Another term for a slip-type multiple die wiredrawing machine with one capstan per shaft. The capstans drawing the wire through each die are arranged to in­crease in speed to correspond with the elongation of the wire. This speed increase may be approximate; in which case the wire is made to slip on the capstans. Note: each capstan is the same diameter and only one capstan is mounted on each driven shaft. The speed of each capstan is determined by the gearing between the driven shafts.

See entries for reels.

High production speeds are dependent upon several factors: lubrication, shape of dies, efficiency of welds, rods, cooling of wire, specification of wire, handling facilities, methods of stripping, control of cleaning and feeding stock into machines. The speed of the machine itself often is the least difficult of the problems, efficiency being dependent upon the effi­cient control of the variable factors.

Ductility of carbon steel wire can decrease considerably as a result of strain aging if wire temperature is not kept down. For example temperature must not exceed 160°C (320°F) when drawing 4.4 mm (.173 in.) in diameter, patented 0.75% carbon steel wire. Since a temperature rise of 120°C (248°F) per pass can be expected when using reductions of 20 percent, effective inter pass cooling is essential, especially as the drawing machines used generally have very little wire accumulation on the block. The temperature can be reduced by several methods: water-cooling of the die, by an air jet, or by air or water-cooling of the capstan.

The continuous application of a tension force (back pull) against the direction the wire is being pulled through the die to reduce the compressive stresses caused by the nib of the die. The back pull cannot exceed the point where the stress exerted by the drawing force equals the tensile strength of the wire at the die exit. See Wiredrawing, Reactive.

Drawing in which soap powders or grease are used as lubri­cants and the wire is wrapped round the capstans a sufficient number of times to ensure that no slip occurs. The lubricant is placed in a container (die box) in front of the die and picked up by the moving wire as it passes through. Usually used for non-slip machines drawing ferrous wire above 0.61 mm, although some slip-type machines have also used dry soaps.

See Hot Wire Drawing.

An alternative term for back-pull wiredrawing, the name coming from the fact that in some cases the back-pull is obtained by differential gearing interposed between the pull block and the pull-back block.

Drawing of wire that is immersed in a liquid lubricant bath contain­ing soap solution, oil or soluble oil. Carried out on slip machines, usually for non­ferrous wire, and also for ferrous wire finer than about 0.92 mm (.036 in.). The wire and dies on wet-drawing machines can be more easily cooled, permitting highest speeds.

The accessory parts and materials that are used in the installation of wiring such as terminals, connectors, junction boxes, conduit, clamps, insulation and supports.

See Drawing, Wiring Diagram.

A hollow conduit or raceway through which wires are passed. A duct is used as a protective shield for the wires it contains. Unlike a cable or harness assembly, it permits the addition or removal of individual wires.

Continually test instruments for checking wired assemblies. These instruments detect opens, shorts and “mis-wires.”

The highest value that a device can withstand without breakdown.

Designation for Wattmeter.

A process for drawing very fine wires in which a partly drawn wire is fitted into a tube of another ductile metal. After rolling and further drawing, the cover­ing metal is dissolved away.

Grease used as a wiredrawing lubricant. Also known as degras or lanolin.

Hardness developed in metal resulting from mechanical working, particularly cold working. Cold working can come from normal processes such as rolling, drawing, extruding, forming and peening. It can also come from other occurrences like flexing or bending.

The characteristic or group of characteristics that determines the ease of forming a metal into desired shapes.

See Tension, Working.