Abstract: A braiding machine of the maypole form having co-acting horngear assemblies positioned in a cylindrical housing and arranged to drive spool carriers along a double undulating and intersecting drive track groove as groups in opposed directions. The form of the groove is such as to avoid discontinuities both in normal and in tangential components of acceleration forces on the spool carriers. Drive is transmitted from the horngear assemblies to the spool carriers by drive forks each carried on a pivot shaft mounted for oscillating rotation through restricted arc on the respective horngear assembly. Oscillating rotation of the drive forks is effected by a cam follower arrangement engaging a cam track such that the drive forks propel the spool carriers along the guide track groove with constant or substantially constant linear velocity.

Abstract: Transfer means for transferring a continuous elongate product, such as wire, bar or tubular products associated with a continuous extrusion machine, between two stations in the production line. Axial tensioning means 8, 10 each consisting of a pair of resiliently tyred wheels 12, 14 positioned to grip the elongate product 2 and driven by a low inertia, electric, motor induce an axial tension in the elongate product 2. The elongate product forms a curve 20 of catenary form between the axial tensioning means 8, 10. A control signal indicative of the gravitational deflection of the curve is derived from an ultra-light dancer arm 22, or an optical or ultra-sonic sensor, and is utilized in combination with a signal derived from product speed sensor means 24 to control the speed of the low inertia, electric, motors and thus the tension in the elongate product.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuous extrusion of metals in which feed is introduced into a circumferential groove 26 (FIG. 3) in a rotating wheel 2 to contact arcuate tooling 22 and an abutment 24. The abutment 4 is spaced from the walls of the groove 26 so that in operation a lining of the feed material is produced. Indentations 52 assist in holding the lining in place. The extrusion is generally in a radial direction through an aperture 58. The extrusion orifices (not shown) may be of part annular cross-section of different area. The extrusion aperture may extend from outside the groove 26 to permit of increased orifice area.

Abstract: Apparatus for the continuous extrusion of metals in which feed is introduced into a pair of circumferential grooves in a rotating wheel to contact arcuate tooling and abutments. The feed is constrained by the abutments to flow through exit apertures in a die top from the respective grooves to a substantially toroidal chamber around a hollow, open ended, portal mandrel to extrude through an annular die orifice as a cladding for a continuous core. Cooling air may be supplied to the interior of the cladding, which is subsequently swaged down on to the core. A solid mandrel may be utilized where it is desired to extrude tube.

Abstract: A spooler arranged for leading wire to a rotating spool through a wire tension controller and winding it onto the spool while distributing it in alternating directions along the spool between flanges thereof has means for varying the length of the distribution in either direction, arranged to be so controlled by means responsive to changes in the length of the wire in the wire tension controller in a period adjacent the moment of change to the other distribution direction as at least to reduce wound wire profile deficits or excesses adjacent the spool flanges.

Abstract: A spooler arranged for leading wire to a rotating spool through a wire tension controller and winding it onto the spool while distributing it in alternating directions along the spool between flanges thereof has means for varying the length of the distribution in either direction, arranged to be so controlled by means responsive to changes in the length of the wire in the wire tension controller in a period adjacent the moment of change to the other distribution direction as at least to reduce wound wire profile deficits or excesses adjacent the spool flanges.