Vertical Pay-Off Machines for Wire Drawing: A Comprehensive Guide

 

Vertical pay-off machines are essential components in wire drawing operations, designed to efficiently unwind wire rods without tangling or interrupting production. This guide covers everything you need to know about these specialized systems, from their working principles to selection criteria and maintenance requirements.

Vertical Pay Off Machine for wire drawing

What Are Vertical Pay-Off Machines?

Vertical pay-off machines are devices used for the controlled unwinding of wire rod in wire cold rolling, drawing, and stretching machines. They are engineered to facilitate high-speed rod pay-off while preventing the development of tangles/snarls and production interruptions.

These systems are particularly recommended for medium wire rod diameters and consist of two main components working in combination:

• Tilting fingers (typically a pair)
• Pay-off tower

Key Components and Operation

Tilting Fingers Mechanism

The tilting fingers are a critical part of vertical pay-off systems, enabling continuous rod feed into cold rolling, drawing, and stretching lines. These components feature:

• A pair of specially shaped arms constructed from steel pipes
• Sand-filled internal structures to reduce operational noise
• 90-degree rotation capability on a vertical plane (between horizontal and vertical positions).

In the horizontal position, the fingers allow loading of wire rod directly from the stock area using overhead cranes or forklifts. After loading, the fingers rotate to the vertical position, ready for unwinding the wire toward the pay-off tower.

Pay-Off Tower

The pay-off tower enables vertical high-speed unwinding without tangles or production interruptions. Its features include:

• Study steel frame with an adequate base
• Mobile trolley with de-winding wheel at the top, moved by an electric hoist
• Thin gauge mild steel sheeting on sides to contain dust
• Metal slide at the base between fingers for dust collection
• Safety devices that automatically stop the line in emergencies (like knot detection)

Modern systems incorporate adjustable sensor technology that can be set for different wire diameters without needing to lower the upper basket, enabling quick production changes with zero downtime.

Technical Specifications

Vertical pay-off machines vary in their capabilities:

• Working speed: Up to 10 m/s (maximum)
• Inlet wire diameter: Typically 5.5-20 mm (some models handle up to 8mm or 5-11mm)
• Wire quality: Low carbon wire rod (smooth or ribbed)
• Weight capacity: Up to 3 tons per drum
• Height: Up to 7,300 mm with drum vertical height up to 3,000 mm

Vertical Pay Off Machine

Types of Vertical Pay-Off Systems

Beyond standard vertical pay-offs, specialized variants include:

1. Rotating Pay-Off Vertical with Tilting and Expanding (RPV-TE): Designed for heavy wire types that cannot be coiled over top or allow no twist, featuring a rotating plate that moves clockwise and anti-clockwise.
2. Vertical pay-offs with hydraulic former tilting/rotating arrangement: Enable non-stop operation of drawing machines with entanglement-free feeding even at higher speeds.
3. Vertical spool pay-offs: Used to feed drawn wires to intermediate processes like patenting or annealing.

Advantages of Vertical Pay-Off Systems

• Space efficiency: Vertical orientation occupies less floor space compared to horizontal systems
• High-speed capability: Designed for entanglement-free feeding at higher speeds
• Continuous operation: Features like double flipper pay-off allow coil changes without stopping the machine
• Safety: Integrated safety devices and protections according to standard regulations
• Flexibility: Adjustable for different wire diameters and quick production changes

Selection Considerations

When choosing a vertical pay-off machine, consider:

1. Wire diameter range: Ensure compatibility with your production requirements
2. Coil weight capacity: From 1.5 tons to 3 tons typically
3. Production speed: Match to your line requirements (up to 10 m/s)
4. Automation level: Options include sensor systems for automatic diameter adjustment
5. Safety features: Laser scan devices, emergency stops, and protection portals
6. Maintenance requirements: Consider lubrication needs and inspection frequency

Wet Drawing Machine

Maintenance Best Practices

Proper maintenance ensures optimal performance and longevity:

• Lubrication: Regular refueling of lubrication systems and checking oil pumps
• Component inspection: Regular checks of motors, reducers, brakes, and transmission components
• Electrical systems: Periodic maintenance of control systems, circuit connections, and sensors
• Wear parts: Monitoring and replacement of tempered steel plates and other wear components

Applications in Wire Drawing Lines

Vertical pay-off systems serve critical functions in:

• Dry drawing processes where coils need loading without stopping the line
• Feeding wire rods to cold rolling, drawing, and stretching machines
• Intermediate processes like patenting and annealing when configured as vertical spool pay-offs

Optional Accessories and Customizations

Manufacturers often offer various enhancements:

• Anti-fall friction systems
• Security blocks
• Pinch-roll attachments
• Wire rod supervision kits for automatic speed line management
• Optical knot detection systems
• Threading motorized trolleys

Industry Trends and Innovations

Recent advancements include:

• New generation sensor systems for automatic diameter adjustment
• Improved knot detection technologies that prevent wire breakages
• Enhanced safety systems like laser scanning devices
• More ergonomic designs for operator comfort

Vertical Pay Off Machine for wire drawing

Vertical pay-off machines continue to evolve, offering greater efficiency, flexibility, and reliability in wire drawing operations across various industries. By understanding these systems' capabilities and proper selection criteria, manufacturers can optimize their wire production processes for maximum productivity and quality.