Development of continuous die drawing production process for engineered polymer cores for wire ropes

Abstract

The process of continuous die drawing has been adapted as the means of production of polymer cores for wire ropes. The cores have a precisely engineered cross-sectional shape, which is produced by the die drawing process. In order to control this shape accurately, the drawing is carried out in two stages, first drawing in a heated circular conical die and secondly in a cooled fluted conical die. A production line has been developed, which produces core at commercially acceptable rates and with precisely controlled dimensional and mechanical properties. The polymer core serves as a replacement for the three strand cores made from natural fibres.