Twisted pair exchange cable manufacturing process and apparatus
AssigneeBelden Communications Company
InventorsGabe Pellicciotti, James A. Haas, Mark Bernhardt, Robert Goodridge, William Dawson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved manufacturing process for twisted pair exchange cables and for an improved binding machine used during this manufacturing process is provided. The manufacturing process includes a stranding phase and a cabling phase. During the stranding phase, unit cables are produced with only a first colored ribbon to identify them. During the cabling phase, a second colored ribbon that identifies the orientation of the unit within the cable is applied. This will result in units that have one of two colors (e.g., yellow or black). The improved binding machine is used to apply the second colored ribbon.
Claims20
A method of producing a multiconductor communications cable, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) applying a first identification ribbon around each of a plurality of units to thereby obtain a respective plurality of initially identified units;
- (b) collecting each of said plurality of initially identified units on a respective plurality of unit trucks;
- (c) transporting said respective plurality of unit trucks to a cabling station;
- (d) advancing each of said plurality of initially identified units from said plurality of unit trucks to a binding machine;
- and
- (e) applying, with said binding machine, a second identification ribbon around each of said plurality of initially-identified units, to thereby obtain a respective plurality of finally identified units.
A method of producing a multiconductor communications cable, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming a plurality of twisted pair conductors;
- (b) assembling a plurality of sub-units, each of said sub-units including a number of said plurality of twisted pair conductors;
- (c) assembling a plurality of units, each of said units including a number of said plurality of sub-units;
- (d) applying a first identification ribbon around each of said plurality of units to thereby obtain a respective plurality of initially identified units;
- (e) collecting each of said plurality of initially identified units on a respective plurality of unit trucks;
- (f) advancing each of said plurality of initially identified units from said plurality of unit trucks to a binding machine;
- (g) applying, with said binding machine, a second identification ribbon around each of said plurality of initially identified units to thereby obtain a respective plurality of finally identified units;
- and
- (h) assembling said communications cable from said plurality of finally identified units.
A binding machine for assembling a multiconductor communications cable from a plurality of units comprising:
- supply means for supplying said plurality of units;
- a plate having a plurality of guide-holes, each of said guide-holes being configured to receive one of said units;
- a plurality of spindles, each of said plurality of spindles being configured to wind an identification ribbon around one of said units;
- and
- a plurality of drive belts engaging said plurality of spindles, said drive belts rotating said plurality of spindles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.