Shaped Wire Drawing Dies (Profile Dies)

A shaped wire drawing die turns round or pre-shaped wire into a non-round section: square, rectangular, hexagonal, flat, half-round or a profile from your drawing. The die is made to the finished section, and the wire is usually brought to it in two or three passes from round.

Overview

Which material for a shaped die

Nano-coated, for steel and non-ferrous sections: the carbide body takes the load, the diamond surface takes the wear, and the corners hold their size longer than plain carbide.
PCD where the section is small, or where you re-size worn dies: a PCD shaped die can be recut to the next size.
Tungsten carbide for trials, short runs and large sections, where the purchase price matters more than die life.

For how the three compare on round dies, see Wire drawing die materials compared.

Corners and radii

The corner radius is what decides whether a shaped die can be made and how long it lasts. Sharper corners wear faster and are harder to polish; a small radius on the drawing — rather than a sharp corner — usually gives a better wire and a longer die. Send the section with the radii marked, or the smallest radius you can accept, and we confirm what can be made in which material.

Specifications

What we supply

Item	Details
Sections	Square, rectangular and flat; hexagonal and octagonal; half-round, oval and D-shaped; profiles to drawing
Material	Nano-coated, PCD or tungsten carbide, in steel casings
Wire	Steel, stainless and alloy wire; copper and aluminium conductors
Made to	Your section drawing or CAD file, or a sample of the wire
Tolerance	Section dimensions and radii to your drawing, confirmed per order
Pass sequence	We can advise the passes from round to the finished section
Inspection	Each order ships with a dimensional inspection report

What to send for a quote

Section drawing or CAD file, with dimensions and corner radii
Wire material and grade
Inlet form and size: round, or the pre-shaped section from the previous pass
Reduction per pass, or the number of passes you plan from round
Wet or dry drawing, and the drawing machine if you know it
Quantity per section

Compare

Comparison

PCD or nano-coated, chosen by the section and the wire — PCD for small sections and where dies are re-sized; tungsten carbide for trials and short runs. Wire drawing die materials compared

FAQ

What shapes can be drawn?

Square, rectangular, flat, hexagonal, octagonal, half-round, oval and D-shaped sections, and profiles to your drawing. Send the section and we confirm it.

How small a corner radius is possible?

It depends on the section size and the die material. Send the smallest radius you can accept and we confirm what can be made; a small radius rather than a sharp corner usually gives a better wire and a longer die.

Which die material should I use for shaped wire?

PCD or nano-coated, chosen by the section and the wire — PCD for small sections or where you re-size worn dies; tungsten carbide for trials and short runs.

How many passes from round to the finished section?

Usually two or three, depending on the section and the wire. Tell us the inlet size and the finished section and we propose the sequence.

What do you need from me to quote a shaped die?

The section drawing with radii, the wire material, the inlet form and size, the reduction per pass or number of passes, wet or dry drawing, and the quantity.

What is the lead time?

Usually about 15 days, confirmed by item and quantity when we quote.