STRAND DRAWING APPARATUS INCLUDING MEANS FOR PREPARING THE LEADING END OF THE STRAND

摘要

Apparatus for drawing stiff strand, such as large diameter tube, which apparatus includes means for moving receptacles, such as trays, containing coiled strand into an endless path, and in the endless path to and from a drawing unit. The apparatus includes a preparation station wherein by mechanical means the leading end of the stiff tube is moved into a preparation position, the leading end of the tube is grasped and dimpled so that it will prevent loss of a plug that is inserted into the end of the tube along with lubricant, the leading end of the tube is then pointed while it is so grasped, and the pointed leading end of the tube is mechanically moved to and through a die to the capstan of the drawing unit, on which leading end of the tube is grasped by a gripper. The tube is then wound on the capstan for a sufficient number of turns to provide a firm grip of the tube, after which the leading end of the tube is released and the drawing operation continued. During the drawing operation the drawn tube is discharged downwardly over the free end of the capstan into one of the receptacles which has moved to and located below the capstan to receive a coil of drawn tube. The coil of drawn tube may then be moved through the path to a discharge station, or moved back to the preparation station in which the leading end of the tube is again prepared and inserted through the die and connected to the drawing unit for redrawing.