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Packaging and Spooling

Packaging Options

When it comes to packaging, Fort Wayne Metals is very flexible, providing a variety of options. Our packaging ensures that the quality of our wire is protected while en route to our customers.

When it comes to spools, you can specify the spool type you want or let us recommend the one we feel will work best for your specific needs. For additional protection on alloys that are subject to corrosion, spools can be bagged with desiccant packets.

Straightened and cut wire is shipped in PVC tubes or wood crates, depending on the quantity. And as in everything we do, customer satisfaction is our main goal.

Labeling of Spools

An integral part of our packaging process is quality control through spool labeling. Standard information including alloy type, size, lot number, spool net weight, customer purchase order number, date and spool number is listed on each spool (excluding braiding bobbins) before it leaves our premises. To help ensure accurate information, the statistical average of mechanical properties flow directly from internal data collection to labels. The label also indicates the average breakload, ultimate tensile strength and percent elongation of the wire, based on our sampling plan. And you also have the option of having your spools 100% inspected and labeled.

Diagram of spool dimentions

Spool Flange Hub Traverse Bore Weight Diameter Spool Composition
22 x 14 22.00 14.00 11.00 5.00 500.00 >=0.050 Polystyrene
18 x 11 18.00 11.00 9.60 5.00 200.00 >=0.050 Polystyrene
12 x 6 12.00 6.00 6.00 1.30 40.00 >0.012 Lexan/ABS
Weld Wire 11.70 8.30 3.62 2.00 20.00 >0.012 Polyethelene
8 x 6 8.00 4.60 6.00 1.20 20.00 >0.012 ABS
6 x 3.5 6.00 3.50 3.50 0.62 10.00 0.004 - 0.0199 ABS
4.5 x 3 4.50 2.50 3.00 0.62 5.00 0.003 - 0.010 ABS
2.5 x 3 2.50 1.70 3.00 0.62 1.00 <=0.003 ABS
DIN 80 3.20 2.00 2.50 0.63 1.00 <=0.003 ABS
DIN100 3.90 2.50 3.10 0.63 3.00 0.003 - 0.005 ABS
DIN125 4.90 3.10 3.90 0.63 5.00 0.004 - 0.010 ABS
DIN160 6.30 3.90 5.00 0.87 10.00 0.010 - 0.020 ABS
DIN 250 9.80 6.30 6.30 0.87 20.00 >0.012 ABS
Wardwell Bobbin 2.60 1.30 2.80 1.10 Spline 0.50 <=0.003 Nylon
Steeger Braider Bobbin 1.56 0.62 1.10 0.41 0.25 <=0.003 ABS
New England #2 Braider Bobbin 1.70 0.62 2.50 0.30 0.50 <=0.003 Nylon

All dimensions shown are in inches.

Custom Spooling

Another option is custom spooling. We have the ability to custom spool any specific length of wire. In addition, we can adapt our equipment to work in conjunction with any custom spool you supply.

Ecological and Financial Return on Investment

In order to minimize ecological and financial costs to both our environment and our customers, we’ve implemented a spool return policy. We’ll refund 50% of the deposit on all spools returned to us in good condition, freight prepaid. Most of our spools are made using a virgin ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiend Styrene). This is the strongest, most consistent dimensionally of all polymer spools. However, if returned spools are unfit for reuse, they’re returned to the spool manufacturer to be ground up and used in other spool manufacturing.

We’ll also accept any broken or bad spools as a part of our recycling program. This program recycles the various spool compositions to the manufacturers in order to reduce the number of recyclable products being taken to landfills. All of our packaging is now manufactured using recycled cardboard and is printed with water-soluble inks.

Customer Commitment

As a leading manufacturer of medical grade wire, we fully support our customers’ requirements for quality, service, reliability, dependability and research and development projects. We are FDA and ISO 9001:2001 registered. We are fully capable of statistical process controls and just-in-time inventory scheduling.

At Fort Wayne Metals, we’re committed to working with each of our customers to ensure that we meet their specific needs.

Standard Products and Services

Available Alloys

(Not all types stocked)

Processing Capabilities

  • Diamond Drawing
  • Strand Annealing
  • Custom Spooling
  • Flat Drawing
  • Flat Rolling
  • Custom Stranding and Cabling
  • Straightening and Cutting
  • Lab Services

Product Uses

  • BioConductors
  • Catheter Guides
  • Orthopaedics
  • Orthodontics
  • Surgical Needles
  • Surgical Staples
  • Suture Wire
  • Stents
  • And Other Demanding Medical Products