Apparatus and method for winding a cable into a coil

Abstract

A device (1) for winding an electric cable (C) into a coil (B) is described, said device (1) comprising: a winding station (3) for said electric cable (C), said winding station comprising a bobbin (31) rotatable about an axis of rotation (Y) to wind said electric cable (C) into said coil (B) and a winding gripper (32) adapted to hold a first end portion (1a) of said electric cable (C) while winding; a strapping station (4) for said coil (B), said strapping station comprising a strapping device (41) and a support plane (42) for said coil (B); a moving device (5) for said coil (B) to move said coil (B) at least from said winding station (3) to said strapping station (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for winding a cable into a coil, and a machining system for a cable end portion, the machining system comprising at least one work station and an apparatus for winding a cable into a coil according to the present invention.

[0002] This invention is particularly applicable to the field of shielded power cables, and especially to the fields of coaxial cables, bipolar or tripolar power cables, shielded cables for transmitting frequency signals, and twisted-pair cables for the automotive industry. Background Technology

[0003] Devices for winding cables into coils and devices for bundling such coils are known in the art.

[0004] This device for winding and bundling wire coils can be used to wind cables whose ends have been pre-processed in a known type of machining system for processing cable end portions.

[0005] Typically, the processed cables can be, for example, coaxial cables, bipolar or tripolar power cables, shielded cables for transmitting frequency signals, or twisted-pair cables for the automotive industry.

[0006] Known types of machining systems have work stations that allow sequential machining of the ends of power cables, such as stripping and / or cutting the shielding braid or foil, removing the braid, flipping the braid, and crimping the strands of the braid.

[0007] The cables being processed may be very long (e.g., more than three meters), and therefore it is necessary to wind them into coils and bundle them after processing for packaging and shipping purposes.

[0008] Therefore, the winding and bundling devices known in the art are used to wind cables after they have been machined by a machining system for the cable end portions.

[0009] In the known art, difficulties related to cable management are known in machining systems for cable end portions when the cable length is very long.

[0010] The biggest problem is unwinding the cable during the final unloading process.

[0011] In known devices, the cable to be wound is fed into a cylindrical cavity or a rotating spool so that it is wound into successive adjacent turns along the inner circumferential surface of the winding element.

[0012] Typically, the winding drum is hollow and contains pins arranged circumferentially on a rotating support surface around which the cable is wound.

[0013] This device has drawbacks, such as the disordered and suboptimal arrangement of adjacent turns of the wound cable, which can lead to undesirable compression of the coils.

[0014] Furthermore, the cable is wound inside the drum, and access to the coil is only permitted when the drum is opened.

[0015] At the end of the winding operation, the spool is manually retrieved by the operator and placed onto a known type of binding unit so that it can be bound with one or more straps or wires.

[0016] Subsequently, the spool is typically stored and then transferred to a machine for processing the spool (typically for processing at least the end portions of the spool). Therefore, the spool should be retrieved from storage and oriented so that at least one end portion of the spool is arranged to allow it to be processed by the appropriate machine.

[0017] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages and provide a system for preparing cable end portions, which can also machine the end portions of very long cables in an orderly manner.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for the preparation of cable ends, which can optimize transportation, machining operations, and machining time.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide devices and methods that allow for optimized wire winding and bundling operations. Summary of the Invention

[0020] These and other objectives are achieved by means of the apparatus for preparing the ends of shielded power cables according to independent claim 1 and the method for preparing the ends of shielded power cables according to independent claim 11.

[0021] Further features / aspects of the invention are set forth in the corresponding dependent claims. It should be noted first that the description of the process and / or the claims herein can be applied to the device, and vice versa.

[0022] The apparatus according to the invention for winding cables into coils comprises:

[0023] - A winding station for winding the cable, the winding station including a spool rotatable about a rotation axis to wind the cable into the coil and a clamp adapted to receive and hold a first end of the cable during winding;

[0024] - A bundling station for the wire coil, the bundling station including a bundling device and a support plane for the wire coil;

[0025] - A moving device for the spool, the moving device being used to move the spool at least from the winding station to the bundling station.

[0026] Advantageously, the device according to the invention allows for the online winding of cables into coils and the bundling of the resulting coils on the same machine.

[0027] Furthermore, this equipment advantageously allows for the full automation of this operation as well as the automation of the transition from the winding station to the bundling station.

[0028] According to one aspect, the equipment includes a moving device for the cable, the moving device being used to move the end portion of the cable at least toward the winding station and / or to move the end portion of the cable wound into a coil at least toward the working station of the machining system for the end portion of the cable.

[0029] Advantageously, this moving device is therefore used both to convey the end portion of the cable to be wound toward the winding station and (once the winding process is completed) to move the end portion of the produced coil toward the working station of the machining system for the cable end.

[0030] Furthermore, this moving device allows for the automation of operations such as inserting the end portion of the cable to be wound into the winding station and / or inserting the end portion of the cable to be wound into a coil into the working station of the machining system for cable end portions.

[0031] According to one aspect, the winding spool has a hollow tubular shape.

[0032] It should be noted that the term "hollow tubular shape" refers to a hollow body that extends primarily in the longitudinal direction.

[0033] Preferably, the spool has a hollow body with a tubular shape having a generally circular cross-section, but embodiments in which the hollow body has a tubular shape having a polygonal or elliptical cross-section are not excluded.

[0034] According to another option, the clamp is positioned at the winding drum, preferably inside the winding drum.

[0035] According to one aspect, the winding station includes a winding plane that includes an opening allowing the winding bobbin to pass through. Preferably, the shape of the opening is complementary to the cross-section of the winding bobbin.

[0036] According to this aspect, the winding drum can be translated along the axis of rotation, so that the winding drum can move relative to the winding plane.

[0037] In particular, the winding drum can be translated relative to the winding plane along the axis of rotation in alternating directions, that is, the winding drum is translated along this axis of rotation by alternating and generally vertical movement (i.e., by alternating downward and upward movement), which is taken into account when using the machine.

[0038] In this way, the cable can be advantageously arranged into several loops in an orderly manner.

[0039] This operation is preferably performed by moving the bobbin vertically along the axis of rotation in a first direction (e.g., to wind three adjacent turns without overlap), and then reversing the direction of movement of the bobbin along the axis of rotation to wind three additional adjacent turns that overlap with the first three adjacent turns.

[0040] According to one aspect, a moving device for moving the spool at least from the winding station to the bundling station includes a clamp adapted to engage and retrieve the spool from the winding station.

[0041] Advantageously, the presence of such a moving device for the wire spool allows for the automation of the transfer of the wire spool from the winding station to the bundling station.

[0042] According to one aspect, the spool has at least one opening on its side surface, the shape of which is preferably complementary to the cross-section of the clamp, the at least one opening allowing the clamp to pass through to retrieve and engage the spool.

[0043] According to this aspect, the gripper used to move the spool can move at least along two axes that are orthogonal to each other and perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0044] According to one aspect, the support plane of the binding station can be translated at least along an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0045] Advantageously, the translation of the support plane of the bundling station (on which the coil rests) can be performed at the end of the bundling operation and after the operation of inserting the end portion of the cable to be wound into the corresponding clamp in the working station of the machining system for the cable end portion. By translating the support plane away from the working station of the machining system for the cable end portion, the coil is placed on the system for transporting this system.

[0046] Therefore, similar equipment advantageously allows for the automation of operations used in machining systems that transport wire spools from the bundling station to the cable end portions.

[0047] The present invention further relates to a method for winding a cable into a coil using an apparatus according to the invention, the method comprising the following steps:

[0048] a) Insert the first end of the cable into the winding clamp at the winding station;

[0049] b) The cable is wound around the winding drum by rotating the winding drum about the axis of rotation;

[0050] c) The spool is moved from the winding station to the bundling station by driving the moving device;

[0051] d) The coil is secured with at least one strap or loop by driving the binding device.

[0052] According to one aspect, step a) is performed by means of at least one moving device for the cable, the at least one moving device moving the first end of the cable toward the winding station.

[0053] According to one aspect, step b) includes translating the winding bobbin relative to the winding plane along the axis of rotation in alternating directions.

[0054] According to one aspect, step c) includes the following steps:

[0055] c') Move the clamp of the moving device of the spool toward the winding station along a first translation axis orthogonal to the rotation axis of the spool;

[0056] c'') The coil is engaged at the winding spool by means of the clamp;

[0057] c''') The coil is displaced from the winding station to the bundling station by moving the clamp along a second translation axis orthogonal to the first translation axis and the rotation axis of the coil.

[0058] According to one aspect, the device includes a moving device for the cable end portion as described above, and after completing step b) of winding the cable into a coil, the method includes: inserting the first end of the cable wound into a coil into a working station of a machining system for the cable end portion; and inserting the second end of the cable wound into a coil into the working station of the machining system for the cable end portion.

[0059] Advantageously, the equipment for winding cables into coils can therefore be used as a stand-alone unit or can be integrated into a machine or machining system for cable end portions, which includes at least one work station.

[0060] Advantageously, it should be noted that the operation of moving the wire reel from the bundling machine to the machining system for the cable end portion is also automated by using a moving device for moving the cable end portion.

[0061] According to one aspect, after the bundling step d), the method includes translating the support plane of the bundling station away from the working station of the machining system for the cable end portion along an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation, wherein the cable reel is placed on the support plane.

[0062] The present invention further relates to a machining system for cable end portions, the machining system comprising at least one work station and at least one device according to the invention for winding the cable into a coil.

[0063] Specifically, according to a preferred aspect, the moving device for moving one end portion of the cable to the equipment is configured to constrain at least the end portion of the cable to a working position after the cable has been at least wound into a coil, such that the coil end portion is constrained to the working position, while at least a portion of the remaining portion of the coiled cable remains arranged at the cable winding equipment, i.e., typically constrained to the equipment. Typically, the end portion is constrained to the working position, and all the remaining portion of the cable, except for the portion that connects the end portion to the coil body, is arranged at the cable winding equipment. Thus, these connecting portions are arranged between the cable winding equipment and the working position, and typically they are not wound. Therefore, the portion of the cable wound into a coil is substantially entirely arranged at the cable winding equipment.

[0064] It should be noted that the term "constrained to" includes, for example, general leaning constraints to supports.

[0065] Therefore, the cable end portion is moved to the working station, while the body of the reel remains positioned at the equipment for winding the cable, typically after winding but before bundling (in which case the body of the reel moves from the winding spool to the bundling station, while the cable end portion is already constrained at the working station), but this does not preclude the cable end portion from being moved after bundling. In other words, when the rest of the cable, excluding the connecting portion (i.e., the body of the reel), is positioned at the winding station of the equipment for winding the cable or at the bundling station, preferably at the winding station, the cable end portion is constrained at the working station.

[0066] This allows for the avoidance of storing the cable in coils, enabling the cable to be processed directly after it has been wound and bundled by the equipment used for cable winding.

[0067] Therefore, after the cable has been wound in the winding station and the end portion of the cable has been moved to the working station and the cable has been bundled in the bundling station, the operating method of the system of the present invention includes the step of processing the end portion of the cable in the working station. Attached Figure Description

[0068] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following description, which is by way of example and with purely illustrative and non-limiting reference to the schematic diagrams depicted in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0069] - Figure 1 A perspective view of an apparatus for winding a cable into a coil according to a possible embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0070] - Figure 2A and Figure 2B A machining system for cable end portions according to a possible embodiment of the present invention is shown, the machining system including equipment for winding the cable into a coil;

[0071] - Figure 3 A clamp according to a possible embodiment of the invention is shown for clamping a cable moving toward a workstation of a machining system for a cable end portion;

[0072] - Figure 4 An embodiment of the winding station of the device according to the present invention is shown;

[0073] - Figure 5A and Figure 5B Another embodiment of the winding station of the device according to the invention is shown;

[0074] - Figure 6A and Figure 6B The movement of the cable end portion wound into a coil toward the work station of the machining system for the cable end portion is shown;

[0075] - Figure 7A and Figure 7B The steps of clamping a wire spool located in a winding station by a clamp of a moving system for moving the spool are shown in a possible embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0076] - Figure 8 A possible embodiment of a machining system for cable end portions is shown;

[0077] - Figure 9 Another possible embodiment of a machining system for cable end portions is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0078] refer to Figure 1The device 1 is described for winding cable C into coil B.

[0079] The device 1 according to the invention includes a winding station 3 for a cable C, the winding station including a winding drum 31 rotatable about a rotation axis Y to wind the cable C into a coil B, and a winding clamp 32 adapted to accommodate and hold a first end 1a of the cable C during winding.

[0080] exist Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figures 5A to 5B In the possible embodiment shown, the device 1 includes a moving device 2 for the cable C, which is used to move at least one first end 1a, 1b of the cable C at least toward the winding station 3.

[0081] In particular, Figure 3 and Figure 4 In one embodiment, the moving device 2 for the cable C includes a cable clamp 21 that moves at least the first ends 1a, 1b of the cable C toward a winding clamp 32 placed on the winding drum 31.

[0082] However, embodiments in which the operator manually inserts the first end of the cable into the winding clamp 32 are not excluded.

[0083] The mobile device 2 can be an automated device (e.g., a robot) that enables the cable gripper 21 to move in space along three axes.

[0084] Preferably, the moving device 2 is programmed to insert the first end portion 1a of the cable C into the winding clamp 32, such that the winding clamp 32 holds the cable at a predetermined length L from the end of the cable C.

[0085] In other words, the moving device 2 is programmed to insert the cable C into the winding clamp 32, such that the first end portion 1a has a given length L.

[0086] In a preferred embodiment, the winding clamp 32 is positioned at the winding drum 31, preferably inside the winding drum 31, such as... Figure 4 As shown in the embodiments.

[0087] It should be noted that, according to this embodiment in which the winding clamp 32 is placed inside the winding drum 31, the winding drum 31 can be rotated about the rotation axis Y by means of a specific motor.

[0088] It should be noted that the motor of the winding drum 31 can be programmed to rotate at a predetermined angular velocity in order to wind the cable C in a uniform and controlled manner.

[0089] Alternatively, in Figure 5A and Figure 5BIn another embodiment shown, the winding clamp 32 is integrated with the moving device 2 for moving the cable C, and is brought to the winding drum 31 by the moving device 2.

[0090] It should be noted that, in this embodiment where the winding clamp 32 is integrated with the moving device 2 for moving the cable C, the winding drum 31 is idle and rotates about the axis Y by the rotating pivot 22 (servo motor) of the moving device 2 connected to the winding clamp 32.

[0091] In other words, reference Figure 5B The winding clamp 32 is brought into contact with the idling spool 31, and the rotating pivot 22 is driven by a corresponding servo motor to rotate the idling spool 31.

[0092] In this embodiment, the moving device 2 is preferably programmed to insert the first end portion 1a of the cable C into the winding clamp 32, such that the winding clamp 32 holds the cable at a predetermined length L from the end of the cable C.

[0093] In other words, the moving device 2 is programmed to insert the cable C into the winding clamp 32, such that the first end portion 1a has a given length L.

[0094] exist Figures 4 to 5B In the possible embodiment shown for illustrative purposes, the winding spool 31 has a hollow tubular shape.

[0095] In particular, the winding drum 31 preferably has a hollow cylindrical shape, but embodiments in which the winding drum 31 has a polygonal or elliptical cross-section are not excluded.

[0096] It should be noted that the cable C is wound around the outer surface of the spool 31 to form a coil B, while one of the end portions of the cable remains constrained to the winding clamp 32.

[0097] refer to Figures 4 to 7B It should be noted that the winding spool 31 has at least one guide 36, 37, which facilitates the insertion of the first end portion 1a of the cable C into the winding holder 32, so that the cable C can be wound around the outer surface of the winding spool 31.

[0098] In an embodiment, the winding station 3 includes a winding plane 33, which includes an opening 34 that allows the winding drum 31 to pass through. The shape of the opening is preferably substantially complementary to the cross-section of the winding drum 31.

[0099] In fact, the winding drum 31 is preferably translatable along the rotation axis Y, so that the winding drum 31 can move relative to the winding plane 33.

[0100] In particular, in a preferred embodiment, the winding drum 31 can be translated relative to the winding plane 33 along the rotation axis Y in alternating directions; that is, the winding drum 31 is translated along this rotation axis Y by reciprocating vertical movements downward and upward, such as... Figure 4 and Figure 5B The arrows in the text are shown for illustrative purposes.

[0101] In this way, the cable is advantageously arranged into several turns in an orderly manner. This operation preferably occurs by moving the winding drum 31 vertically along the axis Y in a first direction (e.g., to wind three adjacent turns without overlap), and then reversing the movement direction of the winding drum 31 along the axis Y to wind three additional adjacent turns that overlap with the first three adjacent turns.

[0102] The device 1 according to the invention includes a bundling station 4 for a coil B, the bundling station including a bundling device 41 and a support plane 42 for the coil B.

[0103] refer to Figure 7A The binding device 41 preferably includes a wire binding machine of a type known in the art.

[0104] As will be better explained below with reference to the method according to the invention, the wire spool B is positioned at the binding position on the support plane 42 of the binding station 4 and pushes against the wire of the binding machine 41, which is operated to start the binding cycle.

[0105] The ends of the wire are knotted together and cut below the support plane 42. The ends of the wire are locked and ready for a new cycle.

[0106] The device 1 according to the invention further includes a moving device 5 for moving the spool B, the moving device being used to move the spool B at least from the winding station 3 to the bundling station 4.

[0107] exist Figure 7A and Figure 7B In the preferred embodiment shown for illustrative purposes, the moving device 5 for moving the coil B includes a clamp 51 adapted to engage and retrieve the coil B from the winding station 3.

[0108] Specifically, refer to Figures 7A to 7B The winding spool 31 has at least one opening 35 on its side surface, the shape of which is preferably complementary to the cross-section of the clamp 51, and the opening allows the clamp 51 to pass through to receive and engage the winding spool B.

[0109] Specifically, the gripper 51 is movable at least along two translation axes X and Z that are orthogonal to each other and perpendicular to the rotation axis Y. In other words, the gripper 51 is preferably mounted on a motorized linear guide 52 that allows the gripper to move in a plane, preferably on two orthogonal translation axes X and Z located in the same plane perpendicular to the rotation axis Y.

[0110] As will be better explained below with reference to the method according to the invention, after the cable C is wound into a coil B, a moving device 5 for moving the coil B is driven, and a clamp 51 moves along at least one first translation axis X toward the winding station 3 to engage and retrieve the coil B.

[0111] like Figure 7B As shown for illustrative purposes, the clamp 51 is inserted through one of the openings 35 formed on the body of the winding spool 31 to engage and retrieve the spool B.

[0112] Then, the tearer 51 moves from the winding station 3 to the bundling station 4 along at least one second translation axis Z, where it releases the spool B onto the support plane 42 for bundling as described above.

[0113] The device 1 preferably includes a control logic unit 100, which is electrically connected at least to the moving device 2 for the cable C, to the winding station 3, to the bundling station 4 and to the moving device 5, and is programmed to drive and control the corresponding elements.

[0114] Specifically, the control logic unit is programmed to drive the moving device 2 for cable C so that the end portions 1a, 1b of cable C move at least toward the winding station 3.

[0115] Furthermore, the control logic unit 100 is programmed to drive the moving device 2 to insert the first end portion 1a of the cable C into the winding clamp 32, such that the winding clamp 32 holds the cable at a predetermined length L from the end of the cable C.

[0116] In other words, the control logic unit 100 is programmed to drive the moving device 2 to insert the cable C into the winding clamp 32, such that the first end portion 1a has a given length L.

[0117] In addition, the logic unit 100 is programmed to rotate the winding drum 31 about the rotation axis Y and drive the winding drum 31 to reciprocate and translate along the axis Y.

[0118] In addition, the control logic unit is programmed to operate the clamp 51 of the strapping device 41 and the moving device 5.

[0119] It should be noted that the device 1 for winding cable C into coil B according to the present invention can be used as a stand-alone unit or can be integrated into a machine or machining system 10 for cable end portions, the machine or machining system including at least one work station WS.

[0120] refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 Two embodiments of a machining system 10 for cable end portions according to the present invention are shown, the machining system including at least one work station WS and a device 1 for winding cable C into a coil B.

[0121] After the cable C is wound into a coil B, the moving device 2 for the cable C is adapted to move the end portions 1a, 1b of the cable C toward the working station WS of the machining system 10 for the cable end portions.

[0122] It should be noted that the end portions 1a and 1b of the cable C are brought to the corresponding work station WS with a length L suitable for machining, because, as described above, the moving device 2 is programmed to insert the cable C into the winding clamp 32 such that the first end portion 1a has a given length L.

[0123] Specifically, the moving device 2 inserts the end portions 1a, 1b of the cable C (which is wound into a coil B) into the corresponding restraint system (e.g., a clamp) of the corresponding work station WS of the machining system 10 so as to allow machining of such cable ends.

[0124] Reference shows system 10 Figure 8 The system includes a device 1 for winding a cable C into a coil B, wherein a winding clamp 32 adapted to hold the end of the cable C during winding is positioned inside a winding drum 31, and a moving device 2 includes a cable clamp 21 adapted to retrieve the end portion of the cable C from the winding clamp 32 to insert it into the working station WS of the machining system 10.

[0125] Reference shows system 10 Figure 9 The system includes a device 1 for winding a cable C into a coil B, wherein a winding clamp 32 adapted to hold the end portion of the cable C during winding is integrated into a moving device 2 for the cable C. The same winding clamp 32 is used both to hold the end portion of the cable C during winding and to move such end portion and insert it into the working station WS of the machining system 10 at the end of winding.

[0126] In this embodiment, the support plane 42 of the bundling station 4 can be translated at least along the axis X1 perpendicular to the rotation axis Y, such that once the bundling operation is completed and the end portion of the cable C wound into a coil B is inserted into the working station WS of the machining system 10, the support plane 42 can move backward, and the coil B is located on the conveyor of the machining system 10 (e.g., Figure 8 and Figure 9 (As can be seen in the image), but the coil is still held by the clamp of the corresponding work station WS.

[0127] Referring to the accompanying drawings, a method for winding a cable C into a coil B using the apparatus according to the invention will be described below.

[0128] The method includes a first step a): inserting the first ends 1a and 1b of the cable C into the winding clamp 32 placed at the winding station 3.

[0129] As described above, the operation of inserting the first ends 1a, 1b of the cable C into the winding clamp 32 is preferably carried out by means of at least one moving device 2 for the cable C, which moves the first ends 1a, 1b of the cable C toward the winding clamp 32 of the winding station 3 by means of the cable clamp 21.

[0130] The method according to the invention further includes step b): winding the cable C around the winding drum 31 by rotating the winding drum 31 about the rotation axis Y.

[0131] Preferably, the winding drum 31 is driven and controlled rotatably about the rotation axis Y by means of a control logic unit 100, which adjusts, for example, the rotational speed and / or time of the winding drum 31.

[0132] In a preferred embodiment, the winding step b) includes translating the winding spool 31 relative to the winding or winding plane 34 along the rotation axis Y in alternating directions.

[0133] Specifically, the rotation of the winding drum 31 about the rotation axis Y and the reciprocating translational movement along the rotation axis Y occur simultaneously: during the rotation of the winding drum 31, the winding drum 31 can be translated relative to the winding plane 34 along the rotation axis Y in alternating directions, that is, the winding drum 31 is translated along this rotation axis Y by reciprocating vertical movement downward and upward, as shown by the arrows in the attached figure for illustrative purposes.

[0134] In this way, the cables are arranged in several rows in an orderly manner. Preferably, this operation is carried out by continuing to rotate the winding drum 31 to wind three adjacent turns without overlapping, and then reversing the movement direction of the winding drum 31 along the axis Y to wind three additional adjacent turns that overlap with the first three adjacent turns.

[0135] The method according to the invention further includes step c): (after completing the winding step b) the wire roll B is moved from the winding station 3 to the bundling station 4 by driving the moving device 5.

[0136] In a preferred embodiment, this step c is operated by driving and controlling the moving device 5 by means of the logic unit 100.

[0137] It should be noted that step c) of shifting the coil B includes the first step c'): moving the clamp 51 of the moving device 5 toward the winding spool 31 along the first translation axis X orthogonal to the rotation axis Y.

[0138] Then, step c) provides the second step c''): using the clamp 51 to engage and retrieve the wire spool B at the winding spool 31, followed by the third step c'''): moving the wire spool B from the winding station 3 to the bundling station 4 by moving the clamp 51 along the second axis Z, which is orthogonal to the first axis X and the rotation axis Y.

[0139] Specifically, after the cable C has been wound into a coil B, the moving device 5 for moving the coil B is preferably driven by means of the control logic unit 100, and the clamp 51 moves at least along the first translation axis X toward the winding station 3 to engage and retrieve the coil B.

[0140] like Figure 7B As shown for illustrative purposes, the clamp 51 is inserted through one of the openings 35 formed on the body of the winding spool 31 to engage and retrieve the spool B.

[0141] Then, the clamp 51 moves from the winding station 3 to the bundling station 4 along at least one second translation axis Z, where it releases the coil B onto the support plane 42.

[0142] The method according to the invention further includes an additional step d): binding the coil B with at least one strap or loop by driving the binding device 41.

[0143] The wire spool is positioned at the binding position on the support plane 42 of the binding station 4 and is pushed against the metal wire of the binding machine 41, which is driven to start the binding cycle.

[0144] The ends of the wire are knotted together and cut below the support plane 42. The ends of the wire are locked and ready for a new cycle.

[0145] As described above, the device 1 for winding cable C into coil B can be used as a stand-alone unit or can be integrated into a machine or machining system 10 for cable end portions, the machine or machining system including at least one work station WS.

[0146] When device 1 is integrated into a machine or machining system 10 for cable end portions, the method may include the following steps after winding step b): taking the first end 1a of cable C from the winding clamp 32 of the winding station 3 and inserting such first end 1a into the working station WS of the machining system 10 for cable end portions; and taking the second end 1b of cable and inserting the second end 1b into the working station WS of the machining system 10 for cable end portions.

[0147] Therefore, the end portion of the cable is moved to the constraint system of the working station WS, while the remaining portion (body) of the coil (i.e., the cable wound into a coil) remains positioned at the device 1.

[0148] Furthermore, in a possible embodiment, after step d) of bundling the wire coil B, the method includes translating the support plane 42 of the bundling station 4 (on which the wire coil B is placed) away from the working station WS of the machining system 10 for the cable end portion along a translation axis X1 perpendicular to the rotation axis Y.

[0149] Therefore, the body of the coil can typically disengage from the device 1 by free fall, so that the coil remains constrained only to the working position WS via its end portions 1a, 1b.

[0150] Therefore, the method includes a process step and a subsequent step in which the end portion of the cable is constrained at the working station WS, while the remaining portion of the cable, arranged in a coil, is placed at the equipment 1, typically at a bundling station, or more preferably at a winding station, and in the subsequent step, the cable is constrained only at the working station WS.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for winding a cable (C) into a coil (B), the apparatus (1) comprising: - A winding station (3) for the cable (C), the winding station including a winding spool (31) capable of rotating about a rotation axis (Y) to wind the cable (C) into the coil (B) and a winding clamp (32) adapted to hold the first end (1a) of the cable (C) during winding. - A bundling station (4) for the coil (B), the bundling station including a bundling device (41) and a support plane (42) for the coil (B). - A moving device (5) for the coil (B), the moving device being used to move the coil (B) at least from the winding station (3) to the bundling station (4).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, comprising a moving device (2) for the cable (C), the moving device being used to move the end portions (1a, 1b) of the cable (C) at least toward the winding station (3) and / or to move at least one end portion (1a, 1b) of the cable (C) wound into a coil (B) at least toward a work station (WS) of a machining system (10) for the end portions of the cable.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein, The moving device (2) includes a cable holder (21) that moves at least one end portion (1a) of a cable (C) toward a winding holder (32) arranged at a winding spool (31). The cable holder (21) is also configured to retrieve the end portion of the cable (C) from the winding holder (32) to insert it into the work station (WS) of the machining system (10).

4. The device (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein, The winding spool (31) has a hollow tubular shape.

5. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The winding clamp (32) is positioned at the winding drum (31), preferably inside the winding drum (31).

6. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The winding station (3) includes a winding plane (33) which includes an opening (34) that allows the winding bobbin (31) to pass through. The shape of the opening (34) is preferably substantially complementary to the cross-section of the winding bobbin (31).

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein, The winding drum (31) is capable of translating along the axis of rotation (Y), so that the winding drum (31) can move relative to the winding plane (33).

8. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The moving device (5) for moving the spool (B) at least from the winding station (3) to the bundling station (4) includes a clamp (51) adapted to engage and retrieve the spool (B) from the winding station (3).

9. The device (1) according to claim 8, wherein, The winding spool (31) has at least one opening (35) on its side surface, the at least one opening allowing the clamp (51) to pass through to retrieve and engage the spool (B), the shape of the opening (35) preferably being substantially complementary to the cross-section of the clamp (51).

10. The device (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, The gripper (51) is capable of moving at least along two translation axes (X, Z) that are orthogonal to each other and perpendicular to the rotation axis (Y).

11. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The support plane (42) of the binding station (4) is capable of translation at least along the axis (X1) perpendicular to the rotation axis (Y).

12. A method for winding a cable (C) into a coil (B) using the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the method comprising the steps of: a) Insert the first end (1a, 1b) of the cable (C) into the winding clamp (32) at the winding station (3); b) The cable (C) is wound around the winding drum (31) by rotating the winding drum (31) about the axis of rotation (Y); c) The spool (B) is moved from the winding station (3) to the bundling station (4) by driving the moving device (5); d) By driving the binding device (41), the coil (B) is bound with at least one fastener, for example by means of at least one strap or loop.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, Step a) is operated by means of at least one moving device (2) for the cable (C), the at least one moving device moving the first end (1a, 1b) of the cable (C) toward the winding station (3).

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, Step b) includes translating the winding spool (31) relative to the winding plane (34) along the axis of rotation (Y) in alternating directions.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein, Step c) includes the following steps: c') Move the clamp (51) of the moving device (5) of the spool (B) toward the winding station (3) along a first translation axis (X) orthogonal to the rotation axis (Y) of the spool (31). c'') The coil (B) is engaged at the winding spool (31) by means of the clamp (51). c''') The wire roll (B) is moved from the winding station (3) to the bundling station (4) by moving the clamp (51) along a second translation axis (Z) orthogonal to the first translation axis (X) and the rotation axis (Y) of the wire roll (31).

16. A machining system (10) for cable end portions, comprising at least one work station (WS) and at least one device for winding a cable (C) into a coil (B) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

17. A method for winding a cable (C) into a coil (B) using the system according to claim 16, the method comprising the steps of: a) Insert the first end (1a, 1b) of the cable (C) into the winding clamp (32) at the winding station (3); b) The cable (C) is wound around the winding drum (31) by rotating the winding drum (31) about the axis of rotation (Y); c) Move the spool (B) from the winding station (3) to the bundling station (4) by driving the moving device (5); d) By driving the binding device (41), the coil (B) is bound with at least one fastener, for example by means of at least one strap or loop. After completing step b) of winding the cable (C), the method includes the following steps: inserting the first end (1a) of the cable wound into a coil (B) into a working station (WS) of a machining system (10) for the cable end portion; and inserting the second end (1b) of the cable wound into a coil (B) into the working station (WS) of the machining system (10) for the cable end portion.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, During the insertion step, the end portions (1a, 1b) are constrained by the restraint system of the work station (WS), while at least a portion of the remaining portion of the cable wound into a coil remains arranged at the device (1) for winding the cable.

19. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 18, wherein after step d), the method comprises: The support plane (42) of the bundling station (4) is translated away from the working station (WS) of the machining system (10) for the cable end portion along an axis (X1) perpendicular to the rotation axis (Y), wherein the wire coil (B) is placed on the support plane.

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