At Digital Alloys, we print 3D metal objects from 0.89mm wire. Sometimes that wire is dirty or has developed an oxide coating rendering it difficult to use. We have a machine at work that was designed to clean wire but it is not very effective when it comes to oxides. This evening I built a quick prototype of a device that I am very confident will do the job. The wire is sandwiched between the sides of two grinding wheels (with inside labels removed). The shaft that holds the wheels has a hole in the center through which the wire passes and has a pair of lock washers that serve as springs to keep the wheels pressed against the wire (which can be seen poking out the end). Now for the fun part. The grinding wheels do not rotate. Instead, the entire assembly rotates around the wire as it is being drawn through it. On Monday, I plan to connect this creation to the flange on a hollow shaft motor we have at work to see how it functions. Total cost of parts: $28. Time to fabricate: <1 hour.