TAPE WINDING MACHINE

Abstract: A tape winding machine (10) for winding fragile tape (11) on a package core (18) in a side to side motion using a pivoted steering frame (19) and guide rolls (12), (16) and (17). The side to side motion of the steering frame (19) allows the tape (11) to be evenly distributed along the package core (18).

Description: Description TAPE WINDING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a machine for winding tape on a package core, for example tapes comprised of carbon fibers. In a conventional winding apparatus a cardboard tube or the like is rotated on a mandrel while a yarn or roving is traversed back and forth across the surface of the tube by passing it through a moving guide. A device of this type is not adequate to produce packages of flat strip or tape since the traversing action of the guide distorts or damages the tape. This is especially true in the case of fragile products such as carbon fiber tape. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary objective of the invention is to provide a machine for accurately winding fragile tapes with little or no damage to the material. Other objectives and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the following description, wherein a machine for winding tape on a package core is particularly characterized and illustrated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The sole drawing is a perspective view of the tape winding machine of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the sole figure, the machine 10_ for winding tape 11 on a package core 18_ generally com¬ prises: a supporting framework 14_ having a component at one end thereof supporting a fixed guide roll 12_ having its principal axis normal to the tape 11 at a distance above the supporting framework 14_; a steering frame 19. pivotally mounted on the supporting framework 14_, the pivot bearing 2! located such that the end of the steering frame 1^ is moveable in an arc parallel to the axis of the package core 1_8_; a first steering roll 1 mounted on the steering frame 19_ directly above the pivot bearing 20_, the relative positions of the fixed guide roll 12_, the first steering roll 16. and the pivot bearing 2£ being such that the axis of the pivot bearing 20_ passes through the center of the first steering roll 16 at a perpendicular angle to the axis of the first steering roll IjS, the relative positions of fixed guide roll 12_, first steering roll 16_, and pivot bearing 2Λ being such that the path of the tape 11 ^ describes approximate right angles as the tape 11 moves over fixed guide roll 12_ and first steering roll 16; a second steering roll 1. mounted on the steering frame 19 at a distance from and having its principal axis parallel to the first steering roll 16 a rotatable package core 18_ located proximate to the second steering roll 17.; a winder cam machanism 21; a cam follower connection 22_; slide bars 23 or linear bearings mounted on the steering frame 19 communicating with the cam follower connection 2_; winder drive means 2 _ for rotating the package core 1 ; a roller bail 2j having its principal axis parallel to the principal axis of the package core 18_ and in contact with the outer surface of the core 1 or tape 3 being wound on the core 18. Contact with the bail 25. by the outer surface of the tape 11 ^ being wound on the core 18_ is maintained by- tension means biasing the package surface in contact with bail 25 ^ such that the core of the package is retained at an increasing distance from the bail 25 equal to the increase in the radius of the surface of the tape 11 wound on the core 18. Optionally, tape width restricting pins 2j are mounted on the steering frame 1J3. between the first steering roll S and second steering roll 17 at a location more proximate to the second steering roll 17 at a position of at least 60% of the distance between the steering rolls 16 and 17. Preferably, the pins 6_ are mounted directly proximate to the second steering roll 17. An edge guide sensor 27_ may be mounted in front of and proximate to the fixed guide roll 12_ to assure that the tape JUL is maintained in a fixed position. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The example below will further describe the invention, as utilized for winding a tape composed of carbon filaments on a package core. It is understood that the example is provided to illustrate the practice of the invention and not intended as limiting beyond the limitations imposed by the appended claims. A tape composed of carbon filaments LI having a nominal width of 0.75 in. (0.19 cm) was fed into the winder 10 under controlled speed, tension, and position with the speed of the winder being controlled in a conventional manner to match the speed of the tape LI. A position sensor 21_ was located close to a fixed guide roll 12_ so as to assure that the tape 11. was maintained in a fixed position with respect to the winder. The tape was threaded over the fixed guide roll L2, which is mounted on a frame ]L4_, under the first steering roll 16_, over a second steering roll L7 and on to the package core or tube 18. The steering rolls 16. and L7 are mounted on a steering frame 1^ which oscillates about a pivot bearing 2 located under the first steering roll 16_. A cam 21. of a conventional winder type was driven in a conventional manner from the winder drive mechanism 24 as used to rotate the package core 1_. A cam follower is connected through a cam follower connection 22_ to slide bars 23_. The frame was thereby made to oscillate about the pivot bearing 20. as the cam 21_ rotated. During this oscillation, the second steering roll 17_ moved in a las -e radius arc in a plane parallel to the axis of the package core 18_. The second steering roll L7 is positioned close to the surface of the package core 18.. The close separation between the second steering roll L7 and the package surface was main- tained by the conventional technique in which the pressure of a roller bail 25 against the surface of the package gradually increased the separation between the package core 18. and the second steering roll L7 as fiber collected on the core 18. The oscillating motion of the steering roll frame 19, coupled with the strong tendency of the tape 11 to run over rolls in such a manner as to maintain a path in which the direction of motion of the tape is always at right angles to the axis of the rolls, assured that the tape LI was laid on to the package core 1 in a consistent and repeated pattern of the tape required to produce a good quality package. Tape width restricting pins 2J6_ were employed to assure that any slight wandering in position of the tape edges did not lead to a reduction in the quality or squareness of the edges of the final package. This mechanism provides a means for moving a fragile tape in a side-to-side motion without damaging the tape. The only distorting motion imposed by this apparatus is a twisting action between the fix roll 1 and the first steering roll 16_. However, the degree of twist is not sufficient to damage the carbon fiber tape 11. While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to the drawing and the preferred embodi¬ ment thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit thereof, and, therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited except as indicated in the appended claims.

Claims: C L A I M S 1. A machine for winding tape on a package core comprising: (a) a supporting framework having a component at one end thereof supporting a fixed guide roll having its principal axis normal to said tape at a distance above said supporting framework; (b) a steering frame pivotally mounted on said supporting framework, the pivot bearing located such that the end of said steering frame is moveable in an arc parallel to the axis of said package core; (c) a first steering roll mounted on said steering frame directly above said pivot bearing, the relative positions of said fixed guide roll, the first steering roll and said pivot bearing being such that the axis of said pivot bearing passes through the center of said first steering roll at a perpendicular angle to the axis of said first steering roll, the relative positions of said fixed guide roll, said first steering roll and said pivot bearing being such that the path of said tape describes approximate right angles as said tape moves over said fixed guide roll and said first steering roll; (d) a second steering roll mounted on said steering frame at a distance from and having its principal axis parallel to said first steering roll; (e) a rotatable package core located proximate to said second steering roll; (f) a winder cam mechanism; (g) a cam follower connection; (h) slide bars or linear bearings mounted on said steering frame communicating with said cam follower connection; (i) winder drive means for rotating said package core; (j) a roller bail having its principal axis parallel to the principal axis of said package core and in contact with the outer surface of said core or tape being wound on said core, wherein contact with said bail by the outer surface of the tape being wound on said core is maintained by tension means biasing said package surface in contact with said bail such that the core of said package is retained at an increasing distance frcm said bail equal to the increase in the radius of the surface of the tape wound on said core. 2. The winding machine of claim 1, wherein tape width restricting pins are mounted on the steering frame between the first and second steering rolls at a location more proximate to said second steering roll at a position of at least 60% of the distance between said steering rolls. 3. The winding machine of claim 2, wherein the tape width restricting pins are mounted directly proximate to said second steering roll. 4. The winding machine of claim 1, wherein an edge guide sensor " is mounted in front of and proximate to said fixed guide roll to assure that the tape is maintained in a fixed position. 5. A tape package produced on the machine of claim 1.

Inventors: PRESCOTT ROGER, PRESCOTT, ROGER
Applicants: GREAT LAKES CARBON CORP, GREAT LAKES CARBON CORPORATION
Application year: 1985
Main classification: B65H17
IPC codes: B65H54