Abstract: A spring manufacturing apparatus in which the conventional cumbersome process of forming the front end of a quill in accordance with the shape of a desired spring is omitted, and one quill can be used in common for formation of springs having any shapes. A wire is fed out from a wire guide constituted by right and left members, two members symmetric with each other and having inclined surfaces. Tools that are radially arranged to be slidable toward a spring forming space and used for bending, curving, or cutting the wire are caused to abut against the wire to bend or curve it, thereby forming a spring. The spring manufacturing apparatus includes a rotary guide unit, a guide driving motor, tool driving motors, and a CPU. The rotary wire guide unit supports the wire guide and is rotatable about a wire feedout hole of the guide as the center. The guide driving motor transmits a driving force to the rotary wire guide unit. The tool driving motors slide the tools.

Abstract: A spring forming machine is provided with closed-loop feedback from sensors which monitor dimensions of the coils and heads of the spring being formed, servo motors which control wire feed speed, coil radius and pitch forming elements, and coiling direction. Video cameras form pictorial images of the spring being formed. The images are digitized and fed to a central computer, along with images from similar machines forming similar springs, which compares the signals, such as photometric images, from the different machines, which represent actual spring dimensions, with a single stored image relating to the desired dimensions, such as head shape, coil diameter, and the positions and angles of bends. Discrepancies are correlated with causation data, such as feed roll slippage or material hardness variations, and adjustment signals are sent to the machines. Machines producing errors are interrogated more frequently by the computer. Large errors or failures to respond to adjustments triggers an alarm.

Abstract: The objects are a reliable and economical method of and device for manufacturing helical springs that are curved when unstressed from sections of wire or rod heated to coiling temperature. The spring is coiled straight and then curved it to its final shape. The device consists of a hot-coiling production line comprising a kiln (1), a series of rollers (2), a coiling bench (4), and a quenching tub (6). A tool (5) for curving helical springs (10 or 14) is integrated into the production line between the coiling bench and the quenching tub.

Abstract: Procedure and apparatus for the optimized manufacture of coil springs on automatic spring winding machines. It is the object of the present invention to offer both a procedure and an apparatus by which even in case of fluctuating values of the wire parameters high accuracies during the spring manufacture are guaranteed and simultaneously the scrap is minimized. The solution to this problem is that prior to the winding the wire parameters are determined and the measuring results are used directly for the adjustment of the position of the winding pins or winding rollers and/or the pitch wedge, and that the wire between the uncoiling device and the guiding assembly forms a loop whereby the lateral deflection of this wire loop is measured by a recognition unit and the uncoiling device carries out an additional movement controlled by the recognition unit.

Abstract: A wire-grip mechanism 60 for gripping a wire W, is arranged rotatable in accordance with a wire guide 70 which feeds the wire W. By rotating a guide mechanism while feed rollers and wire grip mechanism 60 are gripping the wire W, the wire W positioned between the feed rollers and grip mechanism is twisted, and the direction of the wire W fed from the wire guide 70 is changed.

Abstract: An automatic spring formation apparatus includes a frame on which a tool support plate is mounted. A plurality of tool sets are substantially angularly equally-spaced mounted on the support plate and extending in a radial direction with respect to a center of the support plate. Each of the tool sets has a slide mounted thereon and movable in the radial direction with a tool holder which holds a spring formation tool thereon fixed thereon to be movable toward/away from the center of the support plate. The tool sets are releasably fixed on the support plate and are selectively movable along a circular path about the center of the support plate for adjusting the angular positions thereof. A wire is fed through a hole formed on the center of the support plate to be acted upon by the tool for making a spring. The slide is provided with a cam follower and a cam driven by a motor is provided on the base plate to drivingly engage the cam follower so as to drive the tool to move in the radial direction.

Abstract: A method of making a coil spring wherein the external surfaces of the convolutions have cylindrical major portions and flats which abut the neighboring convolutions when a spring is compressed flat under load. This reduces the likelihood of radial displacement of one or more convolutions under load and the likelihood of a reduction of the axial length of the coil spring when in its unstressed condition subsequent to being repeatedly compressed flat under load. The external surface of each convolution can be provided with one or two flats, and the planes of the two flats preferably make a small acute angle if the coil spring is caused to assume an arcuate shape when in actual use.

Abstract: A method and arrangement of making helical springs from a wire, includes a winding machine for coiling the wire strand to a finished spring. Disposed upstream of the winding machine is a wire gage for measuring a diameter of the wire strand at a predetermined spot of a conical section of the advancing wire strand and producing a control signal commensurate with the registered diameter. The winding machine includes a cutting tool which is actuated in response to the registered control signal, with a new spring coiling cycle being initiated at the same time.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for spinning a product, wherein a metal plate which may be preshaped or not, is deformed on a rotating chuck by a forming roller into a hollow product with a wall thickness. The shape of the chuck is determined and is stored in a memory of a control unit as a series of successive points. The control unit moves the forming roller according to a path corresponding with the shape of the chuck. This path is determined by the stored shape of the chuck with a desired wall thickness of the product added thereto. The metal plate is deformed by moving the forming roller according to the thus determined path. In each point of the stored shape of the chuck, the control unit determines a tangent line of the chuck shape at the location of this point and adds the desired wall thickness to the chuck shape at the location of this point according to a line perpendicular to the tangent line to calculate the path of the forming roller.

Abstract: Described is an electronically regulated coiling apparatus for mattress and upholstery springs comprising essentially a wire draw-in, a wire guidance, a cutting device and a bending device for a wire to be processed, and due to short drive trains equipped with few transfer elements, in particular for the bending device, improved torsional rigidity and flexural strength of the particular drive train is attained. The electronically regulated servomotors used according to the invention can therefore transfer their movement directly onto the bending tools and the drive rollers by interconnecting few transfer elements. This permits bending a wire with decreased tolerances into a corresponding spring.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for forming curved and pointed needle blanks from a coiled length of wire needle stock material. The apparatus includes an inner mandrel having a circumferential wire receiving groove and at least one longitudinally extending broach receiving channel formed in the outer surface. The apparatus also includes an outer member having an inner surface defining a bore sized to receive the inner mandrel wrapped with wire needle stock. The outer member includes at least one longitudinal broach receiving channel formed in the outer member inner surface. The outer mandrel further includes a circumferential wire receiving groove formed in the inner surface such that, when wrapped with the length of wire needle stock material, the inner mandrel is threaded into the outer member. The apparatus further includes at least one broach which is movable within the channels to cut the length of wire needle stock into curved and pointed needle blanks.

Abstract: A spring coiling machine wherein the pitch tool holder has two active plates which act as a clamp on the stem of the pitch tool. Preferably, the clamping plates are carried on a support based plate or the like, which is moveable linearly in a direction parallel to the pitch stem axis.

Abstract: A device for bending tubes including a platform, a feeding mechanism having a sliding seat, a pair of lugs, and a chuck, a chuck controlling mechanism having a direction controller and a chuck driving gearing, an idle gear pivotally mounted on the sliding seat and constantly meshed with the feeding mechanism, and a bending mechanism having a right roll die, a left roll die, an upper roll die, and lower roll die each of which has a recess around a circumference thereof adapt to the shape of a tube to be bent, whereby a tube can be conveniently bent into a spiral or a curve as desired.

Abstract: A rolling mill laying head as a quill supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis between axially spaced first and second bearing assemblies. A laying pipe is carried by the quill for rotation therewith. The laying pipe has an entry section lying on the quill axis between the first and second bearing assemblies, and a three dimensionally curved intermediate section extending through and beyond the second bearing assembly to terminate at a delivery end spaced radially from the quill axis to define a circular path of travel. The dimension by which the laying pipe extends beyond the second bearing assembly is less than the diameter of the circular path.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming devices including dead-ends and insulator ties from flat and other strips of material, as well as the devices themselves, are disclosed. Components of these devices may be formed continuously from a single strip, avoiding the need to weld or clamp the components together. Forming the devices in this manner reduces the possibility of stresses or non-uniformities forming when the components are joined and permits continuous automatic or semiautomatic manufacture to occur.

Abstract: A length of wire is introduced to a coiling station to form a wire coil which then is fed to a cutting station where the free end of the coil engages a stop. Cutting means sequentially move between non-cutting and cutting positions to cut rings from the coil. The rings are displaced from the cutting station onto a support which includes a portion which receives the gaps in the rings to prevent tangling of the rings.

Abstract: A mechanism for connecting and disconnecting, locking and unlocking, and holding members to one another, including snap-on fasteners, and at the same time providing mechanical, electromagnetic shielding, electrical conductivity, and thermal dissipation, coupled with environmental sealing, is provided by a cylindrical or elliptical body having a circumferential groove therein and a continuous coil spring disposed therein. A housing, having a bore sized to accommodate the cylindrical, or spherical, body, is provided, and a tapered bottom in the circumferential groove prevents the spring from turning past a vertical line, thus locking or connecting the cylindrical, or spherical, member with the housing or plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a bubble spring assembly includes a base member having a side surface and a head assembly. A track way extends along one side surface of the base toward the head assembly. The track way is employed for guiding a respective spring blank into the head assembly. A push block is provided for moving the spring blank along the track way and into the head assembly. A shaping mechanism is provided within the head assembly for receiving the respective spring blank from the track way and for shaping the spring into a predetermined form having a predictable stress strain history along the length of the shaped spring blank. A retaining gate is located proximate the shaping mechanism for positioning a respective cavity block adjacent the shaping mechanism. A transfer rod is provided within the head assembly for moving a shaped spring blank from the shaping mechanism into the cavity block in the absence of further deformation to the shaped spring blank.

Abstract: An apparatus includes means for feeding a wire from a fixed outlet against a coiling surface having a variable location in relation to the fixed outlet. The fixed outlet directs the wire in a path and the wire is deflected from the path by the coiling surface to bend the wire. The wire is monitored and output signals indicative of a physical characteristic of the deflected wire are generated. A controller receives the signals and generates control signals as a function thereof. An actuator, responsive to the control signals, adjusts the location of the coiling surface such that the physical characteristics are substantially uniformly maintained during the forming of the spring.

Abstract: A laying head for forming axially moving elongated products into series of rings. The laying head includes an auxiliary guide which is readily dismantled from the laying head in order to accommodate the rolling of larger diameter slower speed products. The guide includes the provision of a helical extension of the guide path defined by the rotating three-dimensionally curved pipe of the laying head. The helical extension is subdivided into an outer cylindrical shroud surrounding the rotational path of the outlet end of the laying pipe, and an inner helical trough having its open side facing the shroud. The helical trough includes a central hub adapted to be detachably secured to the tubular pipe support carrying the laying pipe. The central hub and the tubular pipe support include coacting surfaces which insure that the components are reliably assembled for balanced rotation.

Abstract: A spring manufacturing apparatus for reducing the time from the beginning to the completion of the manufacturing of a spring having a flat end surface and for manufacturing a large amount of springs at a high-speed. Feed rollers 3a and 3b supply wire material 1 to point tools 4a and 4b. When a single spring is formed, laser output portion 7 is moved in an X direction by the spring pitch length and laser irradiation to the wire material 1 is started. At the same time, feed rollers 3a and 3b feed the wire material for one coil of spring to be manufactured.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a toroid coil on a toroidal body comprising a wire feeder for feeding the wire forward in the direction of its length toward the toroidal body. The wire is fed along a path which at the toroidal body is generally tangent to the surface of the toroidal body and nonparallel to the radial plane of the toroidal body. A die having a wire forming path defined therein constrains the wire to bend as it is fed forward into the convolutions of a helix extending through the opening in the toroidal body and advancing circumferentially around the toroidal body to form the toroid coil.

Abstract: A chuck and arbor apparatus for a spring coiling machine implements an accurate alignment of the block wire guide with the feed line guides from the wire supply rolls. The chuck is modified to provide for discrete, axial clamping positions which correspond to selected wire alignment positions. The arbor is preferably D-shaped to establish a repeatable angular orientation in the chuck, and avoid the need to clamp the arbor while clamping the chuck.

Abstract: A coiling point holder for a spring making machine precisely fixes the angular and axial position of the coiling point relative to the holder and allows for the pre-established coiling point positions to be replicated upon reversing or replacing the coiling point. The angular position of the coiling point is fixed by a diametral slot of an insert which is angularly fixed in the holder.

Abstract: A system for controlling the feeding of wire to a workstation for the formation of a coil spring by means of at least one moveable work tool that is disposed at the workstation and that is selectively operated to move to different positions in the formation of a particular spring. The system includes a feed mechanism for feeding wire to the workstation and computer control means for controlling the feed mechanism to optimize the rate of spring making. The computer control means includes an entry means for setting predetermined characteristics regarding wire feed and work tool motion in constructing the particular spring. Work tool motion intervals are defined and the velocity of wire feed is maintained in a predetermined velocity range during the work tool motion interval, increasing in the velocity feed to a velocity greater than the predetermined velocity range outside of this work tool motion interval.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming and slitting spirally formed pipe, particularly spiral pipes having a diameter of approximately one inch or less, is disclosed. The pipe forming apparatus includes an enclosed forming head and a mandrel. A continuous strip of metal is driven around the mandrel and inside a lateral bore in the forming head in a helical manner. First and second rollers mounted in the forming head partially form a spiral lockseam. A third roller mounted in the upper portion of the forming head closes the spiral lockseam. The mandrel is both rotatable and pivotable. The device for slitting the spiral pipe into sections includes a first knife that is positioned inside the spiral pipe. This knife is mounted at the endd of a rotatable boom, that extends through the mandrel and is positioned inside of the spiral pipe. A second rotatable knife is positioned outside of the pipe. A rotatable support roller is also positioned outside of the pipe, and opposite the outer knife.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an electric resistance heating coil of desired resistance that involves forming a helical coil and supporting the helical coil during forming in a vibrating through to prevent compression of the forming coil.

Abstract: A garter-type axially resilient coil spring includes a plurality of coils canted along a centerline thereof with each coil having a trailing portion and a leading portion. Specific resilient performance, or load-deflection characteristics, of the spring is obtained by interconnecting the coils in a manner such that the trailing portion is disposed along an outside diameter of the garter-type axially resilient coil spring and the leading portion is disposed along an inside diameter of the garter-type axially resilient coil spring.

Abstract: A spring forming machine having an integral conveying device for transporting formed springs from a forming station to a subsequent processing station. The conveying device includes a pair of vertically-spaced, articulated arms (25, 26), with one arm carrying a set of releasable clamping members (28-31), and the other arm having a clamp releasing member (38). The arms are synchronized for operation in relation to each spring forming cycle, by a cooperative combination of swivel, elevation and lifting devices (41, 47, 52).

Abstract: The invention relates to a bending apparatus for wires having a cross section which varies according to their lengths, and comprising two cylindrical sections and an interleaved conical section. The wire is bent by means of three rollers. The bending roller is mounted on a carriage and determines the bending degree imparted to the fed wire. The wire is bent despite its variable diameter so that it is deposited with a regular curvature on the reception plate. To this effect, the curvature of the conical section is changed between the correct curvature of the thinner cylindrical section of the wire and that of the thicker cylindrical section of the wire. It only requires a simple switching at an appropriate time to obtain a sire bobbin which may be deposited on the reception plate. The appropriate switching time is situated between 20% and 60%, but preferably between 30% and 40%, and is calculated from the beginning of the wire diameter increase.

Abstract: A method of forming an edgewise wound core from a lanced strip of generally thin ferromagnetic material having a yoke section, a plurality of teeth extending generally laterally from the yoke section on a plurality of preselected pitch axes, and a plurality of arcuate edges intersecting with each other on the yoke section facing generally opposite the teeth. In practicing this method, the lanced strip is deformed into a plurality of helical convolutions, and the helical convolutions are accumulated in a generally axial stack with the arcuate edges and teeth extending generally radially outwardly and inwardly of the stack. The teeth and the arcuate edges are respectively aligned generally in axial row formations thereof across the stack, and the teeth and the intersections between adjacent ones of the arcuate edges are disposed generally in radial alignment with each other on the pitch axes of the teeth, respectively.

Abstract: A method for forming an edgewise wound core from a lanced strip of generally thin ferromagnetic material. The lanced strip includes a pair of sets of segments extending generally lengthwise thereof with the segments of one of the segment sets being integrally interposed between the segments of the other of the segment sets, and a set of salient pole teeth are integral with the segments of the one segment set extending generally laterally therefrom. In practicing this method, successive segments of the other segment set are successively and independently edgewise constrained, and the salient pole teeth and segments of the one segment set are unconstrained. Only the edgewise constrained segments of the other segment set are edgewise deformed, and the unconstrained salient pole teeth and segments of the one segment set are maintained in their original lanced configurations.A method of operating apparatus for continuously forming edgewise wound cores is also disclosed.

Abstract: The improved structure of a heater for an indirectly-heated cathode which is used for CRTs or the like is disclosed. A core wire for a heater is wound around a mandrel into a primary winding so that the inner diameter of the primary winding is 4.3 to 6.0 times the diameter of the core wire. The primary winding may be further wound into a secondary winding.

Abstract: An apparatus for the spiral winding of tapes for the continuous production of tubes without a core and having an angular cross-sectional area. A tape is guided centripetally along a convexly curved conducting surface situated in the tube being formed, the intake side of which conducting surface is located at the feed level. The centripetal guiding of the tape is suspended when the conducting surface reaches the outlet side for forming the excluding level segment of the tape.

Abstract: A garter-type axially resilient coil spring includes a plurality of coils canted along a centerline thereof with each coil having a trailing portion and leading portion. The disposition of the trailing portion is defined by a back angle between the trailing portion and a line normal to the centerline and the disposition of the leading portion is defined by a front angle between the leading portion and the normal line. Specific resilient performance, or load-deflection characteristics, of the spring is obtained by controlling the back angle. At selected back angles, the leading portion may be disposed at front angles beyond the range heretofore thought possible.

Abstract: A method and a device for the spiral winding of tapes for the continuous production of tubes without a core and having an angular cross-sectional area. A tape is guided centripetally during each bending process along a convexly curved conducting surface situated in the region of the tube being formed, the intake side of which conducting surface is located at the feed level. The centripetal guiding of the tape is suspended when the conducting surface reaches the outlet side for forming the excluding level segment of the tape.

Abstract: A rolling mill laying head has a first tubular shaft mounted on first bearings for rotation relative to a stationary housing structure. A second hollow shaft carrying a three dimensionally curved laying pipe is mounted on second bearings for rotation relative to the first hollow shaft. Both hollow shafts are rotatably driven in the same direction at different speeds.

Abstract: A method of forming an edgewise wound core from a strip of a generally thin metallic material. In this method, a plurality of segments arranged generally in side-by-side relation are formed in the strip along the length thereof, and each segment is freed from an adjacent segment at each of a plurality of reaches thereof along the length of the strip with the segments being supported at junctures disposed between the ends of the reaches. The strip is deformed generally edgewise thereof thereby to form a plurality of convolutions of the strip, and each segment is also deformed edgewise thereof free of the adjacent segments along each of the reaches with the deformed segments being supported at the junctures between the reaches, respectively.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus, and resultant product, for altering the form of material comprising the steps of synchronously driving a plurality of forming wheels, the forming wheels grooved to a radial depth of predetermined amount; spatially aligning the driven wheels in predetermined relationship; and feeding the material to be further formed successively to each of the forming wheels. The radial depth is sufficient to fully entrap the material. The shape of the groove conforms to the shape of the material with minimum clearance to prevent binding and yet to permit exertion of forming forces on the material.

Abstract: An improved clutch apparatus for a spring forming machine is disclosed having two independently-operating, one-way clutches (i.e., one left hand and one right hand clutch) which commonly drive a pair of wire feed rollers through connecting gears such that 360.degree. of machine use is provided. That is, while one clutch is operating to feed wire, the other clutch is in a return mode such that both clutches constantly reciprocate in a sequential manner thereby permitting continuous wire feeding and forming. Due to the common gear connection, the associated dual feed rollers are operated by whichever clutch is in the drive mode at a given time.

Abstract: Convertible head (10) to form coils for the forming of coils of rolled wire rod, which comprises a body (11) supported on a tiltable base (18), motor means (12) and rotor means (15-16) and in which the rotor means (15-16) include interchangeable rotors (15-16), of which at least one (15) is suitable to deposit horizontal coils (23), and at least one other (16) is suitable to deposit vertical coils (24).

Abstract: An automatic spring feeding device is shown which uses a three-sided feedbox having a movable bottom panel for urging a series of springs into rotating bundles against a moving platen which forms the fourth side of the feedbox. The platen is grooved with specially shaped grooves which capture individual springs therein under the urging of a magnet on the opposite side of the platen from the springs. The platen is then carried by a continuous drive chain to a springfeed assembly where the springs are loaded one at a time into a channel from which the springs are metered by a solenoid operated release door. The key to handling the springs without tangling them is to wind each end of the spring with a closely wound coil. After the springs are placed upon a conveyor belt, the unwanted closely wound coil or coils may be removed by a suitable shear.

Abstract: Apparatus for helically curling longitudinally corrugated thin strip material into a flexible corrugated tube has a curling unit with driven input rollers forming a nip that matches the strip, and a cassette for a reel of the material which is connected to said unit and has strip guide rollers immediately adjacent the input rollers. The curling unit has driven output rollers on an upright support to drive the strip, and a spider which is vertically adjustable on the support and carries strip guide rollers which are on spindles equidistant from the longitudinal axis of the forming tube, and radially adjustable, so that adjustment of the spider on the support and the spindles on the spider permits the unit to form tubes of different diameters. A locking mechanism intermittently crimps overlapping parts of the forming tube. A bending device aids in forming relatively stiff strip stock, and also aids in forming softer stock into very small diameter tubes.

Abstract: A disc roller mechanism and method for forming helical-shaped structures from a feed wire or rod, wherein the feed wire is drawn through a plurality of staggered disc-shaped forming rollers by rotation of the rollers, while the wire is also being rotated about its own axis so as to form the desired helical-shaped product. The roller mechanism includes a support frame and a first set of at least two fixed position driven disc-shaped rollers and a second set of at least one idler disc-shaped rollers, said idler rollers being transversely adjustable positions relative to the first driven roller set rotatably mounted in the frame. The driven roller set usually has a roughened outer perimeter surface to facilitate drawing the feed wire through the intersecting forming rollers. If desired, the feed wire can be pulled off a rotatable supply spool such as by a pair of guiding rollers and then passed through the staggered disc-shaped forming rollers to provide the desired helical-shaped product.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a coil spring wherein, an amount of sway of a connecting body connected to a swaying body to be swayed by a cam or a crank driven by a driving shaft rotating at a constant speed in order to drive at least one or more means among those for changing a pitch of active coils, forming the end portion, changing the shape of cross-section of the active coils and cutting wire material is converted into a pulse signal and is then measured on the occasion of manufacturing a coil spring and a DC servo motor which drives and rotates a core bar or pressurized co-roller for supplying a wire material to the coil forming portion is driven by such pulse signal in order to form a total coils of a coil spring.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing roll bending on shape metal including a first rolling roll, a second rolling roll having an outer circumferential surface juxtaposed against an outer circumferential surface of the first rolling roll, and third and fourth rolling rolls having outer circumferential surfaces opposed against end faces of the first and second rolling rolls respectively. Two to four rolls selected from the group of the four rolling rolls are used for performing roll bending on shape metal in such a manner that the shape metal has, after being subjected to the roll bending, a thickness which successively decreases in going toward its outer portion from its central portion.

Abstract: A roller mechanism and method for forming helical shaped structures from a feed wire or rod, wherein the feed wire is drawn through a plurality of staggered forming rollers by rotation of the rollers, while the wire is also being rotated about its own axis so as to form the desired helical shaped product. The mechanism includes a support frame and at least four lower fixed position driven rollers and at least five upper idler rollers having adjustable positions relative to the lower rollers rotatably mounted in the frame. The lower rollers usually have a roughened or grooved surface to facilitate drawing the feed wire through the staggered forming rollers. If desired, the feed wire can be pulled off a rotating supply reel by a pair of guiding rollers and then passed through the forming rollers to provide the desired helical shaped product.

Abstract: A machine for coiling wire to form any one of a number of different size, type and configuration of coil spring and comprising a machine frame in which is mounted a driveshaft, intermediate shaft, camshaft, and feed roller shafts. At a work station of the machine appropriate coiling dies are supported along with one or more cutters mounted adjacent thereto. The wire is fed to the work station via a pair of feed rollers driven at variable speed, preferably by an elliptical gear drive, wherein the feed speed is at a maximum during coiling and decreases to a minimum feed speed for cutting. Wire feed is synchronously interrupted at cutting by means of a cam arrangement that briefly disengaged the feed rollers. This variable speed drive enables a high duty cycle of operation and also enables start up (feed rollers engaging) at reduced speed so as to minimize wire distortion.

Abstract: A machine for coiling wire to form any one of a number of different size, type and configuration of coil spring and comprising a machine frame in which is mounted a driveshaft, intermediate shaft, camshaft, and feed roller shafts. At a work station of the machine appropriate coiling dyes are supported along with one or more cutters mounted adjacent thereto. The wire is fed to the work station via a pair of feed rollers driven at variable speed, preferably by means of an elliptical gear drive, wherein the feed speed is at a maximum during coiling and decreases to a minimum feed speed for cutting. Wire feed is synchronously interrupted at cutting by means of a cam arrangement that briefly disengaged the feed rollers. This variable speed drive enables a high duty cycle of operation and also enables start up (feed rollers engaging) at reduced speed so as to minimize wire distortion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imparting a three-dimensionally curved configuration to a straight elongated element wherein one end of the element is removably supported with its axis coincident with a reference axis. The element is partially pre-bent away from the reference axis into conformity with a two-dimensional first guide path. Thereafter, the pre-bent element is bent into conformity with a three-dimensional helical second guide path.