Process for laying a strip continuously on a toroidal surface

A process for laying a strip on a receiving surface rotating about a first axis, the process utilizing a laying head having an application device, the laying head being movable translationally along a second axis oriented parallel to the first axis and along a third axis oriented parallel to the line which extends radially from the first axis and substantially passes through a point of contact between the application device and the receiving surface, the laying head being rotatable about a fourth axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the second and third axes and tangential to the receiving surface at the point of contact, the process comprising the steps of:

• A) depositing the strip on the rotating receiving surface while determining an angular position of the laying head about the fourth axis and assessing a tangency angle formed between a tangent to the transverse profile of the receiving surface at the point of contact and an axis parallel to the first axis, and
• B) automatically controlling movements of the laying head about the fourth axis and along the second and third axes during step A as a function of the tangency angle;
• wherein step A further comprises supporting the laying head on a plate by a motor-driven first shaft while moving the plate translationally along the second and third axes and turning the first shaft about the fourth axis;
• supporting a foot on the first shaft and supporting on the foot a second shaft which rotates freely around a fifth axis which is oriented perpendicular to the fourth axis and parallel to the transverse direction of the strip at the point of contact;
• estimating the value of a compliance angular divergence angle formed by pivoting the arm about the fifth axis from the fourth axis to a straight line oriented perpendicular to a plane defined by the second and third axes;
• and correcting the position of the plate along the second and third axes to bring the compliance angular divergence value to a value substantially equal to zero.

A process for laying a strip on a receiving surface rotating about a first axis, the process utilizing a laying head having an application device, the laying head being movable translationally along a second axis oriented parallel to the first axis and along a third axis oriented parallel to the line which extends radially from the first axis and substantially passes through a point of contact between the application device and the receiving surface, the laying head being rotatable about a fourth axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the second and third axes and tangential to the receiving surface at the point of contact, the process comprising the steps of:

• A) depositing the strip on the rotating receiving surface while determining an angular position of the laying head about the fourth axis and assessing a tangency angle formed between a tangent to the transverse profile of the receiving surface at the point of contact and an axis parallel to the first axis, and
• B) automatically controlling movements of the laying head about the fourth axis and along the second and third axes during step A as a function of the tangency angle;
• wherein step A further comprises supporting the laying head on a plate by a motor-driven first shaft while moving the plate translationally along the second and third axes and turning the first shaft about the fourth axis;
• supporting a foot on the first shaft and supporting on the foot a slide oriented along a sixth axis oriented perpendicular to a plant formed by the strip at the point of contact;
• supporting on the slide an arm which slides freely on the slide;
• fixedly supporting the laying head on the arm;
• estimating the value of a compliance distance between the fourth axis and a straight line which is oriented parallel to the fourth axis and passing through a reference point situated on the sixth axis;
• and correcting the position of the plate on the second and third axes to bring the compliance distance to a value substantially equal to zero.