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 and apparatus for collecting and forming loose fill fiber material from an ail stream includes introducing a combined fiber and air stream onto a surface of a rotatable drum. The rotatable drum allows the air to flow through the surface of the drum while collecting the fiber material on the surface of the drum. The collected fiber material is then removed from the drum surface by a blow off header that is internal to the drum.

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: A method for fusing an optical fiber preform comprises fusing the preform while blowing an oxidative gas against the preform to be fused from upper and lower directions of a fusing burner unit. An apparatus for carrying out the method includes a plurality of nozzles for preventing deposition of silica cloud, which are each set at an angle, &thgr;, of blowing the oxidative gas relative to the preform being drawn such 20°≦&thgr;≦60°.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an apparatus for guiding continuous materials. In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises first and second conveyors, each comprising a continuous conveyor belt carried by a set of pulleys including a drive pulley and an idler pulley. The conveyor belts have opposing inner surfaces that are oriented to travel substantially parallel to one another to sandwich continuous materials therebetween. The ratio of the diameters of the idler pulleys to the drive pulleys is greater than about 8:1. In another embodiment of the invention, a chopper is provided. The chopper comprises a cutting roll and a cot member defining a nip region therebetween. The cutting roll has an axis of rotation that is aligned substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of a cot member. The small turning radii permit the conveyor belts to extend within the nip region.

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: The present invention provides an apparatus for forming fiber strands comprising a fiber forming device, a gathering shoe device and a winder device, the improvement comprising a gathering shoe device which includes at least one gathering shoe having an annular groove for receiving the fibers from the fiber forming device, the gathering shoe having a generally circular cross section at the annular groove and a diameter at the annular groove ranging from about 2.54 to about 6.35 mm. Another aspect of the present invention is a gathering shoe comprising a rod member having a longitudinal axis; and a groove extending circumferentially about the rod member, wherein the rod member has a diameter at the groove in the range of about 2.54 to about 6.35 mm.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing dried, chopped strands from a supply of continuous fiber strands by the direct deposition of wet, chopped strands ejected from a chopping assembly into a drying chamber is disclosed. A transition chute is interposed between the chopping assembly and the drying chamber to guide the chopped strands to pass directly into the drying chamber.

Abstract: This apparatus uses a programmable controller to control laser beam and standard fiber chopper units. The units usually are affixed to resin mix heads. The conventional choppers use steel blades that are randomly spaced, angled and sized. The PC also varies the speed of the standard chopper. The laser device operates in a manner that allows one to set the pulse rate for the specific purpose of varying the fiber length. During operation, the intensity of the laser may be adjusted to accommodate cutting or different sizes and kinds of fibers. The apparatus preferably produces fiber reinforced urethane substrates such as interior door panels for automobile doors.

Abstract: This apparatus uses laser beams in place of existing standard glass chopper units affixed to resin mix heads. Conventional glass choppers use steel blades that eventually wear out or break, adding to maintenance costs. The laser device operates in a manner that allows one to set the pulse rate for the specific purpose of varying the fiber length. During the injection operation, intensity of the laser may be adjusted to accommodate cutting or different sizes and kinds of fibers. The laser apparatus preferably produces long fiber reinforced urethane substrates such as interior door panels for automobile doors.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of using the apparatus to automate a labor intensive portion of the process of making continuous fiber products, like chopped glass fiber. In this process many fiberizers are used, each fiberizer forming as many as several thousand fibers. Fibers break frequently requiring the fiberizers to be restarted and this has always been a labor intensive part of the process. Apparatus for getting the fiberizers ready to restart quickly and for forming a fiber strand, apparatus for gripping the strand, breaking it and transporting it to strand pulling and processing equipment and apparatus for moving a newly started strand into a desired position on an optional strand separating and guiding means, and methods of using the apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the in-line production of composite strand material and the conversion of at least a portion of the strand material into a composite product. The apparatus (10) includes a combining station (48) where glass fibers (14) with a second polymeric material (66) are combined to form composite strand material (16), and at least one mold (54) for receiving a portion of the composite strand material and forming the portion into a composite product. The apparatus also includes transfer equipment for moving the composite strand material from the combining station to the mold, which may include a computer-controlled robotic arm (52). In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a collecting device (18) for accumulating the composite strand material (16) in looped form and equipment for delivering the accumulated portion from the collecting device to the mold (54).

Abstract: A method of cutting an optical fiber ribbon obliquely, the ribbon being constituted by a plurality of optical fibers that are all parallel to a "longitudinal" axis of the ribbon, the fibers all being situated in the same horizontal plane referred to as the plane of the ribbon, and being protected by a common sheath, the method comprising the following steps:a portion of the ribbon is stripped of its sheath;the ribbon is held stationary at two points situated on either side of the stripped portion;a curved anvil is advanced along a displacement axis orthogonal to the horizontal plane so as to tension the portion in such a manner as to incline a part of the stripped portion relative to the horizontal plane; anda cutter is advanced facing the anvil and along a displacement axis parallel or coinciding with that of the anvil to cut the stripped portion in the inclined part.