Abstract: At each winding station of a winding machine a ball of stranded material, for example yarn, is lifted from a winding mandrel to a position above a conveyor which has cups for receiving the balls. Pointed ends of curved take-off members engage horizontally into each ball from each side, and when the ball is released it pivots downwardly into a conveyor cup about those pointed ends thereby ensuring alignment of the balls on the conveyor.
Abstract: A cutting device at each winding station of a ball winding machine comprises two thread clamps located between the winding mandrel and the winding flyer at that station, which clamps are spaced apart and clamp the yarn and then carry the clamped yarn to a cutting element which severs the yarn between the clamps.