Integrated wire feed and draw apparatus

摘要

Apparatus for feeding and optionally drawing wire to a forging machine or the like. The apparatus is a compact unit that conserves floor space and offers manufacturing economies by permitting the use of common components whether or not the optional drawing feature is selected. Large hydraulic clamping forces for wire drawing operation are developed by a relatively large piston and cylinder that operates mechanically through a relatively small piston and cylinder. The relatively small piston and cylinder enables the apparatus to quickly grip and release wire stock to achieve high machine speeds. When the draw option is not selected, the relatively large piston and cylinder are not supplied, but otherwise most of the same components including the small high speed piston and cylinder are retained to reduce the number of different parts used in the manufacture of the apparatus. The apparatus includes an open top frame and gripper design that permits simplified loading of a new length of stock and removal of any remnant.