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u/Healthy-Potential161

▲ 0 r/metalworking

Automatic steel bar straightener – 12mm 4140, from 3mm/m bend down to 0.2mm/m

Automatic straightening machines for steel bars (carbon, alloy, stainless). This is a 2-roller unit processing 12mm 4140 annealed bar at 20 m/min.

Machine specs (this model):

  • Diameter range: 6–25 mm (standard), up to 40 mm optional
  • Max speed: 40 m/min
  • Roller material: hardened steel (optional polyurethane for bright bars)
  • Automation: variable speed, digital overlap adjustment, optional cut-to-length

Measured data from this run:

  • Initial bend: 3.1 mm/m (worst spot)
  • Final straightness: 0.18 mm/m over 1m length
  • Surface: no roller marks (polished steel rollers, light oil mist)
  • Production rate: ~250 m/hour at 20 m/min

Sharing a clean straightening run. If you run similar bar stock, what's your typical straightness requirement? And do you prefer roller straighteners or press straightening for hardened material?

u/Healthy-Potential161 — 18 hours ago
▲ 2 r/MetalsOnReddit+1 crossposts

10 ton hydraulic drawbench for aluminum flat bar – 80x8mm 6063 at 9 m/min (no chatter)

https://reddit.com/link/1tiabut/video/dfov2qarw72h1/player

Hydraulic draw benches for aluminum & copper. This is a 10-ton (100 kN) unit pulling 80mm wide x 8mm thick 6063 flat bar down to 74mm x 7.2mm (single pass, ~15% reduction).

What you're seeing:

  • Speed: 9 m/min
  • Die: 14° polished carbide, oil lubrication
  • Hydraulic cushioning at end of stroke (smooth stop)

Measured results on a 4m bar:

  • Thickness variation: ±0.012 mm
  • Width variation: ±0.025 mm
  • Surface: no die pickup, no longitudinal lines
  • Straightness: within 1mm/m (no extra straightener needed for most uses)

Why hydraulic over chain?
Smoother start/stop reduces the "last meter taper" problem common on mechanical benches. Also much quieter.

If you run aluminum flat bars daily, what's your typical reduction per pass? And do you prefer wet or dry drawing?

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u/Healthy-Potential161 — 4 days ago
▲ 9 r/metalworking

Aluminum busbar drawing line – 12m/min, wet lubrication

Just finished commissioning this aluminum busbar draw bench. Material is 6063-T6, going from 80x10mm down to 75x9.5mm (single pass). Die angle 12°, coated carbide, oil lubrication.

Speed is ~10 m/min, pull force max ~8 tons. Surface finish came out consistent – no chatter marks or die pickup. We’re mainly using it for custom busbar lengths for switchgear.

Let me know if you guys run wet vs dry on alu. Also curious about your die maintenance schedule – we’re repolishing every 800m.

u/Healthy-Potential161 — 15 days ago