Provided are a systems and methods for continuously providing a metal wire to a welding torch for manufacturing objects by solid freeform fabrication to provide continuous deposition of metal to the freeform object, especially objects made with titanium or titanium alloy wire.

The present invention provides a wire electrode supply apparatus for suppressing wire electrode driving vibration for wire electrodes having a wide range of diameters and formed of various materials, thereby improving processed surface roughness. The wire electrode supply apparatus includes a back tension adjustment unit that adjusts a back tension of the wire electrode drawn from a source bobbin, a tension applying unit, and a constant pressure ejecting unit that ejects the wire electrode with constant pressure and rate after the transference via the tension applying unit and an electrical discharge machining unit. The tension applying unit includes a low tension applying unit that applies a tension to the wire electrode, and a high tension applying unit that can supply a higher tension. After the high tension applying unit supplies a tension, the low tension applying unit supplies a tension. Otherwise, only the low tension applying unit supplies a tension.

An improved system for handling delicate linear media and in particular to a method and apparatus for winding delicate linear media such as superconducting wire or optical fibers onto a spool. A combination of direct closed loop control and media routing design facilitates the handling of the delicate media without causing damage. The axial tension in the linear media may be closely controlled during winding by means of feedback control loop using tension measurements to control the rotation speeds of the wind-from and wind-to spools. Further, during winding, the delicate linear media is only exposed to large radius bends with no reverse bending.

An optical fiber winding machine with full-time tension control function is provided. The machine includes a first wire storage ring, a first tension sensing module, a first revolution plate, a first rotary servo motor, a first moving assembly, a plurality of first docking elements, a plurality of first electrical connection modules, a second wire storage ring, a second tension sensing module, a second revolution plate, a second rotary servo motor, a second moving assembly, a plurality of second docking elements, a plurality of second electrical connection modules, a rotating shaft, an optical fiber winding ring, and a control module.

A spool unloading device comprising: a spindle; a first bulk spool of material is mounted on the spindle, wherein the spindle is rotatably controlled to dispense the material; a series of pulleys for receiving the unspooled material such that a variable length of the material is stored within the device before exiting the device to an upstream equipment; and a drive mechanism for indexing the unspooled material exiting the spool unloading machine at a controlled rate.

A system comprising: a source of a tape comprising a material associated with an adhesive and at least one removable liner; an applicator head; a cutting mechanism; at least one drive feeding mechanism configured to index the tape from the source to the applicator head at a controlled rate; wherein the applicator head is controllable to apply the material on a surface or a substrate; and wherein the applicator head comprises a cutting mechanism configured to sever the material while leaving the at least one removable liner intact.

Provided are a systems and methods for continuously providing a metal wire to a welding torch for manufacturing objects by solid freeform fabrication to provide continuous deposition of metal to the freeform object, especially objects made with titanium or titanium alloy wire.

There may be provided a cable management system for an electric vehicle charger. The cable management system may include a mechanical wire coupled to a charging cable associated with the electric vehicle charger and an enclosure. The cable management system may include a wire tension sensor engaging the mechanical wire. The wire tension sensor may generate a sensor output based on a force applied to the mechanical wire. The wire retractor may be configured to retract the mechanical wire into the enclosure and extend the mechanical wire from the enclosure. The cable management system may include a controller coupled to the wire tension sensor. The controller may be configured with instructions which, when executed, cause the controller to control the wire retractor based on an amount of force applied to the mechanical wire.

A tensioning system for tubing comprises a vertically arranged vacuum box with a vacuum applied at a bottom section of the vacuum box. Tubing enters and exits the vacuum box at a top section and forms a loop of tubing within the vacuum box. The vacuum on the tubing provides a consistent tension to tubing exiting the tensioner. The payout speed of the tubing can be controlled based at least in part on the location of the loop of the tubing within the vacuum box. If the loop is too high, the payout speed can be increased and if the loop of tubing is too low the payout speed can be reduced.