What is a drum twister for electrical cables?

The industrial electrical wire twister is a specialized machine designed to twist several strands of electrical wires into a single bundle and wind them onto a drum.
The automatic process of twisting and winding wires ensures durability and better ordering, which contributes to higher quality of the finished product.
Twisting machines are used in the production of electric cables and wires, where they enable precise and fast joining of conductors, often automating the entire process.
The main application of these machines is for cables with large cross sections, as they can replace traditional twisting machines due to their high operating speed.

What is the work of such devices?

The work of drum twisting machines involves precisely twisting and laying multiple conductors of wires or cables into a single, cohesive structure.
The process is mainly used in the production of power cables, telecommunications cables, fiber optic cables and specialized reinforced cables.
The machine rotates the cable drum around its own axis, while connecting the individual conductors in a controlled manner.
The main tasks of these machines include:

• Cable twisting: Several conductors are twisted in a specific pattern to increase the cable’s strength and flexibility.
• Tape wrapping: Cables can be further wrapped with metallic or non-metallic tape to provide insulation and protection against interference.
• Steel wire reinforcement: For cables exposed to harsh conditions, the twister can add steel reinforcement for extra protection.

These machines operate at high speed, which speeds up production, and their precision enables the creation of high-quality cables with large cross sections.

Measurements and steps during the remanufacturing/repair of a twister machine

1. Preliminary measurements: the first step was to check that the axis of rotation of the twisting machine coincides with the axis of rotation of the reel winding the finished cables.
   The results were included in the final report.
2. Adjustment and settings: Based on the measurement results, a new axis of rotation was determined, in line with the drum axis, to eliminate runout.
3. Preparation for machining: After replacing the raceway, the machine was set up to machine the excess material to ensure that the raceway is perfectly parallel to the axis of rotation.
4. Leveling: After treatment, the treadmill was set on rollers and then leveled with respect to the vector of gravity (water level), that is, to a plane perpendicular to the action of gravity.
5. Roller alignment correction: The guide rollers were adjusted to ensure that their axes are parallel to the raceway axis and the machine’s axis of rotation.
6. Work Report: Upon completion of all activities, the results of the pre- and post-service measurements were presented.

Results

Thanks to measurements carried out at every stage of the process, it was possible to overhaul the cable bolting machine, significantly improving the geometry of its components.
Regular checking of dimensions during overhaul and repair of machines allows full control over the course of work, resulting in increased durability of the machine during its production operation.

Summary

Taking measurements of machines, is key to maintaining their proper operation and performance.
Measurements carried out at each stage of remanufacturing and repair allow the geometry of components to be adjusted precisely, eliminating problems such as axle runout or unevenness.
As a result, the machine operates more stably, which increases its durability and reliability during production.
Regular dimensional checks provide full control over the process, and this translates into higher quality cables and longer machine life, while minimizing the risk of failure and maintenance costs. If you would like to find out how we can help you set up or analyze the geometry of machines operating in your company: contact us HERE.