Abstract: In the representative embodiment of a container for continuous supply of wire described in the specification, a coil of wire is supported between two side members joined at their outer peripheries. One of the side members has a continuously circular opening formed by a bar with a central circular section and axially spaced ends extending in opposite directions to the periphery of the side member. Wire from the inner surface of a coil of wire held in the container is supplied through the circular opening and the end of the wire from the outside of the coil is disposed above one end of the bar and below the other end of the bar so that it can be connected to another coil of wire and wire can be supplied continuously from successive containers.

Abstract: In the particular embodiment of an electron beam cold hearth refining arrangement described in the specification, two separate hearth segments are disposed at right angles to each other and raw material is supplied to a melt area at the end of the first hearth segment remote from the second hearth segment. Molten material is poured from the opposite end of the first hearth segment into the adjacent end of the second hearth segment and refined molten material is poured into a mold from the opposite end of the second hearth segment. To prevent spattering of unrefined material into the mold or the adjacent refining area of the second hearth segment a baffle is positioned in the angle between the two mold segments.

Abstract: An electron-beam furnace for melting and refining metals in a trough-like hearth by scanning high-intensity, narrow electron beams across the hearth is provided with a wire coil located near the hearth for producing a relatively weak magnetic field in the vicinity of the molten metal in the hearth to prevent erratic local beam deflections caused by fluctuations in the plasma that forms in the vicinity of the molten metal. The use of the weak magnetic field allows the electron beams projected by remotely positioned electron guns to be accurately scanned across the hearth by deflection yokes associated with the electron guns.

Abstract: In the particular embodiment of an electron beam cold hearth refining arrangement described in the specification, two separate hearth segments are disposed at right angles to each other and raw material is supplied to a melt area at the end of the first hearth segment remote from the second hearth segment. Molten material is poured from the opposite end of the first hearth segment into the adjacent end of the second hearth segment and refined molten material is poured into a mold from the opposite end of the second hearth segment. To prevent spattering of unrefined material into the mold or the adjacent refining area of the second hearth segment a baffle is positioned in the angle between the two mold segments.