Automated scrap wire removal method and apparatus

An apparatus for automatically separating and removing a scrap wire segment containing a spark fault defect from a wire insulation line being processed, the apparatus comprising:

• a knife assembly, comprising a reciprocating, bi-directional knife, constructed to cut in both directions to separate the scrap wire segment containing the spark fault defect from the wire insulation line being processed by two passes of the knife, a first stroke in a forward direction from an original position, and a second stroke in a reverse direction, returning the knife to the original position, thus the assembly is constructed to cut the scrap wire segment by the first stroke upstream from the wire insulation line that has passed below the knife assembly and creating a first leading end of the scrap wire segment, and then to separate the scrap wire segment from the wire insulation line upstream from the defect by the second stroke at the second, opposing end of the scrap wire segment;
• a scrap tray below the knife assembly, for catching the separated scrap wire segment, said scrap tray having at least two plates, wherein one plate is a tilting plate and the other plate is a reciprocating plate;
• an accumulator with curved hooks for catching and accumulating the scrap wire segment after the first cut by the knife assembly, until the scrap wire segment is cut from the upstream wire insulation line, wherein the curved hooks are rotatable in one direction for catching and accumulating the scrap wire segment, and in the opposite direction for letting the scrap wire segment drop after separation at both ends from the wire insulation line;
• and
• a lift linkage operatively engaged with the tilting plate, the lift linkage being extendable when activated to tilt the tilting plate at an angle sufficient to permit the separated scrap wire segment to slide from the tilting plate for removal.