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: In a method of continuously producing a multi-stranded powder filled core for an electric cable, the conductors forming the core are kept apart over a length of their travel while powder is applied to them electrostatically, after which the conductors are brought together to form the core. Preferably the conductors are oil coated prior to the application of the powder, the formed core is passed through a powder bath, and a core wrap tape is oiled and applied to the core, the tape being also powder coated on its contacting surface if applied longitudinally to the core rather than helically. For a metal sheathed cable the metal tape forming the sheath may be oiled and powder coated on the surface contacting the core wrap prior to the application of the metal tape to the core unit, to form an intervening layer of powder between the core wrap and the sheath.