GB1559760A

GB1559760A - Wire discharge for a wire cutting apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB1559760A
Application number: GB41868/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Meyer Roth and Pastor Maschinenfabrik GmbH
Current assignee: Meyer Roth and Pastor Maschinenfabrik GmbH
Priority date: 1976-10-07
Filing date: 1977-10-07
Publication date: 1980-01-23
Also published as: DE2645177C2; SE429308B; FR2366892B1; IT1090183B; FR2366892A1; DE2645177B1; SE7711202L

Description

(54) WIRE DISCHARGE FOR A WIRE CUTTING APPARATUS (U80) (71) We, MEYER, ROTH & PASTOR MASCHINENFABRIK GmbH, a German body corporate, of Raderbergstr. 202, D-5000 Köln 51, Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to a wire discharge for a wire cutting apparatus for cutting off adjustable lengths of continuously fed wire and having an open bottomed wire channel provided with a closure means and, capable of being associated with the wire channel, length detector means connected to control elements for triggering the cutting and closing means.

Already known from DAS NO. 1108 647 and DAS 1 302 141 are devices for cutting off adjustable lengths of continuously fed wire, wherein in each case the cutter is operated by means of possibly infinitely adjustable reduction gearings via the feed apparatus which supplies to the cutting apparatus the wire which is to be cut. This mode of operation has the disadvantage that the length to be cut off is always detected only indirectly and in addition, slip between the feed means and the wire to be fed is reflected as an error in determining the length. The length is therefore detected in each case via the portion of wire located in front of the cutting device, so that there may be considerably divergence between the "measured" length of wire and the length of wire actually cut off.

Disclosed in DAS No. 1 931154 is a wire cutting machine in which detection of the length occurs behind the cutting apparatus, viewed in the direction of wire run. For this purpose, a pivoting body is provided which has two open bottomed wire channels provided at the end remote from the cutting device with abutment rods adjustable in length and longitudinally displaceable, which are adapted to act on a switch connected rigidly to the maching frame.

The respective length of wire which in every case leads into the wire channel thus, when it strikes the abutment rod projecting longitudinally into the relevant wire channel, actuates the switch so switching on a drive by which the pivoting body is pivoted and at the same time the wire is cut off by means of a cutter connected to the pivoting body. The pivoting movement causes the cut-off piece of wire to be discharged and at the same time makes it possible for a new end of wire to be fed into the other channel. This apparatus, known as a length stop control system does indeed allow an improvement in dimensional accuracy of the length of wire cut off, but it does however have the disadvantage that it becomes difficult and time consuming to adjust the machine to suit different lengths of wire.

Whenever the length is changed, the machine must be stopped, the abutment rod slackened, reset, secured again and the new length checked. A further disadvantage of the known machine resides in the fact that the length of the wire ends to be cut off can be varied within only relatively narrow limits, since the maximum length of the adjustment rods projecting into the wire channel is limited on grounds of stability.

The invention is based on the problem of providing a wire discharge having a length-dependent cutting control arrangement which affords considerably opportunity for selection of lengths to be cut off, an opportunity, via an electronic programme transmitter, to cut off individual lengths which can be varied within wide limits, all without having to stop the machine and affording a more rapid possibility of adjustment independently thereof.

The problem on which the invention is based is resolved in that at predetermined length intervals in the channel wall there are transverse apertures through which sensors which operate as a length detection means can be connected to the space inside the channel. This arrangement has the advantage that when necessary the entire length of the channel can be provided with corresponding transverse apertures, so that the same machine can be used for cutting off for instance lengths of only one metre or lengths of for example several metres.

The sensors which operate as length detecting means may for example be constituted by light barriers or inductively or capacitatively operating recorders, the control signal of which can be fed to the associated drive means to trigger the cutting and closing means. The transverse apertures can thereby be provided at identical distances in the channel walls, the distances corresponding to the smallest length step desired. For detecting the lengths, a single reversible sensor may be connected to the wire channel, so that in order to vary the length of wire desired, it is sufficient to reposition this sensor on the wire channel without the use of other tools, to predetermined tried and tested length positions.Since the length steps are rigidly established by the transverse apertures, any complicated measurement becomes unnecessary, so that the relevant sensor need only be associated with the transverse aperture which determines the length desired.

A further advantage of the wire discharge according to the invention resides in the fact that the choice of lengths can also be made from a central control point if electricially acting sensors such as for example light barriers or the like are used as the length detecting means.

In such circumstances, it is possible within the relevant range of measurement, to provide a multiplicity of transverse apertures permanently with corresponding sensors which can then be activated from the control station according to the length which it is desired to cut. This arrangement further offers the advantage that with a corresponding adjustment of the circuitry, it becomes possible to compensate for delays in triggering the individual movement processes.

As a further development of the invention, it is envisaged that the apertures be constructed as slots extending transversely of the channel axis and into which it is possible to push an abutment piece to seerve as a length detecting means. The fact that in operation the length of wire to be cut off strikes this abutment piece with its free end and cannot move past it guarantees a high degree of accuracy in the lengths cut. Variations in the cutting length can be made by simply repositioning the abutment piece. The abutment piece is connected to switch elements connected to the control elements.

As an advantageous further development of the invention, it is envisaged that with a plurality of slots, one abutment piece connected to one positioning means is associated with each slot. This construction has the advantage that even when using abutment pieces as mechanical length detecting means, remote control becomes possible since in each case the abutment piece associated with the desired length is pushed into the slot via its remotely operated positioning means. A further advantage of this arrangement lies in the fact that the other abutment pieces which in the relevant cutting process are not required as length detecting means can also be used as ejectors if there is any jamming of the cut-off end of wire in the wire channel, if the abutment pieces are disposed so that they can be pushed in in the direction of wire delivery.

In particular when using abutment pieces as the length detecting means, it is in a further development of the invention envisaged that the entire wire channel be mounted for displacement in its longitudinal direction, being connected at one end to a signal transmitter which is movement dependent. The signal transmitter which serves to trigger the cutting movements and which can be constructed for example as a microswitch, acceleration meter or the iike. is activated by the possibly intermittent longitudinal movement of the wire channel at the moment of abutment of the free wire end on the abutment piece.In this respect, this development has the advantage that simple metal pieces which can be used as the movable abutment pieces and which can be positioned either by hand or by means of corresponding positioning means, for example magnets, and that no other means of connection to the signal transmitter and belonging individually to the stops are required for cutting-off movement, since triggering of the necessary cutting-off movements is effected only via one pulse transmitter.

As an advantageous further development of the invention, it is hereby envisaged that the wire channel be provided with drive means to produce a reciprocating movement and connected to the control elements of the length detecting means. This arrangement has the advantage that even when fixed abutment pieces are used as the length detecting means, as the result of a longitudinal movement brought about by the drive means and affecting the wire channel which entrains the abutment pieces, the cutting process can be carried out in the case of a continuously fed wire, since during the period of the cutting process, the wire channel continues to move in the direction of the wire at the feed rate of the wire so that adequate time is available for the cutting process. Then. after the cut-off end of wire has been ejected, the wire channel is, while the new end of wire is running in, drawn back again into the starting position by the drive means which has been reversed in the meantime.

In a particularly advantageous further development, it is envisaged that the wire channel be connected to the actuating mechanism of the cutting apparatus via at least one coupling member. This has the advantage that by the longitudinal displacement of the wire channel, at the same time the cutting process is either tirggered or the cutting device can be actuated in synchronism with movement of the wire or channel, so that only one drive means is needed for both parts so that a corresponding simplification of the control circuitry becomes possible, since only one drive means has to be operated.As an advantageous further development of the invention, it is furthermore envisaged that the coupling member be constructed to be adjustable in length since the cutting edge of the cutting device constitutes the datum point for the detection of length in the wire discharge, when even with the predetermined rigid intervals between the individual apertures for accommodating the length detecting means, any desired length can be adjusted since any necessary intermediate measurements which cannot be covered by the distances between the transverse apertures, can be preset by a corresponding adjustment of the length of the coupling member.

According to the invention, it is possible to dispense with use of the driving means in that the wire is moved with a force sufficient to move the wire channel and to perform the cutting work. In a further development of the invention, it is envisaged that the closure apparatus of the wire channel have at least one closure strip which can be pushed over the open side of the channel which is connected to an actuating means. This offers an opportunity for the length of wire to be cut off firstly to enter a channel which is enclosed on all sides and then, after conclusion of the cutting process, the channel is adapted to be opened over its entire length so that the cut-off length of wire can drop out of the channel.

The actuating means can thereby, in one development of the invention, either consist of its own separately operable drive or it may be so constructed that in the event of a closure strip mounted on pivoting levers connected to the body of the channel, one end of the closure strip is brought into operative connection with a point of the machine which is spatially fixed, so that upon a longitudinal movement of the wire channel, the closure means is positively opened and can be positioned in respect of the cutting process.

As an advantageous further development of the invention, it is envisaged that the wire channel including its closure strip, viewed in the longitudinal direction, be composed of parts. This allows wire discharge means to be constructed on the unit construction principle, so that the same structural elements can be used for making up wire discharges of different length or already existing wire discharges can be lengthened without difficulty.

Another advantageous development of the invention envisages that, for fitment of the wire channel, a frame be provided which has downwardly open U-shaped brackets for fixing the wire channel. This arrangement makes it possible to secure the wire channel in a suspended arrangement from support arms or the like, so that the space below the wire channel is freely available for catching means, feed means or the like. For longitudinally displaceable wire channel, it is favourable to provide on the free ends of the arms of each bracket in each case at least one supporting roller to support the wire channel.

Further advantageous features of the invention are identified in sub-claims 15 to 18.

The invention will be explained in greater detail hereinafter with reference to diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an arrangement with length detection means operating without contact; Figure 2 shows an embodiment having mechanical length detection means; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the wire channel for the embodiment according to Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a detail of the wire channel shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a detailed cross-section through a wire channel of an embodiment according to Figure 2.

Figure 6a 6b show a plan of the closure means of the wire channel according to Figure 5; Figure 7 is an end elevation of a detail of the machine frame, and Figure 8 shows a further detail of the machine frame.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of an apparatus for cutting off controlled lengths from a continuously fed wire. The apparatus has a wire straightening means 1 of known type which is followed by a cutting device 2, preferably in the form of a guillotine. The wire 3 is introduced continuously into the straightening means 1 from which it moves as a straight rod to the cutting device 2. With the conventionally long length of wire which have to be cut off, the guillotine 2 is followed by a wire discharge 4. The wire discharge consists essentially of an open bottomed wire channel 5 which is provided with a closure means not shown in the plan view, by which the wire channel can be closed during entry of the wire 3 and opened over its entire length once cutting is complete, so that the cut-off length of wire can fall out.

To detect the length, the wire channel 5 is provided with a number of transverse apertures 6. The transverse apertures 6 are disposed at equal intervals from one another, for example at intervals of in each case 50 mm and according to the range of use of the relevant wire discharge, so they extend over the rear zone of the channel, the distance between the first transverse aperture 6 and the diagrammatically indicated-cutters 7 of the cutting device 2 being determined by the desired minimum length of wire to be cut off.

In the case of the example of embodiment illustrated, contactlessly working light barriers are provided to detect wire length. In known manner, the light barriers consist of a light source 8 and a receiver 9 which are in each case so associated with the transverse apertures that the beam from the light source 8 passes through the transverse apertures which extend through the wire channel 5 and falls on the receiver 9. The light sources 8 are hereby connected by a preselector switch 10 to the current supply, so that by correspondingly choosing the light source which is effective at a given time, for example the light source 8', the length interval a from the cutting edges 7 of the cutter 2 can be adjusted. The receivers 9 are connected to a control device 11 by which the drive, not shown in greater detail but provided for the cutting device 2 is operated.By reason of the drive, both movement of the cutting device in the direction of wire run and also the movement of the cutters 7 can be triggered. For example, when the light source 8' has been adjusted to preset the length a which is to be cut off, then via the associated receiver 9', at the moment when the point of the wire running into the wire channel 5 passes through the light barrier formed by the light source 8' and receiver 9', the cutting process is triggered via the control arrangement 11 and a portion of wire of predetermined length a is cut off. Since the wire 3 is continuously fed, during return movement of the cutting device 2, a fresh piece of wire enters the wire channel 5, so that when it reaches the preset light barrier, the cutting process is in each case repeated.Via the selector switch 10 which can be operated for example from a central control point, possibly also by a process controlling computer, it is possible according to a predetermined programme, to cut off any desired length and any desired number of pieces of the same length according to a predetermined programme in length steps which are predetermined by the distances between the transverse apertures 6.

According to the choice of drives, it may be expedient for in each case two light barriers to be simultaneously activated, so that for example the light barrier 8", 9" which, viewed in the direction of wire run, precedes the light barrier 8', 9', is so constructed that the associated drive equipment starts to run when passed by the tip of the wire, so that immediately the tip of the wire passes through the light barrier 8', 9', the cut can take place without any delay. Instead of light barriers, it is possible also to use other contactlessly operating sensors, for example capacitatively or inductively working recording means. In this case, it is not necessary for the transverse aperture 6 to pass completely through the wire channel; it is sufficient for them to open out into the channel.

In the case of the embodiment shown in Figure 2, which is likewise shown diagrammatically in plan view, another working principle was chosen. The wire 3 drawn from the roll also passes in this case through a straightening device 1 first and then through a cutting device 2. Downstream of the cutting device 2 is a wire channel 12 which, like the wire channel 5 in the case of the example of embodiment shown in Figure 1, is open at the bottom over its entire length, but is adapted to be closed by a closure means, not shown. In contrast to the first described example of embodiment, the wire channel 12 is mounted for longitudinal displacement in the direction of the arrow 13 and is connected to a drive means 14, for example a piston-cylinder unit. Via coupling members 15, the wire channel 12 is connected to the likewise longitudinally displaceably mounted cutting device 2.

The wire channel according to this example of embodiment has slot-like transverse apertures 17 which discharge at the top into the channel opening.

Limiting of the length of wire to be cut off, for example the length b, takes place in this embodiment by means of an abutment member 17 inserted into the associated transverse aperture. The wire channel 12 is provided with a sensor 18. In the case of the present example, for ease of representation, the sensor 18 and the drive 14 are disposed at the rear end. For practical needs, it will probably be more expedient for both the sensor 18 and also the drive means to be disposed at the front end of the wire channel in order to form as compact a unit as possible, so that the cutting device 2 can be produced as a compact unit with the sensor and the drive, this unit being, according to the length desired, followed by the other parts of the wire channel.

The sensor 18 is connected to a control device 19 which operates the drive means 14 on the one hand and on the other the drive operating the cutters 7 of the cutting device 2.

As soon as the wire running into the wire channel 12 strikes the abutment member 17, then via the sensor 18 which for example detects accelerations in the direction of the arrow 13, the drive means 14 is so operated via the control arrangement 19 that the wire channel 12 moves in the same direction and at approximately the same speed as the wire through the wire channel 12. At the same time, the control means 19 triggers the cutting process so that upon opening of the closing means not shown herein greater detail the cut-off length of wire can fall out the bottom of the channel. The closing means can hereby be provided either with its own drive which is likewise operated by the control means 19 or it may be opened by a corresponding actuating mechanism which is triggered mechanically by movement of the wire channel 12 in the direction of wire run.

Also with this example of embodiment, the distances between the individual transverse apertures and thus the possibilities of grading the length of wires to be cut off can be predetermined. In the case of this example of embodiment, however, it is also possible to cut off intermediate lengths. This becomes possible if the coupling members 15 are constructed so that their length can be varied, so that by making a corresponding change in the length of the coupling members, the distance between the relevant transverse aperture 16 and the cutting edges 7 of the cutting device which constitute the datum point can be varied. For practical purposes, it is expedient for the wire channel 5, 12 to be sub-divided in its length into a plurality of identical parts which are fixed to one another when the overall device is assembled, according to the overall length which is desired.Figure 3 shows an example of embodiment of such a partial element for the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

For manufacturing reasons, for example if the guide slots for the abutments are to be inexpensively milled, each channel element 20 consists of the two mutually symmetrical halves 21 and 22 sub-divided in the longitudinal direction, which are then connected rigidly to one another by corresponding connecting elements which are not shown. Each partial element 20 is hereby of identical construction and has over its total length a plurality of slot-like transverse apertures 16 disposed at equal distances from one another and passing from the upper face into the open bottomed channel aperture 23. On its two long sides, each part has a laterally projecting flange 24 through which the overall wire channel composed of individual parts is guided in a frame which will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Figure 4 is an enlarged partial view showing the construction of a slot-like transverse aperture 16. As this view shows, the length of the slot is somewhat larger than the width of the channel opening 23, so that there is a sufficient area available to support the abutment member 17 (see Figure 2) which is to be inserted into the slot 16. Viewed in the direction of wire run (arrow 25), with each slot the rear edge 27 formed by the channel aperture has an encircling chamfer shape so that it is possible to avoid the end of the wire passing through the channel striking or becoming impeded by such edges.

Figure 5 shows a cross-section through the overall wire discharge. In this, a plurality of brackets 28 are rigidly disposed one after another on a frame (see for example Figure 8). At their respective free lower arms, the brackets 28 each carry two double rollers 29 between which the wire channel 12 is guided for longitudinal displacement by means of its lateral flanges 24. On its upper side. in the area of measurement, there is above each slot-like transverse aperture 16 a small stand 30 on which a moving coil magnet 31 is mounted. A plunger-type armature 32 is connected to the stand 30 through a soft spring 33. At the bottom end of the plunger-type armature 32 is an abutment plate 17, the free end of which is already maintained in the transverse aperture 16 in fact in such a way that the channel aperture 23 offers free passage.When setting the length of wire to be cut off, the plunger-type armature 32 of the associated abutment plate is drawn downwards so that the abutment plate 17 shuts off the channel aperture 23 at the appropriate location.

The underside of the channel aperture can be closed by means of a closure device which, in the case of the present example of embodiment. consists of, extending in the longitudinal direction of the channel, two closure plates 34 attached to the wire channel 12 via pivoting levers 35. A plan view of the closure device according to arrow A is shown in Figure 6a in respect of one side of the closure device. The closure plates 34 extend in this case over the entire length of the wire channel and, if the wire channel is constructed from parts, are likewise sub-divided according to the length of the parts of the channel.If, as shown in Figures 6a and 6b, a force is exerted on the two closure plates 34 in a longitudinal direction (arrow 36). then the pivoting levers 35 pivot about their rigid bearing point 37 so that the two mirror-opposite closure plates 34 are pushed outwardly over the total length of the wire channel so exposing the full length of the channel opening 23. The closure plates 34 can hereby either be provided with their own drive or they may be mounted on the frame so that upon a longitudinal movement of the wire channel, the opening process occurs.

Whereas in the case of the example of embodiment shown in Figure 2, a manually movable abutment member 17 is described, the embodiment according to Figure 5, while otherwise being of the same construction as Figure 2, has remotely controlled mechanical abutment members. In this case, disposed above each transverse opening in the range of measurement there is such an abutment member which can be operated by a moving coil magnet, so that the particular length desired at any given time can by remote control be adjusted by switching on the magnet associated with the relevant abutment member. The end of wire to be cut off thus passes through the channel aperture 23 which initially is enclosed at the bottom, until it strikes an inserted abutment member 17, the impact triggering longitudinal movement of the overall arrangement, as described with reference to Figure 2.As soon as the wire end to be cut off has been parted from the wire stock, the two closure plates 34 pivot and expose the underneath of the channel opening 23, so that the cut-off end of wire can fall out. To accelerate this process, it is expedient for all or one of the other abutment members which are not functioning for length detection, then to come into operation via their moving coil magnets and so eject the cut-off piece of wire downwards and out of the channel opening 23.

Whereas in principle the channel can be mounted in any frame of any desired construction, Figures 7 and 8 show a particularly advantageous form of frame. For this, the brackets 28 - in the case of a wire channel composed of a plurality of parts, in each case a bracket disposed in the region of the joint - will be disposed on a stand 38, a plurality of stands being disposed in line one after another according to the number of brackets. The wire channel, for example in the embodiment shown in Figure 5, indicated by the two dash-dotted lines 39, is held between the four rollers 29 of each bracket.

In order to achieve as rigid an arrangement as possible even in the case of long wire discharge systems, it is according to the cross-section in Figure 7 envisaged that the brackets 28 be connected to one another via a head plate 40, the head plate either connecting two adjacent brackets to each other or covering a plurality of serially disposed brackets. The head plate 40 is in each case rigidly bolted to the webs of the brackets 28. The edges 41 of the head plate 40 which extend in a longitudinal direction are bent open outwardly in a hook shape, so that side plates 42 (Figure 7 shows only the left-hand side plate) can be engaged into the bent-open portions on both sides.While the bracket 28 has one arm rigidly bolted to a stand 38, so that the side plate engaged on this side is bolted rigidly between bracket and stand, the side plate 42 which is connected to the free side of the bracket is removable. The top edge of the side plates is always fitted into the hook-shaped bent open portion on the edges 41 of the head plate, whereas at least in the case of the removable side plate 42', the bottom free edge 43 is likewise bent over in a hook shape so that after fitment of the side plates, this can be bent under the free end of the bracket 28 in the manner of a clamping joint and fixed in that location by some fixing means, for example a screw or a locking pin 44.This design makes it possible for the entire channel to be suspended in a plurality of individual stands 38. the head plate 40 connected rigidly to the brackets on the one hand and the form-lockingly engaged side plate 42 on the other producing what is an altogether rigid construction. On the other hand, however, it is possible to gain access to the length detecting elements, be they light barriers, sensors or even magnetically actuated abutment plates in zones after removing one or more side plates 42'.

Instead of individual stands, the brackets can also be mounted on a continuous support, so that the entire length of the device can be freely supportingly disposed, so that below the outlet the space is available for any desired transverse movements of wire or is accessible for transport means, sorting apparatus or the like. If stands are used, then as indicated in Fifgure 8, it is expedient to dispose below the apparatus and on each stand catching means 45 into which the cut-off lengths of wire can fall and from which they can be removed by corresponding conveyor means.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A wire discharge for a wire cutting apparatus for cutting off adjustable lengths from a continuously fed wire, with an open bottomed wire channel provided with bottom closure means and associated with the wire channel length detector means connected to control elements for triggering the cutting and closing apparatus, characterised in that at predetermined intervals in the channel walls there are transverse apertures via which sensors which operate as length detecting means can be connected to the channel space.

2. A wire discharge according to Claim 1, characterised in that the apertures are constructed as slots extending transversely in respect of the channel axis, into which it is possible in each case to push an abutment member which serves as a length detecting means.

3. A wire discharge according to Claim 2, characterised in that abutment members connected to a positioning means are associated with a plurality of slots (16), respectively.

4. A wire discharge according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the wire channel is mounted for displacement in its longitudinal direction and is connected at one end to a signal transmitter.

5. A wire discharge according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the wire channel is connected to a drive means for producing a reciprocating movement, the said drive means being connected to the control elements of the length detecting means.

6. A wire discharge according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the wire

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. adjusted by switching on the magnet associated with the relevant abutment member. The end of wire to be cut off thus passes through the channel aperture 23 which initially is enclosed at the bottom, until it strikes an inserted abutment member 17, the impact triggering longitudinal movement of the overall arrangement, as described with reference to Figure 2. As soon as the wire end to be cut off has been parted from the wire stock, the two closure plates 34 pivot and expose the underneath of the channel opening 23, so that the cut-off end of wire can fall out.To accelerate this process, it is expedient for all or one of the other abutment members which are not functioning for length detection, then to come into operation via their moving coil magnets and so eject the cut-off piece of wire downwards and out of the channel opening 23. Whereas in principle the channel can be mounted in any frame of any desired construction, Figures 7 and 8 show a particularly advantageous form of frame. For this, the brackets 28 - in the case of a wire channel composed of a plurality of parts, in each case a bracket disposed in the region of the joint - will be disposed on a stand 38, a plurality of stands being disposed in line one after another according to the number of brackets. The wire channel, for example in the embodiment shown in Figure 5, indicated by the two dash-dotted lines 39, is held between the four rollers 29 of each bracket. In order to achieve as rigid an arrangement as possible even in the case of long wire discharge systems, it is according to the cross-section in Figure 7 envisaged that the brackets 28 be connected to one another via a head plate 40, the head plate either connecting two adjacent brackets to each other or covering a plurality of serially disposed brackets. The head plate 40 is in each case rigidly bolted to the webs of the brackets 28. The edges 41 of the head plate 40 which extend in a longitudinal direction are bent open outwardly in a hook shape, so that side plates 42 (Figure 7 shows only the left-hand side plate) can be engaged into the bent-open portions on both sides.While the bracket 28 has one arm rigidly bolted to a stand 38, so that the side plate engaged on this side is bolted rigidly between bracket and stand, the side plate 42 which is connected to the free side of the bracket is removable. The top edge of the side plates is always fitted into the hook-shaped bent open portion on the edges 41 of the head plate, whereas at least in the case of the removable side plate 42', the bottom free edge 43 is likewise bent over in a hook shape so that after fitment of the side plates, this can be bent under the free end of the bracket 28 in the manner of a clamping joint and fixed in that location by some fixing means, for example a screw or a locking pin 44.This design makes it possible for the entire channel to be suspended in a plurality of individual stands 38. the head plate 40 connected rigidly to the brackets on the one hand and the form-lockingly engaged side plate 42 on the other producing what is an altogether rigid construction. On the other hand, however, it is possible to gain access to the length detecting elements, be they light barriers, sensors or even magnetically actuated abutment plates in zones after removing one or more side plates 42'. Instead of individual stands, the brackets can also be mounted on a continuous support, so that the entire length of the device can be freely supportingly disposed, so that below the outlet the space is available for any desired transverse movements of wire or is accessible for transport means, sorting apparatus or the like. If stands are used, then as indicated in Fifgure 8, it is expedient to dispose below the apparatus and on each stand catching means 45 into which the cut-off lengths of wire can fall and from which they can be removed by corresponding conveyor means. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A wire discharge for a wire cutting apparatus for cutting off adjustable lengths from a continuously fed wire, with an open bottomed wire channel provided with bottom closure means and associated with the wire channel length detector means connected to control elements for triggering the cutting and closing apparatus, characterised in that at predetermined intervals in the channel walls there are transverse apertures via which sensors which operate as length detecting means can be connected to the channel space.

channel is connected via at least one coupling member to the cutting device.

7. A wire discharge according to Claim 6, characterised in that the coupling member is adjustable in length.

8. A wire discharge according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the closing apparatus of the wire channels has, transversely displaceable over the open side of the channel, at least one closure strip which is connected to an actuating means.

9. A wire discharge according to Claim 8, characterised in that the closure strip is mounted on at least two pivoting levers.

10. A wire discharge according to Claim 9, characterised in that the pivoting levers connected to the closure strip are mounted on the wire channel and in that the closure strip has at least one end connected to the actuating means.

11. A wire discharge according to Claim 10, characterised in that the actuating means has its own drive which can be operated.

12. A wire discharge according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the wire channel including its closure strip is viewed in its longitudinal direction, composed of partial elements.

13. A wire discharge according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterised in that for mounting the wire channel a frame is provided which is provided with, open at the bottom, U-shaped brackets for receiving the wire channel.

14. A wire discharge according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, characterised in that for a longitudinally displaceable wire channel there is at the free ends of the arms of the bracket in each case at least one supporting roller to suppodrt the wire channel.

15. A wire discharge according to Claim 13 or 14, characterised in that at least two adjacent brackets are connected via a head plate of trough-shaped cross-section, fitted in each case to the web of the bracket.

16. A wire discharge according to Claim 15, characterised in that those edges of the head plate which extend in a longitudinal direction are bent outwardly in a hook shape.

17. A wire discharge according to Claim 16, characterised in that side plates adapted to be suspended in the opened-out parts of the head plate are provided, their longitudinally extending edges being bent over in a hook shape and adapted for attachment to the brackets (28).

18. A wire discharge according to any one of Claims 13 to 17, characterised in that the brackets are fixed by one arm in each case to the upper end of a stand which can be connected to the base, and in that the interval between the stands preferably corresponds to the length of the parts of the wire channel.

19. A wire discharge for a wire cutting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.