WCA November 2013

Correct geometry and tolerance from Ajex

❍ ❍ The die must have correct geometry and tolerance

The wire die is vital to the efficiency, quality and profitability of a wire mill. The die must have the correct geometry and tolerance or there will be inconsistent quality, customer returns, increased scrapes, operator frustration and down time. Tolerance has equal importance to geometry. The real diameter of dies, particularly final dies, has to be as much as possible to the stated diameter, ie with narrow tolerance. As to the finishing dies and when drawing thin wires, dies must be used measuring the wire elongation instead of tolerance on wire diameter. To optimise the performance efficiency of the high-speed multi-wire drawing operation, Ajex & Turner has introduced long nibs. Wire has better finishing and fewer breakages, and the life of the die is much more than short nib. The company is equipped with Conoptica, the world’s highest die inner geometry checking instrument from Norway. The print out of bearing, blending and reduction angle can be taken to check complete die geometry. Guidelines for customers of Ajex & Turner include: • Recut or repolish die on observation of wear ring of wire contact to maximise die life • Filter lubricant to remove metal fines to maximise lubricant flow, wire finish and die life • Do not exceed maximum die size recommendation for blank size • Decrease bearing length for higher speed drawing • Use finer grain dies blanks for improved wire surface finish and in drawing ferrous and plated wires • Use coarser grain die blanks for drawing larger size non-ferrous wire to provide longer die life and improved wire dimensional control • In high temperature drawing of tungsten and molybdenum wire, maintain reducing atmosphere in drawing zone to minimise detrimental oxidation effects and maximise die life • Use matched elongation die sets in multi-wire drawing machines. Ajex & Turner Wire Dies Co – India Website : www.ajexturner.com

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Wire & Cable ASIA – November/December 2013

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