Apparatus and process for winding a cable into a coil

Abstract

Process for winding a cable (4) into a coil (4a) by means of an apparatus (1) which comprises a stator which has a movement surface (2a) and at least one mover (3) configured to move along said movement surface (2a: 2b), depending on the variation of said magnetic field, wherein a spool (3b) for winding a cable (4) is coupled to said at least one mover (3), which is rotated to form a coil (4a) of said cable (4) on said winding spool (3b).

Description

[0001] APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR WINDING A CABLE INTO A COIL

[0002] * * *

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for winding cables to make coils, and a machining system to machine end portions of cables, comprising at least one working station and one apparatus for winding cables to make coils according to the invention.

[0005]

[0002] The present invention is mainly used in the field of shielded electric cables and, in particular, in the field of coaxial cables, bipolar or tripolar power supply cables, shielded cables to transmit frequency signals, twisted cables for the automotive sector.

[0006] KNOWN PRIOR ART

[0007]

[0003] Cable winding devices for making coils, and devices for tying such coils, are known in the art.

[0008]

[0004] Such coil winding and tying devices can be used to wind a cable, the ends of which must be machined or have been previously machined, i.e. processed, in a system of known type for machining end portions of cables.

[0009]

[0005] Typically, treated cables can be, for example, coaxial cables, bipolar or tripolar power supply cables, shielded cables to transmit frequency signals, twisted cables for the automotive sector.

[0010]

[0006] In known machining systems there are machining stations which allow the end portions of the electric cables to be machined in sequence, such as for example by opening and / or cutting the shielding braid or foil, removing the braid, turning over the braid, flattening the braid strands etc.

[0011]

[0007] The treated cables may be very long, such as more than three meters, and it is therefore necessary to wind them into coils and tie these coils after treatment, for the purpose of machining, i.e., packaging and transportation. Typically, the length of the coil to be wound is in the range of 2 to 10 meters. The typical diameter of the coil may be in the range of 1mm to 5 mm.

[0012]

[0008] Therefore, the winding and tying devices known in the art are used to wind cables before and / or after said cables have been machined by machining systems for end portions of cables.

[0013]

[0009] It is well known that, in systems for machining cable ends of known art, it is difficult to handle the cable and the coil when the coil is very long.

[0014]

[0010] In known devices, the cable being wound is fed into a drum-shaped cavity or rotating spool, to wind the cable in successive adjacent turns along the inner circumferential surface of the winding.

[0015] [Oil] Typically, the winding drum is hollow and it accommodates pins arranged circumferentially therein on a rotating support surface, around which the cable being wound is wound.

[0016]

[0012] Such devices have drawbacks, such as a non-orderly and non-optimal arrangement of adjacent turns of the cable being wound, which can result in the unwanted compression of the coil turns. In particular, known devices have excessively long coil winding times; therefore, coiling may be the step that slows down a machining process of electric cables the most. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the coiling time.

[0017]

[0013] In addition, winding the cable inside the drum does not allow the coil to be accessed until the drum is opened.

[0018]

[0014] At the end of the winding operation, the coil is manually picked up by an operator or a programmable robot-type device, and placed on a tying unit of known type, in order to tie the coil with one or more laces or wires.

[0019]

[0015] The tied coil is then transferred, usually after having been stored, to a machine for machining at least one end of the coiled cable. Therefore, the coil must be picked up from the storage place and must be oriented so that at least one of its ends can be machined by the respective machine.

[0020]

[0016] Object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide an apparatus and process for winding a cable into a coil that allows the cable to be simply and quickly wound into a coil, and the coil to be simply and easily handled.

[0021]

[0017] A further object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide a system for preparing the terminal portion of a cable where said system can neatly machine the terminal portions even of long cables.

[0022]

[0018] These and other objects are achieved by an apparatus and a method according to one or more of the appended claims.

[0023] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0024]

[0019] A process according to claim 1, an apparatus according to claim 7 are, in particular, object of the present invention. Further objects of the invention are a system for machining cables according to claim 13, a method for machining cables according to claim 15, and a memory readable by a control logic unit according to claim 16. Preferred aspects are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0025]

[0020] In particular, object of the present invention is a process for winding a cable into a coil by means of an apparatus comprising a stator which has a movement surface and is configured to generate a magnetic field at said movement surface, and at least one mover configured to move via magnetic interaction without contact with said movement surface, preferably by magnetic levitation, along said movement surface, depending on the variation of said magnetic field, wherein a spool for winding a cable is coupled to said at least one mover, wherein the process comprises the steps of: a. Bringing the end of a cable at said winding spool; b. Fixing the end of said cable to said winding spool; c. Moving said at least one mover on said movement surface so as to rotate said winding spool and form a coil of said cable on said winding spool. Eventually, the coil is removed from the spool, preferably after having been tied.

[0026]

[0021] In other words, there is a magnetic interaction between the stator and the mover, so that the movers are kept on the movement surface (i.e. the surface on or along which the movers are moved) without contacting the movement surface. Typically, in use condition, the movers are placed above with respect to the movement surface, so that they are lifted with respect to the movement surface, against the force of gravity. The movers are thus magnetically levitated with respect to the surface. In other words, the magnetic interaction without contact is a magnetic levitation.

[0027]

[0022] It is however possible, in an embodiment, that the movers are placed below the movement surface, so that the stator is usually placed above the movement surface. As a result, without the magnetic interaction between the movers and the stators, the movers would fall due to the force of gravity. On the contrary, thanks to the magnetic interaction between the movers and the stators, the movers do not fall, but they are kept "lifted" (i.e. spaced) with respect to the movement surface. More in general, the movers are kept at a non null distance with respect to the movement surface, such distance being measured perpendicularly with respect to the movement surface, so that the movers do not touch the movement surface. As a result, in order to lift a mover placed above the movement surface, the stator usually provide a magnetic repulsion on the mover, to obtain what is commonly known as magnetic levitation. When the mover is placed below the movement surface, the stator usually provides an attraction on the mover, to prevent the mover from falling due to gravity, thus providing a magnetic attraction.

[0028]

[0023] Therefore, thanks to the ease with which the at least one mover can be programmed to perform complex paths quickly, so as to easily move the spool around which the coil is to be made, the present solution allows a cable coil to be made quickly and easily.

[0029]

[0024] The method of the invention, besides providing high flexibility in treating different types of cables, provides also the advantage of reducing the time of processing a cable in a cable machining system thanks to the fact that the coil is moved to a tying station and / or to a working station by the mover while on the spool.

[0030]

[0025] "At least rotate" means that the mover is moved so as to rotate the spool, without necessarily keeping it in a fixed position on the movement surface. The spool can then be rotated about a fixed axis of rotation with respect to the movement surface, or about an axis of rotation translatable thereon. In other words, "at least rotate" means that the movement can be pure rotation, or a roto- translation, on the movement surface.

[0031]

[0026] According to an aspect, the process comprises, during or following said step c, a step of moving said at least one mover on the movement surface so as to at least translate the coil along the movement surface.

[0032]

[0027] "At least translate" means that the mover is moved in such a way as to cause the coil to be displaced on the movement surface, thus causing at least one translation of the coil. It is not excluded that the coil is also rotated, such as by means of a roto-translation movement or by alternating translation movements and rotation movements. This allows, for example, the spool to be moved during the spool forming step, or the coil to be oriented according to the requirements of the operating site to which it is brought. Thus, by "at least translate" we only exclude that the spool carrying the coil is exclusively rotated, as typically happens instead during the formation of the coil itself.

[0033]

[0028] The coil, still wound on the spool, can therefore be carried by the same element that caused it to be wound, namely the at least one mover on which the spool is arranged.

[0034]

[0029] Specifically, according to a preferred aspect, in the step of at least translating the coil, the coil is brought to a tying device so that the coil can be tied.

[0035]

[0030] According to a possible aspect, the spool is coupled to a plurality of movers and comprises, that is to say is composed of, a plurality of fingers, each finger being coupled to a mover. Therefore, thanks to this, the diameter of the spool can be varied by relative movement of the fingers in order to reduce said initial diameter so that the coil can be released from the spool.

[0036]

[0031] It is also object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for winding a coil, comprising: a stator having a movement surface and being configured to generate a magnetic field at said movement surface; at least one mover configured to move along said movement surface, preferably by magnetic levitation, o by being retained or magnetically attracted, depending on the variation of said magnetic field; a spool for winding a cable, coupled to said at least one mover; a control logic unit programmed to allow the apparatus to carry out at least the steps a - c of a method according to one or more of the preceding aspects.

[0037]

[0032] Stators and movers of the type described above are known per se in the art, are commercially available, and are known for example by the term "Planar Robot" or even "Magnetic Levitation Planar Robot" and by the term Xplanar and are commercially available e.g. by Bosch and Beckhoff. Stators are generally of two types, i.e., they generate the required magnetic field in two modes: stators comprising a plurality of coils and stators comprising a plurality of rotatable magnets are known.

[0038]

[0033] According to an aspect, the spool is coupled to a single mover and is preferably cone shaped.

[0039]

[0034] According to an aspect, the spool is coupled to a plurality of movers, which are optionally connected to each other.

[0040]

[0035] According to an aspect, the spool comprises, that is to say is composed of, a plurality of fingers, each finger being coupled to a mover.

[0041]

[0036] According to an aspect, the apparatus comprises a finger connecting element, preferably comprising a sliding pin for the fingers.

[0042]

[0037] According to an aspect, the apparatus comprises a coil tying device.

[0043]

[0038] According to an aspect, the movement surface is arranged below the stator and the movers are suspended from the movement surface in an upside-down condition. Advantageously, in this upside-down configuration, the formed coil is removed from the spool by means of, and / or with the help of, gravity.

[0044]

[0039] It is also object of the present invention a machining system for end portions of cables, comprising at least one working station and means for carrying a cable to said at least one working station, characterized by comprising at least one apparatus for winding cables into a coil according to any one of claims 7 to 11.

[0045]

[0040] Further object of the invention is a method of machining the ends of electric cables in a machining system as defined above, comprising the steps of winding a cable into a coil by means of an apparatus according to one of claims 7 to 11.

[0046]

[0041] In an advantageous aspect, the method comprises the step of constraining at least one of the ends of said electric cables to transfer means for transferring said cables into a system for machining the ends of said cables according to claim 12.

[0047]

[0042] Object of the present invention is also a non-volatile memory containing a code portion that, when read by a logical control unit of an apparatus according to one or more of the preceding aspects, causes the steps a - c of the method previously discussed to be carried out.

[0048] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0049]

[0043] Hereinafter, referring to the appended figures, exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described, wherein:

[0050] Figure 1 is a schematic view, not to scale, of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;

[0051] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a spool coupled to a mover in an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a spool coupled to multiple movers in an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figures 4A and 4B are schematic views of possible operations of the device of Figure 1;

[0054] Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the operations of an apparatus according a possible embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a spool coupled to a mover in an apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cable machining system according to the invention.

[0057] EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0058]

[0044] With reference to the figures, an apparatus 1 according to the present invention comprises a stator 2, which has a movement surface 2a and is configured to generate a magnetic field at the movement surface 2a.

[0059]

[0045] The apparatus 1 further comprises at least one mover 3 configured to move, by magnetic levitation, along the movement surface 2a of the stator 2. The mover 3 typically comprises a permanent magnet 3a and is therefore preferably a passive element. The mover 3 is typically in form of a plate or the like.

[0046] An assembly of stator 2 and mover 3 adapted to perform this function is known in the art, often named as planar motor. A planar motor known in the art is for example like the one marketed by Beckhoff Automation, under the name Xplanar. Briefly, stator 2 and mover 3 are configured so that the mover 3 is translationally and rotatably movable by magnetic levitation due to the magnetic interaction between the movers 2 and the stator 3 on the surface 2a, without touching the latter.

[0060]

[0047] A spool 3b for winding a cable 4, typically an electric cable, is coupled to the at least one mover 3.

[0061]

[0048] The spool 3b typically has a retaining element 3c to allow an end of a cable to be fixed to the spool 3b.

[0062]

[0049] Such coupling can take place in different ways, and the spool 3b can take different configurations in different embodiments.

[0063]

[0050] According to a possible solution, such as the one in Figure 2, a spool 3b can be coupled to a single mover 3. Typically, such a spool 3b is made basically in one piece.

[0064]

[0051] The spool 3b can be coupled directly to the respective mover, or indirectly to the same, for example by means of one or more spacers 3d, e.g., in the form of pins, which are typically shaped as a column.

[0065]

[0052] The portion of the spool 3b around which the cable 4 is wound to form a coil 4a is typically substantially shaped as a truncated cone, or otherwise tapered, to allow a coil 4a to be easily removed from the spool 3b.

[0066]

[0053] According to a possible alternative solution, a spool 3b is coupled to multiple movers 3. For example, a one-piece spool 3b could be coupled to different movers 3, such as by different spacers 3d, each spacer being coupled to a different mover 3. This allows, for example, the weight of the spool 3b and coil 4 to be distributed over multiple movers 3.

[0067]

[0054] Preferred embodiments, such as for example the one in Figure 3, however, provide that a spool 3b coupled to multiple movers 3 is not a single body but is formed by a plurality of fingers 3e, which define the surface around which the cable 4 is wound to form a coil 4a. Therefore, the set of fingers 3e constitutes the spool 3b. For simplicity, each of the fingers 3e typically has a retaining element 3c. In use, however, only one retaining element 3c is generally used to retain the end of a cable 4.

[0068]

[0055] The number of movers 3 can vary between different embodiments. A preferred embodiment provides the use of four movers.

[0069]

[0056] In general, the number of movers is chosen so as to achieve the desired coil shape.

[0070]

[0057] According to a possible solution, each of the fingers 3e can be rotatable relative to the respective mover 3 about an axis perpendicular to the movers 3 themselves, that is, substantially perpendicular to the movement surface 2a, when the movers are parallel thereto. Such rotation can be selectively allowed and prevented by appropriate means, such as by a screw 3f.

[0058] In alternative embodiments, however, rotationally constrained fingers integral with the respective mover 3 can be provided.

[0071]

[0059] The movers 3 to which the same spool is constrained can be completely independent of each other, so that they can move independently of each other.

[0072]

[0060] However, a central element 30, adapted to connect the movers 3 together, can be provided, so as to lock the relative position of the movers or at least the relative angular position between the movers.

[0073]

[0061] Indeed, the central element 30 can allow the movers 3 to translate relative to each other but not to rotate relative to each other. For example, the central element 30 may comprise translation pins 31, along which the movers 3 can slide, so as to vary the relative distance between the movers 3. This is particularly useful for varying the diameter of the spool 3b, for example when the coil 4a must be released from the spool 2 or when the ideal diameter for a coil 4a is to be selected before winding a cable.

[0074]

[0062] The apparatus 1 also typically comprises a gripping element 5, for example in the form of a clamp or the like, adapted to constrain a cable 4, typically by one of its ends, to a spool 3b. The gripping element 5 is typically movable relative to the stator 2.

[0075]

[0063] Gripping elements 5 adapted to manipulate a cable 4, typically by an end thereof, are known in the art.

[0076]

[0064] The apparatus 1 may further comprise other operating sites to machine a cable 4. For example, in preferred embodiments, the apparatus 1 comprises a tying device 6, which is adapted to tie a cable 4 wound in the form of coil 4a.

[0077]

[0065] Another preferred operating site is a working station WS, which is adapted to machine the ends 41, 42 of the coil 4, specifically the ends 41, 42 of an electric cable wound in form of coil 4a.

[0078]

[0066] In general, the at least one mover 3 is typically configured to move a coil 4a wound around its spool 3b between different operating sites of the apparatus 1, by translation and / or rotation on the movement surface 2a of the stator 2.

[0079]

[0067] The apparatus 1 further comprises a control logic unit CPU to control the operations of the apparatus 1 itself.

[0080]

[0068] In use, a cable 4 is fixed to the spool 3b, typically by fixing the end of a cable 4 to a retaining element 3c of the spool 3b.

[0081]

[0069] Next, the at least one mover is moved so as to at least rotate the spool 3b, so as to wind the cable 4 around it and form a coil 4a. To carry out these operations, a gripping element 5 can be used to fix the cable 4 to the spool 3. Later, during the formation of the coil 4a, the gripping element is usually released from the cable 4.

[0082]

[0070] During the formation of the coil, or at the end of the formation thereof, the mover 3 (and thus the spool 3b and the coil 4a integral therewith) can be moved so that the coil 4a is brought to other operating sites of the apparatus 1. This operation typically comprises translational or roto-translational movements of the mover 3 on the movement surface 2a of the stator 2.

[0083]

[0071] And, in particular, the spool 3b can be roto-translated so as to form the coil 4a while the spool 3b is brought to an operating site of the apparatus. However, this does not exclude the possibility of rotating the spool 3b in a fixed position to form the coil and later translating the latter to the desired position.

[0084]

[0072] According to a possible solution, the mover 3 can be translated so as to bring the coil 4a to a tying device 6. A gripping element 5 (preferably the same one that brought the cable 4 to the spool 3b, although the possibility of using a different gripping element is not excluded) can therefore release the coil 4a so that tying device 6 can operate on the coil 4a itself.

[0085]

[0073] A possible implementation of such operations, for example, is shown schematically in Figures 4A and 4B.

[0086]

[0074] Specifically, in Figure 4A, the cable 4 is already constrained to the spool 3b, which is rotated by the movement of the mover 3 to form the coil 4a of cable 4.

[0087]

[0075] After a translation of the mover 3, shown by means of the dashed arrow in Figure 4B, the coil is brought at the tying device 6 which can tie the coil 4, usually after the latter has been removed from the spool 3b by means of a gripping element 5.

[0088]

[0076] As discussed, this translation can take place after the rotation of the spool 3b to form the coil, or even during this rotation.

[0089]

[0077] These figures show a linear movement of the mover. However, it should be noted that the mover can be translated along different directions on the movement surface 2a, as shown for example in Figure 5, where a spool 3b is shown in three different successive positions.

[0090]

[0078] In a first position shown in the upper left of the figure, the spool begins its rotation so as to form the coil 4a. Then, once the rotation is finished or during the rotation, the spool is translated, e.g., along a straight line, as shown by the dashed arrow, to a working station WS adapted to machine the ends 41, 42 of the coil 4a.

[0091]

[0079] After or during translation, the mover can be rotated so as to arrange the ends 41, 42 in an ideal position to be coupled to the working station WS. In particular, it is possible that, during the operation of winding of the coil, at least one of the ends of the coils is coupled to a working station WS, or more in general to a component of the apparatus. In order to adjust the length of the free ends of the cable, the distance between the component to which an end of the cable is coupled can be set in order to have the desired length of the free ends of the cable. Such an operation can be carried out before winding, or during winding. In the former case, the mover is moved so that the coil being formed is translated with respect to the component coupled to an end of the cable.

[0080] Then, while the ends 41, 42 remain constrained to the working station, the rest of the coil 4 is carried by the mover to a tying device 6, for example by a movement not along a straight path, to avoid an obstacle.

[0092]

[0081] The movement directions shown in Figure 5 are just some of the possible solutions for moving a mover 3 (and thus a coil 4) along the movement surface 2. Such directions can therefore be freely planned depending on the configuration of the apparatus 1.

[0093]

[0082] In Figure 5, a possible configuration of an apparatus comprising a working station WS and a tying device 6 is further shown.

[0094]

[0083] In general, embodiments equipped with both components WS, 6 may provide that the cable 4 is first wound into coil 4a, that the coil 4a is brought to the working station WS to constrain the ends 41, 42 of the coil 4 thereto, and that the coil 4a is then brought to the tying station 6 while the ends 41, 42 are still constrained to the working station WS. The freedom of movement of the mover, in this embodiment, is usually the length of the free end of the cable.

[0095]

[0084] However, embodiments can be provided in which the coil 4a, after being formed, is first brought to the tying device 6 and then to the processing station WS.

[0096]

[0085] After forming the coil by winding, the coil is usually removed from the spool, that may be placed around a different spool for further processing or, more commonly, shipping.

[0097]

[0086] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, an apparatus according to the present invention comprises a stator 2 configured to generate a magnetic field at the movement surface 2b, which in this embodiment is arranged on the bottom side of the stator 2. The term bottom side is intended to mean the side facing the ground, schematically denoted by 10, when the machine is in a usage condition, that is, it is in use.

[0098]

[0087] Specifically, the stator 2 extends along a plane that is substantially horizontal relative to the ground, and has an upper surface and a lower surface. At least one of the surfaces can serve as movement surface. In the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7, the movement surface is the surface 2b, that is, the bottom surface of the stator plane.

[0099]

[0088] In this embodiment, the mover 3 generally corresponds to the one described above, i.e., it is configured to move along the movement surface 2b of the stator 2 depending on the variation, i.e. under control, of the magnetic field of the stator. The mover 3 results to be upside-down with respect to the embodiment in the previous figures and is suspended from the surface 2b by means of the permanent magnet 3a.

[0100]

[0089] Fig. 6 shows a tying device 6 also arranged below the plane of the stator 2 to tie the coil in the manner specified earlier in the description.

[0101]

[0090] Fig. 7 schematically shows a system for machining cable ends according to the invention. The system comprises an apparatus 1 as described above, i.e. comprising a stator 2 having a movement surface 2b (or 2a) and configured to generate a magnetic field at said movement surface; at least one mover 3 configured to move along said movement surface 2a or 2b, without touching it, depending on the variation of said magnetic field, and a spool 3b for winding a cable 4, coupled to said at least one mover to form a coil 4a, and in addition a control logic unit (CPU) programmed to allow the apparatus 1 to carry out at least the steps a - c of the method described above.

[0102]

[0091] The system further comprises at least one retaining and carrying element 7 to retain and carry the coil 4a along a transfer device 8. The element 7 and the transfer device 8 are known per se in the art and are commercially available, for example, from the Applicant. Typically, the element 7 is in the form of trolleys movable with precision along the transfer device 8 to carry the coil ends to one or preferably a plurality of working stations denoted schematically by WS in Fig. 7.

[0103]

[0092] In the embodiment shown, the longitudinal plane P of the transfer device is advantageously arranged at an angle to the ground 10 when the transfer device is in usage condition, i.e., is in use. The transfer device 8 can also be arranged vertically relative to the ground plane 10.

[0104]

[0093] Fig. 7 shows a tying device 6, a coil 4a wound on the spool 3 and a coil 4a constrained to the retaining and carrying element 7. It can further be noted the arrangement of the tied coil 4a retained at least at one end 9, preferably at both ends, on the carrying element 7. As can be seen, the body of the coil 4a is arranged below the element 7 while at least one end is constrained to the element 7 and protrudes from it in order to be machined.

[0105]

[0094] The arrangement (upside-down, i.e., inverted with respect to Fig. 1, with the movement surface facing the ground) of the spool 3 placed below has the peculiar advantage that the coil 4a can be removed by exploiting the force of gravity in combination with the variation in the spool diameter, as described above with reference to the spool made on a mover and also, in particular, to the spool made with a plurality of movers, as shown for example in Fig. 3.

[0106]

[0095] This way, for example, the spool 3 provided with the coil 4a should only be brought at the carrying element 7 and the end(s) 9 of the spool should be constrained thereto and, then, the coil 4a should be released from the spool by varying the diameter or size of said spool.

[0107]

[0096] In other words, thanks to the upside-down configuration, i.e., on the bottom side of the stator, of the mover and spool, special gripping elements of the coil to operate its removal from the spool 3 are not required.

[0108]

[0097] It should also be noted that, for simplicity, Figures 4A to 7 show a spool coupled to a single mover. As evident to the field technician, what is shown in these figures also applies to embodiments in which a spool is coupled to multiple movers 3, such as the one in Figure 3.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Process for winding a cable (4) into a coil (4a) by means of an apparatus (1) comprising a stator which has at least one movement surface (2a; 2b) and is configured to generate a magnetic field at said movement surface (2a; 2b), and at least one mover (3) configured to move by magnetic interaction between the movers and the stator, without contact with said movement surface, preferably by magnetic levitation along said movement surface (2a; 2b), depending on the variation of said magnetic field, wherein a spool (3b) for winding a cable (4) is coupled to said at least one mover (3), comprising the steps of: a. Bringing the end of a cable (4) at said winding spool (3b); b. Fixing the end of said cable (4) to said winding spool (3b); c. Moving said at least one mover (3) on said movement surface so as to at least rotate said winding spool (3b) and form a coil (4a) of said cable (4) on said winding spool (3b).

2. Process according to claim 1 comprising, during or following said step c, a step of moving said at least one mover (3) on said movement surface (2a; 2b) so as to at least translate said coil (4a) along said movement surface (2a; 2b), preferably including a step d. of removing said coil from said spool.

3. Process according to claim 1 or 2, comprising, during or following said step c, the step of moving said at least one mover 3 so as to bring said coil (4) to a tying device (6), said process comprising the further step of tying said coil (4a).

4. Process according to claim 1, 2 or 3, comprising, during or following said step c, the step of moving said at least one mover 3 so as to bring said coil (4) to a working station (WS) configured to machine the ends (41, 42) of said coil (4a).

5. Process according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said spool (3b) is coupled to a plurality of movers (3), said spool (3b) being composed of a plurality of fingers (3e), each of said fingers (3e) being coupled to a mover (3), comprising the step of varying the diameter of said spool (3b) by relative movement of said fingers (3e) and releasing said coil (4a) from said spool (3b).

6. Process according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said movement surface (2b) of the stator is arranged on the bottom side, which faces the ground when said apparatus is in use, of said stator (2), said stator being configured to generate a magnetic field at said bottom movement surface (2b), and wherein at least one mover (3) is moved along said bottom surface (2b) to carry out at least said steps a) - c) of the process.

7. Apparatus (1) for winding a cable into a coil (4a), comprising:- a stator (2) having a movement surface (2a) and being configured to generate a magnetic field at said movement surface (2a; 2b);- at least one mover (3) configured to move, along said movement surface (2a), due to a magnetic interaction between the movers and the stator, preferably by magnetic levitation, depending on thevariation of said magnetic field;- a spool (3b) for winding a cable (4), coupled to said at least one mover (3);- a control logic unit (CPU) programmed to allow the apparatus (1) to carry out at least the steps a - c of a method according to one or more of the preceding claims.

8. Apparatus (1) according to claim 7 , wherein said spool (3b) is coupled to a single mover (3), said spool (3b) preferably having substantially conical shape.

9. Apparatus (1) according to claim 7 , wherein said spool (3b) is coupled to a plurality of movers (3), wherein said spool (3b) is preferably composed of a plurality of fingers (3e), each of said fingers (3e) being coupled to one of said movers (3).

10. Apparatus (1) according to claim 9, comprising a central element (30) connecting the fingers (3a), preferably comprising at least one sliding pin (31) for the fingers.

11. Apparatus according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein said movement surface is the bottom surface (2b), which faces the ground when said apparatus is in use, of said stator and wherein said movers and spools are arranged at said bottom movement surface (2b).

12. Apparatus (1) according to one of claims 7 to 11, comprising a coil tying device (6) and / or a working station (WS) to machine the ends (41, 42) of the coil (4), preferably both of these elements, said at least one mover (3) being movable on said movement surface (2a) so as to reach said tying device (6) and / or said working station (WS).

13. Cable machining system comprising at least one working station (WS); at least one retaining and carrying element (7) to retain and carry a cable; a transfer device (8), to move said retaining and carrying elements (7) to said at least one working station (WS), characterized by comprising an apparatus for winding a cable into a coil according to one of claims 7 to 12.

14. System according to claim 13, wherein said transfer device (8), in use, is arranged to be inclined relative to the ground (10).

15. Method for machining cable ends in a system according to claim 13 or 14, comprising the step of winding said cables into coils, characterized by winding said cables on coils according to a process according to one of claims 1 to 6.

16. Non-volatile memory containing a code portion that, when read by a logical control unit of an apparatus according to claim 7, causes at least the steps a - c of a method according to one of claims 1 to 6 to be carried out.

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