Patent Publication Number: US-6663033-B2

Title: Automatic winder doffing and re-tubing

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/572,537, filed May 17, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,078, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/136,537, filed May 28, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the production of glass fibers, and more particularly to removing fiber forming packages from a fiber winder and replacing the packages with forming tubes for production of subsequent forming packages. 
     2. Technical Considerations 
     In the manufacture of wound strand packages, and in particular glass fiber strand packages, in which continuous strands of fibers are wound around a forming tube on a rotating collet to form the strand package, the problem occurs of removing the package once it has become full, and replacing the package with another forming tube, preferably while not interfering with the continuous strand forming process. It is known in the production of glass fiber strand packages to utilize turret winders so as to minimize the impact of stopping the winder to remove, or doff, the packages from the collet. Although the use of turret winders maintains a generally continuous glass fiber forming operation, they add to the complexity of removing the packages from the collet and re-tubing the collet for the next forming package. Further complicating this operation, oftentimes the collet is used to form multiple packages that must be removed from the collet and replaced with new forming tubes for the next set of forming packages without interrupting the fiber forming process. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,106 discloses a method for automatically doffing a full forming package of a rotating collet. A doffing cup is extended over the rotating forming package and is rotated at a speed slightly greater than the speed of the forming package. A liner within the cup is then inflated to contact and grip the strand surface of the forming package. The cup is then retracted to remove the forming package from the rotating collet. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,052,016 discloses a method and apparatus for removing multiple forming packages from a collet by engaging the rearmost forming package on a rotatable collet and pulling this package along the collet to strip the other forming packages from the collet. 
     EP 0 427 994 131 discloses an apparatus for loading forming tubes on a winder, wherein the apparatus includes a reservoir for storing forming tubes to be mounted on the collet of the winder. 
     It would be advantageous to provide a system that reduces the complexity and increases the speed of doffing several strand packages from a winder and re-tubing the collet. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a forming tube assembly comprising: an adapter tube configured to extend over at least a portion of a collet of a winder; and at least one forming tube extending around at least a portion of the adapter tube. In one nonlimiting embodiment of the invention, the adapter tube of the forming tube assembly is made of polypropylene and includes a slit extending along at least a portion of the length of the adapter tube. In another nonlimiting embodiment of the invention, the forming tube assembly includes at least two forming tubes and a starter band extending around a portion of the adapter tube. 
     The present invention also provides a forming package assembly comprising: an adapter tube; and at least one forming package extending around the adapter tube. In one nonlimiting embodiment of the invention, the adapter tube of the forming package assembly is made of polypropylene and includes a slit extending along at least a portion of the length of the adapter tube and the forming package comprises a forming tube extending around the adapter tube and at least one continuous fiber strand wound around the forming tube. In another nonlimiting embodiment of the invention, the forming tube assembly includes at least two forming packages and a starter band extending around a portion of the adapter tube. 
     The present invention further provides a method of forming and doffing a forming package, comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a forming tube assembly on a collet of a winder, the assembly comprising: (i) an adapter tube which extends over at least a portion of the collet; and (ii) at least one forming tube extending around at least a portion of the adapter tube; (b) winding at least one continuous fiber strand around the at least one forming tube to form a forming package; and (c) simultaneously removing the adapter tube and forming package from the collet. In one nonlimiting embodiment of the invention, the forming tube assembly includes a plurality of forming tubes, and the winding step includes the step of winding at least one fiber strand around each forming tube of the plurality of forming tubes to form a plurality of forming packages, and the sliding removing step includes the step of simultaneously removing the adapter tube and the plurality of forming packages from the collet. 
     The present invention also provides a method of re-tubing a collet of a winder, comprising the steps of: positioning at least one forming tube around at least a portion of an adapter tube to form a preassembled forming tube assembly; and positioning the forming tube assembly over a collet of a winder. 
     The present invention further provides an apparatus for doffing and retubing a fiber winder, comprising: (a) an assembly support, (b) a support plate vertically movable along the assembly support; (c) a first assembly support extending from the support plate for supporting a forming package assembly comprising an adapter tube and at least one forming package extending around the adapter tube, the first assembly support comprising: (i) at least one gripper movable along the first assembly support between a first position and a second position and capable of engaging the forming tube assembly; and (ii) guides to support and guide the forming package assembly on the first assembly support; (d) a second assembly support extending from the support plate for supporting a forming tube assembly comprising an adapter tube and at least one forming tube extending around the adapter tube, the second assembly support comprising: (i) at least one pusher movable along the second assembly support between a first position and a second position and capable of engaging the forming tube assembly; and (ii) guides to support and guide the forming tube assembly on the second assembly support; and (e) a transport system capable of supporting the assembly support and horizontally moving the assembly support. 
     The present invention also provides a method of removing at least forming package from the collet of a fiber winder and positioning at least one forming tube on the collet, comprising: (a) providing a doffing and re-tubing device having a first assembly support for supporting a forming package assembly comprising an adapter tube and at least one forming package extending around the adapter tube, and a second assembly support for supporting a forming tube assembly comprising an adapter tube and at least one forming tube extending around the adapter tube; (b) aligning the first assembly support with a collet of a winder having a forming package assembly such that an end of the first support is close an end of the collet; (c) engaging the adapter tube of the forming package assembly with the first assembly support; (d) sliding the forming package assembly off the collet and onto the first assembly support; (e) aligning the second assembly support with the collet of the winder such that an end of the second assembly support is close the end of the collet; and (f) sliding a forming tube assembly positioned on the second assembly support off the second assembly support and onto the collet. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic of a typical glass fiber forming station. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of a forming tube assembly incorporating features of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2A is an exploded isometric view of another embodiment of a forming tube assembly incorporating features of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a forming tube assembly on a single collet winder incorporating features of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a forming package assembly incorporating features of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an adapter tube on a turret winder  20  incorporating features of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 are isometric views of a doffing and re-tubing device incorporating features of the present invention, with portions removed for clarity. 
     FIG. 8 is a view through line  8 — 8  in FIG. 6, with portions removed for clarity. 
     FIG. 9 is a view of a doffing and re-tubing system incorporating features of the present invention, with portions removed for clarity. 
     FIG. 10 is a view taken along line  10 — 10  of FIG. 7, with portions removed for clarity. 
     FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 6 of an alternate embodiment of the doffing and re-tubing device, with portions removed for clarity. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a system for doffing at least one forming package, and preferably several forming packages, from a winder and re-tubing the winder for production of additional forming packages. As used herein, the terms “doff or “doffing” means the removal of one or more forming packages from a fiber winder and the terms “re-tube” or re-tubing” means the positioning of one or more forming tubes on the winder. In addition, as used herein, the term “forming tube” means a cylindrically shaped tube member around which continuous fiber strands are wound on a winder, the term “fiber cake” means the assemblage of the continuous strands wound around the forming tube, and “forming package” means the combination of the forming tube with the fiber cake. 
     While the disclosure of the present invention will generally be discussed in connection with its use in continuous glass fiber forming operations, it will be recognized by one skilled in the art that the present invention is suitable for use with any continuous fiber forming operation wherein the fibers are wound to form forming packages. 
     The present invention is particularly well suited for use in glass fiber forming operations. Glass fibers suitable for use in the present invention can be formed from any type of fiberizable glass composition known to those skilled in the art, including, but not limited to, those prepared from fiberizable glass compositions such as “E-glass”, “A-glass”, “C-glass”, “ID-glass”, “R-glass”, “S-glass” and E-glass derivatives. As used herein “E-glass derivatives” means glass compositions that include minor amounts of fluorine and/or boron, and preferably are fluorine-free and/or boron-free. Furthermore, as used herein, “minor” means less than 0.5 weight percent fluorine and less than 5 weight percent boron. Preferred glass fibers are formed from E-glass and E-glass derivatives. Such compositions are well known to those skilled in the art. If additional information is needed, such glass compositions are disclosed in K Loewenstein,  The Manufacturing Technology of Continuous Glass Fibres,  (3d Ed. 1993) at pages 30-44, 47-60, 115-122 and 126-135 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,106 (see column 2, line 67 through column 4, line 53) and 5,789,329 (column 2, line 65 through column 4, line 24), which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     The glass fibers can have a nominal filament diameter ranging from about 3.0 to about 35.0 micrometers (corresponding to a filament designation of B through U and above). For further information regarding nominal filament diameters and designations of glass fibers, see Loewenstein at page 25, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     As discussed above, the present invention is useful in fiber forming operations other than glass fiber forming operations (i.e. “non-glass fiber” forming operations). Suitable non-glass fibers which can be used in accordance with the present invention are discussed at length in the  Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology,  Vol. 6 (1967) at pages 505-712, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,883,023 (see column 10, line 38 through column 11, line 10), which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a forming station  10  of a glass fiber forming operation includes a forming apparatus  12  having a strand supply device  14  for supplying at least one strand  16  to a winder  18 . As used herein, the term “strand” means a plurality of continuous fibers  20 . Fibers  20  are supplied from a glass melting furnace or forehearth (not shown) containing a supply of a fiber forming molten glass  22  and having a metal bushing  24  attached to the bottom of the forehearth. During the glass melting phase, the glass is typically heated to a temperature of at least about 2550OF (14000C.). The molten glass  22  is drawn through a plurality of nozzles  26  in the bushing  24  and attenuated to form fibers  20  by winding a strand  16  of fibers  20  on a forming tube  28  mounted on a rotatable collet  30  of winder  18 . More particularly, to start the attenuation process, the strands  16  are typically wrapped around the end cap of the collet  30 . When the winder  18  is up to speed, i.e. it is rotating the collet  30  at the speed required to attenuate the fibers  20  and form the desired fiber configuration, the strands  16  are moved from the end cap to their respective forming tubes  28 . Water sprays  32  can be positioned below the bushing  24  to spray water at the newly formed fibers  20  to cool them after being drawn from the bushing  24 . For clarity in the drawing, the refractory materials, cooling tubes and fins typically surrounding the metal bushing have been omitted. Alternatively, the forming apparatus  12  can be, for example, a forming device for synthetic textile fibers or strands in which fibers are drawn from nozzles, such as, but not limited to, a spinneret, as is known to those skilled in the art. Typical forehearths and glass fiber forming arrangements are shown in Loewenstein at pages 85-107 and pages 115-135, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Typically, immediately after the glass fibers  20  are drawn from the bushing  24  and attenuated and prior to the fibers being wound about collet  30 , they are contacted with an applicator  34  to apply a coating or sizing composition to at least a portion of the surface of the glass fibers  20  to protect the fiber surface from abrasion during processing. Typical sizing compositions for glass fibers are aqueous and can include as components, among other constituents, film-formers, lubricants, coupling agents, and emulsifiers. Non-limiting examples of sizing compositions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,306 (see column 4, line 60 through column 7, line 57); 4,305,742 (see column 5, line 64 through column 8, line 65) and 4,927,869 (see,column 9, line 20 through column 11, line 19); 5,908,689 (see column 4 line 24 through column 7 line 31 and column 15 line 47 through column 21 line 39) and 5,833,021 (see column 6 line 7 through column 9 line-19), which are hereby incorporated by reference. Additional information and further non-limiting examples of suitable sizing compositions are set forth in Loewenstein at pages 237-291, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     The applicator  34  typically includes a roller  36  having a generally cylindrical surface positioned within an enclosure  38 . The enclosure  38  further includes a sizing reservoir. The roller  36  is positioned within the enclosure  38  such that a portion of the roller surface is submerged within the sizing composition. As the roller  36  is rotated within the enclosure  38 , its surface is coated with a film of the sizing which thereafter coats at least a portion of the surface of the fibers which pass over and contact the roller surface, in a manner well known in the art. For additional information regarding applicators, see Loewenstein at pages 165-172, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     A gathering device  40  mounted at the forming station  10  in any convenient manner is used to gather selected groups of fibers  20  and form one or more strands  16 . The strands  16  typically have about 100 to about 15,000 fibers per strand, and preferably about 200 to about 7,000 fibers, and are drawn through the gathering device  40  at speeds of about 2,500 to about 18,000 feet per minute (about 762 to about 5,486 meters per minute). Although not limiting in the instant invention, the gathering device  40  typically divides the fibers  20  to form up to about 20 strands. 
     The forming apparatus  12  also includes a spiral  42  for placing the strands  16  in a given pattern on the forming tube  28  positioned upon the reciprocating, rotatable collet  30  of winder  18  to produce a forming package  44 . The strands  16  are directed to one of several forming tubes  28  on the winder  18  so that several forming packages  44  (shown in FIG. 4) can be formed on the single collet  30 . Sidewalls  46  are positioned to generally enclose the forming station  10  and isolate the bushing  24 , applicator  34 , gathering device  40 , strands  16  and fibers  20  from similar elements in adjacent forming stations Sidewalls  46  also provide support for other devices, such as, for example, additional water sprays and air cooling ducts, that can be used at the forming station  10  in forming the strands  16 . 
     The present invention provides an apparatus and method for removing at least one, and preferably multiple forming packages from the collet  30 . In the following discussion, the invention is presented in conjunction with doffingmultiple forming packages from the collet of a winder and re-tubing the collet with multiple forming tubes, but it should be appreciated that the present invention can also be used for doffing and re-tubing a single forming package and single forming tube. More specifically, referring to FIG.  2  and as discussed earlier, winder  18  includes rotatable collet  30  adapted to receive one or more forming tubes  28  for forming glass fiber forming packages. Forming tubes  28  are typically made of plastic or reinforced paper. In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, collet  30  is configured to receive three forming tubes  28 A,  28 B and  28 C. When the winding operation is complete, it is difficult and time consuming to remove each individual forming package and re-tube the collet with additional forming tubes for the next set of forming packages. In addition, the fiber strands that have been wrapped around the collet end cap must be cut and removed from the collet before the strand packages can be removed. 
     To solve this problem, the present invention uses an adapter tube  50 , as shown in FIGS. 2,  3  and  4 , to position forming tubes on and remove forming packages from the collet  30  of winder  18 . More specifically, adapter tube  50  extends generally along the length of the collet  30  and the forming tubes  28  are fitted around the adapter tube  50  to form a forming tube assembly  52 . As used herein, the term “forming tube assembly” means the combination of one or more forming tubes  28 , and optionally a starter band  54  (discussed below), on an adapter tube  50 , as shown in FIG.  2 . Although not required, in one nonlimiting embodiment of the invention, the forming tube assembly  52  can be preassembled and positioned as a single unit on the winder collet  30  to simultaneously re-tube the collet  30  with multiple forming tubes  28  and prepare the collet  30  for subsequent winding of the strands  16  to form forming packages, as will be discussed later in more detail. During the winding operation, strands are wound around the forming tubes  28  to form multiple forming packages  44  and a forming package assembly  56  as shown in FIG.  4 . As used herein, the term “forming package assembly” means the combination of one or more forming packages  44 , and optionally starter band  54 , on an adapter tube  50 . When the winding operation is complete, all the forming packages  44  in the forming package assembly  56  can be simultaneously removed from the collet  30  by sliding the adapter tube  50  from the collet  30 , as will be discussed later in more detail. 
     The present invention also incorporates the use of a starter band  54 . The starter band  54  is positioned on adapter tube  50  as shown in FIGS. 2-4 and replaces the need to wind the fiber strands  16  around the collet end cap to begin the fiber attenuation process. More specifically, in the fiber winding operation of the present invention, the fiber strands are wound around the starter band  54  as the collet  30  is rotating to begin the fiber attenuation. When the speed of the collet  30  reaches that required to provide the desired fiber size, the strands  16  are moved from the starter band  54  to their respective forming tubes  28  to form the forming packages  44 . After the forming package assembly  56  is removed from the winder collet  30 , as will be discussed later in more detail, the starter band  54  can be removed from the adapter tube  50  and compressed or deformed so that the fiber strands  16  wound around the band  54  can be removed and the band  54  can be reused. 
     It should be appreciated that although FIG. 2 shows the use of the adapter tube  50  in combination with a single collet winder  18 , the present invention can be use on a turret winder of a type well know in the art. More specifically, referring to FIG. 5, turret winder  118  includes two collets  130  and  131  secured to a rotatable plate  112 . In the winder arrangement shown in FIG. 5, a forming tube assembly  152  including an adapter tube  150 , a starter band  154  and forming tubes  128  positioned thereon, is mounted on upper collet  130  and the glass fibers are wound around forming tubes  128 . A second forming tube assembly  153  including an adapter tube  151 , a starter band  155  and forming tubes  129 , is positioned on lower collet  131 . When the formation of the forming packages on the upper collet  130  is complete, plate  112  rotates in the direction indicated by arrow  114  to move collet  130  from its upper position to the lower position previously occupied by collet  131 , and to move collet  131  from its lower position to the upper position previously occupied by collet  130 . The strand can then be engaged by starter band  155  and subsequently directed to the appropriate forming tubes  129  on adapter tube  151  to form the next set of forming packages while forming package assembly, which includes adapter tube  150  and forming packages incorporating forming tubes  128 , is removed from collet  130 . Once removed, a preassembled forming tube assembly comprising an adapter tube, starter band and forming tubes can be slid over collet  130  as strand is being wound around forming tubes  129 , so that collet  130  can be rotated to its original position after formation of forming packages on forming tubes  129  is complete. 
     Adapter tube  50  should be sufficiently strong so that the tube will not rip or break when the forming package assembly  56  is removed from the collet  30  during doffing and sufficiently stiff so as not to buckle when the forming tube assembly  52  is slid onto the collet  30  during re-tubing. In addition, it is preferred that the adapter tube  50  be made from a flexible material so that it can conform to the changing shape of the collet  30 , as will be discussed later. Although not limiting in the present invention, adapter tube  50  is made from reinforced paper, rubber or plastic material. Non-limiting examples of suitable plastics include polyester materials, epoxy materials, polyolefin materials, e.g. polypropylene, and combinations thereof. 
     Although not required, in the nonlimiting embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, tube  50  includes a slit  58  along at least a portion of its length so that its diameter can be easily reduced to facilitate removal of the forming packages  44  and positioning of new forming tubes  28  along the adapter tube  50 . In addition, the slit  58  allows the diameter of the adapter tube  50  to increase to conform to the expanded surface configuration of the collet  30  which results when the collet fingers (not shown) extend from the surface of the collet  30  during winding to increase its effective diameter and engage and secure the adapter tube  50 . As the diameter of the collet  30  and adapter tube  50  increases, the adapter tube  50  firmly engages the forming tube  28  and starter band  54 . As shown in FIG. 2A, an adapter tube  51 , in another nonlimiting embodiment, can include a slit  58  that extends along the entire length of the adapter tube  51 . 
     It is preferred that the adapter tube  50  extend slightly beyond starter band  54  and end  60  of the collet  30  so that a doffing and re-tubing device (shown schematically in FIGS. 6,  7  and  9  and will be discussed below in more detail) can grip end  62  of the adapter tube  50  and pull it off the collet  30  along with forming packages  44  and starter band  54 , as well as push adapter tube  50  along with multiple forming tubes  28  and a starter band  54  onto the collet  30  to re-tube the winder  18 . 
     In one nonlimiting embodiment of the invention, adapter tube  50  is made of reinforced paper and includes a slit  58  along its entire length. Although not limiting in the present invention, the adapter tube  50  was combined with reinforced paper forming tubes  28  and a 3-inch wide, reinforced paper starter band  54  positioned about 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) back from the end of the adapter tube  50 . 
     In another nonlimiting embodiment of the invention, adapter tube  50  is formed from a polypropylene tube having a wall thickness of about 0.066 inch (1.68 mm). The tube included a 0.3125 inch (7.94 mm) wide slit  58  that extends along most of its length, with the slit terminating approximately 1.75 inches (4.45 cm) from the end  62  of the tube  50 , i.e. the end of the tube that is engaged by the doffing and re-tubing device. The polypropylene adapter tube has an 11.83 inch (30.05 cm) inner diameter to fit over a nominal 12 inch (30.48 cm) diameter collet. In one nonlimiting collet configuration the collet has a collapsed diameter of about 11.61 inches (29.49 cm) and an expanded diameter of about 11.91 inches (30.25 cm). Approximately 1.75 inches (4.45 cm) of the end  62  of adapter tube  50  extends beyond end  60  of collet  30  so as to provide a portion of the adapter tube  50  that can be engaged by the doffing and re-tubing device. The starter band  54  used in combination with this embodiment of the adapter  50  is a 2.25 inch (5.72 cm) wide polyurethane band that includes a series of annular ribs on its outer surface that engage the fiber strand as fiber attenuation is initiated. The diameter of the forming tubes  28  is sized to fit over both the collet  30  and polypropylene adapter tube  50 . 
     In one nonlimiting embodiment of the invention, the collet  30  of winder  18  includes an expandable end cap  64  (shown in FIG. 3) and the starter band  54  is positioned approximately 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) back from end  62  of tube  50  so that when the forming tube assembly  52  is positioned on the collet  30 , the starter band  54  is positioned over the end cap  64  of the collet  30 . The end cap  64  is expanded after forming tube assembly  52  is positioned on the collet  30  to ensure tight fit of the starter band  54  as the strand is wound around the starter band  54  during initiation of fiber attenuation. In one nonlimiting endcap configuration, the endcap expands from a diameter of about 11.44 inches (29.06 cm) to about 11.92 inches (30.28). In one nonlimiting embodiment of the invention, the doffing and re-tubing device expands the end cap  64  after positioning the forming tube assembly  52  on collet  30  and retracts the end cap  64  prior to removal of the forming package assembly  56  so that the adapter tube  50 , starter band  54  and forming packages  44  can be removed from the collet  30 . Although not limiting in the present invention, the end cap  64  can be configured as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,342, which is hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, in a nonlimiting embodiment of the end cap  64 , air pressure is used to inflate and expand the end cap, and the air pressure is released to deflate and retract the end cap. 
     FIGS. 6,  7  and  9  illustrate a schematic of the nonlimiting doffing and re-tubing device discussed earlier. In particular, FIG. 6 illustrates device  200  while supporting a forming tube assembly  52  and a forming package assembly  56 , with portions of the gantry framing removed for clarity. FIG. 7 illustrates a gantry  202  of device  200  while not supporting any assembly  52  or  56 . Referring to FIG. 6, the device  200  includes a gantry  202  supported by an overhead transport system  204 , and in particular a pair of rails  205 . Gantry  202  is supported from and movable via a drive (not shown) along rails  205  by a carriage  206  so that the gantry  202  is horizontally movable from collet to collet along the rails  205 . The gantry  202  is supported from carriage  206  by a support beam  207  which extends from a support post  208  of the gantry  202 . Carriage  206  also includes a set of rails  209  that extends between rails  205  and allows the carriage  206 , and thus gantry  202 , to move in a horizontal direction transverse to the rails  205 , and more specifically, move toward and away from a collet. The carriage  206  can also rotate about a vertical axis to provide rotation of the gantry  202 , as will be discussed later in more detail. The support post  208  of gantry  202  is slidably engaged by a support plate  210  of a support assembly  212 . A drive (not shown) is used to move the support plate  210  and support assembly  212  vertically along the support post  208 , as will be discussed later in more detail. Referring to FIG. 7, the gantry  202  further includes a frame  213  positioned opposite support post  208  and supported by support beam  207  and side beams  215  and  217 . 
     Support assembly  212  of gantry  202  further includes assembly supports  214  and  216  that are secured to and extend from support plate  210 . In the particular embodiment of doffing and re-tubing device  200  shown in FIGS. 6,  7  and  9 , the upper assembly support  214  is used to remove a forming package assembly  56  from a winder  18  while the lower assembly support  216  is used to re-tube the winder  18  with a preassembled forming tube assembly  52 . Referring to upper assembly support  214 , a plurality of gripper mechanisms  222  are moveable along the length of the support assembly  214  between a first position, wherein the gripper mechanisms  222  are at end  224  of assembly support  214  and a second position as shown in FIG. 6, wherein the gripper mechanism is positioned adjacent to support plate  210 . When at their first position, the gripper mechanisms  222  can engage end  62  of an adapter tube  50  of a forming package assembly  56  positioned on collet  30  of winder  18 . The gripper mechanisms  222  can then move to their second position and pull the forming package assembly  56  off the winder collet  30  and slide it onto the upper assembly support  214 , as shown in FIG.  6  and will be discussed later in more detail. The lower assembly support  216  similarly includes a plurality of gripper mechanisms  226  moveable along the length of the lower assembly support  216  between a first position adjacent the support plate  210  as shown in FIG. 6, wherein gripper mechanisms  226  can engage end  62  of an adapter tube  50  of a forming tube assembly  52  supported on assembly support  216 , to a second position at end  228  of the lower assembly support  216 , wherein as the gripper mechanisms  226  move from their first to second position, they push the forming tube assembly  52  off the lower assembly support  216  and onto the collet  30  of a winder  18 . Drive assemblies for the gripper mechanisms  222  and  226  are not shown for clarity; however, as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the gripper mechanisms  222  and  226  can be moved along rails or any other type of guide system and can be reciprocated by a variety of different types of drive systems well known in the art, such as but not limited to gears, ball screws and linear actuators. 
     In one nonlimiting embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 8, the upper assembly support  214  include three gripper mechanisms  222  mounted on a support  250  that slides along a rail  252  that extends the length of the support assembly  214 . Without limiting the present invention, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, each gripper mechanism  222  includes a reciprocating member  254  with teeth extending from its outwardly facing surface  256 . To engage the adapter tube  50  when positioned at the end  62  of the adapter tube  50 , as will be discussed later in more detail, member  254  moves outward and presses a portion of tube end  62  against a backing plate  258  to secure the portion of end  62  therebetween. Gripper mechanism  222  can then move along upper assembly support  214  and slide forming package assembly  56  with forming packages  44  along the upper assembly support  214 . If desired, lower support assembly  216  can include the same type of slide arrangement. However, since the weight of the forming tube assembly  52  is less than that of the forming package assembly  56 , it is expected that fewer gripper mechanisms  226  will be required on lower assembly support  216 . Assembly support  214  can also include guide plates  230 ,  232  and  233 , and assembly support  216  can include guide plates  235  and  237  along which the adapter tube  50  of the forming package assembly  56  and forming tube assembly  52  can slide on the respective assemblies as the assemblies are removed from or positioned on the collet  30  of winder  18 . 
     The following is a description of one nonlimiting method in which the doffing and re-tubing device  200  shown in FIGS. 6,  7  and  9  can be used in a glass fiber forming operation. In particular, referring to FIG. 9, a system includes a plurality of collet winders  18  and a plurality of package supports  260  with doffing and re-tubing device  200  positioned therebetween. At the beginning of the operating cycle, the upper assembly support  214  of support assembly  212  is empty with gripper mechanisms  222  at their first position, and the lower assembly support  216  includes a forming tube assembly  52  with gripper mechanisms  226  at their first position. The gantry  202  moves horizontally along the support rails  205  until it is aligned with a winder  18  that has completed a fiber winding cycle and its collet  30  is supporting a forming package assembly  56 . In one nonlimiting embodiment of the winder  18 , after the fiber winding cycle is complete, the collet  30  is indexed outward from the winder  18  along the collet centerline. This moves the forming package assembly  56  away from the forming station  10  and makes it more accessible by the doffing and re-tubing device  200 . The support plate  210  and support assembly  212  then moves vertically along the support post  208  until the upper assembly support  214  is vertically aligned with the collet  30 . The carriage  206  then moves horizontally along the rails  209  to move the gantry  202  such that the end  224  of the upper assembly support  214  is positioned inside the over hanging end  62  of adapter tube  50  of forming package assembly  56  and a fitting (not shown) at end  224  can engage the expandable end cap  64  at end  60  of collet  18 , which has been expanded by air pressure to secure the adapter tube  50  and starter band  54 , and deflate it. Gripper mechanisms  222  then engage end  62  of the adapter tube  50  and move to their second position, sliding the forming package assembly  56  off the collet  30  and onto the upper assembly support  214 . Support assembly  212  is then moved to re-tube the collet  30 . More particularly, the support plate  210  moves upwardly along the support post  208  so as to align the lower assembly support  216  with the empty collet  30  and positions end  228  of the lower assembly support  216  adjacent to end  60  of collet  30  of winder  18 . The gripper mechanisms  226  on the lower assembly support  216  then moves from their first position to their second position so as to slide the forming tube assembly  52  off the lower assembly support  216  and onto the collet  30  and a fitting (not shown) at end  228  of lower assembly support  216  engages to the end  60  of the collet  18  and inflates end cap  64  to expand it. The gripper mechanisms  226  then disengage the adapter tube  50 . The gantry  202  is then moved away from the winder  18  by sliding the carriage  206  along rails  209  while the collet  30  is repositioned on the winder  18  to begin the next fiber winding operation. The gantry  202  is then rotated about a vertical axis so that the assembly supports  214  and  216  are now facing the package supports  260 . The gantry  202  next moves horizontally along the rails  205  until the upper assembly support  214  is aligned with an empty package support  260 . The support assembly  212  then moves vertically via support plate  210  along support post  208  to vertically align the upper assembly support  214  with the package support  260 . The gantry  202  is then advanced horizontally along rails  209  to move end  224  of the upper assembly support  214  immediately adjacent end  262  of the package support  260 . The gripper mechanisms  222  then moves from their second position to their first position, thereby sliding the forming package assembly  56  off the upper assembly support  214  and unloading it onto the package support  260 . The gantry  202  is then moved away from the package support  260  along rails  205  and  209  and a preassembled forming tube assembly  52  is positioned on the lower assembly  5  support  216  prior to the initiation of the next cycle. Positioning of the preassembled forming tube assembly  52  on the lower assembly support  216  can be done either manually or automatically. 
     It should be appreciated that in the above nonlimiting embodiment of the invention, wherein grippers  226  push the forming tube assembly  52  off the lower assembly support  216 , if the grippers  226  are not used to pull any assembly onto the lower assembly support  216  the grippers  226  can be replace with pusher devices (not shown) that simply push the forming tube assembly rather than grip it as does grippers  226 . However, where the lower assembly support  216  must perform additional functions, for example as discussed below, grippers  226  are preferred. 
     As an alternative to unloading the forming packages, starting tube, and adapter tube of the forming package assembly  56  at the package support  260 , a stripping device  270  as will be discussed later in more detail, can be positioned either on the gantry  202  as shown in FIG. 7 or at the package support  260 , which will strip the forming packages  44  and starter band  54  off the adapter tube  50 . More particularly, during the unloading operation, after the gripper mechanism  222  has moved from its second position to its first position and unloaded the forming package assembly  56  from the upper assembly support  214 , the stripper device  270  can move into place to engage the adapter tube  50  of the forming package assembly  56  on the package support  260  so that the gripper mechanisms  222  can maintain engagement with the adapter tube  50  and return to their second position on the upper assembly support  214  while the stripper device holds the forming packages  44  and starter band  54  on the package support  260 . In this manner, the adapter tube  50  is slid out from under the forming packages  50  and starter band  54  and is repositioned on the upper assembly support  214 . The adapter tube  50  can then be removed from the upper assembly support  214  either automatically or manually. As an alternative, a new starter band and forming tubes can be positioned on the adapter tube and the doffing and re-tubing cycle can be repeated except that the lower assembly support  216  will now doff the forming package assembly  56  and the upper assembly support  214  will re-tube the collet  30  with a preassembled forming tube assembly  52 . 
     As another alternative, support plate  210  can be rotated about a horizontal axis so that the upper assembly support  214  moves to the lower assembly support position and the lower assembly support  216  moves to the upper assembly support position. A starter band and forming packages can then be positioned on the adapter tube that is already positioned on the new lower assembly support. It should be appreciated that with these later two alternatives, both the upper and lower assembly supports should have the capability to inflate and deflate the inflatable end cap of the collet. 
     In one nonlimiting embodiment of the invention and referring to FIG. 10, stripper devices  270  is mounted on support beams  215  and  217  of gantry  202  and include a cylinder  274  having a reciprocating piston rod  276  pinned to one end  278  of a pivoting link  280 . The other end  282  of the link  278  includes a stripping member  284 . Link  278  is mounted on support beams  215  and  217  such that it can pivot about mount  286 . In operation, as the forming package assembly  56  is unloaded from the upper support assembly  214 , the stripping device is in a first position as shown in FIG. 10 to allow the forming package assembly  56  to be removed from the doffing and re-tubing device  200 . More specifically, the rod  276  of cylinder  274  is in a retracted position so that stripping member  284  is spaced from the adapter tube  50 . Once unloaded and while the gripper mechanism  222  is still engaging end  62  of the adapter tube  50 , the stripper device  270  moves to a second position wherein cylinder  274  extends rod  276 , which in turn pivots link  280  about mount  286  and moves stripping member  284  into contact with the adapter tube  50 , as shown in the phantom lines  288  in FIG.  10 . As discussed above, the gripper mechanisms  222  can then move back to their second position on upper support assembly  214  and stripping member  284  will keep the starter band  54  and forming packages  44  on the package support  260 . After the adapter tube  50  is removed from the package support  260 , the stripper device  270  is pivoted back to its first position. 
     As should be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the movement of the apparatus discussed above and their individual components is controlled by one or more controllers. Although not required, in the particular embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 6,  7  and  9 , the support post  208  includes a controller  290  to control the doffing and re-tubing operation. It should also be appreciated that several of the movements discussed above can be performed simultaneously. For example, and without limiting the present invention, the support assembly  212  can simultaneously move horizontally along rails  205  and  209  and vertically along support post  208  to align upper assembly support  214  with a collet  30 . 
     FIG. 11 illustrates a nonlimiting alternate embodiment of a doffing and re-tubing device. More specifically, rather than moving upper and lower assembly supports vertically along a guide post as a forming package assembly is removed from a winder and the collet is re-tubed with a forming tube assembly as discussed above, the doffing and re-tubing device can be configured to position the assembly supports side by side. More particularly, referring to FIG. 11, gantry  302  includes a support assembly having a forming package assembly support  314  which extends from a first support plate  310  and a forming tube assembly support  316  which extends from a second support plate (not shown). In operation, gantry  302  moves horizontally along rails  305  and  309  and forming package assembly support  314  moves vertically along support post  308  to align forming package assembly support  314  with a collet of a winder. A forming package assembly  56  is removed from the collet in a manner as discussed above. However, to re-tube the collet, the gantry  302  is moved horizontally and the forming tube assembly support  316  moves vertically along support post  311  to align forming tube assembly support  316  with the collet and the forming tube assembly is positioned on the collet in a manner as discussed above. If desired, forming package assembly support  314  and forming tube assembly support  316  be supported on a common support plate so that both assembly supports move vertically together. 
     The doffing and re-tubing devices discussed above combine the removal of the forming package assembly and its replacement with a forming tube assembly into a single device. It should be appreciated that the doffing and re-tubing procedures can each be performed by a separate device incorporating the features of the present invention as discussed above. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modification which are within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.