Abstract: A level winding apparatus for coiling elongated material, such as wire or tube, into a compact coil. A non-contacting device located near a spooling arrangement for coiling consists of at least two parallel spaced-apart arm arrangements each located on either side of the material as it is wound onto a spool. Each arm arrangement is adjustable to accommodate the transverse dimension of the material and carries a photoelectric control unit having fiber optic carrying cables connected to transmitter and receiver means for creating a high intensity light field extending at least a length to accommodate a range of paths of travel the material takes from the feeding means to the spool starting from an empty spool to build-up of the coil. An undesirable approach angle of the material onto the spool is detected and a correction is made so that the formed coil contains a number of superimposed layers each with a number of evenly and closely abutting adjacent windings.

Abstract: An arrangement for and method of operation for threading strand-like material such as wire or tubing around a grooved type, rotatable block assembly wherein tension is needed to pull the material through a reduction die, includes a plate mounted on the same shaft as the block. This plate supports three devices used in a time sequence relationship in said threading operation for the drawing process: a gripper arm for grasping the pointed end and introducing it into the groove; a shear for severing the pointed end; and a deflector mechanism for guiding the material away from the block assembly. Clutch assemblies are selectively operated to place the plate into and out of engagement with the drawing block for the plate's rotation therewith and it's non-rotation.