Apparatus and method for automatically applying weight material to a wheel

An apparatus for applying a weight to a wheel comprising:

• at least one severing device capable of separating a piece of desired weight from each of at least two provided lengths of weight materials;
• and
• at least one weight application device capable of applying a severed piece of weight material from each of at least two different weight materials to a different location on a wheel, wherein said at least one severing device is at least a first severing device and a second severing device, capable of severing a piece of the desired weight from each type of the provided weight material, each said severing device comprises at least two severing mechanisms, with each severing mechanism being capable of severing a piece from the corresponding length of weight material passing therethrough, and each of the severing mechanisms comprises a cutting head housing a cutting blade that is movable so as to sever a piece of the desired weight from each type of the provided weight material, each said severing mechanism comprises a guide block with each guide block defining a channel with a cross sectional profile that allows the corresponding different weight material to pass through the channel, be directed along a path, and beyond one corresponding cutting head, and the guide blocks each have a channel with a cross sectional profile for allowing its corresponding cross sectionally shaped weight material to pass therethrough.