APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DRAWING CONTINUOUS FIBER

摘要

An apparatus (5) and method is disclosed for drawing continuous metallic wire (10) having a first diameter (11) to a metallic fiber (10F) having a reduced second diameter (12). A feed mechanism (30) moves the wire (10) at a first linear velocity. A laser beam (50) heats a region of the wire (10) to an elevated temperature. A draw mechanism (60) draws the heated wire at a second and greater linear velocity for providing a drawn metallic fiber (10F) having the reduced second diameter (12).