An updated cable feeder tool design for robotized stator cable winding

Abstract

We have previously suggested a method for robotized stator winding of cable wound electric machines and demonstrated the method successfully in full-scale experiments. The cable feeder tool used to handle the cable during the complete winding process is an essential component of this robot cell. To take the robot winding method to the next level, into an industrial product, require further developments regarding durability, independency, flexibility and implementability. In this paper, we present an updated cable feeder tool design. This tool is designed to be used in a robot cell for cable winding of the third-generation design of the Uppsala University Wave Energy Converter generator stator. In this work, three cable feeder tool prototypes have been constructed, experimentally evaluated and validated for the intended application. Key performance parameters are presented and discussed, including suggestions for further developments. We completed a durable, compact, high performance tool design, with fully integrated control into industrial robot controllers. The experimental results presented in this article are very promising and hence, the updated cable feeder tool design represents another important step towards an industrial solution for robotized stator cable winding.