Abstract: A high-speed binder application device for wrapping binder material about a bundle of buffer tubes that contain optical fibers includes a pair of opposite facing binder heads mounted on a pair of hollow shafts, each shaft being driven in rotation by a concentric drive. Each binder head includes a light-weight synthetic guide drum that dispenses binder material from a reel and onto the bundle of buffer tubes as it is advanced through the hollow shafts. The lightweight and high strength of the synthetic guide drums allows the drums to be rotated at speeds in excess of 4000 RPM. Each drive is concentrically mounted on its respective shaft which reduces or eliminates the shaft bending loads associated with prior belt-driven binder devices, and thus reduces vibrations at higher rotational speeds.

Abstract: A high-speed binder application device for wrapping binder material about a bundle of buffer tubes that encase a plurality of optical fibers includes a pair of opposite facing binder heads mounted on a pair of hollow shafts, each shaft being driven in rotation by a concentric drive motor mounted about the shaft. Each binder head includes a light-weight synthetic guide drum that dispenses binder material off a reel and onto the bundle of buffer tubes as it is advanced through the hollow shafts. The concentric mounting of the drive motors on the shafts eliminates shaft bending loads from drive belt tension and reduces vibrations at higher rotational speeds relative to belt-driven systems. The light weight and high strength of the synthetic guide drums allows the drums to be rotated at speeds in excess of 4000 RPM.

Abstract: A high-speed binder application device for wrapping binder material about a bundle of buffer tubes that contain optical fibers includes a pair of opposite facing binder heads mounted on a pair of hollow shafts, each shaft being driven in rotation by a concentric drive. Each binder head includes a light-weight synthetic guide drum that dispenses binder material from a reel and onto the bundle of buffer tubes as it is advanced through the hollow shafts. The lightweight and high strength of the synthetic guide drums allows the drums to be rotated at speeds in excess of 4000 RPM. Each drive is concentrically mounted on its respective shaft which reduces or eliminates the shaft bending loads associated with prior belt-driven binder devices, and thus reduces vibrations at higher rotational speeds.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for blocking the ingress of air on the surface of a moving member such as an optical fiber. The blocking of air is achieved by the establishment of a low pressure zone at the entry point of the fiber, the lower pressure zone being created by the injection of an inert gas in a direction opposite the direction of travel of the fiber. The invention is particularly useful in preventing the ingress of air into a UV curing apparatus for curing the ink on an optical fiber. There is also provided a method for reducing such ingress of air.