Feed-through element for a vacuum apparatus

In a vacuum apparatus having at least one vacuum chamber defined by end walls, said chamber being adapted to receive wire-shaped material fed therethrough so that the material may be treated under vacuum conditions wherein the material may have portions of relatively larger cross section;

• the improvement comprising:
• a feed-through element disposed in at least one wall of said chamber, said feed-through element comprising a split drawing die having a surface configured and arranged to closely contact the outer surface of the material fed therethrough so as to provide good sealing engagement therewith, means for holding said split drawing die, resilient means disposed between said die and said holding means for urging said die into said sealing contact with the outer surface of the material fed therethrough including those portions of the material having relatively larger cross sections, and at least one detachable sealing means disposed between said die and said wall so as to enable replacement of said die.