Abstract: A hubless sheave system for supporting ropes, wires, and other suspended loads is described. The system can include an inner bearing race and an outer bearing race. The inner bearing race can be affixed to one or more support arms via a mounting bracket. The support arms can be detachably coupled to a support (e.g., a power pole, building, or other structure) to support the system and the suspended load. The outer race can be rotatably coupled to the inner race on a bearing surface, enabling the outer race to rotate freely about the inner race. The outer race can include a sheave groove sized and shaped to support a wire or rope during installation. The system can be used to string and temporarily support power or communications lines during installation, or “stringing,” and then removed when permanent supports are installed.

Abstract: A machine forms a whip from a length of cable. The machine includes a clamping assembly, a notching assembly, and a cutting assembly. The clamping assembly includes a pad which can be move into and out of a cable travel space. The notching assembly includes a notching saw which cuts an outer jacket of the cable in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. Movement of the pad also causes movement of the notching saw to move into the cable travel space or into a raised position. The cutting assembly includes a cutting tool which transversely cuts the conductors of the cable.

Abstract: An additive-coated sheave assembly having a wheel with a groove in an outer circumferential surface of the wheel. The additive-coated sheave assembly can have an axle configured to support the wheel and a frame configured to receive and support the axle. A coating can be affixed to the groove by an additive manufacturing process. A method of manufacturing a sheave by coating the groove with a coating by an additive manufacturing process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hybrid conductor puller-tensioner and control system are disclosed. The puller-tensioner includes a motor/generator mechanically coupled to a drum. The motor/generator is in electrical communication with a generator and a rechargeable power source. In a tensioning mode, the motor/generator can be used to charge the rechargeable power source. In a pulling mode, when the power demanded by the motor exceeds the capacity of the generator, the motor can be connected to both the generator and the rechargeable power source simultaneously to provide additional power.

Abstract: A control device according to some embodiments of the disclosure includes one or more motors directed by the control device to form whip(s) from a length of a cable by causing the cutting of the cable in accordance with specifications based at least in part on whip information. An interface communicates the whip information between the control device and a user device.

Abstract: A machine forms a whip from a length of cable. The machine includes a clamping assembly, a notching assembly, and a cutting assembly. The clamping assembly includes a pad which can be move into and out of a cable travel space. The notching assembly includes a notching saw which cuts an outer jacket of the cable in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. Movement of the pad also causes movement of the notching saw to move into the cable travel space or into a raised position. The cutting assembly includes a cutting tool which transversely cuts the conductors of the cable.

Abstract: A cutting and deburring tool according to some embodiments of the disclosure includes a body portion configured to cut a hole in the workpiece, and a workpiece engaging portion and a shaft extending therefrom. The body portion includes a cutting edge configured to cut a hole in a workpiece and deburring cutting edges configured to deburr a first edge of a hole of a workpiece when the body portion is rotated in a clockwise direction or in a counter-clockwise direction after the hole is cut by the body portion. In some embodiments, a second body portion is provided and includes deburring cutting edges configured to deburr a second, opposite edge of the hole when the body portions are rotated in rotated in the clockwise direction or the counter-clockwise direction after the hole is cut by the first body portion.

Abstract: A step bit according to some embodiments includes a body including one or more flutes having a cutting edge configured to cut a hole in a workpiece, and a plurality of steps provided on the body. The steps progressively increase in diameter from a first distal step to a terminal proximal step. One or more of the steps have first and second lands. An outer diameter of the first land is less than the outer diameter of the second land. A length of the first land is less than a length of the second land.

Abstract: A cutting and deburring tool according to some embodiments of the disclosure includes a body portion configured to cut a hole in the workpiece, and a workpiece engaging portion and a shaft extending therefrom. The body portion includes a cutting edge configured to cut a hole in a workpiece and deburring cutting edges configured to deburr a first edge of a hole of a workpiece when the body portion is rotated in a clockwise direction or in a counter-clockwise direction after the hole is cut by the body portion. In some embodiments, a second body portion is provided and includes deburring cutting edges configured to deburr a second, opposite edge of the hole when the body portions are rotated in rotated in the clockwise direction or the counter-clockwise direction after the hole is cut by the first body portion.

Abstract: A step bit according to some embodiments includes a body including one or more flutes having a cutting edge configured to cut a hole in a workpiece, and a plurality of steps provided on the body. The steps progressively increase in diameter from a first distal step to a terminal proximal step. One or more of the steps have first and second lands. An outer diameter of the first land is less than the outer diameter of the second land. A length of the first land is less than a length of the second land.

Abstract: A machine configured to form at least one whip from a length of cable according to some embodiments of the disclosure includes an input and an output defining a cable travel space being therebetween; a clamping assembly including a pad, and a first driving assembly configured to move the pad into the cable travel space and out of the cable travel space; and a cutting assembly including a cutting tool having at least one cutting edge, and a second driving assembly configured to move the cutting tool into the cable travel space and out of the cable travel space. In some embodiments, the machine further includes a saw assembly including a notching saw having a cutting edge configured to intersect the cable travel space, and a third driving assembly configured to drive the notching saw.

Abstract: A control device according to some embodiments of the disclosure includes one or more motors directed by the control device to form whip(s) from a length of a cable by causing the cutting of the cable in accordance with specifications based at least in part on whip information. An interface communicates the whip information between the control device and a user device.