Patent ID: 8489219
Filing Date: 2013-07-16
Classification: B29C,G02B

Abstract:
1. A method for making loose buffer tubes, comprising: passing an extruded buffer tube through (i) a buffering-assist capstan defining a speed of the buffering-assist capstan and (ii) a wet capstan defining a speed of the wet capstan, the wet capstan being positioned downstream from the buffering-assist capstan; increasing the speed of the wet capstan from an initial startup speed to a steady-state speed, the extruded buffer tube defining a ramping tension between the buffering-assist capstan and the wet capstan while the speed of the wet capstan is increased from the initial startup speed to the steady-state speed; measuring the ramping tension of the extruded buffer tube before the wet capstan achieves the steady-state speed; comparing the measured ramping tension of the extruded buffer tube against a target ramping tension; and adjusting the ramping tension if the measured ramping tension substantially deviates from the target ramping tension; wherein, while increasing the speed of the wet capstan from the initial startup speed to the steady-state speed, the speed of the buffering-assist capstan exceeds the speed of the wet capstan in order to preclude an elongating ramping tension between the buffering-assist capstan and the wet capstan.