Beta Steel is proud to announce the acquisition of a WILCO Large Rod Mechanical Descaling System with automatic wire brushes.  The equipment consists of a WILCO Model LRD Large Rod Scale Breaker and dual WILCO Model WBM-8 Automatic Rod Brushing Machines.

The LRD Scale Breaker is designed for processing wire rod up to .687 in diameter through two separate sets of three scale breaking rolls.   In order to accommodate such large diameter rod bending, the center sheave of each set of breaking rolls is moved into position by a hydraulic cylinder, resulting in the required deformation of the rod to break the scale free of the wire rod.

Directly behind the LRD Scale Breaker are the dual WILCO Automatic Rod Brushing Machines.  Each brushing machine houses eight knotted steel wire brushes.  Unique to the WILCO Rod Brushing Machine is that all brushes are positioned 90º to the rod surface which means that each wire brushing machine only occupies about 3 feet of line space.   Additionally, this brush orientation leaves a nice even radial brush mark around the rod surface which is helpful in picking up lubricant in the ripper box. 

The Programable Logic Controller (PLC) based automatically controlled machine allows the operator to select a low, medium or high brush pressure and the WILCO Brushing Machine will automatically adjust to and maintain this pressure throughout the life of the wire brushes.   Both wire brushing machines are independently controlled allowing for the operation of one single wire brush head while the other unit is powered down when not in use.   This ability helps achieve the lowest processing cost per ton.

Once the material is brushed clean by the WILCO Rod Brushing Machine, it then passes through the recently purchased GCR Eurodraw rinse/coating line. To remove any residual metal dust left from the cleaning process before is the STP-4 Steam Cleaning machine located immediately behind the WILCO component.  This device also aids in heating the rod before it enters the Borax Coating unit.

The next stage in the process is the Borax Coating Unit along with the Hot Air Drying System.  As the rod passes through the coating unit, it enters a heated processing tray where an over saturated borax solution is pumped on to it.  The excess solution is then recycled through a heated containment tank, after which it is pumped back into the tray.  As the rod exits the unit, a set of air wipes controls the quantity of borax remaining on the rod surface.

Rod exiting the Borax Coating Unit then enters the Hot Air Drying System, where super heated air is blown on to the rod.  This dries and bonds the borax solution to the surface of the rod.  At this point the material has been cleaned, coated and is prepared to be drawn.

Innovative, state-of-the-art equipment and processes that forge Agility, Speed, Strength - The Beta Steel Experience.