A winding system contains a let off stand, a winding coordinator, and a wind-up stand. The left off stand contains a tape holder and a generally planar base which rotates in a first direction. The winding coordinator contains a generally planar section having an opening for an elongated element and rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

A consumable assembly for supplying filament to a 3D printer includes a spool-less filament coil, a payout tube, and a compressive band. The coil of filament is wound in a configuration having a generally cylindrical outer perimeter and an open interior; the coil has a payout hole extending from an inner layer of the coil to an outer layer of the coil and includes a filament strand configured to be withdrawn through the payout hole in response to a pull force, to thereby withdraw filament from the interior of the coil. The payout tube is disposed in the payout hole and provides a filament port. A compressive band is disposed over the outer layer and is configured to exert a compressive radial force on the coil so that the coil maintains its cylindrical shape without deformation, and the filament strand may be drawn through the filament outlet free of kinks, twists or tangles.

A tie-wire holster having a tire-shaped body formed of a flexible polymer material. The body includes sidewalls having first and second central openings, and at least two slots formed in the first sidewall, the slots extending from the central opening of the first sidewall into a top circumferential portion. A spool-shaped attachment member with a first flange and a second flange, the second flange sized to extend though the body's second central opening and the first flange sized to not be capable of extending through the second central opening. The first flange is positioned against an interior of the second sidewall and the second flange is positioned against an exterior of the second sidewall.

A tie-wire holster having a tire-shaped body formed of a flexible polymer material. The body includes sidewalls having first and second central openings, and at least two slots formed in the first sidewall, the slots extending from the central opening of the first sidewall into a top circumferential portion. A spool-shaped attachment member with a first flange and a second flange, the second flange sized to extend though the body's second central opening and the first flange sized to not be capable of extending through the second central opening. The first flange is positioned against an interior of the second sidewall and the second flange is positioned against an exterior of the second sidewall.

A container for transporting, storing, and/or paying-out welding wire from a contained wire coil without tangling, and having flexible straps each extending between the lowermost and upper parts of the container wall passing through a second opening of an anti-entangling device and along a path between said wire coil and said wall. The anti-entangling device rests on the top of the wire coil and descends by gravity as the welding wire is paid-out. The anti-entangling device has a first opening through which said wire passes and respective second openings through each of which a flexible strap passes. The second openings are opposingly located in the anti-entangling device loop about the device's first central opening so that the flexible straps are positioned by the second openings to contact the top surface of the wire coil.

A container for transporting, storing, and/or paying-out welding wire from a contained wire coil without tangling, and having flexible straps each extending between the lowermost and upper parts of the container wall passing through a second opening of an anti-entangling device and along a path between said wire coil and said wall. The anti-entangling device rests on the top of the wire coil and descends by gravity as the welding wire is paid-out. The anti-entangling device has a first opening through which said wire passes and respective second openings through each of which a flexible strap passes. The second openings are opposingly located in the anti-entangling device loop about the device's first central opening so that the flexible straps are positioned by the second openings to contact the top surface of the wire coil.

A method for laying multiple conductors in a container may be provided. The method may comprise receiving the multiple conductors at a monitoring station; receiving the multiple conductors at a drive; and receiving the multiple conductors at the container.

A method for laying multiple conductors in a container may be provided. The method may comprise receiving the multiple conductors at a monitoring station; receiving the multiple conductors at a drive; and receiving the multiple conductors at the container.

Consistent with embodiments of the invention, a cable package may be provided. The cable package may comprise a cable and a chamber. The cable may comprise a winding and at least one free end. The chamber may define an internal volume containing the cable. The chamber may comprise a continuous opening. The continuous opening may comprise at least one surface arranged to apply pressure to a portion of the cable located proximate to the continuous opening.

Consistent with embodiments of the invention, a cable package may be provided. The cable package may comprise a cable and a chamber. The cable may comprise a winding and at least one free end. The chamber may define an internal volume containing the cable. The chamber may comprise a continuous opening. The continuous opening may comprise at least one surface arranged to apply pressure to a portion of the cable located proximate to the continuous opening.