Wire Drawing Machine Installation in Ethiopia: On-Site Commissioning for Stable Wire Production

For wire manufacturers, buying the right machine is only part of the project. The equipment also has to work reliably with the factory’s power supply, working environment, production process, and operators.

This was an important part of a recent DAPU project in Ethiopia.

The customer purchased a complete wire production setup consisting of a straight line wire drawing machine, water tank wire drawing machine, annealing furnace, and hexagonal wire mesh machine. The production process starts with wire drawing, followed by a second drawing process and annealing to soften the finished wire. The processed wire is then used as the raw material for hexagonal wire mesh production.

To make sure the complete line could run properly under local factory conditions, DAPU sent a technician to Ethiopia for on-site installation, commissioning, testing, and operator training.

A Complete Wire Production Process from Drawing to Mesh

The customer's production line was designed around a straightforward process:

Wire Drawing → Second Drawing → Annealing → Hexagonal Wire Mesh Production

The two drawing machines reduce the wire diameter to the required size. The wire is then processed through the annealing furnace to improve its softness and make it suitable for the following mesh production process.

This type of setup allows the customer to control more of the wire preparation process in-house instead of relying entirely on purchased finished wire.

For a wire mesh manufacturer, this can also make it easier to control the raw material used in the final mesh.

The Real Challenge Was at the Factory

When our technician arrived at the customer's factory, the equipment itself was not the only issue that needed attention.

The local factory experienced occasional power outages, which could interrupt machine operation and affect production data.

There was also a noticeable difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures. This became particularly important when commissioning the annealing furnace because ambient temperature can affect how quickly the furnace heats and cools.

These conditions had to be considered before the customer could move into normal production.

Rather than simply using the standard factory settings, our technician checked the equipment operation under the actual site conditions and adjusted the setup accordingly.

Adjusting the Wire Drawing Equipment for Local Power Conditions

Frequent power interruptions can be troublesome for production equipment, especially when a machine is operating with programmed production parameters.

During commissioning, the DAPU technician adjusted the relevant machine settings to reduce the impact of unexpected power cuts and help prevent production data loss and operating errors when power was restored.

The goal was simple: the machines needed to return to normal operation without creating additional problems for the operators.

This is one reason on-site commissioning matters for overseas wire production projects. A machine may be manufactured and tested in one environment, but its final working conditions are determined by the customer's factory.

Setting the Annealing Furnace Around the Local Conditions

The annealing furnace required particular attention.

Based on the customer's production requirements and the local ambient temperature, the DAPU technician established a working procedure with a heating temperature of 730°C and a holding time of 240 minutes.

After the holding period, the furnace automatically cuts off the power. When the temperature falls to approximately 400°C, the main furnace lid is opened to accelerate cooling. Once the temperature has fallen to around 150°C, the inner vessel can be lifted out.

The purpose was not simply to reach a target temperature. The complete heating, holding, and cooling sequence had to work properly as part of the customer's actual production routine.

After repeated testing and adjustment, the furnace was able to operate according to the required process.

Commissioning Does Not End When the Machine Starts

Getting the machines running is only the first step.

Once the production line was operating normally, the DAPU technician also worked with the customer's operators on daily machine operation and maintenance.

The training covered points such as:

• Routine machine maintenance
• Important checks during daily operation
• Points to watch when changing wire specifications
• Basic replacement and maintenance procedures
• Correct operation of the annealing furnace

DAPU also provided electronic technical files, including the instruction manual, spare parts replacement list, and service-life information, so the customer's team could refer to them during future operation and maintenance.

This part of the project is especially important for a new production line. Operators need to understand not only how to start the machine, but also what to check when production specifications change and how to identify problems before they affect output.

From Wire Drawing to Finished Hexagonal Wire Mesh

After commissioning, the customer's complete production process could be connected from wire preparation to finished mesh production.

The wire drawing machines prepare the required wire diameter, the annealing furnace softens the processed wire, and the hexagonal wire mesh machine uses the finished wire to produce the final mesh.

This gives the customer a complete production chain rather than purchasing individual machines without considering how they will work together.

For DAPU, this is also an important part of supplying wire machinery overseas: the machine recommendation should consider the complete production process, not just the specifications of a single machine.

What This Ethiopia Project Shows

Every overseas wire production project has its own working conditions.

Power supply, factory infrastructure, ambient temperature, operator experience, raw material, and finished product requirements can all affect how equipment performs after installation.

The Ethiopia project gave the DAPU technical team the opportunity to work directly with these conditions and adjust the equipment during actual commissioning.

For customers planning a wire drawing machine project, this is why we pay attention to more than wire diameter and machine capacity before recommending equipment. The production process, supporting machinery, local factory conditions, and final wire application all need to be considered together.

With more than 25 years of experience in wire machinery manufacturing, DAPU provides not only wire drawing machines, but also supporting equipment and technical assistance for complete wire production projects.

If you are planning a new wire drawing line or upgrading an existing wire production facility, share your raw material, required wire diameter, production capacity, and final wire application with DAPU. We can work from your actual production requirements and recommend a suitable equipment configuration.