SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING TURNAROUND POSITION IN SPOOL WINDERS

A system (10) for winding optical fiber (22) onto a spool (18) includes a spindle assembly (16) for receiving the spool (18) and rotating it around it s longitudinal axis (36). A fiber source (14) for providing a continuous suppl y of fiber to the spool (18) is positioned relative to the spindle assembly (1 6) such that rotation of the spool (18) by the spindle assembly (16) causes fib er (22) to be wound onto the spool (18) around its longitudinal axis (36). A tension sensing device (24) senses and provides feedback related to the amou nt of tension in the fiber. A traverse means (20) causes the fiber to wind onto the spool (18) back and forth beween a front spool flange (34a) and a rear spool flange (34b), the traverse means (20) including a front turnaround position at the front spool flange (34a) and a rear turnaround position at t he rear spool flange (34b). A controller (26) receives the fiber tension feedba ck and uses the feedback to determine what adjustment, if any, is to be made to the front and rear turnaround positions.