Method and apparatus of building multiple packages on a single collet

A method of building multiple wound packages of strand on a collet, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a collet;
• supplying a continuous strand to the collet;
• rotating the collet to wind the strand to build a first package at a first location on the collet, including reciprocating the strand from one end of the package to the other end of the package using a strand reciprocator that includes a rotating cam and a cam follower having a stand guide, to reciprocate the strand from the one end to the other end as the package rotates, thereby forming strand courses;
• holding the strand courses in place at edge portions of the package as the strand guide changes direction to make a square edged package;
• and
• transferring the strand, at the completion of the first package, to a second location on the collet so that a second package can be built at the second location, wherein the strand transfer includes:
• moving the strand reciprocator away from the collet;
• directing the strand from the first location to the second location by engaging the strand with a strand positioner, moving the strand positioner laterally along the direction of the length of the collet to move the strand to the second location, and disengaging the strand from the strand positioner, wherein a secondary shoe and strand positioner are controlled with a controller during the movement of the strand from one package location to another package location;
• and
• moving the strand reciprocator into engagement with the collet to build a second package at the second location.

An apparatus for building multiple packages on a collet, comprising:

• a rotatable collet;
• a primary shoe located upstream of the collet for forming a fibrous strand;
• a secondary shoe for directing the strand to the collet;
• a strand positioner mounted for movement toward the strand for engagement with the strand and away from the strand for disengagement with the strand, the strand positioner adapted to position the strand at multiple package locations on the collet to enable building a package at each of the package locations;
• and
• a strand reciprocator that includes a rotating cam and a cam follower having a strand guide, wherein rotation of the cam reciprocates the strand from one end of the package to the other end of the package as the collet rotates, thereby enabling the strand to be wound on the collet in courses;
• and
• a roller bail for holding the strand courses in place at edge portions of the package as the strand guide changes direction to make a square edged package;
• wherein the secondary shoe and strand positioner can be operated to move the strand from one package location to another package location on the collet and the strand reciprocator is moved into engagement with the collet to build a second package at the second location.

A method of building multiple wound packages of strand on a collet, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a collet;
• supplying a continuous strand to the collet;
• rotating the collet to wind the strand to build a first package at a first location on the collet, including reciprocating the strand from one end of the package to the other end of the package using a strand reciprocator that includes a rotating cam and a cam follower having a stand guide, to reciprocate the strand from the one end to the other end as the package rotates, thereby forming strand courses;
• and
• transferring the strand, at the completion of the first package, to a second location on the collet so that a second package can be built at the second location, wherein the strand transfer includes:
• moving the strand reciprocator away from the collet;
• directing the strand from the first location to the second location;
• and
• moving the strand reciprocator into engagement with the collet to build a second package at the second location.