Straighteners are used to straighten wire or wire products from rolls or coils. They are designed to save set-up time, reduce raw material scrap, decrease downtime, and produce a consistent end product. There are many different types of straighteners. Examples include 1-plane, 2-plane, 3-plane, or 4-plane devices. The proper selection of a straightener depends on the material, shape, required tolerances, and design for specific material ranges. A 1-plane straightener is for thin strip applications. A 2-plane straightener is for uniformity and variable control with four point contact. A 3-plane straighteners is for triangular or shaped material. A 4-plane straightener is for multi-directional critical tolerances with a nine point contact. A four plant straightener enables more consistency than a 2-plane straightener. A wire straightening and cut off machine is used for drawn wires and is generally utilized to straighten mild steel wires. Other types of straighteners are commonly available.

There are many different ways in which straighteners function. Some straighteners are able to handle material with a diameter up to 40 mm in quantities of 3 to 14, and have sleeve rollers for high temperature, high load, or abrasive application. Straighteners also work with stranded cable for 5-15 gauge wire or 44-240 lb. test. Large-size straighteners have a quick release feature that is not required on smaller size straighteners where the wire can be pushed through the bearings without disturbing their setting. A wire harness designs and uses wire and cable for specific applications. A cable is two or more wires bound together, which may be bare, covered, or insulated. Smaller individual wires enable greater flexibility. Most electrical wire is copper or aluminum. Aluminum wire is a type of wiring used in houses and power grids. Aluminum wire has advantages over typical copper wire because it is lighter, more flexible, very malleable, and less expensive. Wire straightener accessories include guards, quick opening options, roller position indicators, entry/exit guide pulleys, guide dies, micrometer adjustment and locking levers. Wire straighteners are designed and manufactured to meet most industry needs.

Straightners can be used in many different applications. Examples include their use in aerospace applications, medical or surgical applications, and in consumer electronic devices. Straightners are also used in appliances such as dishwashers, dryers, and ovens. A wire harness is used in the gaming industry, the product dispensing industry, audio and video manufacturers, medical and health care industries, and other OEM manufacturing. Straightners meet military specifications (MIL-SPEC) or military standards (MIL-STD) when they are used in aerospace applications. Wire straighteners should adhere to International Standards Organization (ISO) Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards.