Wire dereeling unit and marking unit for a wire processing machine
AssigneeThe Whitaker Corporation
InventorAlden Owen Long, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wire processing machine is disclosed having a wire feed unit (14) that draws wire (22) from an endless source (20). A wire processing unit (12) receives the wire from the feed unit for performing a manufacturing operation therewith, the wire being intermittently fed by the feed unit (14). A dereeling unit (18) is provided having a drive mechanism (28,30) in driving engagement with the wire (22) for removing the wire at a constant speed. A tensioning device (42, 46, 74, 76) is provided to maintain a desired tension on the wire (22) during dereeling. A wire marking unit (16) is provided including a wire storage mechanism (110, 114, 138, 140) arranged for storing a selected length of wire so that the marking unit can be positioned close to the machine (10).
Claims24
In a machine having a wire feed unit that draws wire from an endless source and a wire processing unit that receives said wire from said feed unit for performing a manufacturing operation therewith, said wire being intermittently fed by said feed unit,
- a dereeling unit disposed between said endless source and said wire feed unit having a drive means in driving engagement with said wire for removing said wire from said endless source at a constant speed and a tensioning device disposed between said drive means and said feed unit, said feed unit arranged to draw said removed wire, and said tensioning device arranged to maintain a desired tension on said removed wire between said drive means and said feed unit,
- wherein said drive means and said feed unit define a straight wire threading path that extends through said tensioning device.
In a machine having a wire feed unit that draws wire from an endless source and a wire processing unit that receives said wire from said feed unit for performing a manufacturing operation therewith,
- a wire marking unit between said endless source and said wire processing unit comprising a wire marker for marking said wire and a wire outlet guide spaced therefrom thereby defining a straight wire threading path between said wire marker and said wire outlet guide, including a wire storage mechanism disposed between said wire marker and said wire outlet guide arranged for storing a specific length of said wire, said straight wire threading path extending through said wire storage mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.