Abstract: A winding machine for winding wire includes a spindle on which a spool is mounted, and a reciprocating traverse for guiding an advancing wire onto the spool. The motion of the traverse is controlled by a programmable motion controller. A cam profile is stored in the controller's memory which defines the relationship between the traverse position and the angular position of the spindle. A periodic rotation signal is generated indicative of the angular position of the spindle. In response to each periodic rotation signal, the programmable controller determines the corresponding position of the traverse as set forth in the cam profile and produces a control signal which causes the traverse to move to the commanded position. Gear ratios between the spindle motor and traverse motor are supported.

Abstract: The present invention entails a mandrel for a winding machine having a fixed flange that is adapted to be secured to a spindle of the winding machine. A core is secured to one end of the fixed flange and includes a plurality of core segments that are pivotally connected at one end to this fixed flange and include a series of projections at the opposite end and wherein the core segments are movable between expanded and collapsed positions. The mandrel further includes a removable flange having a circumferential groove adapted to mate with the projections on the core segments when the core segments are in the expanded position. Finally, the mandrel includes a guide member mounted to the inner surface of the removable flange for engaging the core segments and moving the core segments to the expanded position when the removable flange is moved in an axial direction towards the fixed flange so that the projections on the core segments are aligned with the circumferential groove in the removable flange.

Abstract: A two-piece pay-out tube is secured through an outlet opening of a cable box such that cable being fed from the box can be threaded through the assembled pay-out tube. One piece of the pay-out tube includes an elongated tube having an inner flange. This tube is designed to be inserted into the opening within the cable box from inside the box such that the inner flange abuts against the inside wall of the cable box. A second piece, referred to as a locking collar, is designed to be snapped into engagement with the inner flange from outside of the box. In particular, the locking collar includes a plurality of locking tabs that project from the outside of the box, through the opening within the box, and into engagement with the inner flange resulting in a locking relationship between the inner flange and its associated elongated tube and the locking collar.