Abstract: A wire take-up apparatus for applying wire to a wire spool includes a tape applicator assembly for automatically applying a length of adhesive tape to the outer terminal end portion of the wire applied to a spool in order to prevent the wire from unraveling from the spool. The tape applicator assembly includes a vacuum roller assembly including a vacuum roller element which is operative for releasably retaining a portion of a length of tape on the outer surface thereof so that the adhesive surface of the tape faces outwardly. The vacuum roller assembly is movable to a position wherein the tape on the vacuum roller element thereof contacts the wire on a wire spool to apply the tape to the wire.

Abstract: A wire payoff apparatus includes first and second wire spools, having first and second rotatable payoff caps thereon, respectively, first and second enclosure drums around the spools, respectively, first and second drive mechanisms for rotating the payoff caps, respectively, and a brake assembly. The apparatus further includes first and second diameter sensors for sensing the wound diameters of the spools, respectively, first and second line sensors for sensing the payoff of line from the first and second spools, respectively, a line speed sensor and a control. During operation of the apparatus, wire is alternatively payed off from the first spool or the second spool by passing over the respective payoff cap thereof as the payoff cap is rotated and the wire is passed outwardly through the respective enclosure drum to the brake assembly.

Abstract: Ribbon cable extrusion crosshead comprising a die having interconnected extrusion passages and a guide block provided with wire guiding holes axially aligned with the passages. Top and bottom distribution channels are located, respectively, above and below the die and are connected to an inlet bore by top and bottom feed bores, respectively. Upper and lower flow channels intersect at the openings of the die passages and extend across the full width of the sheet of wires extending from the guide block to the die. Top and bottom flow compensating channels, connect the top and bottom flow channels, respectively, to the top and bottom distribution channels, respectively.

Abstract: A strand cutting mechanism having a pair of freely rotatable cutting discs mounted on a cutting head on opposite sides of a generally V-shaped guide notch, said cutting discs cooperating to cut strand guided into said guide notch before it reaches the apex of the guide notch.

Abstract: Apparatus for drying a continuous advancing strand which apparatus includes a trough with a plurality of spaced grooves extending from openings at the bottom of the trough upwardly along the inside surfaces of the trough. Subatmospheric pressure is created beneath the openings for creating an airflow along the grooves and beneath the strand for drying the surface of the strand. Additionally, a cover with apertures is applied to the trough above the strand.

Abstract: Winding apparatus for the continuous winding of an advancing strand, having two coaxially mounted, spaced and independently driven, removable reels and a traverse mechanism for delivering strand to the reels alternately. Each of these reels is mounted on an axle which is equipped with a machine reel and snagger means assembly which is a permanent part of the machine and each of them are mounted adjacent to the remote ends of said reels when said reels are in winding position so that the reels are disposed for rotation about a common axis between the machine reels and snagger means assembly. The traverse means is controlled so as to distribute the strand onto one of the reels until a predetermined length of strand is wound thereon. Further means is provided for rapidly moving the traverse means across the empty reel into a position for directing the strand onto the machine reel associated with the empty reel.