DRAW-STRAIGHTEN & CUT

The evolution of our Straight-Thru Feed Wire Drawing equipment to integrated Straighten Draw & Cut Machinery has continued to mature in both machine capability and product quality.

Historically our In-Line Wire Drawers have been utilized for their ease in start-up and superiority in as-drawn straightness. More recent successes in larger size ranges have only strengthened this reputation. With this proven In-Line capability, and an emerging need for drawn to length cut-off blanks, the larger product sizes are naturally rolling over in to the Draw Straighten and Cut arena.

The major benefits inherent in the design of our system are now also being upgraded through electro-hydraulic control capability. This is not only making operation easier, but also serves to speed up the already quick changeover capability if this design.

By using two plane roll type pre-straighteners, and flowing directly (and straight) into the draw portion of our equipment, we have eliminated the need for more complicated and expensive rotary type straightening. This permits a simple approach which minimizes the amount of work done on the rod to produce straight as-drawn wire. Added benefits to this system are the elimination of induced twist in the wire and the barberpole surface quality often found in rotary straightener type systems. This is very important for many of our customers who do secondary machining operations on these blanks.

The in-line drawing module located after the pre-straightener continues to operate in a straight-thru in-line manner. The straightness results being demonstrated by these machines far exceed what is normally anticipated from a roll type straightening operation. Results have been good enough to eliminate 2 roll bar type straighteners as a secondary operation. Clearly this equipment functions in a team work fashion, logically providing these markedly improved results. Depending on material type and size, we have met many specifications typically produced from rotary straightened and cut bar stock, while adding the previously mentioned benefits of improved surface finish, superior internal stress uniformity, AND OF COURSE THE ADDED UTILITY OF DRAWING AS WELL!

After drawing, the wire then enters our hydraulic "Impact" shear. Most dedicated units are sold with a closed knife cut-off with manually adjusted positive stop length control for very accurate (repeatable to +/- .001") length control and exceptional cut off quality. Short blank capability and higher production rates are both available through electronic length control which permits pushbutton length selection and a more efficient operating cycle. These enhancements may also be married together in a Combined Drawing system for Bar processing with flying shear and other auxiliary equipment. To date, most precision length blank operations have been served well by a 16" length cut-off table. Runoff tables can be supplied in longer lengths, and when integrated with the Combined Drawing System are available up to bar lengths.

Production rates are offered in draw speeds up to 75 fpm in single draw units and up to 150 fpm in combined drawing systems. With quick changeover capability and exceptional product quality, these systems yield very good returns for "SPECIAL" type manufacturers, high volume multi-million part per year manufacturers, and specialty type bar mills.

In summary, the ASTec "System Approach" to drawn blank production offers a stand alone machine with unique Draw Straighten & Cut capabilities not found elsewhere. Even when taken to higher levels as in bar production, this system produces to exceptional bar quality standards. While the machines required to produce a similar finished product are typically faster individually, the ASTec system approach exceeds their group efficiency significantly more economically. ASTec, Inc. also offers pointing equipment and other accessories to improve production capabilities.