Abstract: A method and a device for cutting or breaking a plurality of light waveguides which are contained in a cable characterized by clamping each of the light waveguides at spaced points to hold a portion of the waveguides between said points parallel to each other, positioning the light waveguides extending between the points over an anvil with each of the light waveguides being parallel to one another, applying a common tension force to each of the waveguides at the other side of the anvil, applying a vertical force to each of the waveguides at a point on one side of the anvil to apply an axial prestress to each of the waveguides extending across the anvil, and notching each of the prestressed light waveguides at a point in contact with the anvil to cause separation of each of the waveguides at its notch.

Abstract: A plasma torch for micro-plasma welding which has a hollow cylindrical torch housing, an electrode supported in the housing and insulated therefrom, a plasma nozzle having a cooling chamber and a plasma channel mounted in the housing adjacent the end of the electrode, an inert gas nozzle arranged concentrically around the plasma nozzle and various lines and connections for supplying plasma gas, inert gas and a welded current as well as lines for applying a cooling agent to the cooling chamber of the plasma nozzle characterized by the plasma channel of the plasma nozzle having a raised annular edge facing the electrode, which has a large diameter and terminates in a point and is provided with its own cooling chamber. This structure enables the welding torch to withstand high continuous loadings during series fabrication, reduces wear, and provides increased heat dissipation. Preferably, the torch is also provided with a diffusion-tight plasma gas supply line which improves the life of the torch.