Jump mechanism

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for developing a plurality of coils of conductive wire for use in magnetic cores are disclosed. In one embodiment, a coil turn forming assembly having a coil form portion with a plurality of turn-gauging steps thereon is employed to develop a plurality of coils. A flyer generates turns of wire about the coil turn forming assembly and a jump mechanism locates the turn-gauging steps in the path of the wire generating the turns. The jump mechanism includes a cam surface with a plurality of axially and radially displaced stops thereon. A cam follower which is movable with the coil form portion is provided to sequentially engage the cam stops. A control arrangement actuates the jump mechanism to move the cam surface radially allowing engagement of the cam follower with different stops of the cam surface to place different turn-gauging steps of the coil form in the path of the wire generating the turns. The coil turn forming assembly is thereby moved across the winding path to sequentially locate turn-gauging steps of the coil form in position to receive turns of wire as the follower follows the cam surface. The cam surface has a generally spiral staircase configuration and is disposed on a segment of a right circular cylinder. Different stops of the cam are presented to the cam follower by incrementally rotating the cylinder segment about the cylinder axis. Upon completion of a set of coils or coil group, a ratchet which has been incrementing the cam surface is rendered inoperative to allow resetting of the cam surface to an initial position for forming or developing another set of coils.