Winding machine with programmable traverse control
AssigneeCommunication Cable, Inc.
InventorRobert L. Vander Groef
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A winding machine for winding wire includes a spindle on which a spool is mounted, and a reciprocating traverse for guiding an advancing wire onto the spool. The motion of the traverse is controlled by a programmable motion controller. A cam profile is stored in the controller's memory which defines the relationship between the traverse position and the angular position of the spindle. A periodic rotation signal is generated indicative of the angular position of the spindle. In response to each periodic rotation signal, the programmable controller determines the corresponding position of the traverse as set forth in the cam profile and produces a control signal which causes the traverse to move to the commanded position. Gear ratios between the spindle motor and traverse motor are supported.
Claims23
A winding machine for winding a line to form a package comprising:
- (a) a spindle;
- (b) a spool mounted on the spindle;
- (c) a motor for driving the spindle;
- (d) a reciprocating traverse for guiding the line onto the spool;
- (e) a motor for driving the traverse;
- (f) control means for controlling the position of the traverse with respect to the spindle to wind a line in a generally cross-over pattern about the spindle with the cross-over points in each winding progressing around the spool, the control means including:
- (1) means for storing a cross-over profile that defines the relative position of the traverse with respect to the angular position of the spindle during the winding process;
- (2) a sensor for sensing the angular position of the spindle;
- and
- (3) processing means responsive to the spindle sensor for setting the desired traverse position based on the stored cross-over profile and outputting a control signal to the traverse drive motor for positioning the traverse at the desired position.
A winding machine for winding a line onto a spool to form a package having a plurality of cross-over windings with each winding having at least one cross-over point, comprising:
- (a) a spindle on which the spool is mounted;
- (b) a motor for rotating the spindle;
- (c) a reciprocating traverse that moves in synchronization with the rotation of the spindle;
- (d) control means for setting the position of the traverse with respect to the spindle by comparing positions of the spindle and the traverse to a stored cross-over profile;
- and
- (e) means for varying the rotational speed of the spindle to maintain a constant line speed during the winding of the package.
A method for winding an advancing line onto a spool to form a package having a plurality of cross-over windings with each winding having at least one cross-over point, comprising:
- (a) rotating the spool;
- (b) varying the position of the advancing line in predetermined relationship with the angular position of the spool to form a plurality of cross-over windings on the spool;
- (c) wherein the step of varying the position of the line includes:
- (1) generating a cross-over profile that defines the relative position of the line with respect to the angular position of the spindle during the winding process;
- (2) storing the cross-over profile;
- (3) generating a periodic rotation signal indicative of the angular position of the spindle;
- (4) setting the position of the line corresponding to the angular position of the spindle in the stored cross-over profile in response to the detection of each rotation signal;
- and
- (5) positioning the line at the set position.
A winding machine comprising:
- (a) a spindle;
- (b) a mandrel mounted on the spindle on which wire is wound;
- (c) a motor for driving the spindle;
- (d) a reciprocating traverse for guiding the wire onto the mandrel;
- (e) a servo-motor for driving the traverse;
- means for storing a cross-over profile that defines the relationship between the traverse position and the angular position of the spindle;
- (g) means for providing a rotation signal corresponding to the angular position of the spindle;
- (h) means for providing a position feedback signal corresponding to the position of the traverse;
- (i) means for setting the traverse position based on the rotation signal, the position feedback signal and the cross-over profile and for generating a control signal;
- and
- (j) wherein the servo-motor is responsive to the control signal to position the traverse.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.