Fiber Winding Apparatus with Thread Buffer for Seamless Former Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for winding fiber strands onto formers are either inefficient due to manual cutting and interruption of the process or lack precision and reliability, especially when transitioning from one former to another.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with separating means and a thread buffer allows for automatic and continuous winding by fixing and severing the fiber strand at the end of one operation, temporarily storing a portion in the buffer, and then applying it to a new former with controlled tension, enabling seamless transition and high precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual cutting and attachment methods are used to transition between formers, then the apparatus structure remains simple, but productivity decreases and time is lost due to repeated interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber strand is fed through the thread buffer in advance before the winding operation on the new former begins. The buffer pre-positions the fiber strand, so that when the former is ready, the fiber is already in place and can be immediately wound without interruption or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The thread buffer acts as an intermediary device between the fiber supply and the winding former. It temporarily holds the fiber strand and facilitates the transition from one former to another by maintaining continuous fiber supply, eliminating the need for manual cutting and reattachment.
2Manufacturing precision
If the fiber strand is manually cut and attached to each new former, then device complexity remains low, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to manual operation variability
Solution Approach 1:
The separating means automatically performs the functions of cutting, holding, and positioning the fiber strand without manual intervention. The system serves itself by mechanically managing the fiber transitions, ensuring consistent precision through automated control rather than variable manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber strand is pre-positioned in the thread buffer with precise control before the winding operation begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that the fiber starts at the correct location and tension on the new former, eliminating positioning errors that would occur with manual attachment.
3Productivity
If automated methods with core winding are used, then productivity improves, but reliability decreases due to functional issues in the transition process
Solution Approach 1:
The thread buffer serves as a reliable intermediary that maintains continuous fiber supply during former transitions. By decoupling the fiber feed from the former rotation, it ensures that the fiber strand is always available and properly positioned, eliminating the reliability issues associated with core-based transition methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating means and thread buffer work together with feedback control to monitor and adjust the fiber strand position and tension during transitions. This ensures that the fiber is correctly positioned on each new former, maintaining high reliability in the automated transition process.
4Loss of time
If manual operations are used for fiber cutting and attachment, then device complexity remains simple, but time consumption increases due to repeated process interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The thread buffer enables continuous winding operation by maintaining an uninterrupted supply of fiber strand during former transitions. The useful action of winding continues without interruption because the buffer holds the fiber ready for immediate continuation on the new former, eliminating time losses associated with manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber strand is prepared and positioned in the thread buffer in advance of the former transition. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the transition occurs, the fiber is already in position and can be immediately wound, eliminating the time required for manual cutting, handling, and reattachment operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for winding a fiber strand onto a former, wherein there is provided a separating means for fixing and separating the fiber strand at the end of an operation of winding on a finish-wound first former and for bringing the fixed fiber-strand end to a second former to be wound in order to begin a new winding operation. At least one thread buffer for temporary storage of a fiber-strand portion between the end of one winding operation and the beginning of a new winding operation is disposed upstream from the separating means in the feed direction.