Receling

Receling is a term used in materials handling and manufacturing to describe the controlled re-spooling of filaments, yarns, or continuous fibers onto new reels as a way to relieve residual stresses, correct winding defects, and improve downstream handling. The practice has applications in textile production, filament winding for composites, and fiber-optic cable assembly, where spool geometry and tension can influence performance and processability.

The receling process typically involves inspecting the current reel, detaching the material from the old core under controlled tension, and re-spooling onto a new core with calibrated winding tension and speed. Post-spooling treatments such as annealing or conditioning may be employed if required. Modern receling setups often use torque and tension sensors, automated reel changers, and environmental controls to minimize microbends, twists, or core-induced distortions.

Benefits of receling include more uniform wind density, reduced risk of tangling, and improved unwinding behavior in subsequent processes. Limitations include equipment cost, the potential for damage if tension is mishandled, and varying effectiveness depending on material type, moisture content, and any prior damage. Receling is not a universal solution and is typically considered when spool-related defects significantly impact quality or throughput.

See also: reeling, spooling, fiber winding, filament winding, spool management.