Abstract: An automated filament spooler for winding and optionally packaging a filament includes an enclosure, a conveyor for conveying an empty spool into the enclosure and for conveying a wound spool from the enclosure, an indexing unit for positioning a feeding hole on the spool at a location for feeding a free end of the filament onto the spool, a filament feeding unit for feeding the free end of the filament through the feeding hole on the spool, a spooling unit for gripping the free end of the filament and rotating the spool to wind the filament onto the spool, and an optional packaging unit for applying a stretch wrap to the wound spool. A method for automatically winding a filament onto a spool includes positioning the feeding hole, feeding the free end of the filament onto the spool, gripping the free end of the filament and rotating the spool.

Abstract: A lashing assembly lashes together two or more fiber optic telecommunications cables. The lashing assembly comprises at least a first and a second bobbin. As the cables are passed through the first bobbin, twine pays off from the first bobbin and wraps around the cables in a clockwise helix. As the cables are passed through the second bobbin, twine pays off from the second bobbin and wraps around the cables in a counterclockwise helix. In this way, the twine from the first and second bobbins lash the cables together as the cables are passed through the first and second bobbins.

Abstract: The invention includes an optical waveguide whipping end cutting apparatus. The apparatus includes an active cutting element. The element is positioned to cut a segment from a whipping end of an optical fiber, while the fiber is being wound onto a rotating spool. This apparatus will prevent fiber whip. The invention also includes a method of cutting a whipping end from an optical fiber. The method includes removing a segment of the end of the fiber with an active cutting element. A method of cutting an optical fiber while winding the fiber onto a storage spool is further discussed. The fiber has a whipping end and a wound segment. The method includes separating the whipping end of the fiber from the wound segment with an active cutting element. Furthermore, the invention includes a method of reducing fiber whip damage to fiber wound on a spool. This includes engaging an active cutting element on the fiber being wound onto the spool, and removing a whipping end from the fiber.