what machines are available for winding SMPS transformers? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: midnightvisions
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2023, 07:30:06 am
content: Hey GuysI'm looking to see what's available in machines that wind SMPS transformers.I'm looking at the TDK PQ series of bobbins. I've contacted TDk numerous times trying to find out what machines wind the coils, but they just won't respond for love or money.I've contacted Digi-Key, Mouser and a few other sales reps and they don't have a clue either.Am I asking about forbidden technology?I'm looking for a small machines that will wind one coil one at a time? Does that exist?cheers.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2023, 07:52:43 am
content: maybe look on aliexpress/alibaba.https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003657531207.htmlhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/32996293440.htmlhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002566824164.htmlWhen searching for a winder you probably wont get anywhere searching for the make/model of bobbin you want to wind.Normally the machine is quite universal and you simply set it up for the specific bobbin you want to wind.Sometimes that is easy with the parts included with the machine, other times you might need to create a custom part to hold that bobbin in the right location.

author: Hawaka
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2023, 08:18:33 am
content: For such core you would normally use coil former. You wind on the coil former, then mount the core.I have used in the past a vintage Meteor winding machine. It’s basically a lathe with a turn counter. For one off or low serie you can probably DIY something pretty easily.In between winding a few turn of isolated tape does the trick.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2023, 08:23:05 am
content: +1 for the older Meteor. (Swiss made)They last forever and the price is reasonable on the used market.

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2023, 12:06:11 pm
content: Quote from: Hawaka on May 03, 2023, 08:18:33 amIn particular the OP probably doesn't want to buy a $1,000 automated coil winder to put wire onto a 50-cent bobbin. If it's a one-off or very small run for which the primary goal is to do it with the least expense, look for fishing-line winders or you can DIY it like I did when I needed to wind some ferrites, get some pillow block bearings and a car window handle off Aliexpress, screw them onto a base, attach whatever you're winding the wire onto between the bearings and wind away. You have to count the turns by hand but either it's a small number of turns and easy enough to count or it's a large number of turns and being off by one isn't a big deal. Total cost was about ten dollars.It's a great thing to do while you're calling your mom... 127, 128, 129, yeah, 130, 131, 132, uh-huh, 133, 134, 135, no, I'm still listening, 136, 137, 138...

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2023, 04:53:39 am
content: Quote from: 5U4GB on May 03, 2023, 12:06:11 pmDid you see my 2nd link?

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2023, 06:15:33 am
content: Quote from: Psi on May 06, 2023, 04:53:39 amYup. Did you see the shipping cost for that, which is where they're hiding the true price.

author: midnightvisions
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2023, 09:10:47 am
content: Thanks gang