Controlling spindle tension

摘要

A technique for maintaining tension on fiber drawn from a spindle includes incorporating a permanent magnet brake into a spindle and controlling tension of fiber paid out from the spindle by rotating an adjustment plate of the permanent magnet brake with a motor. In some examples, a motor (e.g., a stepper motor) is coupled to the adjusting plate of the permanent magnet motor through a set of gears, a timing belt, or a similar transmission medium. Mechanical advantage afforded through gear reduction allows a very small motor to control a large amount of braking torque. Motor control may be accomplished for multiple spindles with little power.

主权项

1. A method of dispensing fiber comprising:
receiving stepper motor drive signals; varying an angular position of a stepper motor shaft in response to the stepper motor drive signals; and varying, in response to the angular position of the stepper motor shaft, an angular position of an adjustment plate of a permanent magnet brake relative to a housing of the permanent magnet brake, to vary the back tension on a fiber being paid out from a spindle coupled to the permanent magnet brake; wherein varying the angular position of the adjustment plate of the permanent magnet relative to the housing of the permanent magnet brake varies the angular position of the adjustment plate relative to a flux gate within the housing and fixedly attached to the housing.