EuroWire January 2016

News Technology

Descaling wire rod in high-speed drawing lines

Steeltec, a Schmolz + Bickenbach Group company, is a producer of special steels with manufacturing locations in Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey. At its two sites in Emmenbrücke, Switzerland, the company draws wire rod and bar stock into bright steel rods. The company originally used chemical descaling to clean the wire rod and bars before drawing. It installed its first high-performance single-strand shot blast machines in the 1970s and, over time, mechanical descaling using Wheelabrator’s shot blast machines has gradually replaced chemical descaling (in immersion baths). In 2008 the last pickling bath was decommissioned in Emmenbrücke. All high-speed drawing lines at the two sites now feature an integrated Wheelabrator FL shot blast machine, spanning several generations of the FL-concept. FL machines are designed to focus the blast media onto narrow work pieces using guide plates, which can be adjusted to suit individual workpiece diameters. The latest blast machine to join the fleet at Steeltec is an FL-4-37/55, which has been integrated into the most powerful drawing line on site. Due to its high blast power and new blast wheel arrangement, the machine can keep up with the highest drawing speeds, even when processing demanding new materials. For the first time, this latest machine adjusts guide plates automatically to the correct wire diameter, making the overall drawing line more efficient. Andreas Sieber, head of operations, Plant 1, at Steeltec, commented, “The transition from chemical treatment to mechanical descaling had a range of positive effects on operations here in Emmenbrücke. In addition to much more straightforward waste disposal, we’ve also noticed the

▲ ▲ FL blast machine for wire and rod

diameter, material and desired surface cleanliness, FL machines can be equipped with three, four or six blast wheel units with a range of motor capacities. The machines are slotted into the line ahead of the drawing machines, from which they fetch relevant settings and parameters. To date, more than 600 FL blast machines have been manufactured and are in operation in wire and rod production around the world. DISA Industrie AG (Wheelabrator Group) – Switzerland Website : www.wheelabratorgroup.com

wire surface is now much better prepared for the drawing process. Depending on blast media type and size, the blast process creates little pockets on the surface, which improves adhesion and distribution of the drawing oil. “This is incredibly important in order to achieve the desired drawing quality and to extend the life of drawing dies. Compared to immersion baths, blast machines also take up less room and fit snugly into the drawing line.”

Depending on drawing speed, wire or rod

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January 2016