A cable processing machine includes a cable feeding device for moving a cable in a feed direction. The cable feeding device has a first guide element and a second guide element, between which elements the cable is guided at least in an operating mode of the cable processing machine. The spacing between the two guide elements is selectively variable. A method for laying a cable in the cable processing machine includes moving one or both of the guide elements relative to one another when the cable processing machine is shifted between the operating mode and a cable laying mode.

A cable processing machine includes a cable feeding device for moving a cable in a feed direction. The cable feeding device has a first guide element and a second guide element, between which elements the cable is guided at least in an operating mode of the cable processing machine. The spacing between the two guide elements is selectively variable. A method for laying a cable in the cable processing machine includes moving one or both of the guide elements relative to one another when the cable processing machine is shifted between the operating mode and a cable laying mode.

An apparatus for tensioning and threading an optical fiber includes a first roller, a second roller, a belt that wraps around the first and second rollers, and a third roller. The belt may be in direct physical contact with the first and second rollers. The third roller may be movable between an engaged and a disengaged configuration relative to the belt. Alternatively, the first roller, second roller, and belt may be movable between the engaged and the disengaged configuration relative to the third roller. Actuation from the disengaged to the engaged configuration captures an optical fiber between the third roller and the belt.

An apparatus for tensioning and threading an optical fiber includes a first roller, a second roller, a belt that wraps around the first and second rollers, and a third roller. The belt may be in direct physical contact with the first and second rollers. The third roller may be movable between an engaged and a disengaged configuration relative to the belt. Alternatively, the first roller, second roller, and belt may be movable between the engaged and the disengaged configuration relative to the third roller. Actuation from the disengaged to the engaged configuration captures an optical fiber between the third roller and the belt.

A method and apparatus for removing optic fibers from multiple spools of optic fiber involving one or more rotating trees on which spools of optic fiber are seated, a transport passage and a rotating carousel. The free end of a fiber is pulled through the passage and attached to the rotating carousel such that the rotation of the carousel removes the rest of the fiber from the spool(s). The passage can be equipped with one or more rollers to reduce the friction between the fibers and the passage. The carousel may feature retractable rails to facilitate removing the fibers. The passage may also feature a blower and/or a venturi that provides suction to facilitate the movement of one or more fibers through the passage. A reciprocating tracking unit can be used to spread the fibers onto the carousel.

Disclosed is a creel including a plurality of creel bobbins, a plurality of guiding tubes located at the lower end of the creel and a plurality of guiding tubes located at the upper end of the creel, wherein each guiding tube is arranged for receiving a wire from an individual creel bobbin, wherein the lower half of the creel bobbins are arranged to feed their wires to the guiding tubes at the upper end of the creel, while the upper half of the creel bobbins are arranged to feed their wires to the guiding tubes at the lower end of the creel.

Disclosed is a creel including a plurality of creel bobbins, a plurality of guiding tubes located at the lower end of the creel and a plurality of guiding tubes located at the upper end of the creel, wherein each guiding tube is arranged for receiving a wire from an individual creel bobbin, wherein the lower half of the creel bobbins are arranged to feed their wires to the guiding tubes at the upper end of the creel, while the upper half of the creel bobbins are arranged to feed their wires to the guiding tubes at the lower end of the creel.

A method and apparatus are provided for producing a multicomponent feedstock being delivered through a print head of a 3D printer. Multiple component lengths are produced from separate feedstocks and are aligned to form the multicomponent feedstock which is fed into the print head for extrusion. The method includes providing at least two sources of feedstock of different material, feeding a distal end of a first feedstock along a feed path, cutting the first feedstock at a pre-determined length to provide a length of first feedstock having a proximal end. The method includes feeding a distal end of a second feedstock along the feed path and aligning the distal end of the second feedstock with the proximal end of the length of the first feedstock. The second feedstock is cut at a pre-determined length to provide a length of the second feedstock serially aligned with the length of first feedstock, to form a length of multicomponent feedstock. The length of multicomponent feedstock is fed into the print head.

A method and apparatus are provided for producing a multicomponent feedstock being delivered through a print head of a 3D printer. Multiple component lengths are produced from separate feedstocks and are aligned to form the multicomponent feedstock which is fed into the print head for extrusion. The method includes providing at least two sources of feedstock of different material, feeding a distal end of a first feedstock along a feed path, cutting the first feedstock at a pre-determined length to provide a length of first feedstock having a proximal end. The method includes feeding a distal end of a second feedstock along the feed path and aligning the distal end of the second feedstock with the proximal end of the length of the first feedstock. The second feedstock is cut at a pre-determined length to provide a length of the second feedstock serially aligned with the length of first feedstock, to form a length of multicomponent feedstock. The length of multicomponent feedstock is fed into the print head.

A rope guide apparatus to assist with mooring a vessel comprises an elongate pole and a length of rope. The length of rope is slidably retained by the elongate pole at a first point of retention adjacent a first end of the pole. The rope extends from the first point of retention towards a second end of the pole where it is slidably retained by the pole at a second point of retention adjacent the second end. The rope extends from the second end of the pole back towards the first end and is slidably retained at a third point of retention, with the rope extending freely from the pole. This apparatus allows easier one-person mooring of a vessel by looping the rope over a bollard and avoids the need for the individual to lean out of a vessel when attempting to moor at a distance.