Method to straighten metallic filament

Abstract

In various exemplary embodiments, the technology described herein provides systems and methods for drawn wire, commonly called filament, to be straightened after cold, warm or hot drawing to a smaller diameter. This technology controls tension on the wire after drawing, while pulling the wire through straightening rollers. A single set of straightening rollers can be used. There is no limit on the total number of sets of straightening rollers can be used. The number of individual rollers in a set of straightening rollers can range from two-to-many rolls. Tension is generally controlled by at least two relatively large diameter synchronizing sets of pulling rollers, one before the straightening rollers and one after the straightening rollers.

1 . A system for straightening metallic filament, the system comprising:
 a first pulling roller;   a second pulling roller, the first pulling roller and the second pulling roller being synchronized to rotate at a synchronized pace to pull a filament through the system at a predetermined rate; and   at least one set of straightening rollers comprising at least two rollers opposed to one another on opposite sides of the filament from one another;   wherein the at least one set of straightening rollers is configured to straighten the filament prior to a subsequent operation on the filament.   
     
     
         2 . The system for straightening metallic filament of  claim 1 , wherein the first pulling roller is located prior to the at least one set of straightening rollers and the second pulling roller is located subsequent to the at least one set of straightening rollers. 
     
     
         3 . The system for straightening metallic filament of  claim 1 , wherein the filament is straightened in line with a drawing operation. 
     
     
         4 . The system for straightening metallic filament of  claim 1 , wherein the filament is straightened offline during an operation separate from a drawing process. 
     
     
         5 . The system for straightening metallic filament of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one set of straightening rollers is comprised of a first set of straightening rollers and a second set of straightening rollers. 
     
     
         6 . The system for straightening metallic filament of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one set of straightening rollers is comprised of a first set of straightening rollers, a second set of straightening rollers, and a third set of straightening rollers. 
     
     
         7 . The system for straightening metallic filament of  claim 1 , wherein the first pulling roller and the second pulling roller are configured to create a tension in the filament. 
     
     
         8 . The system for straightening metallic filament of  claim 7 , wherein the tension is controlled to be a low value while using the at least one set of straightening rollers to relive a residual stress on the filament that causes the filament to bend. 
     
     
         9 . The system for straightening metallic filament of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of each of the first pulling roller and the second pulling roller is much larger than a diameter of the filament, and wherein a diameter of the at least one set of straightening rollers is much smaller than the size of the pulling rollers and much closer to a size of the filament. 
     
     
         10 . The system for straightening metallic filament of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a tension measuring device configured to measure a tension on the filament pulled through the system for straightening metallic filament.   
     
     
         11 . A method for straightening metallic filament, the method comprising:
 utilizing a first pulling roller;   utilizing a second pulling roller;   synchronizing the first pulling roller and the second pulling roller to rotate at a synchronized pace to pull a filament through a system for straightening metallic filament at a predetermined rate; and   utilizing at least one set of straightening rollers comprising at least two rollers opposed to one another on opposite sides of the filament from one another;   wherein the at least one set of straightening rollers is configured to straighten the filament prior to a subsequent operation on the filament.   
     
     
         12 . The method for straightening metallic filament of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 placing the first pulling roller prior to the at least one set of straightening rollers; and   placing the second pulling roller subsequent to the at least one set of straightening rollers.   
     
     
         13 . The method for straightening metallic filament of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 straightening the filament in line with a drawing operation.   
     
     
         14 . The method for straightening metallic filament of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 straightening the filament offline during an operation separate from a drawing process.   
     
     
         15 . The method for straightening metallic filament of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one set of straightening rollers is comprised of a first set of straightening rollers and a second set of straightening rollers. 
     
     
         16 . The method for straightening metallic filament of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one set of straightening rollers is comprised of a first set of straightening rollers, a second set of straightening rollers, and a third set of straightening rollers. 
     
     
         17 . The method for straightening metallic filament of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 configuring the first pulling roller and the second pulling roller to create a tension in the filament.   
     
     
         18 . The method for straightening metallic filament of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 controlling the tension in the filament to be a low value while using the at least one set of straightening rollers to relive a residual stress on the filament that causes the filament to bend.   
     
     
         19 . The method for straightening metallic filament of  claim 11 , wherein a diameter of each of the first pulling roller and the second pulling roller is much larger than a diameter of the filament, and wherein a diameter of the at least one set of straightening rollers is much smaller than the size of the pulling rollers and much closer to a size of the filament. 
     
     
         20 . The method for straightening metallic filament of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 utilizing a tension measuring device configured to measure a tension on the filament pulled through the system for straightening metallic filament.