Epicyclic gears in early cordwinding and ropelaying machines

Two machines devised by Edmund Cartwright for processing textile fibres are identified as having epicyclic action. His elegant cordelier winder of 1792 is shown to utilize the motions provided by an idler-pinion epicyclic train that has a particular ratio.

James Huddart's registering and ropelaying machines are described together with the later simplifications, applied to wirewinding, that ultimately caused their demise. The first known use of the terms sun wheel and planet wheel is noted, by Huddart in 1799.

Later designs of ropelayers are outlined; by Bazin with a two-stage epicyclic train, and by Newall with an extension of the cordelier. A modern rolling mill is shown to include the registering type of epicyclic train.