Abstract: A radially expandable endcap adapted for mounting upon a mandrel of a collet of a forming package winder. Other aspects of this invention include a collet and winder including the above endcap and method for winding strand using the same. Another aspect of the present invention is a collet having an expandable mandrel on at least a portion of a first end of the collet proximate an operator and distal to a second, opposite end of the collet mounted upon a support. Other aspects of this invention are a winder including the above collet and a method for using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing catenary during winding of a fiber bundle which includes a plurality of fiber strands into a wound package. The method includes: applying substantially equal tension to each of a plurality of fiber strands; gathering the strands to form a bundle; advancing the bundle at a predetermined speed and tension toward a winding device; measuring the tension of the bundle; adjusting the tension of the bundle by adjusting the speed at which the bundle is advanced, such that (1) the speed of advancement of the bundle is increased when the measured tension of the bundle exceeds a predetermined value and (2) the speed of advancement of the bundle is decreased when the measured tension of the bundle is less than a second predetermined value; and winding the bundle to form a wound package.

Abstract: A radially expandable endcap adapted for mounting upon a mandrel of a collet of a forming package winder. Other aspects of this invention include a collet and winder including the above endcap and method for winding strand using the same. Another aspect of the present invention is a collet having an expandable mandrel on at least a portion of a first end of the collet proximate an operator and distal to a second, opposite end of the collet mounted upon a support Other aspects of this invention are a winder including the above collet and a method for using the same.

Abstract: The process and apparatus of the present invention enable the production of glass fiber product from scrap glass fibers. The process includes: feeding the scrap glass fibers having an average length up to around 12 inches to a glass melting tank having a pool of molten fiberizable glass, melting the scrap glass fibers without the presence of non-vitrified glass forming materials in an oxidizing environment, conditioning the melt to a formable viscosity, and forming the glass fiber from the conditioned melt where for a given glass fiber product there is a near constant pull of the melted glass from the melter. The rate of feeding of the scrap glass to the melter is sufficient to maintain the pool of melted glass with a level within the range of .+-.0.35 inch (9 mm.) over a period of eight hours. The scrap glass fibers have a similar fiberizable inorganic composition to that of the desired glass fiber product and generally include fibers with organic-containing sizes and/or coatings.

Abstract: The subject matter of this invention relates to an improved method for controlling an industrial glass fiber-forming process. More particularly, it involves a method for controlling the thermal environment of several fiber glass bushing assemblies by the utilization of fin cooler assemblies in which a coolant is passed through the fins as part of a closed-loop pressurized system to remove heat radiated to the fins by the molten glass that emerges from the bushing. In the preferred embodiment, this liquid coolant is demineralized water operating at a pressure of somewhere between 18 and 100 psi.The use of a programmable logic controller to monitor various system parameters such a pressure, temperature and flow rate is also disclosed. The controller is programmed to take corrective action automatically upon the detection of certain triggering events in order to maintain a constant flow of coolant throughout the entire system.