Abstract: A system and method for tracking the remaining length of a material wound on a reel is disclosed. In the system, two sensors deployed relative to the reel (and each other) produce a detection signals when a detection element mounted on the reel is near the respective sensor in an order indicative of forward or reverse reel rotation. The system further includes a processor operably receiving the detection signals to count a total number of forward rotations of the reel, which count is saved in memory. A battery powers the processor, memory, and sensors. The system further includes a transceiver that removably and operably couples between the memory and a calculator that calculates the remaining length of the material wound on the reel based on the total number of forward rotations of the reel. The system may also record the time and location associated with the rotations.

Abstract: Machine for winding tubes (1) in spool form, comprising a structure (10) carrying a rotating reel (11), a device for feeding a tube (1) to the reel (11) in a longitudinal direction (X-X), a blade (12) for cutting the tube (1), movable in both senses along a transverse direction (Y-Y), a unit (20) for measuring the length of the tube (1), a device (22) for marking the tube (1) when a predefined length of the tube to be wound is reached, said device being arranged upstream of the machine, and a device (30) for detecting a marking (1b) applied to the tube (1), which device is arranged upstream of the cutting blade (12) at a predetermined distance (D) from said blade in the longitudinal direction (X-X).

Abstract: Machine for winding tubes (1) in spool form, comprising a structure (10) carrying a rotating reel (11), a device for feeding a tube (1) to the reel (11) in a longitudinal direction (X-X), a blade (12) for cutting the tube (1), movable in both senses along a transverse direction (Y-Y), a unit (20) for measuring the length of the tube (1), a device (22) for marking the tube (1) when a predefined length of the tube to be wound is reached, said device being arranged upstream of the machine, and a device (30) for detecting a marking (1b) applied to the tube (1), which device is arranged upstream of the cutting blade (12) at a predetermined distance (D) from said blade in the longitudinal direction (X-X).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed to prepare strand segments of predetermined length for use in a molded concrete product at an assembly facility. The strand segments are loaded into a strand reel (10) having multiple slots. The strand reel is then transported to the mold site. At the mold site, the strand segments can be simultaneously pulled out from the strand reel for placement in the mold.