Wire tools
Wind tunnel: how Vassena studies airflow to design custom drawing dies
Vassena Filiere, a manufacturer based in Malgrate (Lecco), Italy, specializing in dies and tooling for wire drawing, uses a wind tunnel to observe how air flows through the drawing die and along the wire, and to study the influence of die geometry more closely.
The aim is to analyze parameters such as die profile, cone length and angle, and wire dimensions, while identifying areas of flow resistance and turbulence.
From digital design to the wind tunnel
The wind tunnel allows Vassena to verify the Venturi effect with different shapes and dimensions, both for Vassena pressure dies and for dies featuring different core geometries and dimensions.
Physical testing follows studies carried out using CAE, CAD, and CAM design software. Within the company’s development process, the wind tunnel therefore represents the transition from digital simulation to the physical observation of airflow.
The video shows the wind tunnel in operation, providing a direct view of airflow behavior through the die.
A new tool for research and development
For Vassena, being able to visualize airflow behavior provides additional information that can be used to optimize tool geometry. The ultimate goal is to develop solutions capable of reducing wire breakage and tool wear while improving product quality and the stability of the drawing process.
The wind tunnel is also used to develop and validate new solutions, complementing the digital tools already used by the company.
Geometries developed for every application
Every Vassena die is designed for each customer’s specific application: nothing is standardized. The ability to physically observe airflow therefore provides an additional tool for studying geometries intended for different drawing conditions.
This approach is part of the research Vassena Filiere has been conducting since 1958 into materials, technologies, and geometries, in collaboration with drawing plants, wire and rope manufacturers, raw material suppliers, and machine manufacturers.
For more information about Vassena dies and technologies, the company can be contacted using the details available on the online booth.
