System for fabricating stranded cable and control therefor

A stranding system, comprising:

• a first strander having a first plurality of cradles operatively coupled to a first main shaft;
• a second strander having a second plurality of cradles operatively coupled to a second main shaft, wherein each cradle of the first and second pluralities of cradles has disposed thereon a reel for dispensing cables;
• and
• wherein the first and second stranders are disposed in-line with one another such that the first strander produces a stranded cable that is used as a core about which the second strander dispenses the cables.

A method of controlling a stranding system, comprising:

• rotating a strander;
• dispensing cables from a plurality of reels;
• and
• synchronizing the cable dispensing and the strander rotation with a controller, wherein the rotating is implemented by a first motor, wherein the cable dispensing is implemented by a plurality of motors, and wherein the first motor and the plurality of motors communicate with the controller over a wireless network.

A method of controlling tension on a cable within a strander system, comprising:

• configuring a dancer assembly and a loadcell along a cradle for dispensing cable;
• operatively coupling the dispensed cable to a dancer motor;
• passing the cable over one or more pulleys of the dancer assembly;
• passing the cable over one or more pulleys of the loadcell;
• sensing cable tension with the loadcell;
• and
• adjusting the dancer motor according to the sensed cable tension.

A control system for a strander, comprising:

• at least one controller, wherein the at least one controller further comprises a plurality of cradle controllers and a main controller, wherein the plurality of cradle controllers communicate with the main controller;
• a plurality of cradles disposed about respective cradle shafts;
• a plurality of loadcells associated with the plurality of cradles and disposed proximal the cradle shafts, wherein each loadcell of the plurality of loadcells includes at least one sensor in communication with the at least one controller;
• and
• a plurality of reels disposed on respective cradles of the plurality of cradles;
• and
• wherein the plurality of reels are controlled by the at least one controller in response to the at least one sensor of the loadcells.

A strander apparatus, comprising:

• a disk;
• a plurality of cradles each comprising a reel and a cradle shaft, wherein each reel dispenses cable;
• a main shaft, wherein the plurality of cradles are disposed radially about the main shaft;
• and
• planetary gears disposed between the main shaft and respective cradle shafts, wherein the strander apparatus operates in one of a planetary mode and a rigid mode, wherein in the planetary mode, while the main shaft rotates, the planetary gears are engaged to rotate each of the plurality of cradles on the respective cradle shafts, and wherein in the rigid mode, the planetary gears are disengaged.