The stranding cages are, up to certain bobbin sizes or numbers of bobbins, of compact design and carried in encircling bearing style drive and bearing housings. The results are high speeds, low power losses and simplified machine maintenance. Larger stranding cages are supported by heavy duty under-roller bearings. Cages are suitable to accommodate bobbins with flange diameters ranging from 315 to 2800 mm and weighing 40 tonnes max. The bobbin braking systems are designed to meet the particular requirements of the application. Different systems available offer simple measurement and indication of the back tension in the wire or strand, adjustment of the tensions by the operator from the machine control desk and automatic tension control.

Drives technology

Separate drives to the stranding cage and the haul-off enable a very wide range of lay-lengths to be covered. Using modern digital control technology, infinitely variable and reproducible lay-lengths can be set from the control desk. The back-twist drive makes variable back-twist possible within a 65 to 135% range. The use of special speed modulation gearboxes enables high back-twist moments to be transmitted. Differing degrees of back-twist are possible within a single cage. Different cages within a machine can be infinitely variably controlled in relation to each other.

A special loading drive enables the cage to be rotated into place and stopped in each loading position.

Technology essential for a high-performance stranding machine includes:

• pay-off and take-up solutions offering stationary, rotating and traversing technology and, where required, the possibility to reverse, suitable for reels with different flange diameters.
• optimum single capstan and double capstan haul-off technology matched to the requirement, featuring capstan diameters of up to 5000 mm and a maximum haul-off pull of 800 kN
• special pre- and post-formers to ensure optimum treatment of the stranded or finished product
• special calibration and compacting equipment, and lubricating systems

Automation

• separate machine assembly drives using controlled DC or AC technology
• synchronization of speed and angular displacement and torque and tension control
• maintenance of product related quality parameters under all conditions of operation with controlled machine stopping in the event of a loss of supply voltage (AC technology)
• the use of programmable controls in conjunction with touch screen operation makes possible fully automatic process control, operation and monitoring, programme management, data collection, record keeping, service functions and maintenance