Attempts to lower fabrication costs in the wire manufacturing industry are aimed principally at increasing the drawing speed and so raising the rate of production. However, as the drawing speed rises so too does the wire temperature. When drawing high-carbon steel, the mechanical properties deteriorate very rapidly once the temperature climbs above 180 degree C. Trials on a new direct cooling system have shown that an increase in drawing speed of over 30% is possible without the critical temperature limit being overstepped.