Multiple-unit spooling machine with yarn traverse mechanism

Multiple-head spooling machine having a plurality of spooling units (1a, 1b, 1c . . . ) located adjacent each other comprising

• a common drive shaft (2) for the spooling units of the spooling machine;
• a plurality of main gears (18) on the common drive shaft (2), one each located to provide drive power for a respective spooling unit;
• each spooling unit including
• a wind-up spool carrier (5) for locating a wind-up spool (6) thereon,
• means (7) to impart rotation to the wind-up spool (6),
• and a yarn traverse mechanism including gearing means therefore located in position to guide yarn in axially traversing movement across the spool (6);
• a main gear on each unit located in rotation power transmission postion with the main gear (18) of the respective spooling unit and in engagement with said traverse gearing means to transfer rotational power from the main drive shaft (2) through the respective main gear (18) of the respective spooling unit to the traverse mechanism thereof;
• and a plurality of soft engagement clutches (19), one each associated with a respective spooling unit to selectively control rotational power transmission from the common drive shaft (2) to the main gear of each of the respective spooling units and hence to the respective yarn traverse mechanisms,
• and wherein at least a portion of the traverse mechanism of each of the spooling units forms a single replaceable assembly.