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UPDATED 1 Sept: The EI library in London is temporarily closed to the public, as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Knowledge Service will still be answering email queries via email , or via live chats during working hours (09:15-17:00 GMT). Our e-library is always open for members here: eLibrary , for full-text access to over 200 e-books and millions of articles. Thank you for your patience.
UK cable maker cuts costs and boosts production
An ABB control system is increasing productivity and reducing energy costs for UK cable manufacturer British Cables Company (BCC) in Manchester.
The company replaced the control system on two insulated cable-making lines, resulting in a 29% increase in the number of reels produced during an eight-hour shift.
The new system controls the wire tension and maintains the correct drawing diameter as the wire is pulled through an extruder, while running at an increased speed of 1,800 metres per minute.
The new SCADA system, supplied and installed by ABB’s Engineering Centre in Coalville, controls two AC500 programmable logic controllers (PLCs) on each line. The PLCs are linked by ProfiNET to five variable speed drives (VSDs), rated between 4 kW and 60 kW, each of which control the speed of AC motors. A smaller VSD is used to control the positioning of the water trough that cools the extruded wire.
Upgrading the motors and drives has reduced energy costs by £16,000 a year across the two lines, says ABB.
News Item details
Journal title: Energy World
Countries: UK -
Organisation: ABB|British Cables Company
Subjects: Manufacturing engineering, Energy efficiency, Industry and Manufacturing
