Wire drawing monitoring system

Abstract

A drawing die system that has least two probes to measure various characteristics of components of the die box or the wire being drawn through the die box. The system includes a smart die that in which the multiple probes send information to a data processing unit. The data processing unit takes the information from the various probes and controls the various parameters of the wire drawing process. One smart die has a probe that collects information directly from a drawing die holder. The smart die also includes a force sensor and is configured to allow a die box to be displaced along an axis that is parallel to the direction in which the wire is drawn. The data processing unit controls various wired drawing parameters such as wire drawing speed, coolant pressure and the rate at which the coolant is pumped through the system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drawing die holder, comprising:
 a drawing channel, and   a die probe channel that extends from an outer wall to an inner wall of the drawing die holder.   
     
     
         2 . The drawing die holder of  claim 1 , wherein the die probe channel is perpendicular to the drawing channel. 
     
     
         3 . The drawing die holder of  claim 1 , wherein the drawing die holder further comprises a first base and cap. 
     
     
         4 . The drawing die holder of  claim 2 , wherein the drawing die holder further comprises a first base and cap. 
     
     
         5 . The drawing die holder of  claim 3 , further comprising a second base. 
     
     
         6 . The drawing die holder of  claim 3 , wherein the die probe channel is located within the first base. 
     
     
         7 . The drawing die holder of  claim 4 , further comprising a second base. 
     
     
         8 . The drawing die holder of  claim 4 , wherein the die probe channel is located within the first base. 
     
     
         9 . The drawing die holder of  claim 1 , further comprising a probe housed within the die probe channel. 
     
     
         10 . The drawing die holder of  claim 9 , wherein the probe is one or more of a temperature sensor, a vibration sensor, a pressure sensor, an infrared sensor, a pyrometer, a magnetic field sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The drawing die holder of  claim 10 , wherein the temperature sensor is a thermocouple. 
     
     
         12 . The drawing die holder of  claim 9 , comprising a die. 
     
     
         13 . The drawing die holder of  claim 12 , wherein the die is one or more of a pressure die, a drawing die, and an secondary die. 
     
     
         14 . The drawing die holder of  claim 12 , wherein the probe is in contact with the die. 
     
     
         15 . The drawing die holder of  claim 12 , further comprising a spring providing pressure to the probe against the die. 
     
     
         16 . The drawing die holder of  claim 9 , wherein the probed is in a fixed position or allowed to slide in the die probe channel. 
     
     
         17 . The drawing die holder of  claim 9 , wherein the die probe channel comprises a conductive filling material. 
     
     
         18 . The drawing die holder of  claim 17 , wherein the conductive filling material is in contact with a die. 
     
     
         19 . The drawing die holder of  claim 18 , wherein the probe is in contact with the conductive filling material. 
     
     
         20 . The drawing die holder of  claim 18 , further comprising a spring providing pressure to the probe against the conductive filling material.