🚀 go-pugleaf

Doug Danielson wrote in message <360dc30b.0@news1.ibm.net>...
>I need to find or build a device to unwind and wind a 500 ft reel of 20
>guage bare wire. It needs guide rollers to create a straight length of wire
>6 to 12 in. long where we will use a flame spray nozzle to apply a coating
>to the wire. The general layout would look like a reel to reel tape
>recorder, with the flame replacing the magnetic heads.
>
>The wire needs to move at a constant speed past the flame, at rates ranging
>from 1 to 60 in/min. The wire needs to remain under tension to keep it
>straight between the guide rollers. The drive mechanism cannot gaul or mark
>the wires surface, since this would disrupt the coating.
>
>Doug Danielson
>Atlanta, GA
>

I have seen and worked on similar applications for different industries.
They have always been a compilation of devices from various sources.  The
usual configuration is a feeder roll which will either feed directly to the
process (If the tensile strength of the material is adiquate) or despool
through a drive roller to a loo which is maintained between a given distance
from the floor to a given ddroop from taut (Droop position detection depends
on material and can be as simple as a small roller riding on your wire and
pivoting a speed pot  or triggering switches.  The process device then
powers thematerial at a constant speed.  The takeup real is then controlled
in the reverse mode of the feed roll.