Thorite, the UK distributor of pneumatic products and process systems, has recently supplied 20 in-house designed single station control panels, plus a range of pneumatic cylinders, actuators and air preparation equipment, for a new 20 station line of Vertical Take-up Units (VTU's) at Bridon's Wire Mill & Ropery in Doncaster. 

Each Thorite panel controls pneumatic actuators which activate nip rollers and accumulator arms feeding wire from Bridon's galvanising plant on to a wire coiler. This unique system provides an advanced, remotely controlled electro/pneumatic interface, enabling the VTU operators to transfer fully coiled reels from the production line to an accumulating reel, remove the old reel and install an empty reel as part of a continuous process. 

This is achieved via bespoke electrical controls without halting the output of the galvanising process, enabling raw material to be fed in to the start of the line and fully finished wire rope to be taken off at the end. 

Speaking of the new production line, which augments an existing 8 station, Thorite panel-controlled VTU line installed some years ago, Steve Jenkins, Strategic Engineering Manager at Bridon, said:"In order to produce the world's most innovative ropes, Bridon requires the very best in advanced manufacturing technology. The state-of-the-art control systems that Thorite has provided are part of a £5 million equipment upgrade at our Doncaster facility - a programme of work that will help Bridon maintain and develop its technology leadership position across its key markets". 

The control panels were designed and produced in a specialist department at Thorite's Bradford head office, with all ancillary pneumatic fittings being supplied from Thorite's Doncaster Sales and Service centre, one of 10 regional outlets located throughout Yorkshire, Lancashire, the North East and West Midlands. All the equipment was installed by Bridon's own engineering staff and commissioned by Thorite.