Tradition And Technology (continued)

• Super Clean Steel Technology

  Developed by Japanese steel suppliers with assistance from American Spring Wire Corporation, Super Clean steel technology has reduced the occurrence of harmful non-deformable inclusions within the wire rod materials used for the production of valve spring wire, and has resulted in improved fatigue properties in the finished valve springs.

• Wire Rod Surface Preparation

  In 1973, ASW introduced its own methodology for wire rod surface preparation utilizing planetary grinding technologies. This improvement in wire rod surface processing has reduced the occurrence of surface defects in spring wire, a major cause of valve spring failure due to fatigue. In 1997, ASW incorporated a second surface preparation technology, surface shaving, becoming the only major supplier of spring wire to offer its customers a choice in surface preparation.

• Oil Tempering Process

  For years, ASW’s double lead tempering process was the standard for providing uniform, high quality tempered wire. In 1999, ASW introduced a new oil tempering process that allowed greater control over the formation of temper oxide scale (oxide) during the austenitizing stage of the process. The surface oxide of the spring wire determines the wire’s lubricity. ASW’s new oil tempering process improves the lubricity of the wire, benefiting the spring making process in two ways:

  • marking of the wire surface during the coiling process, that could result in the formation of stress cracks, is less likely to occur as the lubricity of the wire increases;
  • the amount of friction and the resulting increased temperature at the wire surface are reduced as the lubricity of the wire indicates.

• Packaging Options that Meet Customer Preferences

  ASW introduced large coil packaging in 1975. Today, coils are available in weights of up to 4,400 pounds. In addition to coils, ASW offers standard packaging options that include spools, reelless cores, steel reels or carriers. Banded loose coils are also available. And, ASW offers special palletizing and wrapping to meet individual requests.

• In-house Tooling Capabilities

  ASW maintains an in-house tooling division for the production of rolls and dies. This capability allows us to offer many restricted size tolerances and many varieties of shaped wire that not readily available in the industry. Designing and manufacturing our own die and roll sets also offers us greater control over lead times, quality and costs.