Wire dispensing system

From GAWDAwiki

Wire dispensing systems are available in a variety of models for various welding operations. Solid or tubular electrode wire may be packaged in spools, coils, reels, drums, or payoff packs, and the dispensing apparatus selected should accommodate the mode of packaging.

Spools and Coils

Medium spools typically require an adaptor to fit in the inside diameter of the spool and engage the hole. This prevents wire from unwinding by creating a braking action. Small and medium coils may also require an adaptor as well as a spider arrangement. A spider arrangement centers and retains the coil to ensure that it unwinds uniformly. Spiders may also include braking systems.

Reels

Large reels, made of wood with holes for an axle, usually require special dispensing equipment. Dereelers are designed help users pull wire and rotate reels more easily. Brakes may be included to prevent wire from unreeling too quickly. Motors are sometimes used with large reels to initiate rotation by overcoming inertia.

Drums and Payoff Packs

Wire stored in drums or payoff packs may require a special dereeling system which sits on top of the drum and supplies wire to the wire feeder with a rotating pickup arm and pulley system. This method rotates wire through one revolution per loop as it unwinds. Wire in drums can also be dispensed by using a rotating table that revolves the drum as wire is fed. ^[1]

References

1. Cary, Howard B. (1995). Arc Welding Automation. CRC Press. Retrieved March 12, 2009 from Google Book Search.