rautomead advancing metals technology - r&d facilities for hire
DESCRIPTION
For over 30 years Rautomead Limited has specialised in the design and manufacture of continuous casting equipment for non-ferrous metals and alloys. There are now more than 300 Rautomead machines in operation in over 45 different countries worldwide. Rautomead plants are being successfully applied to production of oxygen-free copper, a wide range of copper-based alloys, precious metals and zinc. Forms include wire rod, straight length bars, flats and hollow sections. According to material and section, the casting process selected may be vertical upwards, vertical downwards or horizontal. The machines may be used either as integrated melting, holding and casting machines, or may be arranged to be fed with pre-alloyed molten metal. The Rautomead Continuous Casting System is based on electric resistance heating of its furnaces, with graphite containment crucibles, graphite heating elements and casting dies. This technology is particularly suited for production of high purity, high quality oxygen-free copper and copper alloy wire rods (copper silver, copper magnesium, copper tin). The upward casting equipment may be used to manufacture rods of all diameters between 8.0mm and 30mm diameter and is suitable feedstock for wire drawing and continuous rotary extrusion processes. End use applications include: superfine wire, automotive wires, contact wire and trolley wires for high speed trains, data communication cables, CTC and transformer strips as well as enamelled wires. Rautomead’s R&D facility at the factory in Dundee (casting equipment, technicians, design and operational experience) is available to companies who wish to commission experimental and research work to develop technology and tooling for the manufacture and processing of new alloys and materials. Rautomead’s partnership with the University of Dundee provides access to sophisticated laboratory equipment as well as support with analytical evaluation and academic contributions to the R&D effortTRANSCRIPT
Objectives
Advancing Metals TechnologyContinuous casting R&D facilities for hire
■ Test casting of new alloy compositions
■ Experimenting with new tooling designs & continuous casting techniques
■ Investigation of new process production sequences
■ Sample manufacture to develop process route and confirm quality of end product
■ Extensive analysis & testing facilities available
■ To shorten manufacturing process route
■ To reduce capital cost of equipment to produce end product
■ To minimise operating cost per tonne
■ To achieve higher quality product & tighter alloy tolerance control
■ To reduce “critical mass” production volume requirements
RS 080
Capabilities
RM 050
Spectrometer
SpectrometerTensile TesterTensile Tester
www.rautomead.com
Rautomead Limited, Nobel Road, Wester Gourdie Industrial Estate, Dundee DD2 4UH, Scotland, UKTel: +44 (0)1382 622341 Fax: +44 (0)1382 622941 email: [email protected]
March 2014
Facilities
■ RS 080 single strand casting machine
■ RM 050 horizontal casting machine
■ “Spectro” spectrometer
■ Tensile/elongation testing facilities: 8-30mm dia.
■ Conductivity/resistance testing facilities
■ SEM
■ EDX
■ Optical microscope