Zig-zag winding machine

Apparatus for winding annular zig-zag windings comprising:

• winding arbor means having a surface and mounted for rotation for receiving coil forming wire in an annulus around the rotating arbor means;
• a plurality of pins spaced apart around the arbor means in at least two opposite rings of pins defining the opposite perimeters of the annular winding to be formed, said pins mounted in the winding arbor means to form acute angles with the surface of the arbor means each ring of pins oriented with the acute angles in the direction away from the other ring of the arbor means, said pins being removable and replaceable to facilitate removal of windings from the arbor means;
• means for rotating the winding arbor means;
• wire feed winding arm means mounted for delivering coil winding wire to the surface of the winding arbor means;
• and means for reciprocating said winding arm means back and forth laterally across the winding arbor means in a span greater than the spaced apart rings of pins mounted in the arbor means and in timed relationship to the rotation of the winding arbor means by the rotating means whereby the coil winding wire may be fed onto the surface of the arbor means in a zig-zag pattern of peaks and troughs held in the acute angles formed by the spaced apart pins arranged around the winding arbor means, said zig-zag winding supported by pins of alternately opposite rings on the winding arbor means;
• said means for reciprocating the wire feed arm means comprising a reciprocating winding arm, cam follower means coupled to said winding arm, forward and reversing motor means, spiral cam surface means driven by said forward and reversing motor means, said cam follower means operatively engaging the spiral cam surface means for imparting reciprocal motion to the winding arm.