special purpose controller is preset with the desired traverse pitch using the encoder pulse train from the reel motor as the reference master the special purpose controller calculates a desired rate for the second encoder output pulse train determining the proper ratio of the two pulse rates the special purpose controller transmits a 0 to 10 volt dc analog reference voltage to the traverse motor drive to determine its speed relative to the reel motor the special purpose controller automatically adjusts this voltage output to maintain the proper ratio between the two encoders thereby forcing the traverse motor to follow the reel motor to maintain the preset traverse pitch as the filament is deposited onto the take up reel the filament builds up in layers around the reel drum between the reel flanges each edge of each filament layer is herein called a turnaround point the positions of the turnaround points are selected to maintain predetermined distances between the turnaround points and the flanges thereby avoiding damage to the filament or the winding apparatus the turnaround points may be selected such that the width of the filament layers is not constant for example the layers may decrease in width with increasing radial distance from the take up reel longitudinal axis the turnaround points are determined by the main controller the encoder pulses from the traverse motor are transmitted to a high speed digital up down counter module in the main controller the main controller counts up when the take up reel traverses in a first direction and counts down.