The synergetic Niehoff-Steuler “WPT” - line concept

Introduction

For various reasons, non-ferrous metals wires must be plated. The new WPT galvanic plating lines developed by Maschinenfabrik Niehoff GmbH, Germany, and Steuler Anlagenbau GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, offer future-pointing solutions for many applications.

Combined know-how

In 2003, Maschinenfabrik Niehoff GmbH, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of machinery for the wire and cable industry, and Steuler Anlagenbau, a company specialised in the galvanic refinement of wire surfaces, signed an exclusive co-operation agreement. Subject of the co-operation is to optimise, further develop and manufacture lines for the galvanic plating of non-ferrous metal wires. The lines for tin, silver, nickel and zinc plating offer improved reliability, processability and maintenance-friendliness. The first of the new WPT type lines are already working at customer sites.

The WPT concept

Maschinenfabrik Niehoff and plant manufacturer Steuler have extensive experience in the design, construction and practical use of galvanic wire plating lines. Both companies are exploiting this know-how under the concept name “Wire Plating Technology (WPT)”. The WPT technology is based on 50 years of experience in electrolytic systems for wire plating. Special features of the WPT technology include:

• Minimum consumption of energy, water and chemicals (additives)
• Virtually complete use of the anode materials;
• Prevention of corrosion and a very long service life through consequent use of materials like stainless steel and polypropylene;
• Complete solutions without interface problems.

Figure 1: The galvanic wire plating lines of the WPT (Wire Plating Technology) type are basing on modular concepts

The automatic dosing of chemicals (additives) and rinse water leads to stable operation conditions and consistent surface quality while requiring only low personnel input. In addition also plants for water treatment or recycling can be supplied.

WPT lines

The WPT lines are modular in design and therefore suitable for various applications and future upgrading (Figs. 1-5). All units are easily accessible, reducing the effort associated with service and maintenance work to a minimum. The process steps for galvanic tin plating are: degreasing, cascade rinsing, pickling, plating, cascade rinsing, and drying with air wipes.

Figure 2: 2-wire galvanic plating line

One example of the WPT lines is the WPT400.SN.1.5000 type tin-plating line, suitable for hard and soft copper wire with a diameter ranging from 0.8 to 2.0mm (hard) or 2.6mm (soft). The line can work with a maximum speed of 15m/s. The line can be combined with a double spool pay-off device or inline with Niehoff rod breakdown drawing machines. The plating current is 5,000A, the degreasing current 500A. The WPT lines for tin, nickel, silver or zinc plating are available in different sizes, varying according to the rated electrical current. This finally results in different line speed and plating capacity.

Figure 3: Vacuum evaporator for waste water treatment

Advantages

The collaboration between Niehoff and Steuler in galvanic wire plating offers major advantages for the user. The wide operational experience and expertise of both companies gained over many years complement each other to produce synergy effects. Therefore users can be rest assured of getting a practical solution for every question and task - be it the plating process alone, or the plating process as a key element in the wire production chain. It is also reassured for the users to have a solid, competent expert on whom they can count for the delivery of plants and machines which are made to meet individual requirements.

Figure 4: Titanium basket with plating metal pellets

Construction, assembly and service

The new WPT lines replace all the galvanig plating lines previously manufactured by Niehoff or Steuler. The WPT type galvanic plants are pre-assembled by Steuler and completed, tested and shipped by Niehoff. All global sales, marketing and service activities are performed by Niehoff, its subsidiaries and agencies. Both companies will continue to provide spare parts and technical support for their galvanic plants already existing and in operation on the market.

Figure 5: Scrubber system for cleaning of waste air

Niehoff and Steuler

Maschinenfabrik Niehoff GmbH develops and builds machinery and lines for drawing, annealing, galvanic-plating, bunching, spooling and braiding of non-ferrous wires, plus machines for stranding and coiling of high-quality insulated data and special cables. The company has over 500 employees world-wide and is represented by subsidiaries or sales and service companies on all the major markets. With the exception of extruders, Niehoff and its partners can directly supply all the machines and systems needed to produce wire and cable. The products and services offered by the group range from development and planning right through to hand-over of complete cable factories.

Steuler Anlagenbau GmbH develops, plans and builds plants world-wide for surface finishing, wire refinement, water and waste water treatment, regeneration, absorption, catalytist and flue gas cleaning applications. The combination of Niehoff-Steuler provides the customer solutions from a single source and ensures optimal synchronisation of all components inline.

Steuler Anlagenbau GmbH & Co KG
Georg-Steuler-Straße
D-56023 Höhr-Grenzhausen - Germany
Fax: Int'l +49 2624 13 339
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.steuler.de