Tool changing methods and apparatus for an armature winding machine

Apparatus in a motor winding machine for shielding a dynamo-electric core, comprising:

• a shielding assembly defining a longitudinal axis and comprising a first longitudinal member having a first end for shielding an end portion of the dynamo-electric core and a second end, and a second longitudinal member having a first end for supporting an end portion of the dynamo-electric core and a second end and configured for angular rotation about said longitudinal axis;
• rotating assembly configured to rotate the second longitudinal member about the longitudinal axis with respect to a portion of the motor winding machine;
• first coupling assembly configured to connect the first longitudinal member to a portion of the motor winding machine, while permitting relative movement therebetween in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• second coupling assembly configured to connect the rotating assembly and the second longitudinal member against relative rotation while permitting relative movement therebetween in a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second direction angularly movable about the longitudinal axis with the rotating assembly and the second longitudinal member,
• wherein the shielding assembly is movable with respect to the motor winding machine in the first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis when the first and second coupling assemblies and the first and second longitudinal members are relatively positioned such that the first and second directions are substantially angularly aligned by relative angular movement of the rotating assembly and the second longitudinal member with respect to the first longitudinal member.

A method for changing a shielding assembly of a winding machine for winding a dynamo-electric core, comprising the steps of:

• providing a shielding assembly defining a longitudinal axis and including a longitudinal member having a first end for shielding an end portion of the dynamo-electric core and a second end;
• providing a coupling mechanism to connect the longitudinal member and a portion of the winding machine, while permitting relative movement therebetween in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• removing the shielding assembly from the winding machine in the first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.