Workshops & In-Person Learning

Discover Expert-Led Training & Professional Development

WAI’s events bring professionals together for hands-on learning, technical exchange, and networking. Whether at our conferences or special courses, these programs provide an unmatched educational experience.

Signature In-Person Offerings

Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course

Start with the basics

New to the wire and cable industry? Need to come up to speed in a hurry? Or are you unclear about the many wire processing terms you’ve heard?

This concentrated introductory course provides a solid background in the essentials of wire and cable manufacturing presented by experts in the field. This is the Wire Association’s most popular training program and refresher course for new hires, sales teams, and operations personnel.

This course is a pre-conference program and requires separate registration.

From General to Specialty: Explore the Curriculum

Start your day together in the General Sessions, then after lunch, dive deeper into your specialty with Ferrous or Nonferrous tracks.

General Sessions

This track focuses on aspects of the wire manufacturing process that apply to both ferrous and nonferrous segments.

Ferrous Track

This track focuses on the general approach for iron and steel.

Nonferrous Track

This track focuses on the general approach of copper and aluminium.

Mechanics of Wiredrawing

This session presents fundamental engineering principles and process calculations that are used to design, analyze, and improve metal rod and wiredrawing operations. Topics include a basic overview of wiredrawing mechanics with respect to material behavior and process parameters. Die angle and reduction will be addressed in light of the parameter and its practical application. Drawing limits, friction and lubrication, work-piece heating, and temperature effects are also discussed.

Drawing Dies

This session focuses on the die, the most important part of the drawing process. Without it, the best drawing machines, lubricant, and treatment systems cannot reduce the wire diameter. However, with a die, vice pliers, and a hammer, wire can be drawn, albeit slowly, as it has been for over 2,000 years. The intention of this course is to provide an understanding of what makes a die work, how it is designed, causes of failure, and problems with drawing larger sizes.

Lubrication in the Wire Drawing Process

This session reviews basic lubrication principles, and typical lubricant compositions used in ferrous and non-ferrous applications.

Wire Breaks and Surface Damage

This session presents a classification of wire breaks from a perspective that compares material defects to process-related problems. Rod defects will include both casting and rolling issues such as internal voids, foreign contaminants, rolled-in scale, hot cracks, and surface porosity. The effects of wiredrawing speed and lubrication will be discussed with respect to generation of fines, shaving, galling, and other surface defects.

Wire and Cable Manufacturing Problem-Solving

This session is a demonstration of problem-solving techniques used to solve real challenges faced in the wire and cable industry. Actual scenarios are used to challenge attendees to think beyond the obvious symptoms and find the root cause. Lean Six Sigma problem-solving strategies are utilized as the course walks through each problem until the cause is identified. The audience is encouraged to participate in this interactive course.

Introduction to Ferrous Metallurgy

This session is designed to provide a general understanding of ferrous metallurgical concepts, including phase equilibrium, transformation, strengthening mechanisms, heat treatment, and an overview of steelmaking, and their relevance to wire technology.

Cleaning and Coating of Rod and Wire

This session presents the fundamentals of cleaning, pickling, and coating of ferrous wire and rod in preparation for drawing and processing. Proper control and handling in these areas ensures quality of the finished product. The design of these processes impacts the economics of the operation. It is imperative that rather than individual stages, this department should be viewed as a whole as it is critical to success. The course deals with zinc phosphate processes and the advantages and limitations as well as specialty coatings such as salt carriers, lubricants, dry film polymers, and new technologies on the horizon.

Ferrous Testing Properties

This session discusses tensile, coiling, wrap and hardness testing procedures.

Ferrous Heat Treatment

This session focuses on heat treatment of ferrous metals. It includes basic heat treating principles applicable to many metals with specific examples related to heat treatment of steel rod and wire.

Stranding and Cabling

This session explores the cabling and stranding processes for nonferrous materials, highlighting key terminology and relevant specifications. Participants will gain insights into cable assembly and conductor stranding techniques, along with the rationale behind various methods. Applications covered include the industrial and energy sectors, electronics and data communications, automotive manufacturing, consumer products, and appliances.

Introduction to Extrusion

This session starts with a discussion of the basics of the various polymers used for wire and cable insulation. This is followed by discussion of the construction aspects of rubber and thermoplastic extruders. The remaining components of typical extrusion lines are reviewed and include payoffs, dancers and accumulators, preheaters, crossheads, cooling troughs, capstans, online measurement and testing equipment, online printing, take-ups, and operator control systems.

Electrical Testing

This session is geared to providing a general overview of electrical testing. The course highlights key terms, standards, and tests that are common to the wire and cable industry for conductors and insulations, and highlights specific concerns of various industries and product types.

Marking & Printing

This session provides a general overview of the entire printing and marking process as it relates to wire & cable identification. Topics to include basic printing concepts, regulatory requirements, selection and location of printing equipment, printing and marking methods in addition to troubleshooting.

Conference Sessions (Interwire & Wire Expo)

At Interwire and Wire Expo, The Wire Association International brings together the wire and cable industry’s top minds for a comprehensive program of sessions designed to inform, inspire, and connect. From keynote presentations to expert panels, participants gain practical knowledge, see the latest innovations in machinery and technology, and leave with actionable strategies to enhance productivity, safety, and growth in their organizations.

Explore how AI and Industry 4.0 are transforming production, discover breakthroughs in materials and product development, and gain perspective on market trends, economic forces, and sustainability. Learn actionable approaches to production efficiency, quality management, and system security, while keeping your team equipped with the latest safety standards and workforce training practices.

What will you deliver?

Call for Presentations
You are invited to join the Wire Association International's team of expert speakers at Wire Expo 2026 in Milwaukee next May. The conference will focus on all aspects of wire and cable manufacturing. WAI accepts abstracts for both practical presentations and technical papers from the ferrous, nonferrous, and electrical sectors. Accepted authors receive a one year WAI membership and conference registration.

Submit Your Abstract

Advanced Extrusion Workshop

The Advanced Extrusion Workshop offers an exclusive, hands-on opportunity for professionals to deepen their understanding of wire extrusion processes. This three-hour, in-depth session builds on the concepts introduced in WAI’s Fundamentals of Wire Manufacturing Course. The Advanced Extrusion Workshop is more than just a learning session – it is a chance to connect with industry peers, interact with experts in the field, and see extrusion processes in action. Whether you’re looking to solve specific challenges or stay ahead of industry trends, this workshop is your opportunity to gain practical knowledge you can apply immediately.

Interactive Learning

Designed as an interactive, hands-on experience, this workshop gives participants the opportunity to engage, rather than simply sitting through a lecture-style presentation.

Expert Instruction

Learn directly from industry experts with years of hands-on experience in wire and cable extrusion, providing guidance that goes beyond theory.

International Technical Conference

Each year WAI hosts an educational conference in a different country to unite industry experts from around the world who share the latest research findings in a particular segment of the wire and cable industry with their peers and colleagues. Usually scheduled over a two- to three-day period, the International Technical Conferences (ITC) include white paper presentations—which are typically offered with simultaneous translation—a tabletop exhibition, plant tours, guest tours, and social functions.

International Technical Conference attendees receive Conference Proceedings materials which include all of the presentations from the event.

Past Locations

Past International Technical Conference locations include: Germany, Turkey, India, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Italy, Canada, England, Poland, and Belgium.

Speakers

Experts give technical and operational presentations throughout the conference on topics concerning the ferrous, nonferrous, electrical and general segments of the industry. Contact education@wirenet.org if you are interested in presenting at an upcoming conference.

Global Continuous Casting Forum

Casting light on aluminum and copper

The Global Continuous Casting Forum is held only once every four years, coinciding with Interwire Conference & Trade Exposition.

Based on its global appeal, WAI has held four installments of this masterfully crafted program for aluminum and copper continuous casting practitioners.

Experts from all regions unite to share the latest industry developments. The forum features a combined general session, separate tracks for each discipline, and time to see the Interwire exhibits.

If you are involved with continuous casting of aluminum or copper, this concentrated program is for you.

Technical Sessions

Presentations covering a range of topics including advancements in casting technologies, process improvements, and sustainability.

Panel Discussions

Panels with industry leaders discussing the global markets and sustainability.

Networking

Connect with peers in the casting field during breaks, plus the forum's own opening reception and awards dinner.

Who Attends

Why Attend

Upcoming Educational Opportunities

Learn More, Pay Less—With WAI Membership

WAI members receive exclusive discounts on registration for all WAI-organized workshops and in-person learning events. Plus, membership opens the door to additional benefits, so you can continue growing your skills and industry knowledge long after the event ends.

Join today and start enjoying member savings and full access to WAI’s education resources!