Central Wire’s Manufacturing Process

Central Wire Industries has been a leader in the wire manufacturing industry for decades, using the highest quality alloys to manufacture different kinds of wire, including fine wire and shaped wire. CWI values quality, service, and innovation. With these values in mind, Central Wire has an extensive manufacturing process in order to make sure that every product complies with all necessary industry standards. Read on to learn more about our manufacturing process.

Central Wire’s Manufacturing Processrod processing (blue) (450 × 900 px)

  1. Rod Processing: incoming raw material (wire rod) is prepared for processing through cleaning processes or surface treatments like etching or pickling.
  2. Rod Breakdown: wire rod is initially drawn down to suitable sizes for further processing on equipment with smaller diameter output. This breakdown allows for multiple finished sizes to be drawn from the initial redraw size.
  3. Annealing: when wire is drawn, it builds up strength because of work hardening. Annealing softens the wire through heat to allow the wire to continue being processed.
  4. Stress Relieving: certain wire alloys can be strengthened through “soaking” in a low temperature bath. This is useful for strand and cable products where mechanical processes do not straighten effectively.
  5. Dry Drawing: this process involves using a dry lubricant to process wire to reach a desired diameter and tensile strength. This process is commonly used for larger diameters (above 0.040”) and creates a matte finish on the wire.
  6. Wet Drawing: this process involves using a wet lubricant, usually water or petroleum based, to draw wire to a smaller diameter. This process is usually used for smaller diameters and produces a shiny surface finish,
  7. Fine Wire Drawing: this process is used for wire used in critical applications with diameters between 0.005”-0.010” that require specialized dies and drawing fluids.
  8. Cleaning: wire is put through aqueous acid washes or hot alkaline baths to remove any lubricants from the wire to offer a cleaner end material.
  9. Coating: wire is given a preservative or lubricating coating to assist with the longevity of the wire or additional processing.
  10. Straighten and Cut: coiled product is converted to cut lengths as straightened bar stock. The bars are used in grinding, machining, shaping, and forming processes.
  11. Center-Less Grinding: bars are fed through the grinding wheels from end to end and then bundled by individual lot for full traceability reasons.
  12. Testing and Inspection: strength, conductivity, surface finish, hardness, and more are tested throughout the manufacturing process to ensure 100% compliance with all necessary specifications.
  13. Spooling and Packaging: bulk wire spools are put onto packages suitable for shipment, then labeled, marked, and kitted. Packaging is customizable to any specification needed.

Central Wire’s manufacturing process allows wire rod to be drawn down through a variety of dies to reach a specific diameter. Each step in this process is necessary to effectively draw down the wire and maintain its strength and ductility. Visit the CWI website to learn more about this process and view all CWI wire products. Have any questions? Contact our sales team via email; sales@centralwire.com or by phone (800) 435-8317.