Abstract: A take-up unit for winding strand material comprising a strand-tensioning device having a compensator arm and a compensator wheel at a free end thereof for carrying a strand material to be wound and an air cylinder having means for receiving air under pressure is described. The air cylinder is interconnected with the compensator arm, thereby compensating for a change in tension of the strand material being wound. A plurality of strand-tensioning devices are interconnected with a common air supply, permitting the adjustment of the tension in the plurality of strand-tensioning devices by regulating the air feed from the common supply.

Abstract: A winding unit having intelligence built into the winder and automation of the winder are described. The winders automatically perform functions such as open the roller bail of the winder, release a package on a winding spindle, secure a new package tube on the spindle, and set the machine to a pre-set speed through activation of a single switch. The winders are utilized either manually or with automation which will interface with the winder, cut and aspirate a strand, remove a full package from a spindle on the winding unit, install a new package tube on the spindle, and then re-thread the spindle. Since the intelligence is divided between the winding unit and the robot, the robot can be relatively simple in construction.

Abstract: A method of forming blade members for use in a wire stripping device characterized by moulding a plurality of pairs of body portions on an elongated strip of thin blade material, cutting each pair of the body portions from the strip and then breaking the pairs of body portions along a common line thereof to define the individual blade members.

Abstract: A device for stripping insulation from the end of electrical wiring is disclosed and includes hand-held, elongated strip members that are pivotally movable to and from a wire stripping position, a tubular member extending between the grip members and guiding the wire to be stripped therethrough toward opposed blade members. The opposed blade members are removably secured in a block in which the grip members are also pivotally mounted, the blade members engaging the grip members so that upon pivotal movement of the grip members the blade members are moved in a corresponding lateral motion to sever the insulation of the wire that has been inserted into the tubular member and between the blade members. An adjustable stop and spring member engages the grip members for normally urging the grip members to an open position and further providing a stop for selective location of the wire to be stripped, thereby precisely determining the length of insulation to be stripped from the wire.