Coil winding and reeling equipment neatly coils flexible linear or planar materials, like wire or paper, onto coil winding bobbins, mandrels, spools and other drum like objects. Likewise, there is coil unwinding machinery to take up the reciprocal job, but also useful in the process of feeding materials into or from automated industrial machinery, cutoffs, and wire straighteners.

Perhaps the most common function for coil winding and unwinding machines is for production of solenoid bobbins, as well as coils for such devices as transformers, inductors, generators, etc.. Here are a few important types of coil winders and unwinders:

1. Oscillating coil unwinder

2. Single station unwinder

3. Automatic coil winder

4. Single spindle coil winder

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Select coil winding equipment that matches your needs

Obviously you will want to purchase a coil winding machine that handles the type of coils you're working with, but there are several factors that affect the quality of coil a winder will produce. The main ones to pay attention to are pitch setting, tension and speed. Beyond this, make sure to choose a winder with applicable layer dimensions and weight capacities.

I recommend: Broomfield carries a nice selection of winders for wire and foil, and they also carry both round and rectangular expandable mandrels and other winding equipment. George Stevens Manufacturing is another good source. They produce and sell continuous resistance, armature, bobbin and many other types of winders.

Choose the right type of coil winding and unwinding machines

Coil unwinders work in several ways, most of which are very simple. For example a centering unwinder or reeler holds a coil from the inside, similarly to how a sewing machine holds a spool of thread. Under the coil is an expandable mandrel where the unwound product gets wound again. A coil cradle holds a coil from the outside. For instance, it may have two rollers that hold a coil from the bottom that let the coil spin as product is pulled off. Pallet unwinders or decoilers are primarily for pancake coils.

I recommend: US Webcon carries a wide range of winding and unwinding equipment. For instance, they carry a "let-off" cradle unwinder similar to the one described above, but with multiple coil capability. There are many other companies that sell unwinding equipment for specific fields. For instance Azco handles converting and packaging and MPI Label Systems handles labeling needs.

Locate used coil winding machines

Especially when it comes to large, complex or especially high quality coil winders and unwinders, the cost can get quite high. Buying used coil winding products is a viable route to saving some money.

I recommend: Check to see what E. McGrath has in stock, but you will probably be pleasantly surprised with the selection. Used Equipment Network is just one of many other places to look.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're looking for a powered winder or unwinding equipment, you may want to ensure the device meets electromagnetic interference, or EMI, standards.