A creel assembly having an outer wall defines an interior space, a plurality of yarn package engagement locations distributed within the interior space, a gantry that is movable secured within the interior space, and at least one processor. The gantry is positioned to selectively engage yarn packages within the interior space. In use, the gantry can selectively access the plurality of yarn package engagement locations. The processor is communicatively coupled to the gantry and receives an input corresponding to a selected action by the gantry. Modular creel systems can be formed from a plurality of the disclosed creel assemblies. Methods of using and assembling the disclosed creel assemblies and modular creel systems are also disclosed.

A filament winding device includes: a helical winder which winds a fiber bundle around a liner; a bobbin supporting shaft which rotatably supports a bobbin for providing the fiber bundle to the helical winder and a bobbin different from the bobbin in a state in which winding-initiation ends of the fiber bundle wound around the bobbin and winding-termination ends of the fiber bundle wound around the bobbin connect to each other; and a fiber bundle storage unit. The fiber bundle storage unit has a stopper which can switch the fiber bundle storage unit between a storage state in which the fiber bundle is stored in the fiber bundle storage unit and a storage-released state in which the fiber bundle has been released from storage in the fiber bundle storage unit and the fiber bundle is supplied from the fiber bundle storage unit to the helical winding unit.

A filament winding device includes: a helical winder which winds a fiber bundle around a liner; a bobbin supporting shaft which rotatably supports a bobbin for providing the fiber bundle to the helical winder and a bobbin different from the bobbin in a state in which winding-initiation ends of the fiber bundle wound around the bobbin and winding-termination ends of the fiber bundle wound around the bobbin connect to each other; and a fiber bundle storage unit. The fiber bundle storage unit has a stopper which can switch the fiber bundle storage unit between a storage state in which the fiber bundle is stored in the fiber bundle storage unit and a storage-released state in which the fiber bundle has been released from storage in the fiber bundle storage unit and the fiber bundle is supplied from the fiber bundle storage unit to the helical winding unit.

An automatic mechanical spool changer for 3-D printers includes a filament guide and a pre-loading device. The input to the filament guide receives at least a primary filament from a primary spool and a secondary filament from a secondary spool. The output from the filament guide connects to an extruder, and the output from the filament guide sequentially and automatically provides the primary filament and then the secondary filament to the extruder. The pre-loading device exerts a pre-loaded force on the secondary filament during the extrusion of the primary filament. After the primary filament passes a predetermined location within the filament guide, the force exerted on the secondary filament threads the secondary filament through the output of the filament guide and into the extruder.

An automatic mechanical spool changer for 3-D printers includes a filament guide and a pre-loading device. The input to the filament guide receives at least a primary filament from a primary spool and a secondary filament from a secondary spool. The output from the filament guide connects to an extruder, and the output from the filament guide sequentially and automatically provides the primary filament and then the secondary filament to the extruder. The pre-loading device exerts a pre-loaded force on the secondary filament during the extrusion of the primary filament. After the primary filament passes a predetermined location within the filament guide, the force exerted on the secondary filament threads the secondary filament through the output of the filament guide and into the extruder.

An applicator head for applying an adhesive tape on a surface or substrate, wherein the adhesive tape comprises a material and at least one removable liner, the applicator head comprising: an application tip; a cutting mechanism positioned adjacent an outer most point of the application tip; a positioning device is configured such that the cutting mechanism severs the material while maintaining the at least one removable liner intact.

A system comprising: a source of a tape comprising a material associated with an adhesive and at least one removable liner; an applicator head; a cutting mechanism; at least one drive feeding mechanism configured to index the tape from the source to the applicator head at a controlled rate; wherein the applicator head is controllable to apply the material on a surface or a substrate; and wherein the applicator head comprises a cutting mechanism configured to sever the material while leaving the at least one removable liner intact.

A feeding system configured to transport a material to a tape applicator, the feeding system comprising: a flexible conduit coupled between a spool unloading device and a tape applicator, wherein the flexible conduit receives the material from a source; and a fluid amplifier coupled to the flexible conduit to facilitate movement of the material therein by creating a vacuum effect.

An automatic yarn feeding system is provided. The system comprises a yarn feeding track which is arranged on the twisting machine in a length direction of the twisting machine and provided with a yarn feeding manipulator walking along the yarn feeding track; and a supply zone which is arranged on one side of the yarn feeding track and used to buffer base yarns. The yarn feeding manipulator is used to convey the base yarns from the supply zone to a yarn feeding creel of each spindle position. The yarn feeding track is located in the middle of the top of the twisting machine. The supply zone is provided with a structure for buffering a plurality of base yarns, and is located on one side of an end of the yarn feeding track on the top of a control cabinet.

A pneumatic linear ejector (1) of the type attachable to an arm (101) of a movable arm unwinder (100) for reels (102); the ejector (1) comprising a plurality of segments (2a, 2b, 2c) nested one in the other and slidable over each other, each having a respective seat (3) for the passage and/or accommodation of a chuck (104) configured to grasp a core (106) of a reel (102), the seats (3) are coaxial and define a central axis (A); the first segment (2a) is defined by an annular cylinder (20) attachable to an unwinder (100) and having a base (21) adapted to face the unwinder (100); a closing portion (25) is fixed to the first segment (2a) and closes the seat (3), the closing portion (25) is configured to support the chuck (104).