Abstract:
The invention relates to an apparatus and process for manufacturing coil members ( 20 ) to be inserted in the slots ( 21 ) of the core of a dynamo electric machine, the coil members ( 20 ) being formed by bending portions of an electric conductor ( 300 ) using at least a first engagement member ( 112 ). The apparatus comprises: a first member ( 23 ) that rotates around a first axis of rotation ( 17   a ); a second member ( 24 ) that rotates around a second axis of rotation ( 18   a ) positioned laterally with respect to the first axis of rotation ( 17 a), wherein the second member ( 24 ) is supported by the first member ( 23 ); a third member ( 25 ) rotating around a central axis of rotation of the second member ( 24 ); wherein the third member ( 25 ) being supported by the second member ( 24 ). The first engagement member ( 112 ) being capable of engaging the conductor ( 300 ) against a contrast surface ( 192 ) to bend a portion of the conductor. The rotations of the first member ( 23 ) and of the second member ( 24 ) cause the at least a first engagement member ( 112 ) to move in a plane (P), whilst the rotation of the third member ( 25 ) causes the at least a first engagement member ( 112 ) to rotate in the plane (P). Preferably, the rotation of a fourth member ( 26 ) causes the at least a first engagement member ( 112 ) to rotate out of the plane (P).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for producing coil members. More specifically the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for forming coil members of dynamo electric machines by bending electric conductors. 
         [0002]    The coil members can be used in stators of electric motors or electric generators. Solutions in this field have been described in PCT Application WO having publication number WO 2012/156066. 
         [0003]    The coil members formed with the present invention can have a fork like shape, or other shapes, for example an undulated configuration. Normally, the electric conductor has a relatively large cross section that allows the formed coil member to be self-supporting, i.e. the shape of the coil member is permanently formed according to a specific geometric configuration, which does not change until considerable bending forces are applied. The coil members having the fork like shape are commonly called “hairpins”. A further shape, like the undulated configuration, is described in European publication EP 1372242. 
         [0004]    A typical processing sequence involving formed hairpins can foresee: insertion of specific hairpins in respective slots of the core of the dynamoelectric machine, bending end portions of the hairpins that extend beyond an end of the core of the dynamoelectric machine, welding together predetermined ends of the hairpin that have become adjacent as a result of the previous bending operation. PCT Application having publication number WO 2012/119691 describes operations of this type and solutions for accurate alignment of ends of the hairpins that need to be welded together. 
         [0005]    Bending to form a coil member requires repetitive steps of feeding predetermined lengths of an electric conductor in alignment with a bending tool, like is described in the above mentioned PCT Application WO having publication number 2012/156066. During the feeding steps, a bending tool engages the electric conductor and performs predetermined movements to cause permanent bending into a required shape of the electric conductor. 
         [0006]    A cutting operation is performed to free a formed coil member from the rest of the electric conductor, so that the latter can be successively fed to form further coil members. Operations according to these principles have been described in the above mentioned PCT Application having publication number WO2012/156066. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An object of the present invention is to provide an improved bending method and an apparatus that is capable of automatically forming coil members by bending an electric conductor using a bending tool having predetermined movements with respect to the electric conductor. 
         [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus, which is capable of automatically forming a coil member by bending an electric conductor using a bending tool having programmable movements. 
         [0009]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus, which is capable of automatically forming a coil member by bending an electric conductor using a bending tool having precision movements with respect to the electric conductor. 
         [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus, which is capable of automatically forming a coil member by bending an electric conductor using a bending tool having rapid movements with respect to the electric conductor in order to reduce the cycle time required to form a coil member. 
         [0011]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus, which is capable of automatically forming a coil member by bending an electric conductor using a bending tool having a large range of movements in order to form a variety of shapes of the coil members. 
         [0012]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a coil member corresponding to a hairpin configuration having a rectangular cross section, which can be manufactured using the solutions of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a view as seen from direction  2  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 2 a    is a partial view similar to the view of  FIG. 1  showing a partially filled slot of a core of a dynamoelectric machine. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to the view of  FIG. 2  showing a coil member having an undulated configuration. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of a coil member forming machine in accordance with this invention, as viewed from the end of the forming machine where the coil member is formed and dispensed. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a partial section elevation view. The view of  FIG. 5  corresponds to a longitudinal middle section of the coil member forming machine of  FIG. 4 , i.e. as seen from directions  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5 a    is an enlarged view of area  5   a  of  FIG. 5 , with the omission of certain parts for reasons of clarity. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view, as seen from direction  6  of  FIG. 4 , with certain parts omitted for reasons of clarity. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a partial section view from directions  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 , with certain parts omitted for reasons of clarity. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a partial section view as seen from directions  8 - 8  of  FIG. 5 , with the omission of certain parts for reasons of clarity. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a partial section view as seen from directions  9 - 9  of  FIG. 5 , with the omission of certain parts for reasons of clarity. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a partial section view as seen from directions  10 - 10  of  FIG. 5 , with the omission of certain parts for reasons of clarity. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a view from direction  11  of  FIG. 4  illustrating movements of a bending tool according to a schematic representation. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 12-16  are partial section views according to a schematic representations similar to the view of  FIG. 5  with the omission of certain parts for reasons of clarity. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 12 a -16 a    are partial section views according to a schematic representations similar to the view of  FIG. 11 , with the omission of certain parts for reasons of clarity. 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a partial view of a portion of  FIG. 5  during a specific bending operation, as seen from direction  17  of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is a view from direction  18  of  FIG. 17 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    The coil member  20  of  FIG. 1  corresponds to a hairpin manufactured with the solutions of the present invention from an electric conductor  300  having a rectangular cross section. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the hairpin is provided with leg portions  20   b  and  20   c , which are substantially straight and a head portion  20   a . A torsion portion  20   d  causes the leg portions to be oriented by angle A, so that axes  20   e  of the leg portions  20 ′ b  and  20   c  result aligned with the radial axis  22  of a core slot  21  (for example a stator core slot, as shown in  FIG. 2 a   ) where leg portions  20   c  are completely inserted. 
         [0031]    The coil member (without numbering) of  FIG. 3  has an undulated configuration, which can be obtained with the solutions of the present invention, as will become more apparent from the following. 
         [0032]    The perspective view of  FIG. 4  shows an example of two engagement members  112  and  112 ′ for bending the electric conductor  300  that can be fed from nozzle  191 . In  FIG. 4 , a partially formed hairpin is shown in a position extending from nozzle  191 , whilst the engagement members  112  and  112 ′ are not represented in a condition of alignment with the electric conductor  300  to cause bending, for reasons of clarity. 
         [0033]    Clearly, in more simplified embodiments of the present invention a single engagement member can be foreseen instead of the pair of bending members  112 ,  112 ′, which are illustrated purely as an example in the drawings. 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIGS. 5, 5   a  and  7  an apparatus is shown for forming coil members according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0035]    In particular, a first member  23  is shown, preferably having a cylindrical form, assembled on bearings  100  to rotate around a first axis  17   a , along which electric conductor  300  is fed to reach and pass through the center of nozzle  191 . According to the embodiment illustrated in the present description, a first member  23  is shown configured with the form of a disk with an eccentric bore  23   a , or a passage having a central axis  18   a.    
         [0036]    A second member  24  preferably partially having a cup form, like is shown in  FIGS. 5, 5   a  and  8 , is assembled to rotate around second axis  18   a . More particularly with reference to  FIG. 5 a   , a portion  24 ′ of second member  24  is assembled on bearings  101 , which are assembled in bore  23   a  of first member  23 . 
         [0037]    Second axis  18   a  is displaced to one side with respect to first axis  17   a ; in particular the first axis  17   a  and the second axis  18   a  are parallel to each other, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . 
         [0038]    With this arrangement, second member  24  results supported for rotation on first member  23  around second axis  18   a , and is capable of rotating together with first member  23 , when the latter rotates around first axis  17   a.    
         [0039]    With particular reference to  FIGS. 5-8 , a third member  25 , for example having a cylindrical annular form, is assembled on bearings  102 , which are mounted to be centered on second member  24 . With this arrangement, third member  25  can rotate around a central axis (without numbering) of second member  24 . 
         [0040]    The view of  FIG. 10  has been obtained by removing cover member  37 , whose presence is facultative, and which would otherwise have obstructed the view of a fourth member  26 . As will become apparent from the following description, the use of the fourth member  26  is advantageous although optional for the application of the present invention. 
         [0041]    With particular reference to the embodiment of  FIGS. 5, 9 and 10 , fourth member  26 , preferably having a cylindrical annular form, is assembled on bearings  103 . Bearings  103  are mounted for example on an extension member  27  of third member  25  in order to rotate around a central axis of second member  24 . More particularly, extension member  27  is fixed to third member  25  by means of bolts  104 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0042]    An arm structure  28  is preferably fixed to extension member  27  by means of bolts  105 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0043]    In the shown embodiment, engagement members  112  and  112 ′ are part of a support member  29 . Support member  29  is assembled on bearings  107  of arm structure  28  in order to rotate around third axis  30 , which can be perpendicular to first axis  17   a , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0044]    In the shown embodiment, a conical tooth transmission transmits rotation to support member  29 , thereby transmitting rotation R to engagement members  112  and  112 ′. Conical tooth transmission  33  is such that it can be rotated by shaft  34 , which is in turn rotated by gear  35 . Gear  35  is engaged with toothed portion  26 ″ of fourth member  26 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 10 . 
         [0045]    In the shown embodiment, cover member  37  is secured to arm structure  28  by means of bolts referenced  38 . Furthermore, cover member  37  is secured to member  27  by bolts (not shown) positioned around bearings  103 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . In particular, cover member  37  has an aperture positioned centrally to allow passage of a shaft  190 . Cover member  37  has the function of impeding accidental access to the front of the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0046]    In the shown embodiment, the third member  25  is rotated by movement means, which as an example can comprise an end  41 ′ that has teeth engaged with third member  25 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . End  41 ′ can be rotated for example by a motor  61 . 
         [0047]    The transmission exiting from bore  23   a  will be described with particular reference to  FIGS. 5 and 5   a . More particularly, a tubular member  41  is assembled on bearings  108 , which are in turn assembled in portion  24 ′ of second member  24 . End  41 ′ of tubular member  41 , which is toothed, is engaged with toothed portion  25 ′ present on the periphery of third member  25 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 8 . Thus, tubular member  41  is part of a transmission means, capable of rotation around axis  18   a , which passes through first member  23  in order to rotate third member  25 . 
         [0048]    With reference to figures,  5  and  5   a , and still considering bore  23   a  as part of the transmission means, a shaft member  42  is assembled on bearings  110 , which are assembled in the bore  23   a  of tubular member  41 . One end of shaft member  42  has a toothed pinion  42 ′ engaged with toothed portion  26 ′ present on the periphery of fourth member  26 , as shown in  FIGS. 5, 9 and 10 . 
         [0049]    With reference to  FIGS. 5, 5   a  and  6 , the second member  24  can be driven in rotation, for example by movement means, which in the shown embodiment comprise a toothed portion  50 ′. The toothed portion  50 ′ is engaged with the second member  24  and can be rotated for example by a motor  51 . 
         [0050]    In particular, a first drive member  50  is provided with the above mentioned toothed portion  50 ′ engaged with toothed portion  24 ″ of second member  24 . 
         [0051]    Preferably, the toothed portion  50 ′ can be a toothed crown having internal teeth, whilst the toothed portion  24 ″ of the second member  24  can be a disk provided with external teeth engaged with the above mentioned internal teeth. 
         [0052]    In particular, first drive member  50  is also provided with toothed portion  50 ″ engaged with a gear (not shown) of motor  51 . More particularly, the toothed portion  50 ″ can be a crown having external teeth, which engage with the above mentioned gear of motor  51 . 
         [0053]    Preferably, first drive member  50  is supported for rotation on bearings  122 , which are mounted on frame  200 . With this arrangement, rotation of motor  51  rotates second member  24  around second axis  18   a.    
         [0054]      FIG. 8  shows that second member  24  is provided with a slot  24 ″′ for passage of shaft  190  to allow the central axis of second member  24  to move with respect to first axis  17   a  and first member  23 , as will be more fully described with reference to  FIG. 11 . Furthermore, third member  25  and fourth member  26  are preferably annular, as shown in  FIGS. 5, 9 and 10 , so that they can rotate around the central axis of second member  24  without interfering with shaft  190 , which remains aligned with first axis  17   a.    
         [0055]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , second drive member  60  is provided with toothed portion  60 ′ engaged with toothed portion  41 ″ of tubular member  41 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Preferably, the toothed portion  60 ′ is a crown having internal teeth, whilst the toothed portion  41 ″ is a disk provided with external teeth engaged with the above mentioned internal teeth. 
         [0056]    In particular, the second drive member  60  is also provided with toothed portion  60 ″ engaged with a gear (not shown) of motor  61 . More particularly, the toothed portion  60 ″ can be a crown having external teeth, which engage with the above mentioned gear of motor  61 . 
         [0057]    Preferably, second drive member  60  is supported for rotation on bearings  113 , which are mounted on first drive member  50 . In this example, rotation of motor  61  rotates third member  25  around a central axis of second member  24  by rotating tubular member  41 , which passes though bore  23   a  of first member  23 . 
         [0058]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , third drive member  70  is provided with toothed portion  70 ′ engaged with toothed portion  42 ″ of shaft member  42 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Preferably, the toothed portion  70 ″ is a disk provided with external teeth, whilst the toothed portion  42 ″ is a further disk provided with external teeth engaged with teeth of toothed portion  70 ″. 
         [0059]    In particular, third drive member  70  is also provided with toothed portion  70 ″ engaged with gear  71 ′ of motor  71 . More particularly, the toothed portion  70 ″ is a disk having external teeth, which engage with the above mentioned gear  71 ′ of motor  71 . 
         [0060]    Preferably, third drive member  70  is supported for rotation on bearings  114 , which are mounted on second drive member  60 . According to this arrangement, rotation of motor  71  rotates fourth member  26  around a central axis of second member  24  by rotating shaft member  42 , which passes through bore  23   a  of first member  23 . 
         [0061]    With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the first member  23  is driven for rotation by other movement, which in the illustrated embodiment comprise a motor  81  capable of cooperating with the above mentioned first member  23 . 
         [0062]    In particular the periphery of first member  23 , which is provided with a toothed portion  23 ′, is engaged by gear  81 ′ of motor  81 . Bearings  100  on which first member  23  is mounted are supported by frame  200 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . According to this example, first member  23  can be rotated around axis  17   a  by motor  81 . 
         [0063]    By rotating third member  25  around a central axis of second member  24 , extension member  27  and arm structure  28 , which are fixed to third member  25 , as described in the foregoing, are caused to rotate for same amounts of rotation of third member  25  around the central axis of second member  24 . According to this example, engagement members  112  and  112 ′ are also caused to rotate for same amounts of rotation of third member  25  around the central axis of second member  24 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 11  illustrates according to a schematic representation positions and movements of engagement members  112  and  112 ′ obtained by stages of rotation of first member  23 , second member  24  and third member  25  in a plane P. Plane P can be considered to be at 90 degrees with respect to first axis  17   a . For reasons of clarity, in plane P of  FIG. 11 , engagement members  112  and  112 ′ are rotated by 90° around axis  30  with respect to the orientation that engagement members  112  and  112 ′ have in  FIGS. 4 and 5   
         [0065]    With reference to  FIG. 11 , a rotation of angle B of second member  24  around second axis  18   a , produced by rotating motor  51 , will displace engagement members  112  and  112 ′ from position P 0  to position P 1 . This will cause the central axis of second member  24  to move (from the position corresponding with the first axis  17   a ) to position D 1 , and that the new position of the contour of second member  24  will be  24   a.    
         [0066]    In position P 1 , engagement members  112  and  112 ′ have a new orientation with respect to an absolute reference like X, Y of the plane P, as shown in  FIG. 11 . A rotation of angle C of first member  23  around first axis  17   a , produced by rotating motor  81 , will displace engagement members  112  and  112 ′ (from position P 1 ) to position P 2  . After the rotation of angle C, second axis  18   a  is in a new position  18   a  ( 2 ) aligned with position P 2 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . Furthermore, the central axis of second member  24  will be moved (from position D 1 ) to position D 2  and the new position of the contour of second member  24  will be  24   b . In position P 2 , engagement members  112  and  112 ′ have another orientation with respect to absolute reference X, Y. 
         [0067]    A rotation of angle D of third member  25  around the central axis (positioned in position D 2 ) of second member  24 , can reorient engagement members  112  and  112 ′ to have the same orientation of position P 0  and to be in position P 3 , which is displaced by a certain distance in directions X and directions Y from position P 0 . 
         [0068]    In other words, by rotating the first member  23  and the second member  24  the engagement members  112  and  112 ′ or in other examples, the single engagement member) can be displaced in plane P, by accomplishing two rotations according to the described embodiment. In this way the engagement members  112  and  112 ′ can be located the desired coordinates X, Y in plane P. 
         [0069]    However, in this embodiment if only the first member and the second member  24  are rotated the angular orientation of the first member  23  and the second member  24  in plane could not be obtained according to desired values. 
         [0070]    In fact, in this case the angular orientation of the engagement members  112  and  112 ′ would depend on the kinematic cooperation accomplished by the first member  23  and the second member  24 . The kinematic cooperation would obtain an angular orientation of the engagement members  112  and  112 ′ which is predetermined and function of the reached coordinates X,Y. In this condition, by rotating the third member  25 , the engagement members  112  and  112 ′ can be further rotated in plane P, thereby allowing the variation of the angular orientation of the engagement members  112  and  112 ′, which is instead imposed by the combined rotation of the first member  23  and the second member  24 . The combination of the rotations of the first member  23 , the second member  24 , and the third member  25  defines the coordinates X,Y and the angular orientation of the engagement members  112  and  112 ′ thereby positioning them as desired. 
         [0071]    If engagement members  112  and  112 ′ are required to move directly from a condition like that of position P 0  to a condition like that of position P 3 , then rotations of first member  23 , second member  24  and third member  25  can be accomplished according to predetermined laws of motion, which are synchronized and occurring simultaneously. To achieve this, motors  81 ,  61 , and  51  will be actuated accordingly by signal lines and power lines of controls  500 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0072]    According to the described embodiment, when the rotations of the first member  23  and the second member  24  and the third member  25  are mutually synchronized and substantially simultaneous, they can advantageously accomplish a displacement of the engagement members  112  and  112 ′ in plane P, and the single rotations of engagements members  112  and  112 ′ are not separate or subdivided in strictly sequential stages. On the contrary the displacement can appear like a single movement, continuous and homogenous accomplished in plane P and deriving from the superposition of the rotation simultaneously caused to the engagement members  112  and  112 ′ by the rotations of the members  23 ,  24  and  25 . 
         [0073]    The previous description with reference to  FIG. 11  illustrates that the intersection of second axis  18   a  and the center of second member  24  move in plane P. In this example it is fundamental to have a slotted aperture  24 ″′ on second member  24  for avoiding interference between shaft  190  and second member  24 , when the latter is rotating around axis  18   a . Slot  24 ″′ has been described in the foregoing with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
         [0074]    In the described embodiment, the electric conductor  300  that needs to be bent by being engaged either with one of engagement members  112  and  112 ′, or with both of engagement members  112  and  112 ′ is fed through shaft  190  and dispensing nozzle  191 . A surface  192  for contrasting the bending action of engagement members  112  and  112 ′ can correspond to a side of the exit of dispensing nozzle  191 , as will be more fully described in the following. Solutions for feeding the electric conductor  300  though shaft  190  can be like those described in the above mentioned PCT Application having publication number 2012/156066. 
         [0075]    With particular reference to  FIG. 5 , dispensing nozzle  191  is connected to shaft  190  through flange  193 . In particular, shaft  190  extends through the fourth member  26 , the third member  25 , the second member  24  and the first member  23 , as shown in  FIGS. 5-10 . 
         [0076]    Preferably, shaft  190  is hollow and centered on axis  17   a  of the first member  23 . Shaft  190  is supported on bushings  193 ′ and  194  respectively of support portions  195  and  196  of frame  200 . Arm  197  is fixed to the end of shaft  190 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Arm  197  is part of slide  198 , which can translate in direction T and T′ by being supported on guides  199 . 
         [0077]    In the described embodiment, a motor unit  400  is foreseen having a screw drive, as shown in  FIG. 5 , for translating slide  198  in directions T and T′. These translations result in translating dispensing nozzle  191  in direction T and T′ with respect to engagement members  112  and  112 ′. 
         [0078]    By using the movements described with reference to  FIG. 11  of the first member  23 , the second member  24 , the third member  25  together with the translation of nozzle  191  in directions T or T′, it is possible to position and move engagement member  112  and  112 ′ as shown in  FIGS. 8-12  and  FIGS. 8 a -12 a    of International application WO 2012/156066. These figures are herewith included, respectively, with the numbering  FIGS. 12 -16  and  FIGS. 12 a -16 a   . In the present description, the reference numbering of these figures taken from the above mentioned International application WO 2012/156066 has been changed to conform to the embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, some of the details have been omitted for reasons of clarity. 
         [0079]    It is possible to obtain the various bends of conductor  300  being fed through shaft  190  and nozzle  191  in order to form, for example, the hairpin configuration, or the undulated configurations shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 . 
         [0080]    With reference to  FIGS. 12 and 12   a , which are views in the plane of  FIG. 5  and respectively in a plane perpendicular to the plane of  FIG. 5 , a bend is being obtained on conductor  300  by engagement of both engagement members  112  and  112 ′, and the contrast reaction by the surface  192 . More particularly, engagement members  112  and  112 ′ have been rotated in direction R around axis  30  by rotating fourth member  26 . Also, with reference to  FIG. 12 a   , engagement members  112  and  112 ′ have been rotated in direction RO around first axis  17   a  by rotating third member  25 . Furthermore, engagement members  112  and  112 ′ have been moved in direction X and Y by rotating first member  23 , second member  24  and third member  25 . 
         [0081]    With reference to  FIGS. 13 and 13   a , which are also views respectively in the plane of  FIG. 5 , and respectively in a plane perpendicular to the plane of  FIG. 5 , a “sharper” bend is obtained on conductor  300  by engagement with engagement members  112  and  112 ′, and the contrast reaction of surface  192 . In this case, dispensing member  190  has been moved nearer to engagement members  112  and  112 ′, and therefore surface  192  has become nearer to engagement members  112  and  112 ′. Then, rotations in directions R and RO and translations in directions X and Y of engagement members  112  and  112 ′ can be obtained, like has been described previously with reference to  FIGS. 12 and 12   a.    
         [0082]    With reference to  FIGS. 14 and 14   a ,  FIG. 14  is a view perpendicular to the view of  FIG. 5 , whilst  FIG. 14 a    is a view perpendicular to  FIG. 14 . In  FIG. 14 , cutting members  600  have been shown moving in directions TG to cut the conductor  300  in order to free the formed coil member. 
         [0083]    In the described embodiment, cutting members  600  can be actuated by motorized unit  700 , which is shown in  FIG. 4 , and also shown with dashed line representation in  FIG. 5 . For example, the cutting members  600  straddle over dispensing member  191 , and can pass through apertures  191 ′ provided on opposite sides of dispensing member  191 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , to reach and cut conductor  300 . 
         [0084]      FIGS. 15 and 15   a  and  16  and  16   a  are views like those of  FIGS. 12 and 12   a , showing further situations of movement and engagement of engagement members  112  and  112 ′ and of the contrast reaction by the surface  192 , which can be obtained by combing rotations of first member  23 , second member  24 , third member  25 , fourth member  26  and translations of nozzle  191  in directions T and T′. 
         [0085]      FIGS. 17 and 18  shows a situation where torsion means, which in the described embodiment comprise for example a fork member  800  optionally provided on support member  29  (see also  FIG. 5 ). In this example, the fork member  800  has been aligned with a leg portion  20   c  of conductor  300  extending from dispensing nozzle  191  in a stage of forming a hairpin configuration. Following this alignment, fork member  800  can be rotated around the dispensing member  191  in direction R 1  by rotating with drive means, which in the described example comprise the third member  25 . This creates a torsion in portion  20   d , also due the contrast reaction by surface  192  of dispenser  191 , to obtain the inclination of angle A, as has been described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0086]    Preferably, control means  500  can be programmed with laws of motions of first member  23 , second member  24 , third member  25  and fourth member  26 , together with the timing occurrence of these laws of motion to accomplish bending shapes related to a variety of hairpin and undulated configurations. 
         [0087]    Naturally, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the embodiments and constructional details may be widely varied with respect to what has been described and illustrated, purely by way of a non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. 
         [0088]    For example in the described embodiment, the first axis of rotation  17   a  is substantially aligned with the axis along which the electric conductor  300  is fed through dispenser  191 . It will be evident to the skilled man that this characteristic is purely an example. In fact, in other embodiments of the present invention that have not been illustrated, the axis along which the electric conductor  300  is fed to be successively bent by one or more engagement members can be different from the first axis of rotation around which the first member is capable of rotating. In particular in the variations, the mentioned axis of feeding the electric conductor can be parallel to the first axis of rotation. 
         [0089]    In further less preferred variations it is also foreseen to have the feeding axis of the electric conductor with an orientation that is not parallel to the first axis of rotation of the first member.