Since there are numerous wire-cutting machines, people tend to get confused when choosing wire-processing equipment. They know little about these machines to make an informed purchasing decision.  

Finding the right equipment for your wire-cutting needs requires a decent amount of time and effort. With so many options at the table, it’s hard to find equipment that matches your facilitation goals.  

This comprehensive guide will help you ask the right questions to ensure you purchase a wire-cutting machine that matches your needs. 

Modern wire-cutting machines are multipurpose. 

Wire-cutting machines are flexible enough to support multiple applications. Depending on your specific needs, we recommend considering cable and wire size to determine the exact application range and use those insights to find the matching equipment.  

Chances are you won’t be using your machine for the same few jobs daily, so it’s better to look for a wire-cutting tool that’s as flexible as possible. Thankfully, finding a suitable wire-cutting company won’t be a problem since you have numerous options. 

The range of applications of a wire-cutting machine also depends on the features you require, such as: 

• Multi-blade cutter head – for cutting inner conductors and multi-conductor wire jackets; 
• Rotary incision unit – for cutting radial incisions through multiple wire layers to process multi-layer cables and coaxial wires. 

Knowing your future needs might help you make an informed purchase. 

Changeovers are necessary and require tools. 

Although modern-day wire-cutting machines operate on sophisticated and programmable software, they contain several mechanical parts such as blades, tubes, etc. You’ll have to change and maintain these in-between jobs.  

Some wire-cutting machines don’t require changeover tools, and their changeover times are minimal. However, the use of tools increases change over time. Keep in mind that shorter changeover times can expand the lifespan of your machine and provide a quicker ROI. 

Look for the maximum production rate. 

A realistic production rate is one of the most important things about choosing a wire-cutting machine. Consider your needs to set your production rate expectations accordingly and compare data sheets for several equipment tools.  

Look for items like maximum transport speed. Although transport speed may not always correlate to satisfactory production rates, it can be a determining factor when you’re running longer lengths. Aside from speed, look for machine specifications like the cutting axis, as they contribute to reduced cycle time.  

Each application and wire length on the specification should have the maximum production rate listed. If you have specific applications for a wire-cutting machine, it’s best to send cable or wire samples to the manufacturer to ensure you get the highest production rate possible. 

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Pre and post-processing accessories 

Most standard entry-level wire-cutting machines aren’t compatible with available pre and post-processing accessories. That’s why it’s vital to encompass additional operations in your assessment when choosing fully-integrated accessories for your wire processing equipment.  

You should ensure that the selected manufacturer supports the necessary accessories for the applications you have in mind. Typical applications include stacking, coiling, inkjet marking, hot stamping, etc.  

One of the essential wire-cutting machine accessories is a prefeeder. However, it comes in various styles and sizes, making it difficult to determine the right one for your specific application.  

You have three prefeeder models on your hands: 

• Basic model – cuts the cable or wire directly using motorized roller blades or belts. 
• Enhanced model – feeds the wire directly to the reel, allowing for higher cutting precision. 
• Advanced model – ensures the highest cutting accuracy and features full enclosure and a motorized reel lift for maximum safety and efficiency. 

In addition, we recommend matching the maximum feed and acceleration rates of a wire-cutting machine to a specified prefeeder. 

Integration with a manufacturing execution system software and ERP system 

Modern-day factories and production facilities operate using an internet-connected network to streamline operations and automate as many time-consuming processes as possible. So, you should ensure your new wire-cutting has the required connectivity for network integration.  

Networking your wire-cutting machinery and equipment offers a few benefits: 

• Reduce human error by eliminating operator keystrokes; 
• Use automation to save programming time; 
• Real-time production rate monitoring; 
• Longer machinery lifespan and easier maintenance; 
• Automatic work order optimization; 

• Honor deadlines and due dates; 
• Easier machinery management and maximum uptime; 
• Streamlined personnel management; 
• Reduced changeover times; 
• Timely maintenance scheduling; 

• Advanced machine cycle completion tracking. 

Network integration gives you unlimited traceability and allows you to manage your wire processing needs more efficiently. 

Additional considerations 

In addition to these essentials, you should consider the different uses and materials you’ll be cutting with your wire processing equipment.  

Wire-cutting machines can cut materials such as ribbon cabling, heavy-duty twisted wire, fiber optic cables, and tubing.  

The application of your machinery would depend on the type of industry. This machine is widely used for cooling, ventilation, and heating. 

Conclusion 

Choosing the appropriate wire-cutting machine for your needs becomes easier when you know how it works and what it requires to function correctly. Aside from the application, accessories, and other essentials, the price is also important. However, we recommend focusing on finding a multipurpose, highly flexible wire-cutting machine with network connectivity to ensure the fastest ROI and minimum overhead.