A method of pretinning a guidewire core made of shape memory alloy and having an elongate axis, comprising: placing a ball of solder in a pocket in a soldering block; melting the ball of solder; holding a guidewire core over the ball of solder; lowering the guidewire core into the ball of solder; removing the guidewire from the ball of solder.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for applying a coating material to a wire, the apparatus comprising: a coating chamber for applying a thermosetting coating material to a wire passing through the coating chamber; an elongate injection channel for receiving coating material input to the coating apparatus at a first end of the injection channel and supplying the received coating material to the coating chamber that is arranged at a second end of the injection channel; and, a number of heating elements controllable to progressively raise the temperature of the coating material as the coating material flows through the coating apparatus to achieve a desired viscosity of the coating material within the coating chamber. Advantages include providing an industrial process for applying a coating to a wire that is easier, safer and cheaper than known solvent based techniques.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for applying a coating material to a wire, the apparatus comprising: a coating chamber for applying a thermosetting coating material to a wire passing through the coating chamber; an elongate injection channel for receiving coating material input to the coating apparatus at a first end of the injection channel and supplying the received coating material to the coating chamber that is arranged at a second end of the injection channel; and, a number of heating elements controllable to progressively raise the temperature of the coating material as the coating material flows through the coating apparatus to achieve a desired viscosity of the coating material within the coating chamber. Advantages include providing an industrial process for applying a coating to a wire that is easier, safer and cheaper than known solvent based techniques.

Subject matter of the present invention is a method of applying coating layers (9) to a substrate (1, 11, 21, 31), wherein the substrate (1, 11, 21, 31) is drawn through a coating chamber (2) containing a pressurized coating agent (3) being liquefied or softened by means of a thermal exposure, wherein the substrate (1, 11, 21, 31) is drawn through a drawing tool (8), wherein the coating agent (3) serves as a lubricant between the drawing tool (8) and a surface of the substrate (8) and wherein at the same time the coating layer (9) is applied to the surface of the substrate (8). Subject matter of the invention is also a corresponding apparatus for applying a coating layer (9) to a substrate (1, 11, 21, 31). By means of the invention coating layers can be applied to a substrate in an efficient and economical way.

Subject matter of the present invention is a method of applying coating layers (9) to a substrate (1, 11, 21, 31), wherein the substrate (1, 11, 21, 31) is drawn through a coating chamber (2) containing a pressurized coating agent (3) being liquefied or softened by means of a thermal exposure, wherein the substrate (1, 11, 21, 31) is drawn through a drawing tool (8), wherein the coating agent (3) serves as a lubricant between the drawing tool (8) and a surface of the substrate (8) and wherein at the same time the coating layer (9) is applied to the surface of the substrate (8). Subject matter of the invention is also a corresponding apparatus for applying a coating layer (9) to a substrate (1, 11, 21, 31). By means of the invention coating layers can be applied to a substrate in an efficient and economical way.

An impregnation section and a method for impregnating fiber rovings with a polymer resin are disclosed. The impregnation section includes an impregnation zone and a gate passage. The impregnation zone is configured to impregnate the plurality of rovings with the resin. The gate passage is in fluid communication with the impregnation zone for flowing the resin therethrough such that the resin impinges on a surface of each of the plurality of rovings facing the gate passage and substantially uniformly coats the plurality of rovings. The method includes impinging a polymer resin onto a surface of a plurality of fiber rovings, and substantially uniformly coating the plurality of rovings with the resin. The method further includes traversing the plurality of coated rovings through an impregnation zone. Each of the plurality of rovings is under a tension of from about 5 Newtons to about 300 Newtons within the impregnation zone.

Provided herein is a method of and system for processing an optical fiber. The method includes the steps of drawing an optical fiber in a drawing direction along a process pathway through a coating chamber comprising an inlet and an outlet, and a coating liquid volume to coat the optical fiber; supplying the coating liquid through the inlet, the coating liquid exiting the coating chamber through the outlet; and recirculating to coating liquid exiting the coating chamber to the inlet.

A method of applying a coating liquid to an optical fiber is described. An optical fiber is drawn through a guide die into a pressurized coating chamber and through the pressurized coating chamber to a sizing die. The pressurized coating chamber contains a coating liquid. The method includes directing coating liquid in a direction transverse to the processing pathway of the optical fiber in the pressurized coating chamber. The transverse flow of coating liquid counteracts detrimental effects associated with gyres that form in the pressurized coating chamber during the draw process. Benefits of the transverse flow include removal of bubbles, reduction in the temperature of the gyre, improved wetting, homogenization of the properties of the coating liquid in the pressurized coating chamber, and stabilization of the meniscus.

A wetout funnel (82) including opposite walls (88) forming a v-shape with a slot (90) at the bottom of the v-shape and a squeegee (102) disposed at the slot (90) for controlling the coating of grouting material for a uniform covering on a liner (50) as it passes through the wetout funnel (82). A first ejector pipe (104) receives and dispenses grouting material (52) to coat one half of the exterior of the liner (50) and a second ejector pipe (106) receives and dispenses grouting material (52) to coat the opposite half of the exterior of the liner (50). The wetout funnel (82) is mounted on a supporting framework (84) that is positionable over a manhole. The supporting framework (84) has end pieces (92) movable to engage the edges of a liner (50) of different widths.

A method of pretinning a guidewire core made of shape memory alloy and having an elongate axis, comprising: placing a ball of solder in a pocket in a soldering block; melting the ball of solder; holding a guidewire core over the ball of solder; lowering the guidewire core into the ball of solder; removing the guidewire from the ball of solder.