DEVELOPMENTS IN MANUFACTURE OF COPPER WIRE 203 



Developments in Wire Drawing Equipment and Methods 



The Rod and Wire Mill just described was designed following a 

 comprehensive survey of wire drawing processes and equipment used 

 in this country and abroad. In connection with these studies, exten- 

 sive laboratory investigations were undertaken relative to the char- 

 acteristics of different types of commercial machines especially from 



CAPSTAN 



DISreiBUTOG 



SPOOL 



CLUTCH 8IOO E.P.M. 



Fig. 14 — Automatic tension mechanism — No. 3 wire drawing machine 



the standpoint of operating efficiency, investment, and floor space re- 

 quirements. As a result of these investigations, it developed that 

 marked improvements could be effected if wire could be produced 

 commercially at higher machine speeds and with more compact 

 machine equipment. 



While the design of the drawing mechanism in the new machine was 

 very important, it was also deemed essential that the finished wire be 

 taken up on spools instead of coils. After considerable experimental 

 work, a sensitive take-up device was developed to permit spooling at a 

 constant drawing speed. 



This spooling mechanism is illustrated by Fig. 14 in which the 



spool spindle is driven by a slipping clutch member controlled through 



a tension arm, on which an idler pulley is located over which the wire 



passes on its way from the drawing capstan to the take-up spool. The 



14 



