Abstract: For monitoring stranding machines for breakage or run-out of single strands, a device is employed which checks the rope or cable after stranding for uniformity of the rope or cable surface. For this purpose, an electrical image of the rope or cable surface is read into a memory and the measured values compared with this stored pattern during the further stranding process. In the event of deviations resulting from this comparison, disconnecting or other actuating elements are actuated in order to avoid the production of further faulty lengths of rope or cable. For reflection measurements, electromagnetic, optical or acoustic waves can be employed. Instead of scanning of the rope or cable surface based on reflection, corpuscular radiation which partially penetrates the rope or cable can be employed.