Abstract: Apparatus for stranding wires and covering them in plastics insulation by providing a rotationally flexible elongate member with spaced wire guiding elements, twisting means for twisting the member alternately in opposite directions, and an extension to the elongate member, the extension lying radially within an annular extruder barrel and terminating adjacent the extrusion orifice. In an arrangement for simultaneously stranding wires into different groups and covering the groups within the same insulation, reversible driving means for two or more elongate members is mounted upon a frame. Preferably, each elongate member has its own individual driving means.

Abstract: Wire stranding apparatus having elongate wire guide means which is rotationally flexible about its axis and defines individual feed paths for the wires with means to prevent rotation of the guide means at its upstream end and a twisting means to cause torsional twisting of the guide means in alternate directions at the downstream end. Direction changing means is provided to change direction of twist after a predetermined amount of twist in each direction. The changing means includes a trigger device (e.g. an arm) secured to the guide means towards its upstream end and initiating means which senses the position of the trigger device after the predetermined twist in the guide means to initiate the change in direction of drive. The upstream position of the trigger device gives it small rotational movement around the guide means compared to the rotational movement of the downstream end of the guide means.