Apparatus and Method for Applying Traction to an Elongate Element Produced by Fusing a Preform of Glass Material and Usable in a Process for Producing an Optical Fibre

A plant for producing an elongate cylindrical element usable for a process of producing an optical fibre, comprising:

• a furnace capable of housing a preform of glass material and of partially fusing an extremity of said preform:
• a traction apparatus comprising a traction device for providing a traction of said elongate cylindrical element from said partially fused extremity of said preform and along an axis of advance, wherein said traction device comprises at least one pair of powered traction pulleys capable of being connected to at least one portion of said elongate cylindrical element and of providing said traction, said traction pulleys being in a common plane and movable between a rest position in which the first and second pulleys are positioned away from each other and not in contact with the elongate element and an activation position in which the first and second pulleys approach each other and are in contact with the elongate element;
• and
• a rotation device capable of applying a twist to said partially fused extremity of said preform about said axis, simultaneously with said traction.