a slewing device having a quickly adjustable drive is available for inserting and cutting cross wires in automated equipment for the prefabrication of building panels . the device includes a bridge that may be selectively tilted to planes transverse to the line of conveyance of the panels supported by a bank of electronically - controlled electric motor drives . each drive motor operates a corresponding device for pulling at least one metal wire so as to push and insert the wire at substantially any angle through a layer of plastic material sandwiched between sheets of wire netting to form the panel after passing through coaxial cutting devices for trimming the wire after its insertion .