Abstract: An assembly for chopping glass fibers including a cutter wheel having radially extending blades and a cot wheel adjacent the cutter wheel. The cot wheel may include an inner hub and an elastomeric ring mounted onto the inner hub for rotation therewith. The elastomeric ring may include an inner portion having a first hardness and an outer portion having a second hardness that is less than the first hardness. The outer portion being positioned to contact the cutter blades during operation of the system.

Abstract: A method enabling maintenance intervention on a chopping machine. In the method at least one strand is drawn through a first chopping assembly in operation, the first chopping assembly including a first chopping wheel and a first anvil wheel, the first chopping assembly being secured to a chassis mounted to move about an axle. The chassis is rotated about its axle until a second chopping assembly initially in a position of non-operation is brought into the vicinity of the strand, the second chopping assembly being secured to the chassis and including a second chopping wheel and a second anvil wheel. The second chopping assembly is set in operation and the strand is led in between the second chopping wheel and the second anvil wheel. The first chopping assembly is brought into the position of non-operation.

Abstract: An automatic restart procedure for a system for manufacturing chopped strands. At least one strand coming from a bushing is grabbed by a gripping device. The gripping device is moved right to a drawing device, the drawing device configured to bring the strand to a drawing speed compatible with a chopping operation carried out as the strand passes between an anvil wheel and a chopper wheel of a chopping machine. The path of the strand between the bushing and the drawing device is modified using a transfer device, the transfer device configured to pass the strand between the anvil wheel and the chopper wheel using an engagement device, or to be moved away from the chopper wheel and the anvil wheel.

Abstract: A system and method for winding at least one continuous strand of material (210) on a rotating support (212) to form a strand package or cake includes a rotatable traversing apparatus (216) for causing the at least one strand of material to reciprocate along a length of the rotating support (212) for even distribution in forming the package or cake. A plurality of strands can be wound simultaneously, the traversing apparatus having a form and operating orientation that generally maintains a parallel separation of the several strands while being wound on the support. The strand material may be, for example, glass, and a winding system may further include a source of glass strands, including a source of glass fibers (102) and a grouping mechanism (108, 208) for grouping respective pluralities of glass fibers into respective strands of glass fiber.

Abstract: Apparatus (10 ) configured for the unreeling of strands (34, 36) or ends having filaments are provided. The apparatus include at least one cake (12, 14) formed from at least one end having filaments and mounted for retention. The cake has a hollow central region (22, 28). At least one unreeling device (16, 18) is supported within the hollow central region of the at least one cake. The unreeling device has a head (50), at least one tube, an exit and a passage (38) there through. A take-up apparatus is positioned downstream from the unreeling device. The apparatus is characterized in that the head of the unreeling device has a truncated ogive cross-sectional shape and wherein the apparatus is configured to maintain tension on the strands or ends thereby substantially reducing breakage and substantially reducing the formation of loops, tangles or knots.

Abstract: A chopping machine chops strands of thermoplastic material coming from a single die into sections having a predetermined length. The machine has a substantially cylindrical chopping wheel provided on its periphery with a number of uniformly distributed blades oriented about an axis of rotation. An anvil wheel wrapped in a plastic material is located adjacent the chopping wheel. The anvil wheel has a device for routing strands between the wheels, thereby drawing out and chopping the strands into sections. The device has two or more pins that project laterally from a face of the anvil wheel. The pins may be movable with respect to the face. A restart process using the chopping machine is also provided.

Abstract: A system for making clipped thermoplastic yarns or filaments, such as chipped glass yarns, including at least a die co-operating with at least a cutting machine located in extension of each other. A mechanism sizes the yarns and/or filaments coming from the die. The system further includes at least one return mechanism and a floor. Further, a mechanism displaces and positions the cutting machine in at least two positions, the first position being beneath the floor and the second position being above the floor. A first opening is provided in the floor through which the cutting machine is moved.

Abstract: Chopping wheel (19), intended for chopping continuous strands into sections of predetermined length, which has a backup component consisting of a rotating drum equipped with blades (22) arranged perpendicular to its periphery and, between these blades (22), components that, under the effect of the centrifugal force, are supposed to ensure the compression of strands (11) against the surface of a backup drum, and then the chopping of the strands into sections (14), and the ejection of the chopped sections, the components ensuring the compression of the strands consisting of fins connected to deformable ring (26, 27a, 27b) arranged under the base of blades (22) and whose axis coincides with the axis of rotation of said chopping wheel (19), is characterized by the fact that on each side, deformable ring (26, 27a, 27b) has a parallel straight side extending from the base of deformable ring (26, 27a, 27b) to the base of the fins.

Abstract: A method for preparing glass strand pellets by stirring chopped glass strands in the presence of 10 to 25% of water, the strands being sized with a size containing an organosilane. The method performs stirring for long enough for an increase in density to be at least 67%, the stirring being performed using a single stirring equipment that at each instant imparts to the strands or forming pellets it contains the same stirring frequency, the pellets finally formed containing, after drying, at least 95 wt % glass. A film-forming agent is in contact with the glass strands during the stirring at the latest.

Abstract: A method enabling maintenance intervention on a chopping machine. In the method at least one strand is drawn through a first chopping assembly in operation, the first chopping assembly including a first chopping wheel and a first anvil wheel, the first chopping assembly being secured to a chassis mounted to move about an axle. The chassis is rotated about its axle until a second chopping assembly initially in a position of non-operation is brought into the vicinity of the strand, the second chopping assembly being secured to the chassis and including a second chopping wheel and a second anvil wheel. The second chopping assembly is set in operation and the strand is led in between the second chopping wheel and the second anvil wheel. The first chopping assembly is brought into the position of non-operation.

Abstract: An anvil wheel including a rim and an applied peripheral bandage. The rim includes at least two sides, which clamp the applied bandage and trap the applied bandage, each of the sides including on its lateral face at least one retention area configured to counteract expansion of the applied bandage.

Abstract: An automatic restart procedure for a system for manufacturing chopped strands. At least one strand coming from a bushing is grabbed by a gripping device. The gripping device is moved right to a drawing device, the drawing device configured to bring the strand to a drawing speed compatible with a chopping operation carried out as the strand passes between an anvil wheel and a chopper wheel of a chopping machine. The path of the strand between the bushing and the drawing device is modified using a transfer device, the transfer device configured to pass the strand between the anvil wheel and the chopper wheel using an engagement device, or to be moved away from the chopper wheel and the anvil wheel.

Abstract: A method for preparing glass strand pellets by stirring chopped glass strands in the presence of 10 to 25% of water, the strands being sized with a size containing an organosilane. The method performs stirring for long enough for an increase in density to be at least 67%, the stirring being performed using a single stirring equipment that at each instant imparts to the strands or forming pellets it contains the same stirring frequency, the pellets finally formed containing, after drying, at least 95 wt % glass. A film-forming agent is in contact with the glass strands during the stirring at the latest.

Abstract: An assembly and associated method for cutting strands formed by thermoplastic filaments. The assembly includes a blade-holder wheel and an anvil-wheel rotating in reverse directions about two parallel axes, and at least a mechanism for actuating the wheels and for contacting a strand with the anvil wheel. The assembly further includes a mechanism oscillating the support of the wheels, whereof the axis of the support is parallel to the axis of the wheels, and an associated actuator. A mechanism for contacting the wheels is designed in particular to pinch the strand and the associated actuator for passing the strand between the blade-holder wheel and the anvil-wheel when the wheels are not in contact.

Abstract: The invention concerns an assembly for cutting strands formed by thermoplastic filaments, and comprising a blade-holder wheel (1) and an anvil-wheel (2) rotating in reverse direction about two parallel axes (x1, x2), at least means for actuating (B) said wheels and means (6) for contacting a strand with the anvil wheel (2). The invention is characterised in that it further comprises: means oscillating (3) the support of said wheels (1, 2) whereof the axis (x3) is parallel to the axis of said wheels and associated actuating means (A); means (C) for contacting said wheels; means (10) designed in particular to pinch said strand and associated actuating means for passing the strand between the blade-holder wheel (1) and the anvil-wheel (2) when said wheels are not in contact. The invention further concerns the associated method.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for making clipped thermoplastic yarns, such as chipped glass yarns comprising at least a die (1) co-operating with at least a cutting machine (7) located in the extension of each other, means (3) for sizing the yarns (5) and/or filaments (2) coming from the die (1), at least one return means (4), a floor. The invention is characterised in that the system further comprises means (74) for displacing and positioning the cutting machine (7) in at least two positions: the first beneath said floor (9), the second above said floor (9), and a first opening (10) in the floor (9) through which the cutting machine (7) is moved.

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing chopped thermoplastic fibers made directly beneath bushings, especially chopped glass fibers, the thermoplastic fibers are chopped in a region in which an anvil wheel and a blade-holder wheel, rotating simultaneously, are in contact with each other. At least part of the peripheral surface of the rotating anvil wheel in contact with the blade-holder wheel is machined so as to compensate for its wear, while maintaining the anvil wheel in contact with the blade-holder wheel.

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing chopped thermoplastic fibers made directly beneath bushings, especially chopped glass fibers, the thermoplastic fibers are chopped in a region in which an anvil wheel and a blade-holder wheel, rotating simultaneously, are in contact with each other. At least part of the peripheral surface of the rotating anvil wheel in contact with the blade-holder wheel is machined so as to compensate for its wear, while maintaining the anvil wheel in contact with the blade-holder wheel.