Cables respond to data density demands

Nexans will show a wide range of high-quality cable solutions purpose-designed to handle the ever-increasing data density requirements of automation and network systems at the SPS/IPC/Drives show.

Nexans will show a wide range of high-quality cable solutions purpose-designed to handle the ever-increasing data density requirements of automation and network systems applications on Stand 324 in Hall 5 at the SPS/IPC/Drives show in Nuremburg (22nd to 24th November 2005).

For automation and transport applications, Nexans offers engine, sensor and control lines as well as bus connection for all standard industry bus systems, including Industrial Ethernet.

This broad product spectrum is able to meet various different electrical and mechanical property requirements.

For this type of cable, the selection of both the material and a suitable manufacturing technology are prerequisites for durable solutions that can withstand vibrations, aggressive media or extreme temperatures.

Alternative versions are designed to cope easily with numerous bending cycles in ground applications or hundreds of thousands of robot movements with high acceleration and strong torsion.

As well as finding out about the products, visitors to the stand will also be able to talk to Nexan's cable experts for a detailed explanation of the company's in-house quality assurance procedures.

For example, at the Nexans Research Centre in Nuremburg (NRC) it is possible to measure the electric properties of cables while they are subjected to dynamic loads: Four ground cables, the longest of which measures 15m, show the flexural strength of the cable solutions in continuous operation.

Torsion test systems constantly simulate the loads due to deployment in robot applications.

The cables must also show that they have the mechanical resistance to pass alternate and roller bending tests.

"Throughout the endurance tests, a computer assesses the key electrical ratios".

"In this way we can detect the exact point in time when even a single wire breaks", explains Product Manager Pajo Tumbas.

"We also have furnaces and low-temperature chambers in order to test resistance to heat, as well as ageing behaviour with heat and cold in accelerated tests".

This unique applications testing centre in Nuremberg demonstrates Nexans' commitment to improving the reliability of cables for the automation industry and its capacity to manufacture high performance products.

Thanks to these new facilities, Nexans will also be able to bring to the market a new generation of enhanced cables for all kind of automation applications.

In order to support convertors and design engineers in their daily work, Nexans has created a specific SFK Guide that divides the comprehensive range of special heavy field cables into various application classes.

"This division into special heavy field classes zero to seven provides a rapid overview and allows design engineers and buyers to find the right cable most quickly", states Tumbas.

It was too complicated to compare parameters such as bend radius, permitted speed, acceleration, bending cycles or distance traversed for all types of cable on the market - even if the manufacturer provides such data.

But when the requirement is clear, the SFK allocation is straightforward and the relevant Nexans cable can be found quickly.

"So the SFK Guide cuts a clear path through the data jungle", says Tumbas.

The SFK Guide is available in printed form at the Nexans stand.

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