What Is a Double-Side Multi-Head Active Pay-Off Stand? Its Role Between Wire Drawing and Stranding
Nov 09, 2026|
View:3Quick Answer: A double-side multi-head active pay-off stand is installed at the infeed of a stranding (bunching) machine to carry the spools delivered by the upstream wire drawing process. In Handing's MBP series, each pay-off position carries one spool, and an electric motor drives each spool so that multiple copper or aluminum wires are fed into the stranding machine simultaneously, at a controlled, stable tension.
In a typical copper or aluminum conductor line, wire drawing machines take up finished wire onto spools first, and a stranding or bunching machine twists those wires together downstream. The pay-off stand sits between these two processes: it holds the drawing spools and hands the wire to the strander.
How smoothly it feeds the wire directly affects the infeed tension, and therefore the pitch stability and quality of the stranded conductor.
What Does "Double-Side Multi-Head" Mean?
"Multi-head" means one machine provides several pay-off positions and can pay off several spools at the same time. "Double-side" means these positions are arranged on both sides of the machine frame.
When several single wires must enter the strander together, the spools can be grouped centrally on one stand, while the workshop layout determines the spool-loading aisle and the wire paths into the machine.
Jiangsu Handing Cable Machinery configures the number of pay-off heads to each project. Two typical configurations of the MBP series are:
MBP-800F: Double-side configuration with four pay-off heads.
MBP-800E: Double-side configuration with eight pay-off heads.
When Is Active Pay-Off Necessary?
When a spool is heavy or the main machine starts and stops frequently, the inertia of the spool can cause fluctuations in the infeed wire tension.
With an active pay-off, a motor drives the spool directly and works together with tension control, so the wire is fed into the stranding machine smoothly.
If your process sets clear requirements on infeed tension, active pay-off should be considered when the production line is selected.
How Does the MBP Series Control Pay-Off Tension?
Using the MBP-800F and MBP-800E as examples, the spools are driven by variable-frequency (VFD) motors, while a swing-arm dancer, a pneumatic cylinder, a proportional valve and a PLC work together to regulate the pay-off tension.
Pay-Off Tension Adjustment Range
30–300 N
Designed to cover common copper and aluminum stranding applications.
MBP Series Double-Side Multi-Head Active Pay-Off Stand – Key Specifications
| Item | MBP-800F | MBP-800E |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration | Double-side, 4 pay-off heads | Double-side, 8 pay-off heads |
| Spool Drive | Variable-frequency motor per pay-off head, one spool per head | Variable-frequency motor per pay-off head, one spool per head |
| Tension Control | Swing-arm dancer + pneumatic cylinder + proportional valve + PLC | Swing-arm dancer + pneumatic cylinder + proportional valve + PLC |
| Tension Range | 30–300 N | 30–300 N |
| Detection & Linkage | Wire-break and spool-end detection, signals sent to the stranding machine for linked handling | Wire-break and spool-end detection, signals sent to the stranding machine for linked handling |
| Safety Design | Guard rails, emergency stop button, linked protection design | Guard rails, emergency stop button, linked protection design |
How Does the Pay-Off Stand Coordinate with the Stranding Machine?
The stand is equipped with wire-break and spool-end (line-tail) detection. These detection signals are sent to the stranding machine, and the main machine handles them according to its configured interlock logic — for example, slowing down or stopping when a wire breaks or a spool runs out.
The stand is also fitted with guard rails and an emergency stop button as part of a linked protection design between pay-off and strander.
Which Applications Is It Suitable For?
Bunching and stranding machine manufacturers – To match multi-spool pay-off equipment to the infeed requirements of their main machines.
Wire drawing machine manufacturers – To supply customers with downstream pay-off equipment that matches the take-up spools of the drawing process.
Copper and aluminum conductor producers – For new stranding lines or for upgrading existing pay-off stations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Do Pay-Off Heads Correspond to the Number of Strands?
In the Handing MBP series, every pay-off position carries one spool, and each spool feeds one single wire. A four-head machine can supply four single wires at the same time; an eight-head machine can supply eight. When selecting a model, determine the number of heads by how many single wires the stand must feed simultaneously.
2. Can the Spools from Our Existing Drawing Machines Be Mounted Directly?
Whether a spool can be mounted directly depends on whether its outside dimensions, locating bore (inner hole) and full-spool weight match the pay-off stand. Provide the drawing of the spool in use together with its full-spool weight, and the mounting and clamping conditions can be verified before ordering.
3. Does Handing Have Real Delivery Cases?
Yes. Handing has applied double-side multi-head pay-off solutions in multiple projects. In May 2025, Handing announced on its official website the delivery of an 800 B-type bunching machine equipped with a double-side four-head pay-off system.
Talk to Handing's Engineering Team
For detailed model selection drawings and technical configuration of the MBP series double-side multi-head active pay-off stand, or to discuss a complete drawing-to-stranding pay-off solution, feel free to contact Handing at any time.
Send your spool dimensions, full-spool weight, wire specifications and production requirements to help the engineering team evaluate a suitable configuration.
Contact HandingExplore MBP Pay-Off Stands
