Ziehungsgerät

Ziehungsgerät is a generic term for a device that draws a material through forming dies to reduce its cross-section and increase its length. The concept is widely applied across metal, glass, and polymer processing, and the exact construction varies with the material and production scale. In many contexts the Ziehungsgerät is considered synonymous with related machines such as Ziehmaschine, Drahtziehenvorrichtung or Ziehvorrichtung, but it specifically emphasizes the drawing process.

Operation and components: A workpiece is gripped at the entry and pulled through one or more dies by a hauling or pulling system. Die geometry shapes the cross-section, while speed, temperature, lubrication, and tension determine the final dimensions and material properties. Industrial systems may include an annealing or heating stage to relieve work hardening, a feed mechanism, a haul-off or take-up unit, and control systems to monitor tension and speed. Tooling wear, especially on dies, is a key maintenance concern.

Applications: In metalworking, Ziehungsgeräte are used for wire drawing to produce copper, steel, or alloy wires. In glassmaking, drawing devices or draw towers produce glass filaments and fibers. In plastics and synthetic fibers, drawing equipment elongates and aligns molten or semi-molten polymers to create fibers and filaments, including processes related to optical fiber preforms and other specialty applications.

Variants and considerations: Manual or bench-type devices exist for laboratory or artisanal work, while industrial lines are automated and continuous. Important design considerations include material ductility, desired final cross-section, temperature control, lubrication, die wear resistance, and safety.