Method for attaching an end terminal and splitting device therefor

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for affixing an end terminal to a solid carbon rod (1). The invention further relates to a splitting device applicable for carrying out the method according to the invention. The method is characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: a) providing a solid carbon rod (1) cut to an appropriate length, b) splitting the carbon rod (1) into several smaller cable portions (3) along a predetermined split length (L1) in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the carbon rod (1), substantially without damaging the individual carbon fibres, where the cross-sectional size of the smaller cable portions (3) obtained through splitting is smaller than 5 mm2, preferably smaller than 2 mm2, more preferably smaller than 1 mm2. c) spacing apart the split cable portions (3) from each other in the radial direction of the cross section of the carbon rod (1), and forming—and, optionally, temporarily, fixing —a preferably conically shaped end portion (2) from the cable portions (3) thus obtained, d) affixing an end terminal (4, 5, 6) to the branched end portion. The device is characterized in that it comprises a centring clamp unit (9), a movable blade holder (7), and one or more blades (8) retained in the movable blade holder (7), where the movable blade holder (7) is situated opposite the centring clamp unit (9) and is configured such that it is slidable along the longitudinal axis of a carbon rod (1) retained in the centring clamp unit (9), and is rotatable about the axis of the retained carbon rod (1).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.