Patent Description:
In the field of tires, it is required that the tire exhibit various performance aspects (for example, low rolling resistance, better wear resistance, comparable grip under dry and wet conditions, sufficient mileage, etc.). Therefore, tires are made up of reinforced rubber plies (or "reinforced plies") having different types of rubber mixtures with reinforcing wires or strips integrated in the rubber material. The nature of the wire and the nature of the rubber are selected depending on the desired final characteristics. As used herein, the term "wire" includes, without limitation, reinforcing elements (or "reinforcements") that are metallic (such as wires, films, or steel cords), synthetic, textile or hybrid.

In order to produce reinforced rubber plies, it is known to calender the metal reinforcements between two layers of unvulcanized rubber to produce reinforced rubber plies. By way of example, as can be seen in <FIG>, a reinforced rubber ply <NUM> includes a plurality of continuous metallic wires <NUM> having a common geometry. The wires <NUM> are laid parallel to one another and extend longitudinally between opposite ends of a rubber layer <NUM>. After calendering, the wires <NUM> must be spaced uniformly with respect to one another and they must also be positioned uniformly in such a way that a centre C<NUM> of each wire remains collinear along a defined longitudinal axis X through the thickness of the rubber layer <NUM>. Preferably, the longitudinal and vertical alignment of the wires <NUM> is ensured in such a way that a maximum tolerance for a displacement D<NUM>, measured between each wire centre C<NUM> and the longitudinal axis X of the rubber layer <NUM>, does not exceed a predetermined tolerance for the particular rubber layer when assembled (they are "aligned" and in "alignment"). The resulting plies are cut to the desired size and assembled to form a green tire.

In order to supply green tire manufacturing machines (such as calendering machines that form a calendering line), known creel systems support a plurality of reels held in uniform rows, each reel supporting a material wound into a filament (or "wire"). Referring to <FIG>, a calendering line <NUM> incorporates a known creel system <NUM> that uses one or more racks <NUM>. Each rack <NUM> supports a plurality of reels <NUM> that are rotatably mounted and held in uniform rows and uniform columns. Each reel <NUM> supports a wire F with predetermined properties, and each reel is associated with a tension device. During a method for drawing wires, each wire F is carried from the reels <NUM> towards an outlet 62a of the rack. The wires F could be transferred from the outlet 62a of the rack <NUM> towards a preparation zone <NUM> that is disposed at any point along a path between the outlet 62a and one or more downstream machines that perform one or more calendering processes (for example, calendering machines intended to apply an elastomer to a known substrate, or "calendering machines"). The wires F can be applied to a rubber layer so that they are aligned parallel to one another with a predetermined density (for example, at a guiding and holding installation <NUM> of the calendering line <NUM>).

In order to obtain a good-quality ply, it is necessary to guide and hold a plurality of wires that supply rubber products. Each rack has two faces accommodating an equal number of reel winders (for example, between <NUM> and <NUM>), organized in a plurality of levels and columns. These racks can be positioned, depending on the circumstances, either one above the other (or "superposed configuration") or next to one another (or "parallel configuration"). In order to be able to prepare a reinforced ply with the desired width and pitch, the wires coming from each reel are drawn in order to bring them to the end of the rack (for example, to a preparation zone). Typically, at the front of each horizontal row of reels is a frontal plate with eyelets, a grooved roller, or a front roller panel through which the wires are organized before being delivered to the calender. A front roller panel (or "panel" or "roller board") has a series of fixed horizontal rollers placed in front of a series of fixed vertical rollers that form window openings at the intersection of the spaces between the adjacent vertical and horizontal rollers. When the wiring of the roller panel is complete, all the wires can be drawn such that the roller panel organizes the wires with a prescribed uniform tension in a compact zone of predetermined width before the entry into one or more downstream machines that perform one or more calendering processes. Several embodiments of roller panels are known (for example, see the patents <CIT> and <CIT>).

Roller panels are generally elements that are fixed relative to the rack and situated at the end thereof in the output zone of the wires. In the context of a manual operation, one or more operators must pass the wires through the roller panels and attach them (for example, on holding combs or on other equivalent holding means). Thus, the drawing of the wires entails a large number of back-and-forth movements in order to bring the hundreds of wires necessary for the manufacture of a reinforced ply.

The disclosed invention therefore improves the drawing of wires from one face of the rack without having to perform back-and-forth movements along the latter. Even for racks of great height, the disclosed system for drawing and transferring wires ensures the precise alignment of each wire so as to deliver it to the one or more downstream calendering machines with a uniform and specific tension corresponding to the properties of the drawn wire.

The invention relates to a system for drawing and transferring wires arranged in one or more racks of the system, each rack supporting a plurality of reels held in uniform rows and uniform columns along a predetermined length, and each reel supporting a wire that is conveyed towards an outlet of the rack during a method for drawing and transferring wires performed by the system, characterized in that the system includes:.

In one embodiment of the system, the frame of the mobile structure includes a chassis in which the roller panels are disposed in a substantially parallel manner, the chassis having a sliding element that is transferable between the upper and lower supports of the frame and the upper and lower supports of the fixed structure that are spaced apart by a predetermined distance corresponding to the parameters of the chassis.

In one embodiment of the system, the frame of the mobile structure includes one or more rails that are substantially parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined distance allowing the loading of the roller panels on the frame.

In one embodiment of the system, the holding means includes a comb having a support with a predetermined length and an upper surface from which a plurality of sets of teeth extend that are aligned and parallel and that are positioned with a predetermined pitch.

In one embodiment of the system, the frame includes one or more forks at which wires selected for drawing are deflected during the drawing and transfer method, the forks being fastened to the frame in an adjustable manner along an elongate member of the frame depending on the positioning of the roller panels.

In one embodiment of the system, the mobile means of the mobile structure is selected from one or more wheels provided on at least one of the frame and the base of the mobile structure, one or more manually guided modules and one or more autonomous modules.

The invention also relates to a method for drawing and transferring wires selected for incorporation in a reinforced ply performed by the system of the invention during a calendering cycle, the method including the following steps:.

In one embodiment of the method, the step of taking hold of the selected wires includes a step of stopping the mobile structure at one or more columns of the rack so as to capture the selected wires.

In one embodiment of the method, the step of positioning the mobile structure includes a step of aligning the roller panels with a corresponding row of the rack from which wires are selected for incorporation in a reinforced ply.

The invention further relates to a calendering line that carries out a calendering cycle so as to form reinforced plies, including the system of the invention.

Further aspects of the invention will become obvious from the following detailed description.

The nature and various advantages of the invention will become more obvious from reading the following detailed description, in conjunction with the attached drawings, throughout which the same reference numerals denote parts that are identical, and in which:.

Referring now to the figures, in which the same numerals identify the same elements, one embodiment of a system for drawing and transferring wires (or "system") <NUM> of the invention is shown in <FIG>. The system <NUM> is used with one or more supply racks (or "racks") <NUM>.

The system <NUM>, together with the one or more racks <NUM>, can form part of a calendering line (such as the calendering line <NUM> shown in <FIG>) that carries out a calendering cycle so as to form reinforced plies having different types of rubber mixtures with reinforcing wires integrated in the rubber material. Examples of suitable wires include, without limitation, wires made from micro-alloyed carbon steel (<NUM>% carbon and <NUM>% chromium) of UHT type having a breaking strength (Rm) of the order of <NUM> MPa (breaking force of <NUM> N) and a total elongation at break (At) of <NUM>% (Rm and At being measured under tension in accordance with ISO standard <NUM><NUM> of <NUM>). Each wire may be any arbitrary individual steel reinforcement that has a cross-sectional dimension (either diameter or thickness) greater than <NUM>. The metallic wires may have any suitable arbitrary cross-sectional geometry (for example, of the type shown in <FIG>).

The system <NUM> is used with one or more racks <NUM>. As explained above in relation to the rack <NUM> in <FIG>, each rack <NUM> supports a plurality of reels <NUM> in a rotary manner. The reels <NUM> are held in uniform rows Rx and uniform columns Cx (where X varies from <NUM> to N), and each reel <NUM> supports a wire with predetermined properties. During a method for drawing wires of the invention (described below), each wire is carried from the reels <NUM> towards an outlet 110a of the rack (see <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>). The wires could be transferred from the outlet 110a of the rack <NUM> towards a preparation zone (not shown) that is disposed at any point along a path between the outlet 110a and one or more downstream installations for carrying out one or more calendering processes. The wires can be applied to a rubber layer so that they are aligned parallel to one another with a predetermined density (for example, at a guiding and holding installation of the calendering line). The rack <NUM> is selected from commercially available supply racks.

Referring again to <FIG> and also to <FIG>, the system <NUM> includes a mobile structure <NUM> that is set in motion during a method for drawing and transferring wires performed by the system <NUM>. The mobile structure <NUM> includes a frame 114a that is supported by a base 114b. It is understood that the frame 114a and the base 114b can be provided either as a single integrated piece or as two or more detachable pieces. In the case where the frame 114a and the base 114b have detachable pieces, the two pieces can be adjustable relative to the parameters of the rack <NUM> (including its length, its height and the number of rows and columns incorporated in the rack). In one embodiment of the system <NUM>, the frame 114a of the mobile structure <NUM> remains mobile, and the base 114b remains disposed next to a fixed structure disposed at the end of the rack <NUM> (described above).

At least one of the frame 114a and the base 114b includes one or more mobile means that allow the mobile structure <NUM> to be moved along the length of the rack <NUM>. The mobile structure <NUM> is therefore able to move from column to column of the rack <NUM> so as to draw the wires in the subsequent columns. In one embodiment, the movement of the mobile structure <NUM> relative to the ground (and therefore the corresponding drawing of the wires carried by the reels <NUM>) is established via one or more wheels <NUM> (or their equivalents) provided on the base 114b (and/or on a part of the frame 114a that is in contact with the ground) (see <FIG>). In one embodiment of the mobile structure <NUM>, the movement of the mobile structure <NUM> relative to the ground is established via a module that moves in a mobile manner relative to a path substantially parallel to the rack <NUM> (for example, a module moved by one or more motors, a manually guided module, an autonomous module, etc.). Such a module can replace or accompany the wheels <NUM>. It is understood that other equivalent mobile means can be used.

The frame 114a also includes one or more roller panels (or "panels") <NUM> of the type described above. The roller panels <NUM> are made up of horizontal and vertical rollers that allow the wires to be organized relative to the reels <NUM>, serving to guide and hold each wire in a desired position for the organization of the reinforced ply being produced. The selected roller panels <NUM> are of the type of panels that are commercially available.

The positioning of the roller panels <NUM> is adjustable along the upper and lower supports 114c that are substantially parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined distance corresponding to the parameters of the panels (including their length, their width and their collective height). The upper and lower supports 114c make it easier to load the roller panels <NUM> in correspondence with the wires leaving the reels <NUM> of the rack <NUM>, therefore allowing the transfer of the roller panels <NUM> by the mobile structure <NUM> during a method for drawing and transferring wires. By way of example, the rack <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> includes four rows R of reels <NUM>. There are therefore four roller panels <NUM> arranged on the upper and lower supports 114c of the frame 114a.

In one embodiment of the system <NUM>, the roller panels <NUM> are disposed in a substantially parallel manner in a chassis 114d of the frame 114a. The chassis 114d has a sliding element that is held by the upper and lower supports 114c during the setting in motion of the mobile structure <NUM>. At the end of the movement, when the mobile structure <NUM> reaches a fixed structure (described below), the chassis 114d slides (either manually or automatically) such that the chassis transfers the panels <NUM> (and therefore the wires conveyed thereby) from the frame 114a towards the fixed structure. The fixed structure retains the chassis 114d, and therefore the transferred panels <NUM>, without loss of alignment of the wires.

It is understood that other embodiments can use equivalent means to hold and transfer the roller panels <NUM>. For example, the chassis 114d can be replaced by one or more rails that are substantially parallel and spaced apart allowing the insertion of a predetermined number of panels between the upper and lower supports 114c. At the time of the transfer, the panels can be transferred one by one from the frame 114a towards a fixed structure having corresponding rails.

Referring again to <FIG> and <FIG>, the frame 114a of the mobile structure <NUM> also includes one or more holding means 114e corresponding to one or more roller panels <NUM>. The holding means 114e are substantially parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined distance in correspondence with the roller panels <NUM>. The positioning of the holding means 114e is adjustable along an elongate member 114a' of the frame 114a depending on the positioning of the roller panels <NUM>. By way of example, the rack <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>has four roller panels <NUM> arranged in the frame 114a. There are therefore four holding means 114e arranged on the elongate member 114a' of the frame 114a (but it is understood that a holding means can be used with two or more panels).

Each holding means 114e has a holding and alignment means for guiding the wires passing through from a corresponding roller panel <NUM> towards one or more downstream installations. In one embodiment of the mobile structure <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), the holding means 114e includes a comb (for example, a rubber comb) having a support with a predetermined length and an upper surface from which extends a plurality of sets of teeth. The sets of teeth are aligned and parallel, and they are positioned with a predetermined pitch. In another embodiment of the mobile structure <NUM> (not shown), the holding means 114e includes one or more clamps that, in a closed position, retain the wires during methods for drawing and transferring wires performed by the system <NUM>. It is understood that the holding means 114e can be selected from other known holding and alignment means.

In one embodiment of the mobile structure <NUM>, the frame 114a also includes one or more wire deflection forks (or "forks") <NUM> that are fastened to the frame 114a. The positioning of the forks <NUM> is adjustable along an elongate member 114a" of the frame 114a depending on the positioning of the panels <NUM>. By way of example, the rack <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> includes four roller panels <NUM> arranged in the frame 114a. There are therefore four forks <NUM> arranged on the elongate member 114a" of the frame 114a (but it is understood that a fork can be used with two or more panels).

The fork <NUM> includes a substantially horizontal piece that can be a folding piece so as to capture the one or more deflected wires. The function of the forks <NUM> is to deflect the selected wires and ensure their alignment during the conveyance of the wires from the reels <NUM> towards the panels <NUM>. It is understood that each fork <NUM> can be provided either as a piece integrated with the frame 114a or as a detachable piece (for example, in kits incorporating combinations of forks and corresponding roller panels).

Referring again to <FIG> and <FIG>, and also to <FIG> and <FIG>, the system <NUM> also includes a fixed structure <NUM> that is disposed at the end of the rack <NUM> (see <FIG>). The fixed structure <NUM> includes a frame 120a that is supported by a base 120b secured to the ground by one or more known means (for example, screws <NUM>). It is understood that the frame 120a and the base 120b can be provided either as a single integrated piece or as two or more detachable pieces. In the case in which the frame 120a and the base 120b have detachable pieces, the two pieces can be adjustable relative to the parameters of the rack <NUM> and of the mobile structure <NUM>.

The frame 120a of the fixed structure <NUM> includes upper and lower supports 120c that make it easier to transfer the roller panels <NUM> from the frame 114a of the mobile structure towards the fixed structure <NUM> during a method for drawing and transferring wires. The upper and lower supports 120c are substantially parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined distance corresponding to the parameters of the panels <NUM>. In the embodiments of the system <NUM> incorporating the chassis 114d, the upper and lower supports 120c are substantially parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined distance corresponding to the parameters of the chassis 114d. The chassis 114d can be transferred in a sliding manner along the upper and lower supports 114c of the frame 114a of the mobile structure and along the upper and lower supports 120c of the fixed structure <NUM>.

In the embodiments of the system <NUM> incorporating rails that allow the panels <NUM> to be inserted in the frame 114a, the fixed structure <NUM> can include corresponding rails between the upper and lower supports 120c. In these embodiments, the panels can be transferred one by one from the frame 114a towards the fixed structure <NUM>. By way of example, <FIG> shows the fixed structure <NUM> having all the roller panels <NUM> already transferred (as performed at the end of the drawing and transfer method of the invention). It is understood that the roller panels can be transferred depending on the column of reels <NUM> involved in drawing wires. For example, if the wires of the reels of the rows R<NUM> and R<NUM> are to be drawn (see <FIG>), the roller panels 116a and 116c are transferred (it is not necessary to load either the mobile structure <NUM> or the fixed structure <NUM> with the roller panels 116b and 116d) (see <FIG>). If the wires of the reels of the rows R<NUM> are drawn (see <FIG>), only the panel 116b is transferred (it is not necessary to load either the mobile structure <NUM> or the fixed structure <NUM> with the roller panels 116a, 116c and 116d) (see <FIG>).

Thus, in all the embodiments of the system <NUM>, the fixed structure <NUM> allows the direct and uninterrupted transfer of the roller panels <NUM> without loss of alignment of the wires. Referring again to <FIG> and also to <FIG> and <FIG>, a detailed description is given, by way of example, of a method for drawing and transferring wires (or "method") of the invention that is performed by the system <NUM>. Such a method for drawing and transferring wires can be performed during a calendering cycle performed by an installation for producing tires in which the system <NUM> is installed (for example, a calendering line). Of course, the method can be adapted easily for all the embodiments of the system <NUM>.

At the start of a method for drawing and transferring wires of the invention, the method includes a step of positioning the mobile structure <NUM> so that it can move in a mobile manner relative to a path substantially parallel to the rack <NUM> (see <FIG>). This step includes a step of aligning the roller panels <NUM> with a corresponding row Rx (where X varies from <NUM> to N) of the rack <NUM> from which wires are selected for incorporation in a reinforced ply. In the embodiment of the system <NUM> that is shown, it is possible to select one or more wires coming from one or more columns Cx of reels <NUM>. By way of example, in the embodiment of the system <NUM> that is shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, it is possible to select up to four wires in each column Cx of the rack <NUM> depending on the desired properties of the reinforced ply being produced.

During the step of positioning the mobile structure <NUM>, the one or more roller panels <NUM> necessary for drawing the selected wires are put in place in the frame 114a (by loading the rails). In the embodiments of the system <NUM> incorporating the chassis 114d, the chassis arranged together with the panels <NUM> that are already arranged along the upper and lower supports 114c. In the embodiments of the system <NUM> incorporating rails, one or more dedicated spaces for loading roller panels can be used. It is understood that one or more roller panels might not be used during the current method (but they remain on standby for use in the methods in which the corresponding wires are selected).

The method for drawing and transferring wires also includes a step of capturing the wires selected for incorporation in a reinforced ply. This step includes capturing the selected wires in the one or more corresponding roller panels <NUM>. In the embodiments of the system <NUM> incorporating the forks <NUM>, this step includes a step of capturing the selected wires in the corresponding forks <NUM>. The captured wires are then put in the corresponding roller panels <NUM> where they are held so as to perform their drawing.

The step of capturing the selected wires also includes a holding and alignment step performed by the holding means 114e of the mobile structure <NUM>. During this step, each selected wire is captured on a corresponding holding means 114e so as to ensure the alignment of the wire throughout the duration of the method. In the embodiments of the system <NUM> in which the holding means 114e includes combs, each selected wire is captured on a corresponding comb so as to keep the wires at a predetermined pitch.

In one embodiment of the method, this step includes a step of stopping the mobile structure <NUM> at one or more columns Cx of the rack <NUM> so as to capture the selected wires. By way of example, the mobile structure <NUM> can start its movement at the column C<NUM>' of the rack <NUM>, and it can stop at one or more columns Cx on its path towards the outlet 110a of the rack. During each stop, the wires of one or more reels <NUM> of the column at which the structure stops are fastened to the corresponding roller panels <NUM> of the frame 114a. Programming can specify the intended stops of the mobile structure <NUM> depending on the desired properties of the tire being produced. In one embodiment of the method, indices can be integrated in the ground where the mobile structure <NUM> is automatically stopped.

The method for drawing and transferring wires also includes a step of conveying the captured wires from a selected column of reels Cx towards the outlet 110a of the rack (see the arrow A in <FIG>). During this step, the one or more mobile means (for example, wheels <NUM> or their equivalents) move the mobile structure along the path substantially parallel to the rack <NUM> so as to convey, and therefore draw, the captured wires. In the embodiment of the system <NUM> that is shown in <FIG>, the wires are conveyed from a column C<NUM> of the rack <NUM> towards the outlet 110a of the rack. Of course, the conveying of the wires can start from any column depending on the desired properties of the reinforced ply being produced. The mobile structure <NUM> can be moved towards the outlet 110a of the rack <NUM> manually by one or more operators O (see <FIG> and <FIG>). The movement of the mobile structure <NUM> towards the outlet 110a can be performed by a command from the one or more operators O (either onsite or remotely via a network connected to the system <NUM>).

The method for drawing and transferring wires also includes a step of drawing the conveyed wires towards the fixed structure <NUM> (see the arrow B in <FIG>). During this step, the movement of the mobile structure ends in order to align the upper and lower supports 114c of the frame 114a and the upper and lower supports 120c of the fixed structure <NUM>. In the embodiments of the system <NUM> in which the frame 114a remains mobile, and the base 114b remains disposed next to the fixed structure, the base 114b receives the frame 114a so as to align the upper and lower supports 114c, 120c as soon as the frame arrives at the fixed structure <NUM>. In all the embodiments of the system <NUM>, a braking means can be integrated with the frame 114a so as to prevent its movement.

The method for drawing and transferring wires includes a final step of transferring the roller panels <NUM> from the frame 114a of the mobile structure <NUM> towards the fixed structure <NUM> (see the arrow C in <FIG>). During this step, the roller panels slide along the upper and lower supports 114c of the frame 114a towards the upper and lower supports 120c of the fixed structure <NUM>. In the embodiments of the system <NUM> incorporating the chassis 114d, the chassis slides between the two pairs of upper and lower supports 114c, 120c such that the chassis transfers the panels <NUM>, and therefore the wires conveyed thereby, from the frame 114a towards the fixed structure. In the embodiments of the system <NUM> incorporating rails allowing the insertion of the panels <NUM>, the panels are transferred one by one from the frame 114a towards the fixed structure <NUM> during this step. The fixed structure <NUM> can have corresponding rails in which the transferred panels are arranged with their captured wires.

In all embodiments of the system <NUM>, the captured wires remain captured on the holding means 114e (and also on the forks <NUM> in the embodiments incorporating the forks). Thus, the captured wires remain in alignment at a desired tension from the start of the method until the roller panels <NUM> have been completely transferred.

The method for drawing and transferring wires of the invention can form part of a calendering cycle that also includes a step of introducing the wires at one or more installations downstream of the system <NUM> (including one or more preparation zones) so as to perform one or more calendering processes. In one embodiment of a calendering cycle, this step includes a step of introducing the wires at one or more rubber layers already deposited on a working surface awaiting production of a reinforced ply (for example, on a calender roll of a calendering line in which the system <NUM> is installed). At the end of the calendering cycle, one or more plies can be produced, and these can serve, for example, as carcass ply or crown ply intended to reinforce a crown of a tire, below the tread.

The systems for drawing and transferring wires of the invention are characterized by the fact of being able to draw a plurality of wires at the same time in an ergonomic manner. The disclosed drawing and transfer solutions make it possible to propose racks of great height (for example, having four rows or more), therefore reducing the footprint of the calendering line on the ground. The corresponding reduction in the length of the rack correspondingly increases productivity at the same time as reducing the cost of the calendering line. In addition, the operators no longer go back and forth along the rack to recover the wires.

For all embodiments of the system for drawing wires of the invention, a method for drawing wires of the invention (and also a cycle of the calendering method of which the method forms part) can be controlled by PLC and can include pre-programming and gestion information. For example, a method setting can be defined by using the properties of the wires and the parameters of the racks and the reels (including the number of rows and columns).

For all embodiments of the system for drawing and transferring wires of the invention, a monitoring system could be put in place. At least one part of the monitoring system may be supplied in a portable device such as a mobile network device (for example, a mobile telephone, a laptop computer, one or more portable devices connected to the network (including "augmented reality" and/or "virtual reality" devices, portable clothing connected to the network and/or any combinations and/or any equivalents)).

In certain embodiments, a system <NUM> (and/or a calendering line incorporating such a system) may receive voice commands or other audio data representing, for example, the current state of the method for drawing wires that is in progress compared with the intended state. The response can be generated in an audible, visual, tactile (for example by way of a haptic interface) and/or virtual and/or augmented manner.

In an embodiment, the method may include a step of training the system <NUM> (and/or training a calendering line that incorporates such system) to recognize representative characteristics of the wires leaving a corresponding rack (for example, diameter and tensile strength values) and to compare them with target values. This step may include a step of training the system <NUM> to recognize a lack of equivalence between the compared values. Each training step includes a classification generated by self-learning means. This classification can include, without limitation, the properties of the materials of the wires used, the intended parameters of the reinforced plies, the parameters of the mobile structure <NUM> and fixed structure <NUM>, the durations of the calendering cycles and the values expected at the end of a cycle in progress (for example, the value of the space between the aligned wires in a reinforced ply, etc.). Each system <NUM> is designed to process a variety of wires intended for use in a variety of rubber mixtures without reducing industrial productivity.

The terms "at least one" and "one or more" are used interchangeably. The ranges given as lying "between a and b" encompass the values "a" and "b".

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) for drawing and transferring wires arranged in one or more racks (<NUM>) of the system, each rack (<NUM>) supporting a plurality of reels (<NUM>) held in uniform rows (Rx) and uniform columns (Cx) along a predetermined length, and each reel (<NUM>) supporting a wire that is conveyed towards an outlet (110a) of the rack during a method for drawing and transferring wires performed by the system, characterized in that the system comprises:
- a mobile structure (<NUM>) comprising a frame (114a), a base (114b) and one or more mobile means that allow the mobile structure (<NUM>) to be moved along the length of the rack (<NUM>), the frame (114a) comprising:
- upper and lower supports (114c) that are substantially parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined distance allowing the loading of the roller panels (<NUM>) in correspondence with the wires leaving reels (<NUM>) of the rack (<NUM>); and
- one or more holding means (114e) that are substantially parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined distance in correspondence with roller panels (<NUM>) loaded on the frame, each holding means (114e) comprising a holding and alignment means for guiding the wires passing through from a corresponding roller panel (<NUM>) towards one or more installations downstream of the system (<NUM>);
- one or more roller panels (<NUM>) made up of horizontal and vertical rollers that allow the wires to be organized relative to the reels (<NUM>); and
- a fixed structure (<NUM>) disposed at the end of the rack (<NUM>) and comprising a frame (120a) and a base (120b), the frame (120a) of the fixed structure comprising upper and lower supports (120c) that are substantially parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined distance allowing the transfer of the roller panels (<NUM>) from the frame (114a) of the mobile structure (<NUM>) towards the fixed structure (<NUM>) without loss of alignment of the wires, wherein the mobile structure (<NUM>) is positioned next to the fixed structure (<NUM>).