Automatic Wire Threader

• US 20080142487A1
• Filed: 10/13/2005
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sodick Company Limited (Plustech, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sodick Company Limited (Plustech, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sakaguchi, Masashi
• Application Number:
  US10/585,734
• Publication Number:
  US 20080142487A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/69.12
• CPC Class Codes: B23H 7/102 Automatic wire threading

Abstract

An automatic wire threader (1) for threading a wire electrode (2) through upper and lower wire guides is provided with means for annealing and fusing the wire electrode. Upper and lower energized electrodes (20, 22) are provided above the upper wire guide (3) for supplying heating current to the wire electrode. A vertically moveable guide pipe (24) through which the wire electrode can pass is provided between the upper and lower energized electrodes. A heat retention unit (28) having a through hole (50) through which the guide pipe can pass is provided between the upper and lower energized electrodes. A coolant supply unit (26) supplies coolant for cooling the wire electrode in the guide pipe. A blocking fluid supply unit (34) supplies blocking fluid for preventing coolant flowing into the through hole of the heat retention unit.

Claims

1. An automatic wire threader, for threading a wire electrode through upper and lower wire guides, comprising:

upper and lower energized electrodes for supplying heating current to the wire electrode, provided above the upper wire guide;

a vertically moveable guide pipe through which the wire electrode can pass, provided between the upper and lower energized electrodes;

a heat retention unit, having a through hole through which the guide pipe can pass, provided between the upper and lower energized electrodes;

a coolant supply unit for supplying coolant for cooling the wire electrode in the guide pipe; and

a blocking fluid supply unit for supplying blocking fluid for preventing coolant flowing into the through hole of the heat retention unit.

2. The automatic wire threader of claim 1 further comprising a nozzle for generating a flow of blocking fluid traversing the wire electrode in a gap formed between the guide pipe and the heat retention unit.

3. An automatic wire threader, for threading a wire electrode through upper and lower wire guides, comprising:

upper and lower energized electrodes for supplying heating current to the wire electrode, provided above the upper wire guide;

a vertically moveable guide pipe through which the wire electrode can pass, provided between the upper and lower energized electrodes;

a heat retention unit, having a through hole through which the guide pipe can pass, provided between the upper and lower energized electrodes;

a coolant supply unit for supplying coolant for cooling the wire electrode in the guide pipe; and

a blocking plate for preventing coolant flowing into the through hole of the heat retention unit.