Abstract: A method of manufacture and a resultant cable structure of elliptical stranded cable which optimizes the use of existing conventional stranding machines. In accordance with the present invention, one or more layers of shaped, non-circular, wires are interposed to provide support between the inner core of substantially round wires each having essentially the same diameter and the outer layer of round wires of different diameters, which outer layer includes round wires of different diameters which are arranged to provide the minor and major axes of the elliptical cable. The shaped wires are preferably trapezoidal in shape. Alternatively, the shaped wires may be arcuately shaped elliptical wires subtending an angle determined by dividing 360.degree. by the number of shaped wires (for example, 30.degree. for a twelve wire layer) and having an aspect ratio (ratio of major axis X dimension to minor axis Y dimension) sufficient to provide support between the inner core and outer layer of round wires.

Abstract: A cable manufacturing method comprising the steps of arranging a closing die and a plurality of panel plates in this order, on a pass-line having a curved zone and a linear zone, from the side of a front end of the pass-line, inserting all wires, to be stranded, through an opening of the closing die, and inserting each wire through a hole formed in a corresponding one of the panel plates, guiding the wires such that the wires are substantially parallel with one another and each wire is loose of the panel plates, rotatably supporting the panel plates, respectively, and passing each wire through the curved zone and the linear zone while rotating the panel plates in the same direction, thereby stranding the wires with a large pitch so as not to plastically deform the wires.

Abstract: A helical bundle of tubes is fabricated with a carousel-type machine, preferably rotating about a vertical axis. Spools of coil tubing are mounted on radial beams extending from a central rotating hub, and are indexed to maintain the axes of the spools in a constant direction. In the preferred vertical rotating axis configuration, the tubes are pulled off the spools by an overhead capstan, and the finished bundle is deposited on a take-up reel. A preferred way of indexing the spools uses chains passing around equal size sprockets attached to the vertical support shafts with at least one of the chains passing around a stationary central sprocket.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement in connection with reverse stranding, comprising drawing conductors through a stationary divider, peripheral tubes peripherically surrounding a central tube and twistable around the central tube recurrently in opposite directions and a twisting device rotatable in opposite directions, into a stranding nozzle or similar. To achieve longitudinal strip winding, a strip is fed into the central tube. The strip is guided to pass through the rotatable twisting device and further between the desired conductors ahead of the stranding nozzle or similar, the stranding nozzle or similar bending the edges of the strip in the desired direction.

Abstract: A multi-strand nylon rope having improved abrasion resistance is comprised of a plurality of strands. Each strand is comprised of a plurality of yarns wherein each yarn is formed of a predetermined number of filaments. The filaments of each yarn are twisted together to form a yarn of a predetermined size, the twist direction being opposite that of the final ply yarn direction. For a right lay rope a sufficient number of filaments are twisted together in the left or "S" direction to produce a yarn of a predetermined size. Three or more yarns prepared in this manner are then plied or twisted together in the opposite or right direction. The cover for each strand is formed of alternate yarns of standard (i.e. round) and oblong filaments, respectively, the oblong filaments having a modification ratio of three, forming a rope having increased abrasion resistance, a hand and feel that is not stiff or unmanageable and which resists strand-to-strand wet abrasion.

Abstract: A cabling machine for laying optofibers, cables or the like in an oscillating, wavy path around a smooth pull-reliever, or into grooves having an oscillating, wavy shape which are extruded around a pull-reliever, i.e., so-called S/Z-cabling. The machine includes a pull-reliever pulling-off device, a braking capstan, a fiber reeling-off device, and an S/Z-bench (6) for laying the fibers around the pull-reliever. When used with a grooved pull-reliever (2), a laying-on tube (11) of the S/Z bench (6) is connected to a transmission (14), and a sensor (17) is connected to the transmission and functions to detect rotation of the laying-on tube (11) caused by the oscillating waveshape of the grooves. The reeling-off device (1) and the braking capstan (3) are controlled to cause the pull-reliever (2) to rotate to perform a corrective function.

Abstract: A strander for generating a multi-strand cable including at least one pay-off station which is spaced radially from a common rotational axis along which the cable is formed. Each station includes a reel for paying-off a strand to be used in the cable, and each reel s disposed with its axis in a plane normal to a radial line from the common axis. Furthermore, each pay-off station includes a mechanism for causing the axis of the reel to rotate in the plane normal to the radial line. A stabilizer mechanism is provided for a flywheel disposed coaxially with the product reel, and a torque differential device is coupled to be driven by the reel and to drive the flywheel in a direction opposed to the rotational direction of the reel, wherein any change in the angular momentum of the reel is opposed by a change in the angular momentum of the flywheel.

Abstract: A cabling machine is disclosed for laying optofibers, cables or the like in an oscillating, wavy path around a smooth pull-reliever, or into grooves having an oscillating, wavy shape which are extruded around a pull-reliever, i.e., so-called S/Z-cabling. The machine includes an S/Z-bench (6) which includes an aligning mechanism (13) which grips and guides the pull-reliever (2), and a motor (15) which imparts an oscillating, rotational movement to the aligning mechanism via a transmission (14). When used with a grooved pull-reliever (2), a laying-on tube (11) of the S/Z bench (6) is connected to the transmission (14) and a sensor (17) is connected to the transmission and functions to detect rotation of the laying-on tube (11) caused by the oscillating waveshape of the grooves. A reeling-off device (1) and a braking capstan (3) of the machine then cause the pull-reliever (2) to rotate to perform a corrective function.

Abstract: An electric wire conductor for use in automobiles made by twisting a plurality of strands together. Each of the strands has a surface layer made of copper or a copper alloy and a core made of steel containing carbon and other elements such as Si, Mn, Ni and Cr. Also, the core may be made of an Fe-based alloy containing Ni or Cr. This structure allows a substantial reduction in the weight of conductor.

Abstract: A steel cord for reinforcing rubber. It is made of three steel filaments all having different diameters from one another. The small-diameter and medium-diameter ones of the three filaments have internal stresses adapted to be released when the cord is cut at both ends thereof. Owing to these stresses, the diameter of the cord is adapted to increase after it is cut at both ends. At the same time, the medium-diameter and small-diameter filaments retract inwardly from the ends of the large-diameter and medium-diameter ones, respectively.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tire steel cord formed of more than three strands twisted together, at least one of the strands being marked so as to formed therein with zig-zagging marked parts which form gaps between strands, rubber accordingly immersing the steel cord into its center part through the thus formed gaps so as to fill in a cavity in the center part of the steel cord.

Abstract: The present invention offers a machine which is capable of creating contrahelic wound harness sections existing with continuously disposed straight lay wire sections. The invention avoids the necessity of interposing electrical connectors between the contrahelic and straight lay sections thereby vastly improving the reliability and cost considerations of a complex multiwire harness.

Abstract: An alternate reverse or so-called SZ-twisting method and apparatus and cable product produced by alternate reverse twisting method and/or apparatus. Elements (2 ) which are to be alternately reversely twisted may be wires, leads, optical fibers, their groups and which can also include quads of wires, leads, optical fibers. Elements (2) to be twisted and a possible core element (9) are drawn from a fixed divider (3), preferably a perforated holeplate, through a twister (6), preferably a perforated holeplate, rotating periodically in opposite directions, to a presser (7), preferably a nipple, in which the elements to be twisted and the possible core element are pressed together, to form an alternately reversely twisted product (8). Between the divider (3) and the twister (6) pipe group (4, 5) is provided for defining the feedpaths of the elements (2) to be twisted and the possible core element (9).

Abstract: Improved multistrand Rutherford-type superconducting cable (42) is produced in a flattened form with two layers of helically wound strands (33) and in which the strands are alternately twisted about their lengths equally and in opposite directions to provide a flat cable with improved stability. In particular, the cable (42) is made by guiding multifilament wire strands (33) from spools (32) on a rotating turret (11) to a fixed tapered forming mandrel (22) where they are wound diagonally around the mandrel and then rolled into a flattened shape. The spools (32) are located around the periphery of the turret and are rotatable about axes in a plane parallel to the turret (11) to unroll the wire. Sprocket assemblies (48 and 49) are driven by drive chains (68 and 76) to rotate alternate spools (32) equally and in opposite directions relative to the forming mandrel (22) so that the wire strands (33) are twisted prior to being wound on the mandrel (22).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a frayless line is disclosed. The device includes a winder with a plurality of individually rotatable hooks mounted on its surface that rotates in a concurrent direction to the hooks, a spreader for separating groups of strands in a spaced apart manner at a selected point so the strand groups may be freely and easily twisted together, and a slidable rotatable support for twisting a plurality of individual group of strands together to form a line.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming an SZ cable. The apparatus includes supply spools for providing a number of conductors to be formed into the cable, positioned at the upstream end of the apparatus, and a take-up reel for advancing the conductors downstream and for taking up the completed cable. A fixed guide ring having openings for passage of the conductors is located downstream of the supply means, and a rotatable guide ring is positioned downstream of the fixed guide ring. A first motor is provided for rotating the downstream guide ring. The apparatus further includes an accumulator tube having an outside surface for receiving turns of the conductors, with the tube being movable back and forth relative to the direction of travel of the conductors. An intermediate guide ring is carried by the tube adjacent its downstream end. The apparatus also includes a second motor for rotating the intermediate guide ring and the tube with the tube being movable between a downstream position and an upstream position.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing wire ropes, in which a translational motion is imparted to wires (2) fed from reels and before the twisting of these wires around the core member (11) they are given a residual deformation by way of subjecting each wire (2) to a flat bending on one support (3) and to a helical bending in the direction revolved relative to the direction of the flat bending. A wire rope twisting machine in which a device for imparting a residual deformation to the wires (2) is secured on an output portion of a hollow shaft (14) coaxially therewith includes a body (23) on which are installed for each wire (2) two supports (26, 27) arranged in succession. The first support (26) is installed for free rotation about its geometrical axis (28a) and the second support (27) is installed for free rotation relative to its geometrical axis (31a) and for a setting turn about an axis (33a) disposed perpendicularly to the geometrical axis (31a) of the second support (27).

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for reverse-stranding (SZ-stranding) at least one stranding element of a cable, in particular a stranding element containing a beam waveguide, about a central element, a laying device being arranged between the oscillating lay plate and the fixed lay plate, which laying device takes up and pays out a lay of the stranding element at alternating periods, and comprises a stress controller for evening out the pull-off speed from the supply reel, which is arranged between the fixed lay plate and the supply reel.

Abstract: In a device for the stranding or stranding-on of stranding elements to form a cable, stranding members of a stranding machine and storage receivers of the machine are combined to form a unit, and are present in duplicate to be interchangeable with each other. The unit with the storage receiver which has just been filled forms the active part and the other unit with the storage receiver which is to be filled forms the passive part in a stranding operation.

Abstract: A robot for loading and unloading reels (40, 70) of metal wires on a tubular stranding machine (1) for manufacturing cables from wires unwound from the reels which includes a mechanical unit (3, 4) having a motorized device (3) provided with tongs (14) for seizing the reels. The motorized device 3 is capable of moving from one end of the stranding machine (1) to the other under the action of driving means (11) so as to extract therefrom empty reels (70) and replace them with full reels (40) previously prepared and stored in supply passageways each corresponding to a wire diameter. A microcomputer system is provided for the automatic control of operations carried out by the mechanical unit (3, 4). This robot considerably improves the productivity of the stranding machine and diminishes the risks of accidents for the operator supervising the latter.

Abstract: Apparatus for changing relative positions of conductor pairs in a cable core in which each pair is moved through its individual guide movable around a substantially circular path. The guides lie in series and move independently of one another. An array forming device at the downstream end of the movable guides has a smooth convex surface for engaging the conductors and holds them in an array while enabling the pairs to change their relative positions in the array as dictated by movement of the guides. A closing die for the conductor pairs is located downstream from the array forming device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a twisted cable of unlimited length. The apparatus which is operative for performing the method includes a rotating reel having a group of wires or filaments wound thereon, a flyer which rotates around the reel for unwinding the group of wires or filaments therefrom, and a gathering assembly rotating with the flyer for gathering the individual filaments or wires from the group and twisting them to form a cable. The apparatus further includes a take-up assembly for drawing the cable from the gathering assembly and winding it on a take-up reel, and a control assembly for controlling the rotational speed of the flyer relative to the rotational speed of the reel to achieve a substantially uniform length of twist in the cable throughout its extent.

Abstract: A stranded rope (12) of large size is made by assembling a plurality of strands (10) and a core (11) side-by-side along a track (13); securing the leading ends in a clamp (14); securing the trailing ends in spaced anchorages (17, 18); applying tension to the strands (10) and core (11); guiding the strands (10) intermediate the clamp (14) and anchorages (17, 18) into the closed rope array round the core (11) by means of a closing die (20) on a trolley (19); moving the trolley (19) from the clamp (14) to the anchorages (17, 18); rotating the clamp (14) progressively as the trolley (19) moves progressively; rotating the trailing ends of the strands (10) and core (11) progressively in the same direction as the clamp (14); securing all the strands (10) and the core (11) together adjacent the trailing ends; and releasing the tension from the strands and the core.

Abstract: This invention relates to a conveyor means for simultaneously advancing and twisting a plurality of strands into a rope and the process for utilizing these means. The conveyor includes an elongated trough with two walls which are joined to define the linear path. The first wall includes the plurality of aligned rollers having access of rotating with a predetermined angular relationship relative to horizontal and vertical planes as well as a power means for driving the rollers in unison and means for feeding the strands into the trough and in frictional contact with the rollers.

Abstract: A core unit and method and apparatus for making it in which conductor pairs or units having a single direction of twist and in which angles of twist lay change along lengths of the conductor pairs. In a preferred and practical construction, the angles of twist lay of all pairs change along their lengths on a continuous basis. This angle change is cyclical and with the cycles of the angles of the pairs being out-of-phase with one another. This achieves average twist lays of the units which are substantially equal to one another from conductor pair-to-pair. The structure is achieved in a tandem operation of twisting conductors into pairs and then forming them into the core unit, preferably by stranding.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for producing compact stranded conductors on single and double twist machines. This is achieved by preshaping and metering the preshaped wires to have generally sectored cross-sectional profiled complementary configurations and positioning and orienting the preshaped wires to substantially correspond to their positions and orientations in relation to the core wire in the final compact twisted conductor. The wires are metered to a double twist strander which is used to initially twist the preshaped wires about the core wire in a generally loose construction, and these wires are subsequently locked into abutment against each other when imparted a second twist to form the compact composite conductor.

Abstract: Making a cable core unit in which pairs of twisted conductors are formed upon individual twisting machines, the twisted conductor pairs then fed `in-line` to a core forming device by passing the pairs through a tension reducing means which reduces tension in each pair while allowing the lengths of the pairs to be different from pair-to-pair as they move into the core forming device. Built-in tensions and twisted core units are thus avoided. Also provided is a tension equalizing device which averages out the tensions between conductor pairs.

Abstract: Changing relative positions of conductor pairs along a telecommunications cable core by passing the unstranded pairs, as they approach the core unit forming means, through individual guides which are reciprocally moved across a feedpath for the pairs, the guides being disposed in series along the feedpath with each guide aligned for unobstructed passage of its conductor unit along the feedpath. In this construction, means to reciprocate each guide overlaps those of other guides, thereby reducing the total height of the apparatus.

Abstract: Forming a core unit from telecommunications conductor units of twisted together conductors in which the units are first changed in relative positions laterally of their passline and then are passed between two rollers to form them into a curved array. The positions of the units in the array influence their final positions in the core unit as they move towards a core unit closure device. Hence as the positions in the array change because of the positional change in relative positions of the units upstream from the array, then the units change in relative positions in the core unit by extending backwards and forwards around the core unit axis.

Abstract: A stranding machine including a plurality of reels on which filament to be stranded is wound; a separate, rpm-controllable motor connected with each reel; rpm control devices connected to each reel motor for controlling the reel rpm with respect to the stranding speed to determine the tension of the filament running from the reel; a separate compensating roller associated with each reel; and a separate support component carrying a respective compensating roller and being displaceable in opposite first and second directions. Each support component is coupled to the respective rpm control means for controlling the rpm of the respective reel drive motor as a function of displacement of the support component. The filament, as it runs about the compensating roller, exerts a force on the support component in the first direction. A force exerting assembly is connected with each support component for exerting a force on the support component in the second direction.

Abstract: In the manufacture of bundles of at least ten twisted pairs or quads of electric wires, a compact design of the first twisting stage and a servicable guiding system for guiding the pairs from the first twisting stage to the twisting closer of the second twisting stage is obtained by having at least two groups of SZ-twisting devices in the first twisting stage, the rotating twisting heads of the two stages radially staggered and the guide pulleys of the respective inner twisting head which are arranged at the transition from the first to the second twisting stage provided with several guiding grooves for the twisting units so that they can guide twisted units from both the inner and outer twisting heads.

Abstract: Forming a telecommunications cable core unit in which conductor pairs change their relative positions along the core unit. The conductor pairs, as they are fed towards a core-unit forming device, are passed through individual guides which are movable independently of each other laterally of the feedpath of the conductor pairs and within certain confines. A fluid force is used to cause this guide movement. The fluid force may be the force created by an air flow, in which case the guides are buoyant.

Abstract: A device for use in loading a rotary stranding machine of the so-called fork construction comprises an L-shaped loading platform located laterally adjacent to the stranding machine to receive wire supply bobbins resting thereon. The loading platform is mounted for rectilinear upward sliding movement upon mountings which are in turn mounted for pivoting movement about a horizontal axis parallel to the rotary axis of the stranding machine. A jacking means is linked between a fixed anchorage and a part of the loading platform spaced from the horizontal pivotal axis whereby upon extension of the jacking means the loading platform is first tilted about the horizontal axis and then moved rectilinearly to bring the ends of the bobbin into alignment with loading pintles of the stranding machine.

Abstract: Changing relative positions of conductor pairs along a telecommunications cable core by passing the pairs, as they approach a core unit forming means, through guides which are held in relative positions in a guide channel. The channel extends in a plurality of directions and has inner and outer channel portions which are preferably arcuate and lie upon arcs of circles. The guides are moved along the channel and from channel portion to channel portion, movement being alternately in each direction. This movement changes the positional relationship of guides in one channel portion to those in the other.

Abstract: The quad guide device (18) receives quads (11) made on a first stranding assembly and guides them into a laying former (8) placed a head of a second stranding assembly. The guide device includes a distributor die (6) for distributing quads (11) at the output of the first stranding assembly and intermediate guide means (7) placed between the strand distributor die and the laying former. In said device, said guide means separate outer quads (11A) from inner quads (11B).

Abstract: An optical cable having at least one optical light waveguide arranged in a protective covering or shell and including at least one support element characterized by each of the support elements consisting of stranded threads impregnated with a hardening resin and covered with a protective layer and the support elements being stranded onto the protective covering or shell of the light waveguide. The method of manufacturing the cable includes providing each of the support elements by providing a plurality of threads, stranding said threads together into a group and impregnating with resin each of the groups of strands of the stranded threads, subsequently covering each of the impregnated groups with the protective layer which permits a subsequent hardening of the resin, to form the element and then subsequently providing a light waveguide received in a protective covering and stranding the support elements onto the protective covering of the waveguide to form the cable.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for the combining of strands comprises swinging a hollow shaft about an axis without rotating this shaft while guiding the strands to an assembly point substantially at the pivot of the shaft. The strands are then spread to pass through a cluster of holes on a distributor plate carried by the shaft before being collected again at a closing point, the points lying substantially along a straight line including an acute angle with the axis about which the cycloidal path is generated.

Abstract: Apparatus for stranding two or more wires together comprising a wire guide means extending in a wire pass direction to a twisting station, the guide means held against rotation about an axis at its upstream end and being rotationally flexible to be torsionally twisted by a rotatable twisting means in the twisting station connected to the downstream end of the guide means. A wire separation tube extends from the twisting means along a fixed curved path section to a stranding station to prevent wires stranding together until they reach the stranding station. The separation tube is rotatable about an axis coinciding with the fixed curved path section and has flexibility to enable the tube to be maintained in its curved configuration along the path with torsional rigidity to avoid build-up and retention of twist.

Abstract: Cable core unit forming apparatus having a plurality of wire guide means, each for stranding wires together. The guide means are laterally spaced and each extends along a longitudinal axis to be non-rotatable about the axis at its upstream end. It is rotationally flexible to be torsionally twisted by rotatable twisting means at its downstream end. Each guide means are disposed at one of two or more twisting stations. Feedpaths for wires from other twisting stations converge to a stranding station for the core unit. Wire separation tubes prevent the wires from stranding into pairs until immediately before the stranding station. Each separation tube is rotated about its axis which is maintained curved to follow one of the converging paths and the tube is flexible to enable its curved axis position to be maintained during rotation.

Abstract: Wire stranding apparatus having tubular means having passage means to provide wire feedpaths, the tubular means being rotationally flexible about an axis, being held against rotation about this axis at an upstream end and having twisting means to cause alternating torsional twisting at its downstream end. The feedpaths are held in fixed positions apart either along the whole length of the tubular means where the tubular means is a single tube with at least two side-by-side passages or comprises tubes with their outer surfaces in continuous contact. When the tubular means comprises two or more spaced tubes, these are held in fixed relative positions at spaced locations along the tubes. To accommodate axial contraction and extension during twisting, the tubular means has an axially acting resilient means which maintains axial tension on the tubular means.

Abstract: The present invention discloses several optical fiber cable constructions which basically dispose the optical fibers in a loosely-fitting fashion in respective longitudinal compartments provided by splicing tapes folded or shaped to a designated transverse cross-sectional shape. The loose fitting of the optical fibers overcomes the increased transmission losses and changed transmission bandwidth caused by lateral or compression forces inherently applied to the optical fibers of conventional optical fiber cable constructions. Two methods and apparatus for fabricating these optical fiber cable constructions are disclosed. In one embodiment, an assemblage die is stationary with respect to a rotary cage and a guide plate, whereas in a second embodiment the assemblage die is mounted to rotate with the rotary cage and the guide plate. In both embodiments the tape folding process for accommodating the fibers and the assemblage are achieved in tandem or in one operation.

Abstract: A cable strand tension-controlling apparatus is described. As numerous individual wire or fibre-optic cable strand material is fed from multiple pay-off neutralizers, the cable strand material is directed across a rotating driven capstan and subsequently a rotating idler capstan. The cable strand then is directed into contact with a moveable accumulator. The moveable accumulator is positioned appropriately in response to the internal tension of the cable strand that is in contact with it. Signals eminating from the rotating moveable accumulator are then transmitted to a take-up in order to control the position and movement of the take-up reel.

Abstract: For powder filling of cables, in a fluidized powder bed, it has been proposed to pass the cable core through the bed in a substantially closed condition. There is a limit to the number of conductors a core can have for effective filling. In the present invention the cable core is opened up into a number of core units by passing through an opening member. The opening member is freely ridable on the cable core and has a hole for each unit. The opener is held against a support member and an air bearing formed between the two members. Air is also usually fed to the holes in the opener member through which the core units pass to prevent flow of powder out from the bed. The opening member can be positioned in the fluidized bed or outside immediately prior to passage of the cable core through the bed. The units are each in a substantially closed condition in the bed and the units close to a single core also in the bed.

Abstract: To provide symmetrical communication cables, especially wiring cables for telephone exchange installations, with connectors at the cable ends, in a simple manner, the individual groups of pairs of the cable core consist of a flat cable, which is formed into a group by twisting or torsioning. The pairs of each flat cable are connected to each other by means of flexible holding elements which are cemented or welded to the pairs on one side. In the manufacture of such a communication cable, the pairs of a group are first arranged along the generatrix of a cylinder and are temporarily secured in this configuration by means of a holding helix. The holding helix is cemented or welded to the surface of the pairs and subsequently cut open between two adjacent pairs in the same operation.

Abstract: For powder filling of cables, in a fluidized powder bed, it has been proposed to pass the cable core through the bed in a substantially closed condition. There is a limit to the number of conductors a core can have for effective filling. In the present invention the cable core is opened up into a number of core units by passing through an opening member. The opening member is freely ridable on the cable core and has a hole for each unit. The opener is held against a support member and an air bearing formed between the two members. Air is also usually fed to the holes in the opener member through which the core units pass to prevent flow of powder out from the bed. The opening member can be positioned in the fluidized bed or outside immediately prior to passage of the cable core through the bed. The units are each in a substantially closed condition in the bed and the units close to a single core also in the bed.

Abstract: Wire rope is made non-specular by making the wire for the top layer of wire rope non-specular before the wire is stranded into a wire rope. This method and the product thereof are new to the wire rope art. Such wire rope is not contaminated by detrimental abrasives or other products that would become embedded into the wire rope should it be made non-specular by abrasive blasting or other methods after the wire rope is completely stranded. Wire rope that is not conspicious is preferred in many locations.

Abstract: A method of making environmentally approved power lines without entrapment of abrasive blasting ingredients. Each strand to form the top layer of the bare standed non specular conductor is made non specular before it is twisted thru the closing block on the cable strander so that the completed conductor becomes non specular. The preferred method of non specular finishing each strand for the top layer is by means of abrasive blasting.

Abstract: A stranding process for producing a cable made up of multiple groups of plied filaments being fed from linear feed positions located along a common twisting axis, said process including steps wherein at least one of the groups is plied and twisted according to the double-twist principle and all of the groups are then plied and twisted together by the cable-twist principle in a common twisting zone. A specific combination of apparatus is provided to carry out the required plying and stranding steps in a single operation.