Hello there,
Wow, again this is one big question. You folks really need to quickly develop a serious technical library with what I believe is a quite a new machine. I quickly went through the three WAI nonferrous handbooks and found nothing of substance re your questions there.
Saying that however, here are some thoughts;
First, You might want to quickly look at this nonferrous thread:
www.wirenet.org/forum/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=12&Topic=219
Second, I suggest you go to the abstract search and see what you can find in the WAI Technical Library:
www.wirenet.org/technical/abstract/abstract.cfm
Third, I suggest you get hold of your rod machine manufacturer and see if they have any technical information they might be willing to share.
Fourth, you might have to arrange technical consulting and possibly an on-site lecture(s) by Dr Horace Pops:
Horace Pops Consulting Inc
10610 Pine Mills Rd
Fort Wayne, IN 46845
Phone: (260) 637-6979
I have no E-mail or web site information for Dr. Pops.
You can see one of Dr. Pops more appropriate papers here:
www.copper.org/publications/newsletters/.../wiremetallurgy.html
Sorry I cannot be of more help but hopefully I have pointed you in the right direction. Perhaps others will contribute to this thread.
Regards
Peter J. Stewart-Hay
Principal
Stewart-Hay Associates
www.Stewart-Hay.com
519 641-3212