EP1126050B1 - Process and apparatus for manufacturing a wire - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a wire, in particular sawtooth wire for sawtooth wire all-steel fittings, where the surface of a wire-shaped Intermediate, such as one already with saw teeth provided wire, in an electrolyte containing Electrolyte bath is smoothed with an electropolishing process and a device suitable for carrying out such methods.

For example, sawtooth wire cored wire sets become in the processing of textile fibers into yarns, nonwovens od. Like. Used. The individual sawtooth wires have this the sawtooth wire all-steel sets usually a height of less than 2 mm and in the area of the tooth tips a width of 0.2 mm or less. For the preparation of such fine sawtooth wires is usually a wire-shaped Starting material first one or more drawing operations subjected to, between the individual drawing processes also still different heat treatment procedures performed can be to the already drawn wire its deformability at least partially return. In connection The wire is usually attached to this preparation corresponding punching device provided with saw teeth. there can the saw teeth produced by the punching process before or even hardened after the punching process. there remain on the surface of the sawtooth wires after punching small punch brow back. Next can be on the Surfaces of sawtooth wires also from the previous ones Processing steps caused contamination, such as scale, so oxide residues, or in the context of Thermal treatment resulting dirt residue.

These residues on the sawtooth wires are at a later use of the sawtooth wires for processing textile fibers, especially when using high-performance machines annoying, because individual fibers adhere to the clothing teeth can stay and the set therefore an increased inclination for filling with fibers and contaminants, e.g. trash od. Like. Has. To avoid these disadvantages intended for the production of sawtooth wire all steel sets Sawtooth wires usually after the punching or hardening process also cleaned and polished. This is in the Usually a Elektrolytpolieranlage used. At the with Such an electrolytic polishing performed electropolishing becomes from the surface of the anodisch switched wire-shaped intermediate, such as the already serrated and / or hardened wire, under the influence of a material-specific selected Electrolytes and an external DC source Material removed. This material is caused by the electrolyte dissolved, the removal without mechanical stress of Workpiece, so the wire-shaped intermediate takes place and to a smoothing or leveling of the workpiece surface leads. Accordingly, the electropolishing process in principle the reversal of the electroplating process Leveling begins in contrast to mechanical removal methods in the micro range and recorded with increasing operating time even larger structures that rounded and on smoothed their surface. The electropolished surface is characterized in the sequence by smoothness and closure in the micro range and one of initial state, Electropolishing and structure of the material dependent Residual ripple in the macro range.

In the production of sawtooth wires for sawtooth wire all steel sets be to execute such Electropolishing wire-shaped intermediates in several layers wrapped on a support and for a given Time in a suitable electrolyte containing Immersed in the electrolyte bath, in which then the electropolishing is carried out.

However, it has been found that with the conventional Method obtained sawtooth wires one over their length have varying surface finish, so that a satisfactory smoothing not in all areas of the sawtooth wire surfaces is reached.

A method according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a device according to the preamble of the claim 10 are known from (US 4,612,084). At the in This method described dives a wire-shaped Intermediate in a received in a tub treatment solution a and partially circulates in the treatment solution submerged roller 2. In execution of the known Procedure must to ensure a sufficiently long Residence time of the intermediate within the treatment solution either a very large bath for the treatment solution be provided or a particularly low conveying speed be set for the intermediate. Furthermore, in US-A-36 76 32 methods for the Treating septa described where the wires are outside a Behandlungsbeides arranged pulleys circulate.

Given these problems in the prior art the invention has for its object to provide a method with which these are solved and one suitable for carrying out this method Specify device.

This object is achieved by the in the characterizing part of Claim 1 described refinement of the known method or by the in the characterizing part of the claim 10 described development of the known devices solved.

In this case, the electropolishing process under a particularly efficient continuous process when the intermediate product is conveyed through the electrolyte bath, preferably with a conveying direction of the intermediate product arranged behind the electrolyte bath and on the intermediate product attacking conveyor by the Electrolyte bath is pulled. For this purpose, the inventive Device preferably a conveyor with two mutually parallel roller axes having Conveyor rollers, wherein the wire-shaped intermediate product is trapped between these conveyor rollers and through Rotation of the conveyor rollers is pulled through the electrolyte bath.

The residence time of the wire-shaped intermediate in The electrolyte bath may vary depending on the material properties of the intermediate, such as surface finish after leaving the electrolyte bath, set when the conveying speed is dependent on controlled by these material properties.

In addition, the effectiveness of the invention Electropolishing process also be promoted by that the Gleichstrornstärke the anodic to that in the Electrolyte bath recorded intermediate coupled DC source depending on the material properties of the Intermediate, such as the surface texture after Leaving the electrolyte bath, is controlled.

Procedurally, it has proven to be particularly useful when the intermediate with the conveyor of withdrawn from a decoiler and after passing through the electrolyte bath presented a take-up reel and wound up on it becomes. To increase the effectiveness of the invention Elektropolierverfahrens it has also been useful proven, if the intermediate product before carrying out the Electropolishing process is first mechanically cleaned, what it preferably a stationary cleaning device passes. This mechanical pre-cleaning can be done with the help of Brushes and / or slurry discs are performed and leads for removing gross imperfections, such as scores, scratches and Ridges or strong burrs, which are treated with an electropolishing process, which represents a fine or Feinstbearbeitung, only can be eliminated with great difficulty.

The electropolishing method according to the invention is customary using sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid (35-45%) carried out, preferably omitting chromic acid becomes. Furthermore, the electrolyte bath can be different Contain additives or brighteners. To ensure a trouble-free further processing of the wire-shaped intermediate product after passing through the electrolyte bath it is important that residues of the electrolyte completely from the wire-shaped intermediate to be removed. This will be the Intermediate product after carrying out the electropolishing process expediently cleaned accordingly, what it preferably passes through another stationary cleaning device. This further stationary cleaning device may have a plurality from in the conveying direction of the intermediate product in a row arranged cleaning stations, such as water baths, so as to allow complete purification of the intermediate to reach and a carryover of electrolyte residues to exclude in other processing stages.

Furthermore, it can be thought that the intermediate after performing the electropolishing process and preferably after passing through the further cleaning device with a corresponding preserving device with a Preserved rust inhibitor, including the intermediate product the preservation device expediently also goes through so as to be a continuous process receive.

As can be seen from the above explanation of the invention is, it is particularly useful if the sawtooth wire in carrying out this process continuously from a uncoiler is withdrawn, then first to the Performing a mechanical cleaning designed cleaning device passes through, then the electrolyte bath passes through, wherein it is substantially helical in the electrolyte bath revolves so as to achieve a long residence time, after leaving the electrolyte bath another cleaning device goes through to remove electrolyte residues, then a preserving device passes through to subsequently presented to a take-up reel and wound up on it be, with the necessary conveyor appropriately between the preservation device and the Take-up reel is arranged and has two conveyor rollers, between which the intermediate product is trapped.

Hereinafter, the invention will be described with reference to FIGS Drawing, with respect to all essential to the invention and in the description unspecified details expressly referred to explained. The only figure The drawing shows a schematic representation of a For carrying out the method of the invention serving inventive Contraption.

The device shown in the drawing consists in essentially from a decoiler 10, on which a wire-shaped Intermediate in the form of one already with saw teeth provided with wire, one to carry out designed a mechanical purification of this intermediate Cleaning device 20, an electrolyte bath 30, a for rinsing the electrolyte bath leaving intermediate designed further cleaning device 40, a preserving device 50, a conveyor 60 and a take-up reel 70.

The conveyor 60 includes two parallel to each other running roller axes having conveying rollers 62 and 64, between which the intermediate product is trapped. Go berserk the conveyor rollers 62 and 64 in the in the drawing the arrows P indicated directions, the sawtooth wire. 5 in the direction indicated by the arrow P 'from the unwinding axis 10 deducted. After leaving the uncoiler 10 the sawtooth wire 5 is first with a guide roller 12 a substantially horizontally extending track deflected and then introduced into the cleaning device 20. In this Cleaning device 20 is the sawtooth wire with two cleaning rollers 22 and 24 mechanically cleaned, instead of the cleaning rollers and brushes and / or slurry discs can be used. After leaving the cleaning device 20, the sawtooth wire 5 in the course of by the Conveyor 60 caused promotion in the direction of conveyance behind the cleaning device 20 arranged electrolyte bath 30 introduced.

Within the electrolyte bath 30, the sawtooth wire rotates 5 are substantially helical two parallel to each other extending roller axes exhibiting and within the electrolyte bath 30 arranged pulleys 33 and 34th

In the course of the effected by the conveyor 60 Conveying movement leaves the sawtooth wire 5, the electrolyte bath on a horizontal track and is in the direction of conveyance behind the electrolyte bath 30 arranged further cleaning device 40 introduced. This further cleaning device 40 consists of 4 arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction Water baths in which the sawtooth wire for removal of Electrolyte residues is rinsed, the contamination of the individual water baths decreases in the conveying direction, so that with the further cleaning device 40 is a particularly effective Cascade cleaning is effected.

After leaving the further cleaning device 40 passes the sawtooth wire 5 in the course of by the conveyor 60 effected conveying movement in the conservation facility 50, where he preserves with a rust preventive becomes. Following this preservation device 50 passes the sawtooth wire the conveyor 60 and then wound on the take-up reel 70.

Within the electrolyte bath 30 is the sawtooth wire 5 Anodisch to an externally controllable DC power source (not shown), wherein the direct current intensity in the electrolyte bath depending on the surface properties of the Sawtooth wire is controlled to provide optimal treatment of the sawtooth wire to ensure within the electrolyte bath. The working temperature of the bath is in the electropolishing process about 70 ° C to 580 ° C. As electrolyte is a chromic acid-free aqueous solution of sulfuric acid and Phosphoric acid (35-45%), the other additives, in particular Brightener may contain. The volume of the bath is 600 l. The control of the electrolyte bath takes place with a density determination, which expediently with a Density spindle monitored density preferably about 1.78 kg / l with an iron content of 3 g / l already taken into account is. For controlling the properties of the electrolyte bath The bath can be supplemented with electrolyte or with the help of water be diluted. In a conventional production process 10 to 20 liters of water per week are added to the electrolyte, where once a week a partial replacement of the bath of 30 up to 40 l.

The invention is not explained with reference to the drawing Embodiment limited. Rather, the electrolyte bath also have a different type of deflection. Furthermore, the further cleaning device can also be more or Include less than 4 cleaning baths.

Claims (14)

1. A method for producing a wire, particularly a sawtooth wire for sawtooth all-steel clothings, in which the surface of a wire-shaped intermediate product, such as a wire already provided with saw teeth, is smoothed in an electrolyte bath containing an electrolyte by means of an electropolishing process, wherein the intermediate product is moved in the electrolyte bath during the electropolishing process, characterised in that the intermediate product circulates in a substantially helical shape around a deflecting device arranged within the electrolyte bath and preferably comprising at least one deflecting roller.
2. A method according to Claim 1, characterised in that the intermediate product is conveyed through the electrolyte bath, is preferably pulled through the electrolyte bath by a conveying device arranged behind the electrolyte bath in the conveying direction of the intermediate product and acting on the intermediate product.
3. A method according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the conveying speed of the intermediate product and thus the dwell time of the intermediate product is controlled preferably in dependence on the material properties of the intermediate product, such as the surface finish after leaving the electrolyte bath.
4. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the intermediate product is coupled anodically in the electrolyte bath to a direct current source, and the strength of the direct current is controlled, preferably in dependence on the material properties of the intermediate product.
5. A method according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the intermediate product is pulled by the conveying device off a take-off reel and after passing through the electrolyte bath is placed on a take-up reel.
6. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that prior to the implementing of the electropolishing process the intermediate product is mechanically cleaned, preferably passes through a stationary cleaning device.
7. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that after the implementing of the electropolishing process the intermediate product is cleaned, preferably passes through a further stationary cleaning device.
8. A process according to Claim 7, characterised in that the further cleaning device has a plurality of cleaning stations, such as water baths, arranged one after the other in the conveying direction of the intermediate product.
9. A method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that after the implementing of the electropolishing process the intermediate product is preserved with an anti-rust agent, preferably passes through a preserving device.
10. An apparatus for implementing a method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an electrolyte bath serving for the electrolytic smoothing of a wire-shaped intermediate product and containing an electrolyte, and a conveying device (60) designed for conveying the intermediate product through the electrolyte bath, characterised by a deflecting device arranged in the electrolyte bath (30), around which the intermediate product (5) circulates in a substantially helical shape, and comprising at least one deflecting roller (32, 34).
11. An apparatus according to Claim 10, characterised in that the conveying device (60) is arranged behind the electrolyte bath (30) in the conveying direction, and pulls the intermediate product (5) through the electrolyte bath (30).
12. An apparatus according to one of Claims 10 or 11, characterised by a cleaning device (20) for cleaning the intermediate product (5) prior to the implementing of the electrolytic smoothing.
13. An apparatus according to one of Claims 10 to 12, characterised by a further cleaning device (40) for cleaning the intermediate product (5) after the implementing of the electrolytic smoothing.
14. An apparatus according to one of Claims 10 to 13, characterised by a device for preserving the electrolytically smoothed intermediate product with an anti-rust agent.

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