Straighteners work wire or cable to straighten it according to various tolerances. Unlike a typical rod straightener, wire straightening machinery picks up wire directly off a roll or spool. Computer numerical control (CNC) straighteners and metal straighteners are sometimes quite complex, but wire straighteners are generally simple devices.

Quality straighteners should meet International Standards Organization (ISO) or Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards. Their primary applications include manufacturing electronics, medical equipment and appliances. The aerospace industry also uses especially high quality wire straighteners that meet military standards. The range of wire straightening applications requires multiple types of straighteners, each with its own capabilities. Here are a few:

1. Single plane (1-plane) straighteners service thin strips of wire.

2. Double plane (2-plane) straighteners have four-point contact and produce a uniform result.

3. Triple plane (3-plane) straighteners have the capability to produce shaped wire or cable products.

4. Quadruple plane (4-plane) straighteners produce an even more uniform and high tolerance result than double plane straighteners.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy straighteners from straightener distributors that have the right features for your job

As you look for a suitable industrial straightener, you will want to check the maximum gauge a machine can handle. Also, if you are working with rough material, or if high temperatures are involved, make sure the equipment you buy suits those parameters. Some straighteners have a quick release, which is especially important for a large straightening machine. Others have guide pulleys, fine adjustment and locking levers.

I recommend: Witels Albert USA carries a nice variety of high quality wire straighteners, including both manual and computer adjustable and heavy duty models. Sjogren Industries is another source for straighteners, and they sell extras like magnetic brakes.

Look for single and double plane straighteners to fit your application

The purpose of any straighter, from a metal straightener to a rod straighter, is either to shape material or, more often, to remove defects. However, not all manufactures produce wire straighteners for the full range of applications. Single and double plane are the easiest to find.

I recommend: Howar Equipment, Inc. sells basic single and double plane wire and cable straighteners. Durant Tool Company carries a line of straighteners for round, flat and even irregular wire, each of which is 2-plane.

Find a triple or quadruple plane, as well as custom wire straighteners

Wire straighteners may have multiple sets of rollers, usually set on the same axis, but oriented differently on that axis. The number of these sets significantly affects the tolerance level of a straightener machine.

I recommend: TAK Enterprises carries high precision wire straighteners, including 4-plane models. For custom machines, check out All Forming Machinery, Inc..

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Manual cable straighteners are constructed simply and relatively small, but require much more strength and effort than power cable straighteners.