Continuous coiling machine for rod and strip stock

Abstract

A continuous-acting take-up, coiling, cut-off and spooling machine is adapted for use with continuously producing metal casting equipment that casts metal rod or strip stock at a constant rate, and which produces the cast rod or strip stock at a relatively constant velocity. The machine coils, cuts-off, temporarily accumulates and spools or packages determinate lengths of the rod or strip stock formed by the casting apparatus. Driven rollers receive the leading end of the rod or strip stock. The rod or strip stock is cut to predetermined, desired lengths while still in motion so as to not disturb the feed velocity. Free-wheeling rollers forcibly impart a slight curvature and simultaneous axial displacement to the rod or strip stock along its length, forming coils or convolutions of helical configuration, which are deposited by gravity, over a turnably driven reel carried on a tiltable turntable. Provision is made for interrupting, after the filling of a reel, the helical deposition of rod or strip stock thereon, when the reel is either partially or else completely filled. A simultaneous accumulation of a limited number of convolutions of oncoming rod or strip stock is commenced, in a storage area lying immediately above the reel. After a substitute, empty reel is loaded, those convolutions which have accumulated in the storage area are released, and fall so as to be deposited directly onto the fresh reel. Turning of the latter is again initiated. Oncoming subsequently formed convolutions fall directly through the storage area and are deposited onto the new reel.