EoW January 2010

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EuroWire – January 2010 51
Cleaning & descaling
Environmentally friendly cleaning
ICMI is marketing a new and environmentally friendly phosphating system. ICMI has developed a line machine, which, among its
most significant features, gives the opportunity to avoid outsourcing wire treatment and so halves cleaning costs without using acids.
This single wire system will clean high-carbon wire rods from 6mm up to 12mm
diameter, and low-carbon rods from 6mm up to 22mm diameter. The wire is driven by
a horizontal uncoiler and by a compacter, which pushes forward the wire loaded on
the trestle of the uncoiler.
The next stage is the scaling machine, completely enclosed within sheet panels and
provided with a mobile dolly for the collection and removal of the slag produced.
The machine also has a hydraulic exchanger, for rapid and effective wire input.
Another cleaning stage is the orbital brush with two opposing heads, controlled by
two independent motors supported by inverters. The wire is thoroughly cleaned
by this stage, and no further operation is required. The wire passes through a
pressure-washing tank that removes the calamine on the wire.
A feature of the line is the phosphating tank, containing a solution of water and
phosphate. A fluid heating system keeps the temperature constant, thus ensuring the
correct execution of the phosphating process.
At this point the wire is ready for the last passage in the washing tank where it is
cleaned and neutralised. At the outlet of the tank there is a hot air drying unit, and
a hydraulic pushing system ensures that the dry wire can be easily inserted in the
wiredrawing bench.
The phosphating tank can also be double-sized to house two coils and is therefore
useful for treating wires of different diameters.
ICMI researches solutions to improve efficiency and reduce processing costs for
furnaces and sophisticate systems, overseeing design and construction up to
assembly, transport and final start-up. ICMI has recently expanded its market
to cover the calcining of carbon steel and stainless steel wire.
ICMI Srl – Italy
Fax: +39 035 787722
Email:
Website:
Typical wire cleaning line from ICMI ▲ ▲