Loose tube-type optical cable production device and production method

A production method for a loose tube-type optical cable using a production device for a loose tube-type optical cable in which an optical fiber bundle is housed in a tube, the production device comprising:

• a resin extruder configured to extrude and coat a resin onto the optical fiber bundle;
• and
• a water tank configured to store cooling water for cooling the resin to form the tube, wherein:
• the resin extruder comprises:
• an extruder die having an extrusion port for the resin;
• a pipe penetrating the extruder die;
• and an air pump mechanism configured to pump air to the pipe;
• and
• the water tank comprises:
• a sizing die having an inlet, a passage port, and a suction port for the cooling water;
• and a cooling water suction mechanism configured to suck the cooling water from the sizing die,
• the production method comprising:
• extruding the resin from the extrusion port of the extruder die to the optical fiber bundle while pumping the air from the pipe by operating the air pump mechanism;
• and
• hardening the resin while circulating the cooling water from the inlet through the passage port to the suction port of the sizing die by operating the cooling water suction mechanism.