Abstract: The prior art packaging of microelectric wires that have had insulation stripped from at least one end to permit the wires to be used in an electric circuit has applied adhesive to the backs of the paddleboards to which the microelectric wires are connected for testing. The adhesive is objectionable because residues of adhesive remain on the paddleboards and interferes with subsequent operations. The package of this invention eliminates adhesive on the paddleboards by forming the bottom layer of the paddleboards with frangible ligaments that are connected to a transversely extending spine. A base supports the paddleboards and spine, and it is the spine, not the paddleboards, that is connected to the underlying base. Each paddleboard can be removed from the spine and from the package by breaking the frangible ligament connecting that paddleboard to the spine.

Abstract: An electrical arc system for ablating a portion of a surface coating from an electrically conductive wire along a selected cut-off line within a tolerance on the order of 0.001 of an inch. The arc is generated by electrodes insulated from each other inwardly beyond the selected cut-off line and arranged obliquely to the cut-off line and to the axis of the coated wire.