Wire drawing machines
Invimec's new multi-stand rolling mill nears completion ahead of delivery
Invimec is putting the finishing touches on its new EFFE2025 multi-stand rolling mill as it prepares for delivery to a customer. With the design, development, and assembly stages complete, the machine is nearly ready to enter operation.
The new rolling mill reflects Invimec's approach to designing customized solutions. With over 60 years of experience in manufacturing rolling equipment, the company offers both standard machines and customizable technologies designed to meet different material properties, dimensional requirements, and operating conditions.
Multi-stand technology for full process control
The EFFE2025 features eight fixed rolling stands that progressively reduce the material to the required cross-section.
This tandem rolling system helps limit material losses from burrs and scrap, commonly associated with conventional rolling processes, while supporting production continuity and the quality of the finished product.
The machine can process materials with an initial diameter of up to 25 mm and achieve final dimensions as small as 0.5 mm. Each stand is equipped with 200 × 100 mm rolls and its own motor, rated between 5 and 9.5 kW.
By distributing the reduction across successive rolling passes, this configuration allows the process to be adapted to the specific properties of each material.
Flexibility and precision with single-drive technology
One of the key features of the EFFE2025 is its single-drive technology, which provides an independent drive for each rolling stand.
Depending on the configuration, each stand is powered by a dedicated AC induction or brushless motor, paired with its own electronic drive.
This setup gives operators individual control over essential process parameters, including speed, wire tension, power, current draw, and torque, with torque monitored through a dedicated feedback system. Individual stands can also be activated or bypassed to suit different production requirements.
The machine's layout makes setup, inspection, and maintenance easier while providing clear visibility of the working area. Once the material enters the first stand, the rolling process continues automatically.
Cold rolling of precious metals: the role of work hardening
The specific application of the EFFE2025 is the processing of gold and gold alloys, a field in which control of the deformation process is particularly important.
During plastic deformation, metals undergo work hardening, a process that can increase their hardness and mechanical strength. The extent of these changes depends on the alloy composition, the amount of reduction, and any subsequent processing steps.
With independent control of all eight rolling stands, operators can fine-tune the rolling sequence to achieve the required dimensions and mechanical properties.
A particularly interesting aspect of the EFFE2025 is its ability to start from wire rod with a large initial cross-section and proceed through progressive reductions, taking advantage of the individual control of each stand along the rolling train.
From design to machine: tailor-made solutions
The new EFFE2025 was designed based on the customer's requests, turning application requirements into a customized machine configuration.
Modularity plays a central role in this approach. While this particular machine features eight fixed rolling stands, the platform can be configured with a different number of stands to suit individual production processes.
Ready for integrated production lines
The EFFE2025 is designed to operate either as a standalone machine or as part of a integrated rolling line.
It can be combined with automatic bar loading and unloading systems, material handling equipment, and other auxiliary solutions.
Materials and applications of the EFFE2025 platform
In addition to its specific application in precious metals, Invimec's multi-stand rolling technology can be adapted to a wide range of materials, including:
- gold, silver, platinum, and their alloys;
- copper and copper alloys;
- aluminum alloys;
- welding and brazing alloys;
- niobium-, zirconium-, tantalum-, and hafnium-based alloys;
- superalloys and specialty materials;
- multimetallic materials and superconductors;
- difficult-to-draw materials.
By tailoring both the machine configuration and rolling parameters, the EFFE2025 platform can accommodate a broad range of applications, including materials with particularly demanding processing requirements.
Over the coming months, Invimec will share further updates from the installed machine, offering a closer look at the EFFE2025 in action, its performance, and the engineering solutions behind it.
Follow Invimec's online stand to stay up to date with the latest developments.
