Apparatus for removing fines from copper wires

Abstract

Apparatus for removing fines from a plurality of copper wires advancing generally upwardly in a common plane, comprising three brush rollers each having a generally cylindrical outer brushing surface of a fur-like fine pile material in brushing contact with the wires. Two of the rollers are disposed one above the other at one side of the plane of wire advancement and the third roller is disposed on the opposite side of the plane of wire advancement in brushing contact with the wires along an area intermediate the areas of brushing contact of the other two rollers with the wires. The apparatus also comprises spray means to discharge a spray of liquid at the contact area between the uppermost roller and the wires, and means for rotating the rollers in a direction opposite to the direction of wire advancement at a speed sufficient to throw off fines removed from the wires by the rollers. The apparatus further comprises means for collecting the liquid discharged by the spray means, means for filtering fines from the collected liquid, and means to return the filtered fluid to the spray means. Wiping means are provided to remove liquid from the wires as they advance away from the uppermost roller.