwire 2021. She also presented a fun video about many Italian accomplishments.

The gala dinner was held Monday night at the stunning Palazzo Verita Poeta, where both the food and music was well received. It began with a reception outside, and there was much merriment and good conversation to accompany the memorable dinner.

The next day, guests were given a choice between ferrous and nonferrous wire plant tours to Pittini Group’s Acciaierie di Verona, and Mondini Cavi, respectively.

“It is unusual to have new rod mills from the ground up come online so when Pittini graciously offered to open the doors to their Acciaierie di Verona facility, we were excited get a look inside,” said Jim York of Insteel Wire Products, a member of the WAI Board of Directors. “As one of the tour participants, you could immediately sense the high level of professionalism among all the staff as they proudly guided us through this truly state-of-the-art facility.”

The tour allowed attendees to see the mill’s five controlled-cooling units used in the rolling line to provide a thermomechanical process that results in constant mechanical properties. The process also includes 16 inverter-controlled high-flow and high-pressure ventilation units.

Everything comes together in the control room—reminiscent of NASA—that monitors 20,000 pieces of information sent from the latest sensor technology. “It was truly a look into the future as Industry 4.0 drives production and quality,” York said.

At Mondini Cavi, attendees were able to walk about, getting a close view of production of wire and cable at different stages. “Mondini Cavi was gracious in hosting our group of 70 visitors, and allowing us inside look at this nearly 50 year old success story” said SAMP’s Roberto Bazzani, who is also a director of ACIMAF. “Low voltage cable is a highly competitive market, and for those not familiar with the process, they walked away with a better understanding of this global product.”

Following the tours, the participants met up for a tour of the Masi Company winery, where they were able to drink in the wine-making process, followed by a lunch where they got to experience three types of wine.

The event partners included the Italian Ministry of Economic Development and the ITA. Other supporters of the event included Expometals and industry organizations Comité Européen de la Tréfilerie (CET), the International Wire & Cable Exhibitors Association (IWCEA), and the International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA).

t h e w i r e a s s o c i at i o n i n t e r n at i o n a l p r e s e n t s i t s :

INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL CONFERENCE

27-29 October, 2020 Crowne Plaza Monterrey Monterrey, Mexico

CALL FOR PAPERS You are invited to share your technical expertise at WAI’s 2020 International Technical Conference for wire and cable manufacturers. Ferrous and nonferrous wire topics are welcome.

Suggested subjects include: • data cable manufacturing • medium carbon steel • flame retardant jacket compounds • annealability • aluminum alloys Questions or to participate, contact WAI’s Steve Fetteroll at sfetteroll@wirenet.org or Tel.: (001) 203-453-2777, ext. 115.

Abstract Deadline: April 1, 2020

Acceptance Notification: May 4, 2020

Use the online form to submit your abstract today!

Manuscript Deadline: August 30, 2020

www.bit.ly/cfpitc2020

FEATURE

Part 2: Corporate Social Responsibility In Part 1 in October, WJI presented corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives by some of the world’s largest wire & cable manufacturers. In Part 2, the focus is on steps by three smaller companies (ISO-focused environmental efforts; use of alternative energy; and fostering an exceptionally close bond with employees). Also, observations from a supply chain expert and further thoughts from EcoVadis. Finally, see p. 24 for an extreme story that ties into the theme.

Champlain Cable: a long-ago taken ISO journey has led to multiple returns Based in Vermont, it’s probably not surprising that Champlain Cable Corporation (Champlain) would have a strong interest in the environment. Below, Company President William Reichert, a graduate of the University of Vermont, discusses the importance and links between ISO quality management systems and CSR.

WJI: Why has ISO been important to Champlain?

Reichert: In 1993, Champlain became the first U.S. wire and cable manufacturer to become ISO 9001 certified. That focus has long had a big impact on our operations. We have our own ideas of what to do, but if you use ISO’s quality management systems right, they serve as a guide that can help you become a better company.

that it was a good challenge for our folks to tackle, and they did an exemplary job. We were surprised at how a fresh look at standard procedures could lead to discovering improvements. We found ways to reduce machine set-up time, which also led to scrap reduction; we researched and found advanced products that improved our lighting and climate control; and we figured out how the water we used for cooling could be reclaimed and reused by a closedloop system. None of these projects were budget-busters.

I know that some companies might fear what a program might “cost,” but we found that it actually lowered our overall costs. If you look close enough, you likely can find such savings in just about any plant.

WJI: How does ISO fit in with CSR? Reichert: With our ISO 9001 background, the natural next-step of our commitment to our quality systems and continuous improvement was to adopt ISO 14001, the environmental management system (EMS) that was introduced in 1996.

ISO 14001, which was updated in 2015, meshes with our corporate value of sustainability. We’ve been certified to it since 2003, and we find it extremely helpful in achieving our goal of being good citizens With program officials, Champlain Cable President William for our community, our Reichert, center, accepts the Deane C. Smith Business Hall employees and our shareof Fame award. To his left is CFO Tim Lizotte and at right is holders. It’s part of who we Vice-President Business Development Richard Antic. are.

WJI: How has it helped, and how challenging was it?

Reichert: We adopted an EMS certified to ISO 14001:2015 that targets ways of reducing waste and generating cost savings. It improves critical environmental impacts created by the development, manufacture and transport of our products.

We started doing this in earnest in 2001. Gauging difficulty so long ago is hard to quantify, but suffice it to say 42 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

WJI: Where did you make changes that paid off?

Reichert: Champlain views its processes as an entire system, so we consider the impacts of raw materials, manufacture, transportation and end of life. Every department asks themselves, “How can we reduce our environmental impact?” We start with an impact analysis of each product line and process, using this we determine the effects on the environment then identify discrete objectives. Below are some specific gains we achieved.

Electricity use. By analyzing such things as machine operations, production waste streams, lighting, and interior climate control, Champlain has reduced electricity usage by 9.4% over the past three years through targeted projects and employee incentives. In cooperation with efficiency

NAM MANUFACTURERS’ SUSTAINABILITY SURVEY

Manufacturers in America are producing products that make modern life possible while simultaneously establishing a strong record in environmental protection. As the foundation of communities, manufacturers make substantial investments over time to minimize their environmental footprint by increasing energy Mega-large companies lead in CSR, but smaller ones may be better than you expect efficiency, saving and recycling water and implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and waste. Recently, the NAM surveyed member companiesofto better understand manufacturers are doing to 5000), become A recent survey by the its National Association doingwhat so. For large companies (500 to 78% either more sustainable.

The supplemented in this manufacturers’ compelling stories Manufacturers (NAM) of itssurvey 14,000results small,are medium and had report a plan with or one in development. largeabout companies in industrial found that roughlystewardship The same results for small and medium-sized companies their own efforts tosectors advance environmental through sustainable practices.

Taken together, 80% the either hadand or were developing a corporate responsibilless, but possibly more than one might expect: 68% of data illustrative examples show how manufacturersisare leaders in sustainability.

ity or sustainability policy, program and/or goals. medium-sized companies (100 to 500) either had a plan survey results demonstrate that sustainable is of prime importance to NAM As The might be expected, the largest companies (5,000 manufacturing or were developing one, the same ratemember was 50% of small employees and up) were the leaders, with more than 96% companies.

Those numbers are expected to of improve companies. According to the data from the NAM’s sustainability survey, approximately 80.2 percent NAM as the having such a policy, and the remainder in the process of returns of such efforts are seen. member companies are either developing or have a corporate responsibility or sustainability policy, program and/or goals (71.9 percent current, 8.3 percent developing) (Figure 1).

YES

NO

Overall

Small

Medium

4.3%

14.3%

11.8%

11.1%

8.3%

0.0%

21.4%

31.3%

17.7%

50.0%

64.3%

56.3%

38.9%

71.9%

95.7%

Figure 1: Does Your Company Have a Corporate Responsibility or Sustainability Policy, Program and/or Goals?

UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Large

Very Large

For manufacturers, implementing sustainable practices is integral to their business model and operations.

The survey yielded varied results by firm size with a key difference when comparing very large and large DECEMBER 2019 | 43 companies to medium and small companies.1 Very large companies (95.7 percent) that have more than 5,000 employees and large companies (64.3 percent) that have 501 to 5,000 employees are significantly

FEATURE

est customer. This involved a thorough review of our EMS programs, Champlain’s efforts have contributed to a very program, an on-site audit by the customer, and a comparisignificant reduction in tons of CO2 emissions. son with other suppliers to determine the best supplier.

Water reduction. Water is used in many operations for Also, in 2015, Champlain received the Deane C. Davis cooling. In the past, water entered our facility, was used Outstanding Vermont Business of the Year Award, which for the cooling function, and then exited. Now, we have recognizes state companies that achieved the highest stana closed-loop system where the water is reused over and dards of excellence over the past year. One scoring factor over, filtered as needed, and supplemented occasionally was that a company must have demonstrated continued with fresh water to maintain proper quantities. We annually growth, creation of a positive work environment and a save hundreds of thousands of gallons of water. commitment of their resources to improving their commuRaw material recycling. The vast majority of the raw nities. That award led to Champlain’s induction into the materials we use is copper and wire insulation. Any Deane C. Smith Business Hall of Fame in 2019. process inherently will result in some raw material scrap, but by analyzing our operations and training operators on WJI: Do you have other efforts going on? scrap reclamation and recycling procedures, we now recyReichert: As an ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and IATF 16949 cle 100% of our scrap copper and more than 98% of scrap company, we are continually assessing our processes and insulation compound. practices for improvements. We are targeting more effiSolid waste. Champlain implemented its first recycling ciencies in electricity usage (via refrigeration, ovens, air program over 25 years ago. At that time, it was mostly compression, climate control and other production equipcardboard, paper, plastic and aluminum. Today, we have a ment), reductions in paper usage and further reductions much more comprehensive solid waste reduction initiain our waste-to-landfill. We feel good about things we’ve tive. Every facility department was reviewed to identify done to help the environment and the company, but if you opportunities to improve recycling and reduce waste. That keep looking, you’ll find that there’s always more that can includes working with waste hauling contractors to ensure SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT ON MANUFACTURERS’ GOALS, be done. Again, this journey is not necessarily easy and it the lowest waste to landfill rates. certainly isn’t quick, but it is one that can be taken, and it ACHIEVEMENTS AND INVESTMENTS IN SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES can be done without spending a fortune or intefering with WJI: How successful have your efforts been? schedules. The key is to enter this with the mindset that this Reichert: In 2018, Champlain won a Supplier of the Year is part of what you do as a company. award for Environmental Health and Safety from our larg-

EcoVadis: size does matter, but the CSR concept still applies

FEATURE

In October, EcoVadis Marketing Director David McClintock discussed how his company evaluates the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) claims of larger companies. WJI asked him to comment this time for small and medium-sized companies. Below, he shares his thoughts. For more about the company, go to www.ecovadis.com.

WJI: Large companies, especially those that either are publicly traded or sell to the public, have lots of incentives to be socially responsible. Does that apply to smaller ones?

McClintock: EcoVadis views sustainability assessment through a contextual lens, based on what sustainability experts call “materiality.” That basically means the relevance to their business activity and their size. Thus, from a management system standpoint, the expectations for a small company are far different from a large one to be “sustainable.” A large company may have publicly stated goals, such as being carbon neutral by a given date or commitments to science-based targets, but a small company can also take smaller steps. It could be as simple as choosing an alternative renewable energy provider for electricity with little or no significant cost impact. That would be a positive mark on their sustainability record.

to lead the program and explain what the meaningful, measurable goals are, and finally, to track that progress across the entire life of the program.

WJI: Should a CSR be embraced because of altruism, or does it have to be seen as part of a sound business plan?

McClintock: Embracing sustainMcClintock ability and CSR is smart business, whatever your original intention may be. There is already a powerful movement (for example, the Business Roundtable CEO’s statement) to redefine the purpose of business to include “serving a purpose for society” in addition to enriching shareholders and owners financially. I would say this goes far beyond “altruism,” as all of us—and our children and grandchildren—are beneficiaries of that business philosophy. The question is the same for any business. We see businesses pursuing sustainability initiatives for both reasons. Aside from finances, reputation and risk reduction benefits, sustainability is also becoming more critical for marketing and sales, human resources, recruiting and retention of workers, as well as cost savings.

Sustainability is part of a sound business plan and is a differentiator to win over new business. Companies big and small are realizing this and driving more sustainable outcomes to do good for the world, and the bottom line.

WJI: How big a limitation is staff size for CSR? McClintock: Our 2019 Global CSR Risk and Performance Index shows small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) actually perform better than their large counterparts in sustainability, specifically in the ethics and sustainable procurement themes. This should be encouraging to smaller businesses, especially those that haven’t started their sustainability journey yet.

There are some excellent resources (such as Sustainable Advantage Business Case for Sustainability) to help companies understand, model and measure the ROI of a sustainable business. The upside ranges from cost savings due to boosting efficiency of processes and reducing waste, to differentiating products in the market, to lower turnover and higher productivity due to employee engagement and satisfaction, as well as improved recruiting performance. SMBs have less red tape and approvals in starting a program than larger organizations. The key is that management has to be on board with a plan and budget, so it’s important to be able to explain the business impact and revenue opportunities of a new EcoVadis chart of international sustainability performance. Europe is the leader, and scores of approach. Also, some65 (outstanding) have been achieved by about 5% of companies from the largest businesses. one needs to be named

44 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

WJI: How can the sense that CSR is the bailiwick of large businesses be overcome?

McClintock: Small and medium-sized companies account for as much as 80% of all the organizations we rate, which shows that CSR/sustainability is surely not the bailiwick of just large companies.

To further illustrate the vast amount of small and medium-sized companies prioritizing sustainability, there are more than 3,000 companies from 71 countries that are registered as Certified B Corporations, many of which are small. These companies are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community and the environment. They are very successful while doing so.

While large organizations inherently have more resources and power to affect change on a global scale, SMBs tend to be more agile, able to get key initiatives off the ground and to respond better to a changing business environment.

Those are all critical traits for driving sustainable change.

Also, with more attention being brought to the role of the private sector overall in addressing sustainability issues, it’s clear responsibility and accountability is not isolated to a particular industry, region, peer group or company size. It needs to be a priority for organizations across the board.

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DECEMBER 2019 | 45

FEATURE

WJI: For CSR to be adopted by smaller companies, are tax breaks or some other consideration needed?

McClintock: Although sustainability criteria/performance ratings are expanding beyond use in supply chain relationships, ESG investment tax breaks may be a long way off. There are some government regulations, such as the California Transparency Act, that will make some of the most serious sustainability issues a required factor for businesses to consider. There are also a variety of grants and loans available from the U.S. Small Business Administration and other organizations that offer small businesses financial assistance for implementing energy efficient upgrades to facilities, innovative environmental technology and environmentally friendly business practices.

There are some new commercial applications of sustainability that are driving new incentives. For example, EcoVadis recently partnered with ING to provide sustainable business loans to non-listed companies, including SMBs. With these loans, the interest rate level increases or decreases with the achievement or not of various sustainability criteria, which are assessed by our team.

Incentivizing performance in this way has encouraged businesses to take concrete steps to move along the sustainability maturity curve. There are several similar programs in progress to integrate sustainability incentives into things like supply chain finance, reverse factoring and the like.

FEATURE

Riverdale Mills: partnering with nature is a key part of its business plan Power is essential to any manufacturer, and Riverdale Mills, a Massachusetts-based company, has long depended on the Blackstone River for a sizeable amount of what it needs to produce wire mesh fabric products for sectors that include marine, security, construction, and agriculture industries. Below, company CEO Jim Knott explains how tapping into hydropower, and other measures, has enabled the company to control its expenses while reducing its carbon footprint.

WJI: We hear you invested elsewhere as well.

Knott: We did. We operate a 500kW Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system for our 390,000-sq-ft facility to offset energy costs and minimize reliability on local power providers. The CHP unit can run in an “island mode,” meaning it can be used independently, off the utility grid or in combination with the grid, to support our manufacturing operations. The CHP systems produce electricity and hot water at 80-90% efficiency, compared to the grid’s 30% efficiency, and can cut carbon emissions by about 50%.

WJI: When did that start?

Since it was installed in 2017, the CHP system has Knott: When the Knott family purchased and completely decreased our dependence on local utility providers by renovated the run-down, former textile and paper mill approximately 60%. It has in 1979, they saw the adjareduced our company’s cent Blackstone River was carbon footprint by approxa natural source of energy. imately 3,000,000 kilowatt They restored the circa 1901 hours annually. We send Francis Type B water turbine the CHP “waste heat” to to produce hydropower and our coating and galvanizrehydrated the adjacent and ing lines for recovery which barren mill pond. Our restofurther decreases our energy ration efforts over the past 40 consumption while increasing years have reaped benefits for output. The system supplies the ecosystem, the commuan estimated annual energy nity, employees and visitors, savings of 2,940 therms. as well as nature lovers.

We also replaced our tradiThe dam and the CEO Jim Knott inside his company’s wire mesh plant, tional HVAC system with hydro-electric turbine a geothermal heating and increase the dissolved oxygen which depends on nature to help power its operations. cooling system to help keep in the Blackstone River the building warm in the winter months and cool in the which, in turn, helps to sustain the fish and wildlife popusummer. We installed energy-efficient machinery with lation. Our 19-acre pond supports a diverse, healthy and future technologies to coincide with the lifetime of equipself-sustaining wild-life community. It is home to trout, ment (rather than stay with the status quo). Finally, we’ve carp, crappie and catfish as well as snapping turtles, water upgraded our existing systems, improved processes and snakes, beavers, swans, great blue herons and eagles. maintenance, and conducted time-intensive staff training.

WJI: How much work went into hydropower?

WJI: It all sounds very expensive.

Knott: A lot. We now have a computer-automated hydro Knott: Riverdale is committed to our corporate goals of dam that continuously controls the river flow to assure achieving long-term environmental and economic savings. the required water flows both into the turbine and into the Eco-friendly and energy efficient processes, waste reducbypass reach. It reduces our use of “traditional” electricity. tion and recycling have been our business priorities since our founding in 1980. Sustainable and environmentally WJI: How dependable is the river flow? friendly manufacturing is not just right for the planet, it is Knott: There are times when the flow is low, and then essential for the safety and sustainability of our facility, our we have to depend on just traditional sources, but over the staff, our products and the community in which we opercourse of a year we can generate about 162,000 kH. Every ate. The significant investments we made were strategic, bit matters because we have dozens of large systems that laser-focused on the future, and took a concerted effort but run 150 hours a week. Hydropower minimizes our compathe investments are showing dividends. Tapping into solar ny’s carbon footprint, and both protects and enriches the energy is next on our list but we’ll need to discuss that in natural resources, waterways and habitat on its property. another issue!

WJI: Just how important are non-traditional sources of energy to your company?

Knott: Sustainability is at the core of Riverdale Mills.

We have continuously explored options to employ energy-efficient systems and recycling programs. We are also blessed to be located by the Blackstone River, and that source of hydropower has been a huge asset for us in terms of maintaining a low-carbon footprint.

46 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

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FEATURE

SCM expert: every supply chain should take into account CSR Robert O. Martichenko, an award-winning supply chain management (SCM) professional, is the founder and CEO of LeanCor Supply Chain Group—which serves as “a trusted supply chain partner” to advance those activities—maintains that corporate social responsibility (CSR) should be part of any size manufacturer’s plans. Below, he shares his thoughts on the topic. For more about the company, go to www.leancor.com.

WJI: Is a supply chain more than determining what one’s needs are, then seeking the best price for the materials/ services, assuming the quality meets all requirements, and locking in long-term contracts?

Martichenko: Supply Chain Management (SCM) represents these items, but also much more. The goal of SCM is to optimize customer value at the lowest possible total cost to the business, all while showing respect to people, our communities and the environment. This means we need to connect customer demand with distribution capabilities, and then connect distribution capabilities with manufacturing and inbound material supply processes to facilitate efficient and effective flow of products and information relating to these products.

WJI: Does a supply chain essentially carry on, evolving only as new needs emerge, such as when new products are pursued, a company expands, etc.?

Martichenko: Supply chains are a living and dynamic part of a business. As products, markets, customers, factory locations and supplier locations change, so does the supply chain. Consider recent dynamics such as e-commerce and the globalization of supply chains. These changing business paradigms have resulted in organizations needing to redesign and, in some cases, re-invent their entire supply chain networks and capabilities.

WJI: Unless a company is publicly traded or either sells to the public or to a business that falls under those scopes, might CSR be seen by some as a second-tier matter?

Martichenko: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) represents critical thinking for any size and any type of business. It essentially says that we care about people, our communities and the world. There is no down side to believing in respect as a business value, and that effective decisions are those that show we believe in doing the right thing for society. A business that focuses only on profit is not a healthy business and will struggle to retain progressive-thinking employees as we move into the future.

WJI: Should a manufacturer ask an existing/potential supplier to show what they do in terms of CSR, and if they agree, what exactly should one be looking for?

Martichenko: It is important to know the vision, values and goals of all stakeholders in our supply chain, but many manufacturers and suppliers may be at different levels of maturity relative to their CSR work. Thus, it is valuable for a manufacturer to lead the charge and help suppliers to develop CSR programs. One should look for formal

48 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

documented CSR goals and implementation examples of the goals.

Manufacturers can also learn from their suppliers who may be more mature in their CSR work.

WJI: Where might a small manufacturer find ways to be more CSR effective without disrupting their world?

Martichenko: Small manufacturers Martichenko are typically focused on getting products out the door each day to meet customer demands. This means they may not be disciplined relative to planning processes and problem solving across the supply chain. Value propositions such as CSR may not be front and center when one is that busy, but regardless of size, a manufacturer needs to stop and take time to understand best practices in Lean and Operational Excellence, and then to implement these best practices. That includes work in CSR. If you want to grow, think big.

At LeanCor we have done significant work with smaller manufacturers to connect their suppliers to shared goals.

At a tactical level, this means we map the value stream that shows the flow of products and information between the supplier and the manufacturer. Once the map is completed, together we look for waste in the entire system and create improvement plans to eliminate the waste. Examples are improvements in packaging, transportation, inventory reduction, warehouse requirements and overall supply chain performance, each of which has the potential to make a manufacturer achieve sustainable CSR. WJI: What does CSR organizational perfection look like?

Martichenko: Lean end-to-end supply-chain operations are planned, visible, stable, flexible, reliable and highly collaborative. They provide an operational-feedback loop.

Supply-chain initiatives relentlessly focus on end-to-end flow, speed and lead-time reduction by identifying and eliminating all non-value complexities and waste. This is accomplished through rigorous process discipline, inventory optimization and first-time quality of processes. The supply chain flows to the pace of customer demand, where all supply-chain activities are triggered by the pull of the pace-setting process. The SCM goal is to deliver the highest value to the customer at the lowest possible total cost.

If that can be done, the focus on waste elimination and collaboration, we will have also achieved a high level of CSR.

NO

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UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Overall Small Medium Large Very Large Product life-cycle: overall, most manufacturers believe it matters

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9.1%

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37.5%

83.7%

81.8% 56.3%

64.7%

68.4%

Figure 3: Does Your Company Use a Life-Cycle Approach Toward the Sustainability of Some or All of Its Products?

Figure 2: Does Your Company Use a Life-Cycle Approach for Sustainability of Some or All of Its Products?

UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Large

Very Large

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FEATURE

Life-cycle thinking is a key tool for manufacturers making informed decisions and understanding the

Aimpacts recent survey byproducts. the National Association of processof ofNAM using member a life-cycle approach. Ituse wasor notare of their The survey revealed that 75.8the percent companies Manufacturers (NAM) of its 14,000 small, medium and clear if that had to include a full report on a product life developing a life-cycle approach toward the sustainability of some or all of their products (68.4 already large companies in industrial sectors found that roughly cycle, which is exacting and very time-consuming to do. have, 7.4 percent (Figure 3). Electronics manufacturer Texas Instruments efficiently uses to and three-quarters either usedeveloping) or are developing a life-cycle However, if the focus is strictly on what happens prodreusestomaterials generated by itsproducts. manufacturing process.ucts, For then example, it regularly and shreds its small approach the sustainability of their it shows that mostcleans companies, including Even thechemical very largecontainers companiesfor (5,000 employ-industry. and medium-sized operations, are considering it in their empty saleortomore the plastics ees) have a share (9%) that have yet to adopt or be in plans, a positive industry statement.

Pelican Wire: employee appreciation is not just doable, it’s utterly essential

FEATURE

Pelican Wire, a growing Florida-based manufacturer of specialty wire, has snared an impressive string of awards in the last few years (see below), yet the business has also succeeded on other levels. One of those has to do with its involvement with employees, which might seem to be a given ... until you see just what that entails.

One could say that Pelican Wire, which became employee owned in 2008, has an inherent interest in taking good care of its collective staff. After all, the company likes to say, “Customers First, Employee-Owners Always,” but Pelican Wire reports that it has just furthered the approach taken by Larry and Theresa Bill, who founded the “garage business” in 1969.

Earlier this year, the company announced a new, comprehensive paid family leave maternity/paternity benefit. It had already offered such leave for primary caregivers of immediate family members with a serious health condition requiring full-time care. Pelican Wire HR Director Amy Foster said that the program is part of the company’s reaching out to serve the real-world needs of employees.

The company also recognizes employee anniversaries on a regular basis, and not just for the iconic numbers, such as 25 years, but also on a more regular basis: 5 years, 7 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, etc. “Time is our most precious commodity, and to allow a large chunk of that to go by without recognition and an expression of gratitude from leadership is a sin,” said Pelican Marketing Manager Trent Dunn, who explained that employee recognition is a staple.

Each month, the company chooses four or so employees who personify Pelican Wire’s Core Values: Willingness, Innovation, Results-driven, Employee-owner and Dedication (WIRED).

What’s different is that it is the employees who suggest who that should be. They can take a nomination form, cite a deserving colleague and write out what they saw that shows how the candidate excelled. The company has 80 staffers at its main plant in Naples, and another 80 in Colorado at the Rubadue Wire operation it

High-school students hear about Pelican Wire before going on a tour to see how it happens on the shop floor.

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Pelican Wire’s “Blue Chip” Award was front-page news. acquired in 2014. The nominations are collected, reviewed

by HR and awarded at the next meeting, where the winner gets receives a Core Value Winner Certificate and a gift card from company CEO Ted Bill. The person who made the nomination is also involved. “It may seem a small thing to others, but this is a team of people that cares a lot, so peer recognition is a strong part of our culture,” Dunn said.

Employees are also able to take advantage of continuing education, and to date dozens of employees have done just that, Dunn said. At the same time, many area schools have reached out to Pelican Wire for tours and workshops. Earlier this year, on two separate days it hosted high school students from Grace Place and from the Naples High School Engineering Academy. The tours allowed the students to learn about the various production process steps, meet with engineers from Pelican Wire and find out more about what they do, and to hear how their education has been used. “We appreciate having the chance to have students come here, and get a taste of what manufacturing and engineering careers can look like.”

Beyond the educational outreach, the company has also supported a wide range of causes, both local and national.

Employees have volunteered for Habitat for Humanity,

Sometimes, a look at a neutral source can provide a different perspective about an employer. In eight reviews of Pelican Wire posted at glassdoor.com, the business got shining assessments: each employee said they would recommend the company to a friend and that they approved of CEO Ted Bill. Below are some of those comments.

• “People definitely make this company worthwhile.

Everyone is treated with the upmost respect and integrity is observed as a positive and respected trait. Positive feedback is always provided when stuck in a rut with a helping hand!!!”

• “Love the people that work there. Love the steps they take toward growth. Love how they treat every employee with an equal amount of respect. Love how all employees have the same goal in mind.”

• “As an employee-owner, same as everyone else here, I can have any conversation with any team

and raised funds for a family that lost its house due to a fire. They also have had fun, as directed by its Employee Relations Committee (ERC)—a volunteer army of about 12-16 people—which finds ways to make working for Pelican Wire a family experience.

The ECR plans a series of events each year, such as the screening of The Lion King on a big outdoor screen, and attending Beauty & the Beast at a local dinner theater.

Past ERC events have included: a Busch Gardens trip, Miami Heat basketball, family nites at HeadPinz in Naples and Fort Myers, Fort Myers Miracle Baseball, Florida Everblades Hockey, random days with ice cream trucks, a National Oreo Day treat cart, Smoothies Day and more.

Pelican has supported different causes, and continues to make employees a priority, but it has done so while remaining focused on its business, which has received many honors. “We’re quite proud of all those awards, but those come when we assemble all-star teams throughout the company and empower and encourage them with opportunity and a positive workplace experience that includes an occasional dose of fun,” said Dunn, who cited the list for 2019.

member and can have a real impact on the company in an immediate and impacting way. Not many jobs are like that and not many employers encourage it like Pelican Wire does.

• Pelican wire is honestly one of the only company’s that genuinely cares about all employees & family.

Since I’ve started working here, there’s never been a day where I didn’t want to be here. Management is the greatest I’ve ever seen. Not only do they make you want to come to work, they also let me enjoy every second of it.

• The 25th annual Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award. See p.19.

• Business of the Month for Collier County • Inclusion in the Top 500 Companies on the Gulf Coast • Engineer named to Wire Journal International’s 2019 “Rising Hotshots”

• Two engineers named to Heat Treat Today’s “40 under 40” That follows being named Manufacturer of the Year in 2018 by the Manufacturer’s Association of Florida.

Bill said that awards do not come from having new equipment. “Our people are our biggest asset, and they need to be treated that way, and require continuous investment.

Sometimes that investment can be substantial, such as our underwrit- Pelican staff and families attend ing three MBAs Beauty & the Beast. over the last six years,” he said. “Most of our investment is in recognition and simple rewards for a job well done. There is no doubt that taking care of your team is an important part of engagement, and ultimately business success!”

Not all internal company employee notices are equal.

DECEMBER 2019 | 51

FEATURE

The Pelican Wire employee take outside of work? The place soars

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Available online at www.sciencedirect.com

ScienceDirect Procedia Structural Integrity 17 (2019) 618–623

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ScienceDirect ICSI 2019 The 3rd International Conference on Structural Integrity Procedia Structural Integrity 17 (2019) 618–623

Transverse load influence on tensile fatigue resistance of highstrength steel wires for structural applications in civil engineering ICSI 2019 The 3rd International Conference on Structural Integrity Maricely De Abreua*, Mihaela Iordachescua, Andrés Valientea

a

Transverse load influence on tensile fatigue resistance of highstrength steel wires for structural applications in civil engineering

Materials Science Dpt., ETSI Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 3 Prof. Aranguren St., 28040, Madrid, Spain

Abstract a

Maricely De Abreua*, Mihaela Iordachescua, Andrés Valientea

Materials Science Dpt., ETSI Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 3 Prof. Aranguren St., 28040, Madrid, Spain

Cold-drawn duplex stainless steel is an alternative to cold-drawn eutectoid steel to prevent the stress corrosion cracking risk in strands for structural uses as concrete prestressing and strand-tendons of cable stayed bridges. These possible applications create uncertainty concerning the fatigue behaviour of strand wires when subjected to the combined action of cyclic tensile loads and transverse loads that occur at the contact with the other strand wires or at the anchorages, couplers and deviators. This research Abstract compares the experimental behaviour of two cold-drawn wire types, manufactured from a lean duplex stainless steel and an eutectoid steel, when simultaneously subjected to transverse static and axial fatigue loads. The results show that the fatigue Cold-drawn duplex by stainless steel is an alternative to cold-drawn steel to prevent the loads stressare corrosion cracking risktwo in endurance required the standards in force for prestressing steeleutectoid wires, free from transverse maintained by the strands for structural uses as concrete prestressing and strand-tendons of cable stayed bridges.

These possible applications create wire types even under transverse loads as high as 40% of their tensile strength. uncertainty concerning the fatigue behaviour of strand wires when subjected to the combined action of cyclic tensile loads and transverse thatPublished occur atbythe contact with the other strand wires or at the anchorages, couplers and deviators. This research © 2019 The loads Authors.

Elsevier B.V. compares the experimental twoorganizers. cold-drawn wire types, manufactured from a lean duplex stainless steel and an Peer-review under responsibilitybehaviour of the ICSIof 2019 eutectoid steel, when simultaneously subjected to transverse static and axial fatigue loads. The results show that the fatigue Keywords: load; Macro and of Fatigue enduranceBiaxial required byFatigue; the standards in Micro force Mechanisms for prestressing steelDamage; wires, free from transverse loads are maintained by the two wire types even under transverse loads as high as 40% of their tensile strength. © The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. 1. 2019 Introduction Peer-review under responsibility of the ICSI 2019 organizers.

Keywords: load; Macro and Micro Mechanisms Fatigue Damage;to the development of multi-wire strand-tendons Since Biaxial the end ofFatigue; the 70s, considerable effort hasofbeen devoted for prestressing concrete and other pre or post tensioned structural application. The achieved advances have led to today's structural tendons formed by bundles of high-strength steel strands used in a large variety of civil 1. Introduction engineering structures, especially bridges (Dywidag Systems, 2017 and BBR HiAm CONA, 2009). The most common type of strand is that manufactured from 7 high strength cold-drawn eutectoid steel wires, 6 of them Since the end of the 70s, considerable effort has been devoted to the development of multi-wire strand-tendons for prestressing concrete and other pre or post tensioned structural application. The achieved advances have led to today's structural tendons formed by bundles of high-strength steel strands used in a large variety of civil engineering structures, bridges Systems, 2017 and BBR HiAm CONA, 2009). The most * Corresponding author. Tel.:especially +34-910-674-312; fax: (Dywidag +34-913-366-680 .

E-mail address: common type ofm.deabreu@upm.es strand is that manufactured from 7 high strength cold-drawn eutectoid steel wires, 6 of them

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +34-910-674-312; fax: +34-913-366-680 .

E-mail address: m.deabreu@upm.es

2452-3216 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Peer-review under responsibility of the ICSI 2019 organizers.

10.1016/j.prostr.2019.08.083

2452-3216 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Peer-review under responsibility of the ICSI 2019 organizers.

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helically wound outer the central straight one (prEN 10138-2, 2009 and FIB, 2005).

The structural tendon-strands support high tensile loads, but they may also be subjected to contact transverse loads in the anchoring systems, couplers or guide deviators. These loads are transmitted to the strands wires and are added to those caused by their mutual contact by the strand tensioning. The undesired stresses that these transverse loads generate induce significant losses in the tensile bearing capacity and fatigue resistance of tendon-strands (Dywidag Systems, 2017 and BBR HiAm CONA, 2009).

In recent years, numerous investigations regarding the fatigue resistance of eutectoid steel wires, from which high-strength strands for structural tendons are manufactured, have been carried out using Fracture Mechanics approaches. However, current research not only addresses the improvement of existing products in order to satisfy the current demand of the construction industry requiring the increase of the resistant capacity and durability of structural tendons, but also the development and assessment of new generation of high-strength wires, in particular that of cold-drawn duplex stainless steels, as potential candidates for prestressing. Thus, the references (Valiente A. Et al., 2005 and Iordachescu M. et al. 2015), compare the damage tolerance of transversely cracked duplex steel wires with that of conventional eutectoid ones, and for this purpose tensile rupture tests together with an elementary theoretical model of plastic collapse were used. The cold-drawing effects in each steel microstructure consistently explain the resulted differences, which favor the new generation of duplex steel wires. Similarly, the experimental data presented in (De Abreu M. et al., 2018) reveal that their stress corrosion resistance widely exceeds that of eutectoid wires.

The objective of this work is to empirically determine the tensile fatigue life of high-strength wires used for the strands fabrication when simultaneously supporting concentrated static loads in transverse direction. Two types of cold-drawn wires, the first made of low-alloyed duplex stainless steel (LDS) and the second of eutectoid steel (ES) have been tested. The experiments have been carried out with a specially designed device that maintains constant a transverse compressive load locally applied on the wires while they are simultaneously subjected to cyclic tensile loading. To this end, a single stress range of 200 MPa was applied for being that required by the standards in force to assure the fatigue safe life of prestressing wires free from transverse loading (prEN 10138-2, 2009). Thus, a fatigue failure diagram showing the influence of the applied transverse load has been plotted from the obtained results. The diagram quantitatively describes the behavior of the two tested wires, shows the differences between them, and delimits the combinations of transverse and maximum tensile loads that produce their fatigue failure within the stress range of 200 MPa. Nomenclature ES LDS P0 Pmax Q F-QL

high-strength eutectoid wire high-strength lean duplex stainless steel wire tensile load in simple tension maximum tensile fatigue load under transverse loading transverse compression load tensile fatigue test under local transverse loading

2. Materials and Testing Method The studied high-strength wires of 4 mm diameter were manufactured by cold drawing from two distinct steel classes: the first belonging to a new family of low-alloyed duplex stainless steels known as "lean" duplex "(LDS), and the second a conventional eutectoid prestressing steel (ES). The microstructural features of the tested steel wires are presented elsewhere (Valiente A. Et al., 2005, Iordachescu M. et al. 2015 and De Abreu M. et al., 2018). Table 1 summarizes the mechanical properties at room temperature. These were determined from simple tensile tests, performed on samples of 350 mm length at a constant crosshead speed of 1mm/min on a 200 kN servo-hydraulic machine. A 12.5 mm resistive strain gauge was used for the strain measurement.

In the fatigue tests under transverse load (F-QL) the wire samples were simultaneously subjected to axial cyclic tensile loading and to local static compression loading perpendicular to the wire axis. The testing device is shown in

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Fig. 1. The samples, of 350 mm length, were gripped on the frame of the servo-hydraulic testing machine with commercial wire-wedges by means of which they were cyclically tensile loaded in the longitudinal direction. At once, the static transverse compression load was perpendicularly applied to the wire axis by using a small independent loading cell. This was designed to secure the transverse loading of the wire sample without parasite axial loading (Fig. 1a) induced by sliding friction between the wire sample and the actuator and the supporting plate of the small cell. This condition is achieved through the pulley counterweight system, which hangs from the testing machine and balances the frame weight. The actuator is pushed by an oil-hydraulic mini-cylinder fed by an air-oil pressure multiplier and a compressed air-bottle, whose pressure-regulator allows a fine enough manual control of the transverse load. The mini-cylinder piston of 30 mm diameter compresses the tested wire with the active force that receives from the oil-pressure. This is transmitted to the tested wire by means of a small piece of the same wire, which acts as a transversal actuator. This wire-actuator remains lodged in a V-shape die while applying the transverse load to the tested wire, whose backside is longitudinally supported on a V-grooved plate that receives the corresponding reaction force (Fig. 1b). Figs. 1c, 1d-1 and 1d-2 show details of the wire sample during testing, just before being transversely loaded, and just after failure.

Table 1. Mechanical properties of studied wires Elastic modulus [GPa]

Yield strength [MPa]

Tensile strength [MPa]

Maximum uniform deformation [%]

Area Reduction [%]

LDS

180

1350

1820

2.3

51

ES

205

1640

1740

3.2

50

Mechanical properties

Fig. 1. a) General view of the fatigue tensile test with transverse load (F-QL); b) Sketch of the biaxial loading; Details of the transverse loading: c) during testing; d-1) before transverse loading; d-2) at failure.

For prestressing strands wires free from transverse loading the fatigue lives higher than 2Â106 load cycles within the stress range of 200 MPa are considered unlimited by FIB (FIB, 2005). Accordingly, all F-QL tests were carried out in this stress range, at 12 Hz frequency, under different combinations of maximum fatigue load and transverse load, Pmax-Q. The tests were interrupted at 2Â106 load cycles, and in some cases at 5Â106 cycles. After the test, the wires that did not failed were loaded in simple tension until rupture to determine their remaining tensile capacity.

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Finally, the fracture surfaces of the wires were SEM analyzed, to determine the effect of the transverse load on the micromechanisms of damage involved in their failure.

3. Results and discussion 3.1. Effect of transverse load on the fatigue life of the wires Fig. 2a and 2b show the results obtained in the F-QL tests for the LDS and ES wires, respectively. In these graphs, the maximum fatigue load Pmax was plotted against the transverse load Q. In both cases the bearing capacity of the corresponding wire type in simple tension P0 was used to adimensionalize the data. In the two graphs, the test results indicating both unlimited fatigue life and fatigue failure were plotted with distinct symbols in order to easily identify the boundaries separating them, namely the BC lines, and to determine the combinations Pmax-Q for which the fatigue limit of the wires is 200 MPa. The safe life diagrams so derived were completed by adding the point (0, 0.70) that current standards require for the fatigue resistance of prestressing steels wires of F1 class (prEN 10138-2) and also by incorporating the straight line of negative slope that represents the empirical static fracture locus shown to predict the critical combinations of tensile and - transversal loads for the ES and LDS wires (Iordachescu M. et al., 2018).

Fig. 2. F-QL results in the diagram maximum tensile fatigue load - static transverse load of: a) LDS wires; b) ES wires; c) Safe life boundaries and the common safety zone.

The horizontal lines AB of ordinates 0.8 and 0.7 in Fig. 2a and 2b are respectively indicating the LDS yield strength and the maximum allowable service load of prestressing concrete wires (EHE-08, 2008). According to these diagrams of fatigue safe, LDS and ES wires reach the fatigue limit of 200 MPa required by the current standards in the absence of transverse loads, even when subjected to the highest accepted service tensile load of 0.7P0 required for the maximum fatigue load Pmax and when simultaneously applying a transverse static load of 40% of P0 for LDS and 37% of P0 for ES. Moreover, both wires reach the fatigue limit of 200 MPa regardless the transverse load provided that the maximum fatigue load does not exceed 40% of P0 for ES and 45% of P0 for LSD. Above these maximum fatigue load values, the transverse load reduces the fatigue limit of both wires type below 200 MPa. The data suggest the existence of a safety zone in the Pmax-Q diagram, of simple geometry, that guarantees the 200 MPa fatigue limit and which is practically the same for the two types of wires (Fig. 2c).

3.2. Failure mechanisms of the wires subjected to local transverse and axial cyclic tensile loads According to Fig. 2c, the fatigue life of LDS wire is less sensitive to the transverse load than the ES wire, since

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its boundary of 200 MPa fatigue limit is closer to the static collapse locus. This lower sensitivity is consistent with the differences found in the damage micromechanisms that cause the fatigue failure. The origin of the differences comes from the microstructures of the two wires steels, despite of their similitude resulting from the large axial grain elongation provided by the cold drawing process. Even in this strongly oriented microstructure the higher ductility of the austenitic of LDS is present when compared to the pearlitic matrix of ES. This microstructure feature of LDS also explains its higher damage tolerance (Valiente A. Et al., 2005, Iordachescu M. et al. 2015) and lower susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement in aggressive environments (De Abreu M.et al., 2018) than that of ES.

Fig. 3. a) Sketch of the fatigue fracture of the wires under transverse loading; b, c) Macroscopic images of LDS wires broken in the F-QL test; d) Fatigue fracture features of LDS wire; e) Higher magnification detail showing the secondary cracking at austenite – ferrite interphase of LDS in the fatigue crack propagation stage; f, g) Macroscopic images of ES wires broken in the F-QL test; h) Fatigue fracture features of ES wire; i) Higher magnification detail of ES in the fatigue crack propagation zone.

Fig. 3 presents the sketch of the macroscopic failure mode of the wires under F-QL testing (Fig. 3a) together with some representative macro and micro fractographic images of broken LDS and ES wire specimens with fatigue lives less than ����6 cycles. Figs. 2b and 2c reveal that fatigue cracking of LDS wire propagates in a plane inclined with respect to the axis of the wire, as schematically shown in Fig. 2a. The initiation of the cracking process takes place at one end of the notch generated by plastic deformation in the contact area between the tested wire and the actuator wire. The transition from the contact area to the traction free surface and the geometrical effect of the notch are superposed stress concentrators that propitiate the crack initiation. The angle formed by the fatigue cracking plane and the wire axis is approximately 40°, very similar to that found in the case of the static fracture test under transverse loading of LDS (Iordachescu M. et al., 2018). This contrasts with that of 90° which determines the wires cracking when subjected to cyclic tensile loading without transverse load.

The image of Fig. 3d shows the fatigue crack features of LDS, consisting of three well-defined stages: the initiation, the inclined propagation, and the shear final failure by overloading. The transition from the initiation to propagation stages mainly contains dimples developed by plastic deformation, which differ in density and size.

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These are gradually replaced by well-defined fatigue striations in the crack propagation stage, where signs of secondary longitudinal cracking by localized decohesion at the austenite-ferrite interphase are visible at higher magnification view (Fig. 4e).

According to Figs. 4f and 4g, the macroscopic fracture characteristics of ES wires broken in the F-QL tests are very similar to that of LDS wires. The cracking process also begins at one end of the notch produced by the transverse loading and the propagation takes place following an inclined plane with respect to the axis of the wire axis, but at an angle, somewhat greater than that found in case of LDS. The morphology between crack initiation and growth hardly differs in this case (Fig. 3h). The crack advances through the pearlitic colonies without secondary microcracking, by the progressive breaking of the cementite lamellae and the subsequent growth of micro voids in the ferrite phase (Fig. 5e). This explains the higher angle of the fatigue propagation plane and the more abrupt stepped striations detected in the ES wires.

4. Conclusions The axial tensile fatigue tests under static transverse load (F-QL) shows that currently used cold-drawn eutectoid steel (ES) wires for fabrication of high-strength structural strands maintain the fatigue resistance levels required by the technical codes for prestressing steel, and the FIB recommendations for the strand-tendons of cable-stayed bridges. The transverse load has to exceed a threshold close to 40% of the resistant capacity of the wire in simple tension and the maximum axial fatigue loads to surpass 70% of it to reduce the fatigue limit below the required 200 MPa stress range.

Analogous F-QL tests carried out with cold-drawn wires of equal strength and diameter, made of lean duplex stainless steel (LDS), show that the performance of these wires relative to the fatigue resistance under transverse loading surpass that of conventional eutectoid steel wires used for strand manufacturing.

The designed testing method not only allows the comparison of the tensile fatigue resistance of different high strength wires regarding their sensitivity to transversal loading but it also permit to determine the service conditions of the wires involving transverse loading that increase the risk of fatigue failure. According to the behavior of the tested eutectoid and lean duplex stainless steels wires this occurs for transverse loads roughly exceeding a half of the tensile bearing capacity of the wires.

Acknowledgements The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support obtained from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the project BIA 2014-53314–R and the collaboration with INOXFIL S.A. who kindly provided the high-strength, lean and duplex steel wires.

References BBR HiAm CONA Strand stay cable system, 2009. BBR VT International, www.bbrnetwork.com.

De Abreu, M., Iordachescu, M., Valiente, A., 2018. On hydrogen-induced damage in cold-drawn lean-duplex wires. Engineering Failure Analysis 91, 516-526.

DYWIDAG bonded post-tensioning using strands, 2017. DYWIDAG-SYSTEMS International, 04 160-1/06.17-web sc, dywidagsystems.com/emea.

DYWIDAG multistrand stay cable systems, 2017. DYWIDAG-SYSTEMS International, 04 178-1/07.17 -web sc, dywidag-systems.com/emea.

EHE-O8. Instrucción de Hormigón Estructural. Ministerio de Fomento, 2008, Madrid.

FIB bulletin 30, 2005. Acceptance of stay cable systems using prestressing steels. The International Federation for Structural Concrete – FIB, ISSN 1562-3610.

Iordachescu, M., De Abreu, M., Valiente, A., 2015. Effect of cold-drawn induced anisotropy on the failure of high strength eutectoid and duplex steel wires. Engineering Failure Analysis 56, 412-421.

Iordachescu, M., De Abreu, M., Valiente, A., 2018. Effect of transversal loading on the fatigue life of cold-drawn duplex stainless steel. Procedia Structural Integrity 13, 584-589. prEN 10138-2, Prestressing Steels–Part 2:Wires, 2009, CEN. Valiente, A., Iordachescu, M., 2012. Damage tolerance of cold drawn ferritic-austenitic stainless steels wires for prestressed concrete.

Construction and Building Materials 36, 874-880.

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TECHNICAL PAPERS Radiation Tolerant Optical Fibers as Sensors to Measure Process and Environmental Responses in Polymeric Materials Eric Goldberg*, Lauren Richardson*, Cliff Wagner*, Dan Homa*, Gary Pickrell*, Anastasia Yakusheva**, Matthew Davis**, and Brian G. Risch*** *Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Department of Materials Science and Engineering 309 Holden Hall (0237) Blacksburg, VA 24061 **Luna Innovations 3155 State Street Blacksburg, VA 24060 ***Prysmian Cables and Systems Telecommunications Americas P.O. Box 39 Claremont, NC 28610-0039 1-828-459-8435 ¡ brian.risch@prysmiangroup.com

Abstract Radiation tolerant, germanium doped, bend insensitive singlemode optical fibers have been embedded in additively manufactured polymeric structures and used in combination with an Optical Backscatter Reflectometer (OBR) to monitor process, environmental, and externally applied stresses on polymeric materials. Evolution of measured stresses varied as a function of both material and environmental exposure.

Keywords: distributed sensing, OBR, Additive manufacturing, radiation, singlemode fiber.

1. Introduction Optical fibers may be used for both telecommunications and sensing applications in high radiation environments. Previous studies have examined the attenuation response of radiation tolerant singlemode optical fibers and the suitability of these fibers for sensing applications.1,2 Work has also been conducted to investigate the practicality of including sensing fibers in 3-D printed objects.3 This study expands on previous work and uses these radiation tolerant optical fiber sensors to perform actual measurements of strain in additively manufactured polymeric structures with the use of an Optical Backscatter Reflectometer (OBR) and Optical Distributed Sensor Interrogator (ODiSI).

Fiber sensing is used in the aerospace, construction, medical, and energy industries for non-destructive condition monitoring of structural components via distributed measurement4. ODiSI measures real-time stress, strain, and temperature changes. OBR

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similarly measures changes in Rayleigh scatter patterns to pinpoint defects and strain regions in components.

The specific fiber type used as the sensing fiber in this study was bend resistant, germanium doped, PCVD SMF.5 The bend resistant fibers investigated contain a depressed refractive index area in the cladding layer near the core that enables improved confinement of the light to the optical core of the fibers. Two different materials, Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) and a Polypropylene copolymer (PP), were used to manufacture the additively manufactured structures with embedded fibers.

These two materials differed substantially in physical properties and possible response to environmental stresses.

2. Experimental 2.1 Additive Manufacturing Materials 1.75mm printing filaments produced with, Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) and a Polypropylene copolymer (PP), were used to 3-D print test specimens with embedded fibers. These two materials differ substantially in material properties as summarized in Table 1. Processing characteristics, physical properties, and long term environmental response of these two materials vary substantially.

The dominant degradation mechanism between the two materials varies. which can impact the environmental response during accelerated aging.

While PLA is prone to hydrolytic decomposition, the PP compound is more susceptible to thermosoxidative degradation. Differences in response during exposure to different environmental conditions is expected for these two materials and is a primary focus of this investigation.

Polymer Characteristic

PLA

PP

Melting Temp.

High

Low

Oxidative Stability

High

Low

Hydrolytic Stability

Low

High

Tensile Strength

High

Low

Modulus

High

Low

deposition to ensure full incorporation. After fiber embedment, the samples were scanned using the OBR to measure residual stresses accumulated during 3D-printing. These scans were compared to initial OBR fiber scans of the as received sensing fibers. An image of a test specimen during manufacturing is shown in Figure 1, and an image of a completed and connectorized test specimen is shown in Figure 2.

2.1 Moisture Analysis of Samples Gravimetric moisture analysis on the samples was performed after the UV weathering testing and on samples that had undergone no environmental exposure. Testing was conducted using a Sartorius MA-35 moisture analyzer with a temperature setpoint of 120°C and conditioning time of 20 minutes.

Figure 1: Image of Test Specimen During Being 3-D Printing with Embedded Optical Fibers.

2.2 Mechanical Testing Mechanical testing was completed on print filaments of each material before and after each environmental exposure condition using an Instron 5567 tensile tester equipped with a long travel extensometer. A 2.5” initial grip distance, a 1” gauge length for the extensometer, and a rate of 2” per minute were used

2.3 Additively Manufactured Test Specimen Production Test specimens were 3D printed using a CubeX Duo model FFF printer, utilizing commercial PLA and polypropylene filaments.

To optimize printing parameters, several trial test specimens were printed without embedded fibers to be used for process optimization and initial 3-point bend testing. Samples were of dimensions 3” x 0.38” x 0.38” and were additively manufactured using the CubeX 3D printer. PLA was printed at a print-head temperature of 215 Ԩ with a heated glass print bed of 75 Ԩ. PP was printed at a print-head temperature of 235 Ԩ with a heated polypropylene bed at a temperature of 120 Ԩ. The PP print bed was used to mitigate sample warpage for the polypropylene sample by providing a better surface for adhesion. Two grades of polypropylene were used for printing trials with differing levels of crystallinity, but warpage on the polypropylene sample with the high level of crystallinity was too great for useful specimens to be produced.

For samples containing sensing fibers, fiber embedment was performed at 30% of the finished specimen printing to offset the fiber from the neutral axis of the sample. The CubeX print head Z-gap height, or the space between print bed and print head, was 8.2 for PLA and -8.75 for PP. During paused prints, fibers were held taut and adhered to the ends of the print bed for embedment.

Fibers were inlayed using a lattice raster pattern for filament

Figure 2: Image of Completed Test Specimen with Embedded and Connectorized Optical Fiber.

2.4 Specimen Environmental Exposure Samples were subjected to both UV and gamma radiation environmental exposure. The impact of UV exposure is of interest for numerous applications where outdoor exposure of specimens is possible and condition monitoring is desired.

Gamma radiation exposure is of interest in numerous industries and fields including nuclear power, high energy physics, medical sterilization, aerospace, and military/defense applications.

UV weathering was conducted according to ASTM G155 Cycle 1 as summarized in Table 2A. Gamma radiation exposure of specimens was performed using a Co-60 gamma source to a target dose of 20KGy and a dose rate of 3.02Gy/s. Principal gamma ray energies for this source are 1.173 and 1.333MeV. Dosimetry was performed with radiochromic films. Radiation tolerant optical sensing fibers were used to ensure that attenuation of the fibers did not increase to levels that would negatively impact sensing capabilities. Gamma radiation exposure parameters are summarized in Figure 2B.

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Table 1. Summary of Basic Material Properties for Additively Manufactured Test Specimens.

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Table 2: Summary of Environmental Exposure Conditions 2A: Accelerated UV Weathering ASTM G155 Cycle 1 Time of Exposure

720 Hours

Temperature

63°C

Water Spray

102 min light 18min light & spray

Irradiance

0.35 w/m2 @ 340nm

2B: Gamma Radiation Exposure Target Dose

20KGy

Minimum Dose

20.8KGy

Maximum Dose

25.5KGy

Average Dose

23.2

Figure 3: OBR Distributed Strain Measurements in the PLA Test Specimen Before and After Gamma Radiation.

2.4 Optical Strain Measurements Radiation tolerant, bend resistant, single mode fibers were scanned using the LUNA OBRΠsystem to obtain initial baseline fiber scans which were compared to scans of the fibers after embedment and after exposure to environmental and physical stresses to directly measure fiber strain. Strain measurements were calculated based on the localized shift of the characteristic Rayleigh backscattering profile of each fiber.

3. Results and Discussion Figure 3 illustrates the distributed strain measurements on the embedded fibers after the 3-D printing (embedment) process, and after subsequent gamma radiation for the PLA test specimen. The sample goes under compressive strain during the printing process, and the compressive strain increases slightly during the gamma radiation exposure. The main source of the compressive strain on the sample is due to the volumetric change in the PLA during the cooling and crystallization process. As the samples were subjected to gamma radiation shortly after manufacturing, it is suspected that a major contribution to the added compressive strain after gamma radiation is due to secondary crystallization which may not be directly related to gamma radiation exposure.

Figure 4 illustrates the distributed strain measurements on the embedded fibers after the 3-D printing (embedment) process, and after subsequent gamma radiation for the PP test specimen. Strain levels in the embedded fiber are minimal and at the noise level and substantially lower than those observed in the PLA sample.

60 | 68TH IWCS CONFERENCE PAPER

Figure 4: OBR Distributed Strain Measurements in the PP Test Specimen Before and After Gamma Radiation.

Figure 5 illustrates the impact of UV weathering on the strain within the PP and PLA samples. The data in Figure 5 indicates that the UV weathering has a larger impact on both materials relative to the gamma irradiation. Also, the data indicates that both the relative magnitude and sign of impact on PLA changes drastically from gamma irradiation to UV weathering. Both materials showed a very similar strain profile with magnitude shifted from material to material.

Figure 5: OBR Distributed Strain Measurements for PP and PLA after UV weathering.

The tensile strain on the sensing fiber embedded in the PLA during the weathering is most likely due to moisture uptake during the UV weathering. Gravimetric moisture analysis was performed on the PLA after the time of measurement and a moisture level of about 0.3% was indicated. Gravimetric moisture uptake would induce a proportional volumetric swelling in the samples. The linear dimensions of the samples would scale as the cubed root of the volume, so the volumetric swelling and linear strain measurements are in very good agreement for the PLA sample. Water absorption in the PP was below 0.05% which explains the relative difference in induced tensile strains on the sensing fibers.

The results of mechanical testing on filaments of the PLA and PP before and after environmental exposure are summarized in Table 3A & B. Table 3A summarizes tensile strength and elongation and table 3B summarizes retention of properties after environmental exposure.

Both specimens showed minimal changes in physical properties after gamma radiation exposure which correlated with the relatively low levels of change in embedded fiber strains. Substantial changes in mechanical properties after UV weathering were observed which also correlated with a larger response for the embedded fiber strain.

Both samples became brittle after UV weathering which is indicated by both low absolute and relative elongation.

Table 3A: Summary Tensile Test Results PLA PP Control Specimen 16.0MPa Tensile Strength 67.3MPa 6.9% 430% Elongation Gamma Irradiation 16.5MPa Tensile Strength 67.2MPa 8.7% 555% Elongation UV Weathering 8.3MPA Tensile Strength 61.0MPa 1.6% 5.7% Elongation

4. Conclusions Radiation tolerant, bend insensitive sensing fibers were embedded into additively manufactured test structures and the evolution of stresses during the fiber embedment process and during environmental exposure was monitored. The use of radiation tolerant sensing fibers for strain monitoring was demonstrated to a gamma radiation dose of 20KGy with little impact on sensing performance. Only minor changes in residual stresses were monitored on either material with a dose of 20KGy. Test structures were also exposed to UV weathering with water spray where more substantial changes in both physical properties and sensing response were observed. After UV weathering exposure both the PLA and PP mechanical test samples became brittle and a substantial tensile strain was detected in the test specimens with the sensing fibers.

The increase in tensile strain detected in the sensing fibers is attributed to moisture uptake during the water spray cycles at elevated temperature which was confirmed by gravimetric moisture analysis on the samples.

The minimum levels of change in both the physical properties and induced strains in both samples after Gamma exposure indicate that either of these materials would be suitable for gamma sterilization which is commonly used for biomedical applications. The poor performance of the materials in the UV exposure testing indicate that these materials are not well suited for outdoor exposure.

5. References 1

Matt Kozinski, Rachel Wenneman, Daniel Malta, Zack Newton, Gary Pickrell, Daniel Homa, and Brian G. Risch, “Long Term Response of Various Singlemode Optical Fiber Designs to Gamma Radiation Exposure�, Proceedings of the 65th International Wire and Cable Symposium, October 2016, pp. 416420.

2

Dan Murphy, Peter Riley, Thomas Rugari, Brian Risch, Gary Pickrell, Matthew Davis, S. Derek Rountree,

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TECHNICAL PAPERS

Table 3B: Summary of Elongation and Tensile Strength Retention after Environmental Exposure PLA PP Gamma Irradiation 103% Tensile Strength 99.9% Retention 126% 129% Elongation Retention UV Weathering 52% Tensile Strength 90.6% Retention Elongation 23% 1.3% Retention

TECHNICAL PAPERS

“Characterization of Fiber Optics with Femtosecond-Infrared Fiber Bragg Gratings for Extreme Applications”, Proc. SPIE Photonics West 2019: Photonic Instrumentation Engineering VI, February, 2019.

D. Homa, C. Hill, A. Floyd, and G. Pickrell, “Fiber Bragg gratings embedded in 3Dprinted prototypes,” Science Advances Today, (2016), vol. 2.

3

“Fiber Optic Sensing Applications and Engineering Notes,” Luna, 15-Jan-2015. [Online].

4

Brian G. Risch, Frank Achten, Jaap Jensma, Myrna Boon, Alain Pastouret, Marianne Bigot, and Adrian Amezcua, “Bend Insensitive Optical Fibers for High Radiation Environments”, Proceedings of the 64th International Wire and Cable Symposium, (2015), 53-58.

5

6. Pictures of Authors

Eric Goldberg Eric Goldberg Luna Innovations 3155 State Street Blacksburg, VA 24060

Eric Goldberg graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Materials Science & Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He joined Luna Innovations, Inc. in July of 2019 as an engineer in their R&D-based Lightwave Division working with fiber optic systems.

Lauren Richardson Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Department of Materials Science and Engineering 309 Holden Hall (0237) Blacksburg, VA 24061 Lauren Richardson graduated in May 2019 with a bachelor's degree in Materials Science & Engineering from Virginia Tech.

62 | 68TH IWCS CONFERENCE PAPER

Cliff Wagner Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Department of Materials Science and Engineering 309 Holden Hall (0237) Blacksburg, VA 24061 Cliff Wagner graduated in May 2019 with a bachelor's degree in Materials Science & Engineering from Virginia Tech. He is now employed at Gilbarco Veeder-Root as a Reliability Engineer for the Global Hardware team.

PRODUCTS

Dynamex Corporation reports that its new product, the multi-position tensioner, model TCU-6RG, is an innovative unit that offers multiple advantages.

Per the company, the unit is intended to be used whenever wires or pairs are fed from a basket or a stem-pack or a free-spinning reel into a cabler where constant tension of the twisting wires or pairs entering the cabler is critical for the operation. The model can accurately control the tension of up to six wires, but it can be built for a different number of positions. A unique feature is that the tension is created by regenerating electricity that is being fed back into the electrical grid.

The tension is created by running the wires over capstans that drive regenerative motors. This method applies the tension to the wires or the pairs without damaging the insulation. The wire tension energy is converted to electrical power that is fed back into the main 460V grid. The tension is adjustable by a knob on the panel, available as common tension or individual tension.

The TCU-6RG is PLC-controlled and has a touchscreen that allows one to choose which positions to select, and to disable the unused positions. Each selected position activates a BROKEN WIRE output if it stops turning during the run. That output can stop a cabler or another take-up, as well as flash a warning on the HMI screen. When this payoff is used with a DYNAMEX cabler, it can eliminate an existing “lay stand” by using one of the positions as a lay pulley driving the encoder. This enables space saving by eliminating the stand-alone lay stand. The unit’s footprint is approximately 3 ft x 3 ft. The vertical design is a great improvement in space requirement over the previous designs that were horizontal and had a much larger footprint.

Contact: Dynamex Corporation, tel. 310-329-0399, sales@dynamexcorp.corp, www.dynamexcorp.com.

High-voltage battery cable is compliant with multiple industry standards Champlain Cable has introduced a new high-voltage battery cable, EXRAD ERGO FLEX™, that it said provides

PRODUCTS

New tension unit uses regenerated electricity to control wire processing

ultimate flexibility to a cable that is also compliant with automotive industry standards such as ISO 6722-1, ISO-14572, ISO-19642 and also OEM standards.

Per the company, the new cable is made from a specially-developed irradiation cross-linked polyolefin designed to allow it to offer performance attributes such as flexibility, thermal robustness, high voltage, long operational life, thin diameter, high current capability and more. “This product development was born from a large U.S. automotive OEM that had a problem with operator ergonomics and repetitive motion concerns caused by a stiffer cable,” said Champlain Vice President of Business Development. “All of our EXRAD battery cables are ‘flexible’, but flexibility is in the eye of the beholder. The industry needed something better and we designed this cable to meet that need.”

With a Class D 150°C temperature rating, and 600 V or 1,000 V capability, EXRAD ERGO FLEX joins Champlain’s family of irradiation cross-linked vehicular products and is well-suited for ICE and EV/HEV applications. The cable is designed to mate well with connector seals. Its excellent compression set properties allow it to expand and contract through thermal excursions and still maintain the connector seal, which is imperative to the safe operations on an electric powered vehicle.

Contact: Champlain Cable Corporation, tel. 802-6544200, sales@champcable.com, www.champcable.com.

New HV cable gland bolsters company’s presence in global automotive industry Swiss-based HUBER+SUHNER has launched RADOX® EV-C, a connectivity solution to provide the automotive industry with a superior solution, strengthening its footprint in the growing global e-mobility market.

Per the company, HUBER+SUHNER developed the innovative cable gland to provide hybrid and electric vehicles – particularly trucks, buses, construction and special DECEMBER 2019 | 63

Cable now offered in armored version PRODUCTS

AFC Cable Systems, Inc., reports that its MC Plus cable—designed to replace multi-wire shared neutral branch circuit applications, where simultaneous disconnects are required—is now available with aluminum armor.

Per the company, AFC Cable is expanding their MC Plus Type MC cable offering to include the aluminum armor.

MC Plus is a UL Listed neutral per phase MC cable. The aluminum expansion complements AFC’s Steel Armor MC Plus portfolio. vehicles – with a safe and reliable connection that is suitable for the most demanding applications, including high temperatures, current peaks, extreme mechanical loads and harsh environments.

“Previously, vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers often had to source cables, connectors and high voltage distribution units separately from different suppliers and then assemble them together,” said Product Manager Robert Weirauch. “HUBER+SUHNER is revolutionising this process by offering the end-to-end interconnected system including high voltage cables, the High Voltage Distribution Unit (HVDU) and the latest innovation, RADOX EV-C.” Weirauch said that RADOX EV-C—which uses proven RADOX® technology—has been proven to operate under severe conditions, and provides a consistent level of performance over the life span of the vehicle. RADOX uses an electron beam crosslinking process for the cables that achieves notable improvements in the thermal, mechanical and chemical properties of the cable insulation.

Merging this cable technology with the new EV-C gland will provide the best-in-class connectivity solution for demanding heavy duty applications.

Weirauch said that RADOX EV-C has been validated both internally and externally according to automotive high-voltage standards. It is offered in seven sizes, from 6 to 120 mm², in five main variants, providing a wide configuration flexibility for customers and their specific needs.

Contact: HUBER+SUHNER, tel. 41-44-952-2211, 4220, www.hubersuhner.com.

64 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

MC Plus is an ideal cable for installation in offices, stores, hotels, high rise residential or similar applications. It allows an installer to pull and support one multiple circuit cable instead of pulling multiple single circuit cables. MC Plus cables eliminate shared neutrals, which allows electrical systems to continue to operate while repair or maintenance is performed on one circuit without affecting other branch circuits within the cable.

MC Plus cables also decrease the time it takes to identify a faulty circuit as only the affected single-phase breaker will trip, thus reducing an electrician’s time to identify and trace the cause. Because the cables do not share neutrals, they mitigates harmonic distortions in power distribution systems. The cable is also RoHS compliant.

Contact: AFC Cable Systems, Inc., tel. 508-998-1131, www.afcweb.com.

After launching the NTC 1200 last year, the first machines have been delivered and customers have provided amazing feedback. The unit has been successfully used as both a take-up and payoff. Customers were particularly convinced and pleased with using the NTC package as a payoff. However, the biggest benefit reported was the twist-free, straight wire without any wire breakage during the process for a customer processing 2.0 mm welding wire, with continuous running on both take-up and payoff.

Contact: Lamnea Bruk AB, tel. 46-122-23200, info@lamnea.se, www.lamnea.se.

Company introduces product extensions to help installers/end-users Belden Inc. reports that it has introduced several product line extensions to help installers and end-users reduce costs and speed up installation.

To expand its New Generation® Waterdog Cable line, Belden released several new cables that offer smaller sizes, higher conductor counts and shielding options. As ruggedized, water-resistant/direct-burial cables that support security and building management systems, Waterdog Cables allow seamless connectivity indoors and out, as well as above or below ground. The cable line meets UL water-resistance standards and TIA water-filtration tests

I NCE "Since S"Since 11989" 989 1989"

MACHINERY FOR THE WIRE & CABLE INDUSTRY

Pay-offs & Take-ups Accumulators & Dancers Taping & Binding Heads Cablers – Single Twist, Double Twist, Planetary and Rigid Capstans – Wheels, Belt Wrap and Catapuller Rewind Lines Extruders Striping & Marking Electrical Panels Braiders

NEW - REBUILT - CUSTOM

www.lloydbouvier.com 978-365-5700 DECEMBER 2019 | 65

PRODUCTS

VALUE,

One of Lämneå Bruk’s newest innovations is the No Twist Coiler (NTC) 1200, a state-of-the-art machinery for wire coiling and more.

Per the Swedish-based company, what makes this machine special is that the NTC 1200 can be used off-line and in-line with the drawing machine for a streamlined and space-saving production line. The inverted carrier is used as payoff in the next production step and placed directly on the floor. This results in an “undriven” payoff for twist-free and straight wire without the need for rotation.

ALITY & QU

RVICE SE

No-twist coiler can be used off-line

PRODUCTS

and is available in a variety of paired, multi-conductor or coaxial cable options.

Designed to support high-density optical distribution frame systems, Belden offers FiberExpress 1.6 mm fiber patch cords and multi-fiber trunks with 1.6 mm jacketed legs. With a small cable OD, the assemblies are designed to manage cable density and allow for airflow. Available in many lengths, colors, and fiber and connector configurations, they’re quick and easy to pull and install. They also offer simple polarity management with easy-to-use LC Duplex clips.

To test electrical and optical circuits at the same time, Belden offers its simple-to-use SMPTE tester. Featuring an OLED backlit display, the tester can be easily viewed indoors and outdoors and has a rechargeable battery that lasts for 40 hours.

Finally, Belden’s 4K UHD coax cable for 12G-SDI uses a single cable to provide a 12 GHz signal as opposed to dual-link or quad-link configurations required in the past.

This innovation reduces the number of coax cables needed, cutting down on space, weight and expenses. Belden has expanded its 12 GHz line of coax cables to include riser, plenum, flexible, LSZH and multi-coax snake constructions in various sizes, including a new plenum RG-59 cable.

Contact: Belden, www.belden.com.

Per the company, the new Gen. 2 coiler includes the same wire capabilities as the previous generation FZ-10, while improvements have been made to the functionality and overall design of the machine. FENN’s in-house engineering department made many upgrades with the needs of customers in mind. For starters, the Gen. 2 boasts a smaller footprint than its predecessor, making it easier to squeeze into shops where floor space is a premium. Another focus has to do with machine speed and production capabilities.

FENN’s engineers redesigned the coiler to have greater torque to inertia ratio, which allows faster production rates while maintaining consistent accuracy. The Gen. 2 FZ-10 can produce over 100,000 PPH. The Gen. 2 FZ-10 has updated, faster computer processing to accommodate a diverse range of coiling requirements. Industries using an FZ-10 to produce small springs and wire forms include automotive, general consumer, medical, dental and cosmetic. Applications can include small springs for pens and electronics, springs for components used in cars, small wire pins and springs, and dental arches. The Torin coiler is both competitively priced and cost-effective.

Contact: FENN, tel. 860-259-6600, sales@fenn-torin.com, www.fenn-turin.com.

Company supplies close-up views Dino-Lite supplies portable digital microscopes and eyepiece cameras to provide high-quality microscopy image and video interfacing to PCs and MACs.

Coiler offers more functionality and better performance courtesy of redesign FENN, which introduced its newly redesigned Torin FZ-10 coiler in October at the SMI show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, reports that there are lots of improvements that customers will appreciate.

66 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

Per the company’s website, most models provide 10 x to 220 x magnification, with higher magnification ranges going up to 500 x and 900 x. The software included has the capability to take snapshots, record videos, manipulate images, and save/e-mail discoveries. The EDGE series has an enhanced sensor for improved image quality. Unique features include Extended Depth of Field (EDOF), Extended Dynamic Range (EDR), and Automatic Magnification Reading (AMR).

Over the past eight years, the Dino-Lite digital microscope has helped users around the world increase their productivity. Due to its superior image quality, compact form factor, and ease-of-use, this product has quickly risen to a dominant position in the marketplace. From its initial success, the product line has expanded to include hundreds of models (and accessories) to fulfill specific customer needs. As a result, the Dino-Lite microscope is now an indispensable tool for manufacturing and other sectors.

Contact: Dino-Lite, www.dino-lite.com.

(Cont’d. from p. 23)

End closure of a superconductive electric cable U.S. Patent No.: 10,453,591 Patent date: Oct. 22, 2019 Filed: Feb. 26, 2015 Assignee: Nexans, France Inventors: Erik Marzahn, Mark Stemmle An end closure for a superconductive electric cable which has at least one superconductive conductor which is surrounded by a tubular cryostat serving for conducting a cooling agent, which at its end is surrounded by a housing.

The housing (G) has two walls (7, 8) which are separated from each other by an intermediate space (9) and having insulating material, wherein a thermal insulation containing gas is placed in the intermediate space. The pressure in the intermediate space (9) of the housing (G) is adjusted to a value of between 10.sup.-9 mbar and 1000 mbar and, connected to the intermediate space (9) are a pressure measuring device (12) and a vacuum pump (11) which serve for adjusting the pressure prevailing in the intermediate space (9) of the housing (G).

Fire resistant cable U.S. Patent No.: 10,453,588 Patent date: Oct. 22, 2019 Filed: Feb. 10, 2015 Assignee: Prysmian SpA, Italy Inventors: Ronald Blair, Walter Constantine, Kendall Waterman An electrical cable includes a conductor and a couple of mica tapes surrounding the conductor. The couple of mica tapes are formed of a first mica tape and a second mica tape wound around the first mica tape. Each of the first and the second mica tape includes a mica layer attached to a backing layer. The mica layer of the first mica tape faces and contacts the mica layer of the second mica tape.

Polymer composition and a power cable comprising the polymer composition U.S. Patent No.: 10,453,585 Patent date: Oct. 22, 2019 Filed: March 6, 2017 Assignee: Borealis AG, Austria Inventors: Ulf Nilsson, Annika Smedbeg, Alfred Campus A crosslinkable and crosslinked polymer composition containing a low density polyethylene (LDPE) homopolymer or low density polyethylene (LDPE) copolymer has

excellent direct current (DC) electrical properties. The crosslinked polymer composition has an electrical conductivity of 150 fS/m or less, when measured at 70.degree. C. and a 30 kV/mm mean electric field from a non-degassed, 1 mm thick plaque sample of the crosslinked polymer composition when measured according to a direct current (DC) conductivity method. A cable can be surrounded by at least one layer of the polymer composition.

Method for manufacturing electric wire U.S. Patent No.: 10,453,581 Patent date: Oct. 22, 2019 Filed: Sept. 11, 2017 Assignee: Yazaki Corporation, Japany Inventors: Kenichi Ishibashi, Kazumi Mochizuki, Yasunobuh Kondo A method of manufacturing an electric wire includes providing wire rods made of aluminum alloy, forming aluminum alloy wires by drawing the wire rods to a final wire diameter without heat treatment, and forming a conductor by twisting together the aluminum alloy wires with a twist pitch of 7 to 36 times a predetermined diameter of the conductor.

A composition of the aluminum alloy contains 0.1 to less than 1.0% by weight of Fe, 0 to 0.08% by weight of Zr, 0.02 to 2.8% by weight of Si, and 0.05 to 0.63% by weight of Cu and/or 0.03 to 0.45% by weight of Mg, with the remainder being Al and unavoidable impurities.

Cable with optical-fiber sensor for measuring strain U.S. Patent No.: 10,451,498 Patent date: Oct. 22, 2019 Filed: March 16, 2017 Assignee: Prysmian SpA, Italy Inventor: Brian Risch A cable includes a longitudinal structural element including at least one of an electrical conductor and an optical conductor, and a strain sensor arranged within a bending neutral region of the cable and mechanically coupled with the longitudinal structural element. The strain sensor includes an optical fiber coated with at least one coating layer, a release layer surrounding the coating layer, and a protective layer surrounding the release layer. The release layer includes a material selected from a silicone polymer, a fluoropolymer mixture or an extruded polymer containing a slip agent.

DECEMBER 2019 | 67

PATENTS

Patent Update

PATENTS

Optical fiber cable U.S. Patent No.: 10,451,462 Patent date: Oct. 22, 2019 Filed: April 25, 2018 Assignee: Silixa Ltd, Great Britain Chevron USA, Inc., USA Inventors: Mahamoud Farhadiroushan, Daniel Finfer, Veroniqu Mahue, Tom Parker, Sergey Shatalin, Dmitry Strusevich Embodiments of the present invention provide a cable for optical fiber sensing applications formed from fiber wound around a cable core. A protective layer is then preferably placed over the top of the wound fiber, to protect the fiber, and to help keep it in place on the cable core. The cable core is preferably of a diameter to allow bend-insensitive fiber to be wound thereon with low bending losses. The effect of winding the fiber onto the cable core means that the longitudinal sensing resolution of the resulting cable is higher than simple straight fiber, when the cable is used with an optical fiber sensing system such as a DAS or DTS system.

The achieved resolution for the resulting cable is a function of the fiber winding diameter and pitch, with a larger diameter and reduced winding pitch giving a higher longitudinal sensing resolution.

Flux-cored wire U.S. Patent No.: 10,449,637 Patent date: Oct. 15, 2019 Filed: Aug. 8, 2014 Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd., Japan Inventors: Peng Han, Hiroyuki Kawasaki Provided is a flux-cored wire with excellent welding workability, AW performance, and SR performance that can use both 100% CO.sub.2 gas and Ar--CO.sub.2 mixed gas as the shield gas in an initial layer welding for a structure body, particularly, a pipeline. The flux-cored wire with a flux filled into a steel outer sheath, includes, relative to the total mass of the wire: Mn: 1.5 to 3.1% by mass; Ni: 0.2% or more by mass and less than 1.00% by mass; at least one kind of Si, a Si alloy, and a Si oxide: 0.3 to 1.0% by mass in terms of Si; Ti: 0.05 to 0.29% by mass; C: 0.06 to 0.30% by mass; at least one kind of B, a B alloy, and a B oxide: 0.0030 to 0.0090% by mass in terms of B; and Fe: 91 to 97% by mass.

Shielded electrical cable U.S. Patent No.: 10,448,547 Patent date: Oct. 15, 2019 Filed: Sept. 5, 2018 Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company USA Inventor: Douglas Gundel A shielded electrical cable includes a conductor set and two generally parallel shielding films disposed around the conductor set. The conductor set includes one or more substantially parallel longitudinal insulated conductors. The 68 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

shielding films include a parallel portion wherein the shielding films are substantially parallel. The parallel portion is configured to electrically isolate the conductor set.

Data cable U.S. Patent No.: 10,438,724 Patent date: Oct. 8, 2019 Filed: Oct. 25, 2016 Assignee: LEONI Kabel GmbH, Germany Inventors: Melanie Dettmer, Bernd Janssen A data cable for high-speed data transmission at signal frequencies of>10 GHz includes at least one core pair which is surrounded by a film-shaped pair shield having an inner shielding film and an outershielding film which, are in electrical contact with one another and in which the inner shielding film is wound around the core pair. By virtue of this measure, an undesired resonance effect is avoided which, inpreviously wound pair shields, has not allowed use for relatively high signal frequencies. At the same time, an undesired commonmode signal, which would occur in the case of a longitudinally folded shielding film, is thus suppressed.

Method and armoured power cable for transporting alternate current U.S. Patent No.: 10,438,722 Patent date: Oct. 8, 2019 Filed: July 10, 2013 Assignee: Prysmian SpA, Italy Inventors: Paolo Maioli, Massimo Bechis A method and armored cable for transporting an alternate current at a maximum allowable working conductor temperature, as determined by the overall cable losses, the overall cable losses including conductor losses and armor losses. The cable includes at least one core, including an electric conductor having a cross section area, and an armor surrounding the core along a circumference. The method includes: causing the armor losses not higher than 40% of the overall cable losses by having the armor made with a layer of a plurality of metal wires having an elongated cross section with a major axis, the major axis being oriented tangentially with respect to the circumference; and transporting the alternate current at the maximum allowable working conductor temperature, in the electric conductor having cross section area sized on the overall cable losses including the armor losses not higher than 40% of the overall cable losses.

Shaped filler for cable and submarine cable having the same U.S. Patent No.: 10,438,721 Patent date: Oct. 8, 2019 Filed: July 2, 2018 Assignee: LS Cable & System Ltd., South Korea Inventors: Soon Jung, Kum Cha, Kyoung Kim, Doo Kim, Seung Lee

Active virtual reality cable U.S. Patent No.: 10,438,719 Patent date: Oct. 8, 2019 Filed: May 2, 2019 Assignee: Amphenol East Asia Electronic Technology (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd. China Inventors: Xiang Wang, Lei Liao An active virtual reality cable includes a main wire, a plurality of wire branches, a transfer member, and a control member. The transfer member is connected with the main wire and the wire branches. The control member has one end connected with the main wire and the other end connected with the motherboard of the virtual reality equipment. The wire branches include at least two wires. With the control member, the DC power wire is combined with various signal wires, increasing cable functions and meeting the development trend of product digitalization and integration.Multisectional structure of the main wire facilitates the storing and replacing operation of the cable, meeting various usage requirements of the customers nowadays. The extension distance of the cable is improved through the 42P OCulink plug. Also, the cost of manufacturing is lowered.

Insulation composition having low dielectric constant, and cable including insulation layer formed therefrom U.S. Patent No.: 10,438,716 Patent date: Oct. 8, 2019 Filed: Feb. 27, 2017 Assignee: LS Cable & System Ltd., South Korea Inventors: Christian Ernst, Sebastian Goss Provided is an insulation composition having a low dielectric constant and a cable including an insulation layer formed of the insulation composition. More particularly, the present invention relates to an insulation composition for reducing a space charge to increase superimposed impulse breakdown strength when impulse voltages overlap during application of a direct-current (DC) voltage, having a low dielectric constant, and improving impulse breakdown strength, and a cable including an insulation layer formed of the insulation composition.

Cable and method for the production thereof U.S. Patent No.: 10,436,995 Patent date: Oct. 8, 2019 Filed: Nov. 21, 2016 Assignee: LEONI Kabel GmbH, Germany Inventors: Christian Ernst, Sebastian Goss A cable, which extends in a longitudinal direction, has a cable core and a cable jacket. The cable jacket is extruded around the cable core. The cable is distinguished by the fact that the cable jacket has a plurality of chambers and, overall, is designed, in particular, in the manner of a hollow profile, and by the fact that a functional material different from the material of the cable jacket is introduced within at least one of the chambers. The functional material is preferably a flame proofing agent,but numerous other materials and, in general, functional elements are also conceivable. We further describe a method for producing the cable.

Optical fiber cable U.S. Patent No.: 10,436,994 Patent date: Oct. 8, 2019 Filed: Oct. 26, 2017 Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC, USA Inventor: Emanuela Gallo An optical fiber cable includes a plurality of optical fibers and at least one tubular jacketing element surrounding the plurality of optical fibers. The jacketing element has a jacketing material containing at least a first ingredient being a thermoplastic polymer, a second ingredient being an intumescent material capable of releasing gas, under the influence of heat, for generating a foam, and a third ingredient being a stiffening agent capable of decomposing, under the influence of heat, with formation of a glass and/or of a ceramic material for stiffening the foam.

Method of analyzing a cable, based on an autoadaptive correlation, for the detection of soft defects U.S. Patent No.: 10,436,832 Patent date: Oct. 8, 2019 Filed: Sept. 21, 2015 Assignee: Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives, France Inventors: Soumaya Sallem, Nicolas Ravot A method for analyzing a cable into which a reference signal s of time support limited to a duration T is injected comprises the following steps: calculating the intercorrelation, in a sliding window of duration D at least equal to 2T, between the injected reference signal s and a measurement r of the reflection of the reference signal s in the cable, normalizing the calculated intercorrelation by a factor dependent on the integration of the reflection measurement r over the same sliding window of duration D.

DECEMBER 2019 | 69

PATENTS

A shaped filler for accommodating and protecting the optical unit for a submarine cable (hybrid cable), which maintains a round shape of a whole cable with a plurality of core parts each having a round cross section, comprises: an optical-unit accommodation part configured to accommodate an optical unit in a direction toward a central art of the cable; a central chamber behind the optical-unit accommodation part; at least one side chamber provided between the optical-unit accommodation part and the central chamber to be symmetrical to each other.

PATENTS

Wire rod for high strength steel cord U.S. Patent No.: 10,434,765 Patent date: Oct. 8, 2019 Filed: April 23, 2015 Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, Japan Inventors: Hirakami Daisuke, Makoto Okonogi A wire rod for a steel cord has a wire diameter R of 3.5 mm to 8.0 mm, and includes, in a chemical composition, by mass %: C: 0.70% to 1.20%;Si: 0.15% to 0.60%; Mn: 0.10% to 1.00%; N: 0.0010% to 0.0050%; Al: more than 0% and 0.0100% or less; and a remainder of Fe and impurities, in which a surface part and a central part are included, a thickness of the surface part is 50 .mu.m to 0.20.times.R, the central part includes a pearlite structure in a proportion of 95% to 100% by area %, a C content of the surface part is 40% to 95% of a C content of the central part, and a ratio of a thickness of a lamellar cementite at a center of the thickness of the surface part to a thickness of a lamellar cementite in the central part is 95% or less, whereby high strength and workability can be achieved even after a finish drawing process and cracking or the like caused by a delamination phenomenon can be prevented.

Locking medical guide wire U.S. Patent No.: 10,434,288 Patent date: Oct. 8, 2019 Filed: Jan. 20, 2017 Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC , USA Inventors: Palle Hansen, Per Hendriksen, Raimo Butzbacker A guide wire includes a plurality of segments which can interlock rotatably relative to one another. A locking element extends through a lumen of the segments. When the locking element is in an unlocked condition the segments are able to rotate relative to one another. In this mode, the guide wire is very flexible. The locking element can be tightened to cause the segments to lock in engagement with one another and to fix the guide wire in position. In practice, the guide wire can be fixed in a curved or bent configuration, which enables the guide wire to provide a rigid support for a microcatheter or other element of a nintroducer assembly. The guide wire therefore can exhibit both extreme flexibility and stiffness. .

Metal sheathed cable with jacketed, cabled conductor subassembly U.S. Patent No.: 10,431,353 Patent date: Oct.1, 2019 Filed: May 18, 2018 Assignee: AFC Cable Systems, Inc., USA Inventors: George Straniero, Paul Picard, Richard Ricci, Peter Lafreniere A Metal-Clad (MC) cable assembly includes a core having a plurality of power conductors cabled with a subassembly, each of the plurality of power conductors and the subassem-

70 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

bly including an electrical conductor, a layer of insulation, and a jacket layer. The MC cable assembly further includes an assembly jacket layer disposed over the subassembly, and a metal sheath disposed over the core. In one approach, the subassembly is a cabled set of conductors (e.g., twisted pair) operating as class 2 orclass 3 circuit conductors in accordance with Article 725 of the National Electrical Code. RTM. In another approach, the MC cable assembly includes a protective layer disposed around the jacket layer of one or more of the plurality of power conductors and the subassembly. In yet another approach, a bonding/grounding conductor is cabled with the plurality of power conductors and the subassembly.

Cable and method for producing a cable U.S. Patent No.: 10,431,352 Patent date: Oct.1, 2019 Filed: Aug. 25, 2016 Assignee: Gebauer & Griller Kabelwerke GmbH, Austria Inventors: Gottfried Fleischer, Karl Froschl The invention relates to a cable (1) with at least one strand (2) having twisted litz wires (3) for conducting electrical current and an insulation sheath (4) surrounding the at least one strand (2) for electrically insulating the at least one strand (2). The cable (1) has an interruption section (5) without an insulation sheath (4) between two cable sections (6, 6’) with an insulation sheath (4). According to the invention, the twisted weave of the at least one strand (2) is loosened in the interruption section (5), in order to interrupt the transport of moisture through the cable (1), in particular through the at least one strand (2), that results from capillary pressure and/ or temperature-related pressure differences along the cable (1), such that the pressure in the interruption section (5) can equalize with that of the exterior.

Flux-cored wire for gas-shielded arc welding U.S. Patent No.: 10,427,249 Patent date: Oct.1, 2019 Filed: Aug. 25, 2016 Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd., Japan Inventors: Masafumi Yamakami, Nagami Masayuki, Yoshihiko Kitagawa Provided is a flux-cored wire for gas-shielded arc welding that contains, per wire total mass, specific amounts of C, Mn, TiO.sub.2 and specific amounts or less of P and S, and contains, in the flux, a specific amount of Ni per wire total mass. The Ni has a ratio (.alpha.1/.alpha.2) of 0.50-1.00 when .alpha.1 (mass %) is the content per wire total mass of particles having a size of 106 .mu.m or less and .alpha.2 (mass %) is the content per wire total mass of particles having a size exceeding 106.mu.m.

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MATERIALS WATER BLOCKING TAPE & YARN www.gepcoinc.com Please contact: Mike Kim E-mail: mkim@gepcoinc.com Tel. No.: 678 236 0800

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES PRODUCTION MANAGER/ ASSISTANT GM. East coast manufacturing company is looking for a Production Manager/Assistant GM who will be responsible for coordinating and facilitating daily production resources to meet the safety, quality, cost and delivery expectations over a three-shift operation. You will be responsible for developing your team, setting direction and enabling them to drive results but also prioritize production activities based on demand. You will work with the General Manager to continually improve policies and procedures to manage the safety and quality on all of our production lines while learning the job of the General Manager. Full time position with a benefits package of medical, dental, STD, LTD, Life, Vision, 401(k) and other benefits possible. Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information or to send your resume: send e-mail to: classifieds@wirenet.org.

AA ENTERPRISE. México.

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cedores, bobinas/ carretes de plástico y acero; carretes p/ enmalladoras; bandas para caterpillar; tapes; conos y anillos de cerámica y tungsteno p/estiradoras; maquinaria p/ producción; cabezas de extrusión, etc.ayala1953@gmail.com.

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FOR SALE 2 - DRATEX 24-Carrier Braiders, Type 2450 3 - OMA 24-C Braiders, Model TR24/1-104 HC/EC 1 - OMA 24-C Braiders, Model TR24/1-190 MV/ECFX 24 - OMA 16-C Braiders, Model TR16/104G2 1 - NEB 48-C Braiders, B10-48, Motor 1 - NEB 72-C Braider, B10-72, Motor 2 - TMW 36-C, 24-C Cable Braiders, 7’ Horn Gears 1 - LESMO 1250mm D.T. Buncher 10 - WATSON KINREI Model NB560 Bunchers 1 - REEL-O-MATIC 24” Caterpuller Capstan 1 - ROYLE 48” Belt Wrap Capstan 1 - VITECK 36” Belt Wrap Capstan, CBW-36-D 1 - COOK BH30 Cabler 1 - DAVIS STANDARD 3.5” Silicone Extruder 1 - DAVIS STANDARD 3.5” 34:1 Foam Extruder 1 - DAVIS STANDARD 2.5” 24:1 Extruder Line 1 - DAVIS STANDARD 2” 24:1 Extruder w/X-Hd 1 - DAVIS STANDARD 1.5” 24:1 Extruder 1 - ENTWISTLE 1.25” 24:1 FEP Extruder w/X-Hd Commission

B r o k e r s

1 - AMERICAN KUHNE 1.75” 20:1 Vertical Extruder 1 - SKALTEK 1600mm Payoff, Model A16-4K 1 - SKALTEK 1250mm Payoff, Model A12P-4K 1 - DYNAMEX Tape Payoff, Model TPB30-2-D 2 - WINDHAK UW612 48” Take-ups 1 - PROGRESSIVE Dual Take-up 1 - KENRAKE FWR-101 Respooler, w/Spark Tester 1 - BARTELL 108” Shaftless Take-up 1 - REEL-O-MATIC Mini Penthouse Coiler 3 - REEL-O-MATIC RD5, RD10, ELPT-10 Take-ups 2 - TMW BW4 Bobbin Winders 1 - NASHOBA 3-Head Taper 2 - WATSON KINREI Model NB450 Twinners 1 - METEOR Model ME301 3-Head Winder 1 - ENTWISTLE 3+1 30” Bow Twister Line 1 - ENTWISTLE 4WDT24 4-W 24” D.T. Twister 2 - NEWMCO 16” D.T. Quadders 1 - HALL Tape Accumulator 1 - MAGUIRE Micro Blender, Model WSB-MB

Commission Brokers Inc., Cranston, RI 02920 • 401-943-3777 www.CommissionBrokers.com • marty137@aol.com

DECEMBER 2019 | 71

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WAI MEMBERS seeking positions are entitled to free “Position Wanted” classified ads.

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX ADVERTISER............................. PAGE

ADVERTISER............................. PAGE

Alphagary .....................................Cover 2

WIRE ASSOCIATION INT’L ADS

Amacoil Inc ..................................Cover 3 Carris Reels Inc .............................Cover 4 Commission Brokers Inc ....................... 71 DeWAL ................................................ 17

WJI Advertising ...............................14, 16 WAI Membership ................................. 22 Wire Expo 2020 .............................. 34-35 ITC Monterrey ..................................... 41

Electric Cable Compounds Inc .............. 49 Howar Equipment Inc .......................... 18 Huestis Industrial................................. 45

ADVERTISING DEADLINE: JANUARY 1

Inosym Ltd ......................................30, 64 KEIR Manufacturing Inc....................... 23

February 2020

Lloyd & Bouvier Inc .............................. 65

• Staffing Crisis • NEW! wire Düsseldorf Insert • Sector Update: Dies

Messe Dusseldorf GmbH ...................... 19 Mexichem Specialty Compounds Inc ...........................Cover 2 Morgan-Koch Corp .............................. 29 Paramount Die Co.................................. 4 Queins Machines GmbH ...................... 15

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

Rainbow Rubber & Plastics Inc ............... 2 REELEX Packaging Solutions Inc .......... 47 SAMP SpA (SAMPSISTEMI) ................... 9 SIKORA AG ........................................... 7 Teknor Apex Co ...................................... 5 Traxit North America LLC .................... 27 Vandor Corporation ............................... 1 Wire & Plastic Machinery Corp ............. 13 Witels Albert USA Ltd .......................... 23 Wyrepak Industries .........................25, 28

72 | WIRE JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

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