Process and apparatus for unwinding coils of wire

摘要

Process and apparatus for unwinding hollow coils of wire quickly and reliably without mishaps such as jammed turns, the formation of knots or blockages, wire breakage and the like. The coils are positioned with their axes vertical and then are gripped externally by a corset element to retain the coils stationary during unwinding. Wire is withdrawn upwardly from the hollow of the coil and slides over a pressure device en route to a fixed eyelet and a rotatable drum disposed above the coil. The pressure device exerts pressure on the top of the coil to stabilize the coil during unwinding, and increases slightly the curvature of the unwinding turns of wire to facilitate withdrawal. Actuator devices are provided for opening and closing the corset element and for raising and lowering the pressure device. Two or more apparatuses may be provided for continuous unwinding. In such a plural arrangement, a wire connector between adjacent apparatuses joins the end of one coil to the beginning of the next coil, by welding or the like, whereby unwinding of wire can be carried out without stoppage upon depletion of a coil.