Patent Publication Number: US-2023134473-A1

Title: Accumulator for manufacturing fiber optic cables, manufacturing system having such an accumulator, and related methods

Description:
PRIORITY APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/273,265, filed on Oct. 29, 2021, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to the manufacture of fiber optic cables, and more particularly to, an accumulator used in the manufacture of fiber optic cables, to a manufacturing system having such an accumulator, and to a method of making a fiber optic cable using the manufacturing system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Optical fibers are useful in a wide variety of applications, including the telecommunications industry for voice, video, and data transmissions. Benefits of optical fibers include wide bandwidth and low noise operation. In a telecommunication system that uses optical fibers, there are typically many locations where fiber optic cables carrying the optical fibers are connected to equipment or other fiber optic cables. Jumper fiber optic cables are often provided by manufacturers to provide such connections. Jumper fiber optic cables include a length of cable carrying one or more optical fibers that are terminated by one or more connectors at each end of the cable. By way of example, the fiber optic cable may be several meters in length (e.g., 20 meters (m) or 30 m) and include simplex or duplex LC, SC or other types of connectors at each end.  FIG.  1    illustrates an exemplary jumper fiber optic cable  10  having a coiled length of fiber optic cable  12  carrying one or more optical fibers (not shown) that are terminated by connectors  14  at both ends thereof. 
     In reference to  FIGS.  2 - 4   , to make the jumper fiber optic cable  10 , manufacturers may, in a first processing step, form a plurality of individual fiber optic coils  16  from a bulk supply of fiber optic cable  18 . The fiber optic coils  16  are each provided at a length corresponding to the desired length of the jumper fiber optic cable  10 . The bulk supply of fiber optic cable  18  may be provided in a large spool of fiber optic cable that has a length many times greater than the length of the jumper fiber optic cable  10 . Each fiber optic coil  16  is arranged in a generally circular loop and includes a first end  20 , a second end  22 , and an intermediate cable portion  24  extending between the first and second ends  20 ,  22 . For the fiber optic coils  16 , the first and second ends  20 ,  22  have not yet been terminated with connectors  14 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates an exemplary manufacturing system  26 , which may represent a station of a larger assembly line of a manufacturing facility, for manufacturing the plurality of coils  16  from the bulk supply of fiber optic cable  18 . The manufacturing system  26  generally includes an unwinder  28 , a winder  30 , and an accumulator  32  disposed between the unwinder  28  and winder  30 . The unwinder  28  holds, for example, the spool of fiber optic cable  18  and allows fiber optic cable to be paid out toward the winder  30  through rotation of the unwinder  28 . The winder  30 , in turn, reels in fiber optic cable from the unwinder  28  and forms a coil  16  through rotation of the winder  30 . When the desired length of fiber optic cable has been wound in the coil  16 , the winder  30  is stopped and the fiber optic cable is cut or severed from the spool of cable  18  by a cutter  34 . The coil  16  is then removed from the winder  30 , the cut end of the fiber optic cable is reattached to the winder  30 , and the winder  30  is restarted to form the next coil  16 . Such unwinders  28  and winders  30  are generally known in the fiber optic industry and, for sake of brevity, will not be described in further detail here. 
     In operation, it can be difficult or undesirable to match the speed of the unwinder  28  with the winder  30 . For example, it may be desirable to operate the unwinder  28  at a relatively constant speed, while the winder  30  operates in an intermittent manner (e.g., to allow the fiber optic cable to be cut, to remove a coil  16  from the winder  30 , and to reattach the fiber optic cable to the winder  30 ). For this reason, the accumulator  32  may be generally disposed between the unwinder  28  and winder  30  and be configured to accommodate the mismatch in operation/speeds between the unwinder  28  and winder  30 . In this regard, when the winder  30  is stopped, the unwinder  28  may continue to operate and the fiber optic cable being paid out from the unwinder  28  is temporarily stored in the accumulator  32 . When the winder  30  is restarted, the stored fiber optic cable in the accumulator  32  is then directed to the winder  30  for forming the next coil  16 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , current design for accumulators  32  typically includes a frame  36  having a pulley arrangement that provides for the storage of fiber optic cable in the accumulator  32 . In this regard, the accumulator  32  typically includes a first sheave  38  fixed to the frame  36  and a second sheave  40  movable relative to the first sheave  38  (e.g., such as in a vertical direction) to increase or decrease the separation distance between the first and second sheaves  38 ,  40 . Each sheave  38 ,  40  defines a rotational axis  42  along which a plurality of pulleys  44  are arranged in series such that each pulley  44  rotates about the common rotational axis  42 . The fiber optic cable from the spool  18  is threaded through the plurality of pulleys  44  of both sheaves  38 ,  40  in a known manner. When the unwinder  28  and winder  30  are mismatched in operation such that the accumulator  32  is configured to increase in the amount of fiber optic cable stored in the accumulator  32 , the movable sheave  40  moves away from the fixed sheave  38  and the amount of fiber optic cable extending between the two sheaves  38 ,  40  is increased. When the unwinder  28  and winder  30  are mismatched in operation and the accumulator  32  is configured to decrease in the amount of fiber optic cable stored in the accumulator  32 , the movable sheave  40  moves toward the fixed sheave  38  such that the amount of fiber optic cable extending between the two sheaves  38 ,  40  is decreased. 
     In a next processing step for forming the fiber optic jumper  10 , and as illustrated in  FIG.  4   , in another station of the assembly line at the manufacturing facility, a plurality of coils  16  (one shown) made in the manufacturing system  26  described above may be fed to a connectorizer apparatus  46  for terminating the first and second ends  20 ,  22  of the fiber optic cable with connectors  14 , as shown in  FIG.  1   . Such connectorizer apparatuses  46  are known in the fiber optic industry and will not be described further herein. The coils  16  may be configured such that the first and second ends  20 ,  22  are on the same side of the coil  16  so as to be in a predetermined location for placement in the apparatus  46 . 
     While the manufacturing system  26  described above for forming the coils  16  is generally successful for its intended purpose, the process does have some drawbacks that manufacturers continually strive to improve upon. In this regard, for the accumulator  32  in the manufacturing system  26 , it can be difficult to thread the fiber optic cable through the plurality of pulleys  44  in both of the sheaves  38 ,  40 . This process is typically done manually and is time consuming. For this reason, the manufacturing system  26  is operated in a manner so as to avoid having to rethread the fiber optic cable through the accumulator  32  (e.g., after an initial threading). This, however, has a number of consequences. For example, to avoid rethreading the fiber optic cable through the accumulator  32 , all cuts to the fiber optic cable, such as when switching between successive coils  16 , have to be made on the downstream side of the accumulator  32 . As used herein, “downstream” means locations along the fiber optic cable that have already passed through the plurality of pulleys  44  in the accumulator  32  (e.g., at locations between the accumulator  32  and the winder  30 ). Moreover, when a spool of fiber optic cable  18  is nearing its end, to avoid rethreading the accumulator  32 , the end of the fiber optic cable in the spool  18  is spliced to the end of the fiber optic cable in a new spool  18  such that the fiber optic cable in the new spool is automatically threaded through the pulleys  44  of the accumulator  32 . The length of fiber optic cable including the splice is monitored and removed so as not to form part of a coil  16 . 
     Furthermore, by requiring cuts to the fiber optic cable only on the downstream side of the accumulator  32 , options for improving the operation of the manufacturing system  26  may be limited. In this regard, for example, the inability of locate cuts in the fiber optic cable upstream of the accumulator  32  means that the unwinder  28  and the accumulator  30  are operationally tied together at all times during use of the manufacturing system  26 . As used herein, “upstream” means locations along the fiber optic cable that have not yet passed through the pulleys  44  in the accumulator  32  (e.g., at locations between the unwinder  28  and the accumulator  32 ). Such a requirement limits manufacturer&#39;s ability to provide a variety of different unwinder  28 , winder  30  and accumulator  32  configurations that may make improvements to the overall manufacturing process. 
     SUMMARY 
     An accumulator for making fiber optic cables is disclosed. In one aspect, the accumulator includes a frame, a first pulley array mounted to the frame and including a first frame member and a first plurality of pulleys rotatably mounted to the first frame member along a first distribution axis, wherein each of the first plurality of pulleys defines a first rotational axis, and a second pulley array mounted to the frame and including a second frame member and a second plurality of pulleys rotatably mounted to the second frame member along a second distribution axis, wherein each of the second plurality of pulleys defines a second rotational axis. The first pulley array and the second pulley array are movable relative to each other so as to be positionable on opposite sides of each other. 
     In one embodiment, the first distribution axis and the first rotational axis of each of the first plurality of pulleys may be substantially perpendicular to each other. In a similar manner, and in one embodiment, the second distribution axis and the second rotational axis of each of the second plurality of pulleys may be substantially perpendicular to each other. In one embodiment, the first plurality of pulleys on the first pulley array and the second plurality of pulleys on the second pulley array may lie substantially within a common plane. For example, the common plane in which the first plurality of pulleys and the second plurality of pulleys substantially lie may be a substantially vertical plane. The relative movement of the first pulley array and the second pulley array may be such that the first plurality of pulleys and the second plurality of pulleys always remain within the common plane. 
     In one embodiment, the first plurality of pulleys may be mounted to the first frame member in spaced relation along the first distribution axis to define a first gap between adjacent pulleys on the first frame member. In a similar manner, the second plurality of pulleys may be mounted to the second frame member in spaced relation along the second distribution axis to define a second gap between adjacent pulleys on the second frame member. The first and second gaps may be configured to allow the first plurality of pulleys and the second plurality of pulleys to pass in between each other as the first pulley array and the second pulley array move across each other. In one embodiment, the first pulley array may be fixed to the frame and the second pulley array may be movable relative to the first pulley array so as to be positionable on opposite sides of each other. 
     In one embodiment, the first pulley array and the second pulley array may be movable relative to each other along a translation axis so as to be positionable on opposite sides of each other. Moreover, the first distribution axis along which the first plurality of pulleys is distributed on the first frame member may be substantially perpendicular to the translation axis. Again, in a similar manner and in one embodiment, the second distribution axis along which the second plurality of pulleys is distributed on the second frame member may be substantially perpendicular to the translation axis. In one embodiment, the translation axis along which the first pulley array and the second pulley array are relatively movable may be in a substantially vertical direction. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the first pulley array and the second pulley array may be movable relative to each other through rotation about a pivot axis so as to be positionable on opposite sides of each other. In this embodiment, the pivot axis may be substantially parallel to the first rotational axis of each of the first plurality of pulleys on the first frame member. The pivot axis may also be substantially perpendicular to the first distribution axis of the first frame member. In a similar manner, the pivot axis may be substantially parallel to the second rotational axis of each of the second plurality of pulleys on the second frame member. The pivot axis may also be substantially perpendicular to the second distribution axis of the second frame member. 
     In another aspect of the disclosure, a manufacturing system for making a fiber optic cable is disclosed. The manufacturing system includes an unwinder for holding a supply of fiber optic cable, at least one winder for forming a plurality of coils from the supply of fiber optic cable associated with the unwinder, and a plurality of accumulators generally disposed between the unwinder and the at least one winder. The unwinder is configured to operatively couple to each of the plurality of accumulators in the manufacturing system during operation. 
     In one embodiment, the manufacturing system further includes a cutter for severing the fiber optic cable between successive coils. In one embodiment, the cutter may be positioned such that the fiber optic cable is severed at a location that is prior to the fiber optic cable engaging the first plurality of pulleys and the second plurality of pulleys in the accumulator (i.e., upstream of the accumulator). This allows the unwinder to be decoupled from the accumulator(s). In one embodiment, the number of winders is less than or equal to the number of accumulators in the manufacturing system. In another embodiment, the sum of the number of winders and the number of unwinders is less than or equal to the number of accumulators in the manufacturing system. Thus, the number of unwinders, winders, and accumulators in the manufacturing system may be mismatched. 
     In a further aspect of the disclosure, a method for threading the accumulator according to the first aspect described above with fiber optic cable is disclosed. The method includes positioning the second pulley array on a first side of the first pulley array in a load position; directing a length of fiber optic cable through the accumulator and between the first plurality of pulleys and the second plurality of pulleys on the first pulley array and the second pulley array, respectively, along a substantially straight travel path; and moving the first pulley array and the second pulley array relative to each other so as to position the second pulley array on a second side of the first pulley array opposite to the first side in a threaded position. 
     In one embodiment, the relative movement of the first pulley array and the second pulley array causes the fiber optic cable to be threaded back and forth between the first plurality of pulleys and the second plurality of pulleys in a substantially serpentine travel path. In one embodiment, the method may further include selecting a predetermined length of fiber optic cable to be stored in the accumulator when in the threaded position and providing a distance between the first pulley array and the second pulley array in the threaded position to correspond to the selected predetermined length of fiber optic cable. In a further embodiment, the method may further include selecting another predetermined length of fiber optic cable to be stored in the accumulator when in the threaded position and adjusting the distance between the first pulley array and the second pulley array to correspond to the another selected predetermined length of fiber optic cable. 
     In yet a further aspect of the disclosure, a method for manufacturing a fiber optic cable is disclosed. The method includes providing an unwinder for holding a supply of fiber optic cable, at least one winder for forming a plurality of coils from the supply of fiber optic cable associated with the unwinder, and a plurality of accumulators disposed between the unwinder and the at least one winder; coupling the unwinder to one of the plurality of accumulators; using the unwinder, threading the one of the plurality of accumulators to store a predetermined length of fiber optic cable in the one of the plurality of accumulators; and coupling the unwinder to another of the plurality of accumulators. 
     In one embodiment, the method may further include severing the fiber optic cable prior to coupling the unwinder to another of the plurality of accumulators, wherein the fiber optic cable is severed at a location that is prior to the fiber optic cable engaging the first plurality of pulleys and the second plurality of pulleys in the accumulator. In one embodiment, the method may further include, using the at least one winder, forming a coil from the predetermined length of fiber optic cable stored in the one of the plurality of accumulators and, using the unwinder, threading the another of the plurality of accumulators to store the predetermined length of fiber optic cable in the another of the plurality of accumulators. In one embodiment, the step of forming the coil from the predetermined length of fiber optic cable stored in the one of the plurality of accumulators and the step of threading the another of the plurality of accumulators to store the predetermined length of fiber optic cable in the another of the plurality of accumulators may be performed at least partially at the same time. In one embodiment, the coil includes opposed ends, and the method may further include terminating the opposed ends of the coil with a connector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. Features and attributes associated with any of the embodiments shown or described may be applied to other embodiments shown, described, or appreciated based on this disclosure. 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a jumper fiber optic cable as known in the fiber optic industry; 
         FIG.  2    is a conventional manufacturing system for making the jumper fiber optic cable of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  illustrate a conventional accumulator in the manufacturing system shown in  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a connectorizer apparatus for terminating the ends of a coil as known in the fiber optic industry; 
         FIG.  5    is a manufacturing system for making the jumper fiber optic cable of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  illustrate an accumulator for the manufacturing system shown in  FIG.  5    in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIGS.  7 A- 7 E  illustrate a threading process of the accumulator shown in  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIGS.  8 A- 8 E  illustrate a threading process of the accumulator shown in  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIGS.  9 A- 9 C  illustrate a threading process of an accumulator in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIGS.  10 A and  10 B  illustrate a manufacturing system for making the jumper fiber optic cable of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a method for operating the manufacturing system shown in  FIGS.  10 A and  10 B  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a model used in determining a length of fiber optic cable stored in an accumulator; 
         FIGS.  13 A and  13 B  illustrate another manufacturing system for making the jumper fiber optic cable of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG.  14    illustrates a method for operating the manufacturing system shown in  FIGS.  13 A and  13 B  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments will be further clarified by examples in the description below. In general, the description relates to an improved manner to configure an accumulator in a manufacturing system for forming fiber optic coils  16 , which as noted above, is part of the process for forming jumper fiber optic cables  10 . Similar to current designs, the improved accumulator includes a first pulley array and a second pulley array, where each pulley array includes a plurality of pulleys, and where the pulley arrays are movable relative to each other to increase or decrease the length of fiber optic cable (e.g., extending between the two pulley arrays) stored in the accumulator. In contrast to conventional designs, however, the orientation of the pulleys relative to the distribution of the pulleys along the pulley arrays is different. For example, in the accumulator of manufacturing system  26  described above, the pulleys  44  in each of the sheaves  38 ,  40  were distributed along the common rotational axis  42 , i.e., the rotational axes  42  of the pulleys  44  were parallel to the axis along which the pulleys  44  were distributed (see  FIG.  3 B ). In the improved accumulator according to the present disclosure, the pulleys on each pulley array are reoriented such that their axes are substantially perpendicular to the axis along which the pulleys are distributed. Moreover, the first and second pulley arrays may be moved relative to each other along a translation axis or rotated relative to each other about a pivot axis. The translation axis may be substantially perpendicular to both the distribution axes of the pulleys and the rotational axes of the pulleys. The pivot axis may be substantially parallel to the rotational exes of the pulleys and substantially perpendicular to the distribution axes of the pulleys. 
     As will be explained in more detail below, this reorientation of the pulleys (i.e., their rotational axes) relative to the distribution axis of the pulleys on the pulley arrays provides an improved arrangement for threading the fiber optic cable through the accumulator. In other words, in the improved accumulator of the present disclosure, the rethreading of the accumulator is not so daunting that operation of the manufacturing system is predicated on avoiding a rethreading processing step. Moreover, the rethreading process for the improved accumulator is fairly straight forward such that automated manufacturing processes may be able to perform the rethreading of the accumulator, and thereby avoid the manual and time-consuming process currently employed for existing accumulators. 
     Furthermore, because rethreading of the accumulator is a relatively easy and straight-forward process, cuts in the fiber optic cable no longer have to be limited to the downstream side of the accumulator, as it is in the manufacturing system  26  described above (again to avoid rethreading of the accumulator  32 ). This, in turn, means that the unwinder and the accumulator no longer have to be operationally coupled together at all times during use. Thus, manufacturers have an increased number of design options for arranging the parts of the manufacturing system (i.e., the unwinder, winder, accumulator) to improve operation and throughput (i.e., increased yields in coils produced) of the manufacturing system. 
       FIG.  5    is a manufacturing system  50  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The manufacturing system  50  includes an unwinder  52 , a winder  54 , and an accumulator  56  generally disposed between the unwinder  52  and the winder  54 . Similar to the above, the unwinder  52  is configured to hold a supply of fiber optic cable  58  for forming a plurality of coils  60 . In an exemplary embodiment, the supply of fiber optic cable  58  may be in the form of a relatively large spool  62  received in the unwinder  52 . The unwinder  52  is configured to rotate in order to pay out portions of the fiber optic cable  58  disposed on the spool  62  toward the winder  54 . Such unwinders  52  are generally known in the fiber optics industry and, for sake of brevity, will not be further described here. Again, similar to the above, the winder  54  is configured to reel in the fiber optic cable  58  from the unwinder  52  and form a plurality of coils  60  through rotation of the winder  54 . Such winders  54  are generally known in the fiber optics industry and will not be further described here for sake of brevity. As described above, the coils  60  are subsequently terminated with connectors  14 , such as with a connectorizer apparatus  46  ( FIG.  4   ), to form jumper fiber optic cables  10 . 
     As noted above, the accumulator  56  is generally disposed between the unwinder  52  and the winder  54  and is configured to store a length of the fiber optic cable  58  therein.  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  illustrate an accumulator  56  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, the accumulator  56  includes a support frame  66  that supports a first pulley array  68  and a second pulley array  70 . The fiber optic cable  58  is threaded through the first and second pulley arrays  68 ,  70  in a serpentine travel path from the unwinder  52  to the winder  54 . The first pulley array  68  and the second pulley array  70  are movable relative to each other. By way of example, in an exemplary embodiment, the first pulley array  68  may be fixed to the frame  66  of the accumulator  56  so as to be stationary while the second pulley array  70  may be movable relative to the support frame  66  and relative to the first pulley array  68 . The movement of the second pulley array  70  may be along a generally vertical direction, for example. However, the relative movement of the first and second pulley arrays  68 ,  70  may be in other directions, such as in a generally horizontal direction. To facilitate the movement of the second pulley array  70  relative to the frame  66  and the first pulley array  68 , the accumulator  56  may include a drive device (not shown) coupled to the second pulley array  70  for achieving the desired movement. The drive device may include a broad range of motors, actuators (hydraulic, pneumatic), gear arrangements, rack-and-pinion systems, chain/belt arrangement, etc. for moving the second pulley array  70 . 
     It should be recognized that the fixed/movable arrangement of the pulley arrays  68 ,  70  in accumulator  56  described above is merely exemplary and that other configurations are possible. For example, in an alternative embodiment, both the first pulley array  68  and the second pulley array  70  may be movable relative to the support frame  66  of the accumulator  56  (e.g., in a vertical direction). In this embodiment, both the first and second pulley arrays  68 ,  70  may be coupled to the drive device for achieving the desired movement. Thus, while the following description provides the first pulley array  68  as being fixed and the second pulley array  70  as being movable, it should be understood that other arrangements of the pulley arrays  68 ,  70  are possible and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The first pulley array  68  includes a first frame member  72  (such as a beam, arm, etc.) configured to carry a first plurality of pulleys  74 . In an exemplary embodiment, the pulleys  74  are distributed along the frame member  72  generally along a distribution axis  76  (e.g., a horizontal axis). The pulleys  74  are mounted to the frame member  72  so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis  78 . In an exemplary embodiment, the rotational axis  78  of each of the pulleys  74  may be substantially perpendicular to the distribution axis  76  along which the pulleys  74  are distributed along the frame member  72 . This is in contrast to the orientation of the pulleys  44  in the sheave  38  described above, in which the rotational axes of the pulleys  44  are substantially parallel to the distribution axis of the pulleys  44  along the sheave  38 . Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, the distribution axis  76  and the rotational axes  78  may lie in a common plane, and more specifically a common substantially horizontal plane. Furthermore, the second pulley array  70  may be movable relative to the first pulley array  68  along a translation axis  80 . In an exemplary embodiment, the translation axis  80  may be substantially perpendicular to both the distribution axis  76  and the rotational axis  78 . More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, and as noted above, the translation axis  80  may be in a substantially vertical direction. 
     Each of the pulleys  74  in the first pulley array  68  includes an inner diameter D i  and an outer diameter D o  ( FIGS.  6 A and  11   ), thereby defining a region for securely receiving a portion of the fiber optic cable  58  therein. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer diameter D o  of the pulleys  74  may be between about 50 mm and about 150 mm, and preferably between about 60 mm and about 130 mm. The inner diameter D i  may be between about 70% and about 90% of the outer diameter D o , and preferably about 80% of the outer diameter D o . The number of pulleys  74  along the frame member  72  may vary depending on the application. In an exemplary embodiment, however, the number of pulleys  74  distributed along the frame member  72  of the first pulley array  68  may be between three pulleys and twelve pulleys, and preferably between five pulleys and nine pulleys. 
     The second pulley array  70  includes a second frame member  82  (such as a beam, arm, etc.) configured to carry a second plurality of pulleys  84 . In an exemplary embodiment, the pulleys  84  are distributed along the frame member  82  generally along a distribution axis  86  (e.g., a horizontal axis). The pulleys  84  are mounted to the frame member  82  so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis  88 . In an exemplary embodiment, the rotational axis  88  of each of the pulleys  84  may be substantially perpendicular to the distribution axis  86  along which the pulleys  84  are distributed along the frame member  82 . This is in contrast to the orientation of the pulleys  44  in the sheave  40  described above, in which the rotational axes of the pulleys  44  are substantially parallel to the distribution axis of the pulleys  44  along the sheave  40 . Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, the distribution axis  86  and the rotational axes  88  may lie in a common plane, and more specifically a common substantially horizontal plane. Similar to the above, the translation axis  80  may be substantially perpendicular to both the distribution axis  86  and the rotational axis  88 . 
     Each of the pulleys  84  in the second pulley array  70  includes an inner diameter D i  and an outer diameter D o  ( FIG.  6 A ), thereby defining a region for securely receiving a portion of the fiber optic cable  58 . In an exemplary embodiment, the outer diameter D o  of the pulleys  84  may be between about 50 mm and about 150 mm, and preferably between about 60 mm and about 130 mm. The inner diameter D i  may be between about 70% and about 90% of the outer diameter D o , and preferably about 80% of the outer diameter D o . In an exemplary embodiment, the pulleys  84  of the second pulley array  70  may be the same size as the pulleys  74  on the first pulley array  68 . In an alternative embodiment, however, the pulleys  84  of the second pulley array  70  may have a size different than the size of the pulleys  74  of the first pulley array  68 . 
     The number of pulleys  84  along the frame member  82  may vary depending on the application. In an exemplary embodiment, however, the number of pulleys  84  distributed along the frame member  82  of the second pulley array  70  may be between three pulleys and twelve pulleys, and preferably between five pulleys and nine pulleys. The number of pulleys  84  on the frame member  82  may be the same or be different from the number of pulleys  74  on the frame member  72  of the first pulley array  68 . By way of example, the number of pulleys  84  on the second pulley array  70  may be less than the number of pulleys  74  on the first pulley array  68 . For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the number of pulleys  74  on the first pulley array  68  may be one more than the number of pulleys  84  on the second pulley array  70 . Other differences in the number of pulleys are possible, however. 
     In one aspect of the disclosure, the first pulley array  68  and the second pulley array  70  are configured to allow the pulley arrays  68 ,  70  to pass across or by each other during movements along the translation axis  80 . Notably, this is not possible in the accumulator  32  of the manufacturing system  26  described above. By way of example, with the first pulley array  68  fixed, the second pulley array  70  is configured to pass from one side of the first pulley array  68  to the other (e.g., opposite) side of the first pulley array  68 . Thus, in the configuration shown in  FIG.  6 A , the second pulley array  70  is able to move from a position below the first pulley array  68  to a position above the first pulley array  68 , and vice versa. As will be explained in more detail below, this allows the accumulator  56  to be threaded in a relatively easy and straight-forward manner. 
     To facilitate proper operation of the accumulator  56 , the pulleys  74  from the first pulley array  68  and the pulleys  84  from the second pulley array  70  substantially lie within a common plane P 1  (e.g., +/−2 mm out of common plane). As illustrated in  FIG.  6 B , in an exemplary embodiment the plane P 1  may be a generally vertical plane. In order to allow the second pulley array  70  to pass over or across the first pulley array  68 , the spacing G ( FIG.  6 A ) between adjacent pulleys  74 ,  84  on the frame members  72 ,  82 , respectively, has to be greater than the outer diameter D o  of the pulleys  84 ,  74  on the opposite frame members  82 ,  72 . In this way, with the pulleys  74 ,  84  lying within the same plane P 1 , the pulleys  74 ,  84  are permitted to pass by or in between each other. In an exemplary embodiment, this may be made possible by locating the frame members  72 ,  82  of the first and second pulley arrays  68 ,  70 , respectively, on opposite sides of the plane P 1  (e.g., see  FIG.  6 B ). In an exemplary embodiment, the gap G between adjacent pulleys  74 ,  84  may be selected such that the clearance C, which is the distance between the outer diameter D o  of pulleys  74  and the outer diameter D o  of the pulleys  84  when the distribution axes  76 ,  86  of the first pulley array  68  and second pulley array  70 , respectively, are substantially coaxially arranged, may be between about 0.5 mm and about 5 mm. Other values are also possible so long as the pulleys  74  and  84  do not interfere with each other as the pulley arrays  68 ,  70  move across each other. 
     As noted above, the ability to move the second pulley array  70  across the first pulley array  68  provides a relatively easy and straight-forward way to thread the accumulator  56 .  FIGS.  7 A- 7 E  schematically illustrate an exemplary threading operation for the accumulator  56  in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure. Initially, there is no fiber optic cable  58  that extends across the accumulator  56  and the pulley arrays  68 ,  70 . The second pulley array  70  may be placed on a first side of the first pulley array  68 . This position may be referred to as the load position. As shown in  FIG.  7 A , in the load position, the second pulley array  70  may be positioned generally above the first pulley array  68 . When in this position, the fiber optic cable  58  from the unwinder  52  may be paid out so as to extend across a top portion of the pulleys  74  of the first pulley arrangement  68  along a substantially straight travel path. The end of the fiber optic cable  58  may be fixed to an aspect of the accumulator  56  opposite to the unwinder  52  or be fixed to an aspect of the winder  54 . This is illustrated in  FIGS.  7 B and  7 C , for example. 
     With the fiber optic cable  58  so arranged, the second pulley array  70  may be moved to the other side of the first pulley array  68 , such as by moving the second pulley array  70  downwardly relative to the first pulley array  68 . As the pulleys  84  are moving downwardly, a lower portion of the pulleys  68  engage the fiber optic cable  58  and catch the fiber optic cable  58  on the pulleys  68 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  7 C . As illustrated in  FIGS.  7 D and  7 E , with further movement of the second pulley array  70  downwardly and onto the other side of the first pulley array  68 , additional fiber optic cable  58  is paid out from the unwinder  52  such that the fiber optic cable  58  extends between the plurality of pulleys  74 ,  84  on the first pulley array  68  and the second pulley array  70 , respectively.  FIG.  7 E  illustrates the threaded position of the accumulator  56  with the fiber optic cable  58  having a serpentine travel path through the accumulator  56 . Thus, by i) positioning the second pulley array  70  in the load position; ii) pulling the fiber optic cable  58  from the unwinder  52  and across the pulleys  74  of the first pulley array  68 ; and iii) moving the second pulley array  70  from the load position to the threaded position, the fiber optic cable  58  is automatically threaded through the accumulator  56  in the serpentine travel path. 
       FIGS.  8 A- 8 E  schematically illustrate a threading operation for the accumulator  56  in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the disclosure. Again, initially there is no fiber optic cable  58  that extends across the accumulator  56  and the pulley arrays  68 ,  70 . The second pulley array  70  may be placed on a first side of the first pulley array  68 . As shown in  FIG.  8 A , in the load position, the second pulley array  70  may be positioned generally below the first pulley array  68 . When in this position, the fiber optic cable  58  from the unwinder  52  may be paid out so as to extend across a bottom portion of the pulleys  74  of the first pulley arrangement  68  along a substantially straight travel path. The end of the fiber optic cable  58  may be fixed to an aspect of the accumulator  56  opposite to the unwinder  52  or be fixed to an aspect of the winder  54  itself. This is illustrated in  FIGS.  8 B and  8 C . 
     With the fiber optic cable  58  so arranged, the second pulley array  70  may be moved to the other side of the first pulley array  68 , such as by moving the second pulley array  70  upwardly relative to the first pulley array  68 . As the pulleys  84  are moving upwardly, an upper portion of the pulleys  68  engage the fiber optic cable  58  and catch the fiber optic cable  58  on the pulleys  68 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  8 C . As illustrated in  FIGS.  8 D and  8 E , with further movement of the second pulley array  70  upwardly and onto the other side of the first pulley array  68 , additional fiber optic cable  58  is paid out from the unwinder  52  such that the fiber optic cable  58  extends between the plurality of pulleys  74 ,  84  on the first pulley array  68  and the second pulley array  70 , respectively.  FIG.  8 E  illustrates the threaded position of the accumulator  56  with the fiber optic cable  58  having a serpentine travel path through the accumulator  56 . 
     As illustrated from the above, the rethreading of the accumulator  56  is a relatively easy and straight-forward process. Moreover, the steps for rethreading the accumulator  56  may be conducive to automated processes. By way of example, a controller  92  ( FIG.  5   ) may be operatively coupled to the first and/or second pulley array  68 ,  70  for controlling the relative movement between the two arrays  68 ,  70 . Additionally, the controller  92  may be operatively coupled to a robot (not shown) having a movable arm capable of grasping an end of the fiber optic cable  58  adjacent the unwinder  52  and upstream of the accumulator  56 , pulling the fiber optic cable  58  across the pulleys  74  of the first pulley array  68 , and fixing the free end of the fiber optic cable  58  on the downstream side of the accumulator  56 . The automation of the rethreading process generally provides faster, more consistent, and less costly manufacturing of the jumper fiber optic cables  10  as compared to current processes that include manual steps, for example. 
     As noted above, because the issues related to rethreading of the accumulator have been obviated by the arrangement of first and second pulley arrangements  68 ,  70  as described above, the limitation that the fiber optic cable  58  only be cut on the downstream side of the accumulator  56  may also be set aside. In this regard, one of the benefits of accumulator  56 , and its ability to be easily rethreaded, is that the cut in the fiber optic cable  58  necessary to form discrete coils  60 , may now be located on the upstream side of the accumulator  56 . This, in turn, allows manufacturers to arrange the various parts of the manufacturing system  50  in different configurations that may result in efficiencies and improvements to the manufacturing process that heretofore have been generally unattainable. 
       FIGS.  9 A- 9 C  schematically illustrate a threading operation for an accumulator  56 ′ in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The primary difference between the accumulator  56  in  FIGS.  7 A- 8 E  and the accumulator  56 ′ shown in  FIGS.  9 A- 9 C  is directed to the relative movement between the first pulley array  68  and the second pulley array  70  so as to be positionable on opposite sides of each other. In  FIGS.  7 A- 8 E , the second pulley array  70  was movable relative to the first pulley array  68  along translation axis  80 , which in an exemplary embodiment, may be in a vertical direction. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  9 A- 9 C , however, the second pulley array  70  is movable relative to the first pulley array  68  through a rotation about a pivot axis  94  that extends through both the first and second frame members  72 ,  82 . 
     In this embodiment, the pivot axis  94  is substantially parallel to each of the rotational axes  78  of the first plurality of pulleys  74  mounted to the first frame member  72  and is substantially perpendicular to the first distribution axis  76  along which the first plurality of pulleys  74  are distributed along the first frame member  72 . Additionally, in this embodiment the pivot axis  94  is substantially parallel to each of the rotational axes  88  of the second plurality of pulleys  84  mounted to the second frame member  82  and is substantially perpendicular to the second distribution axis  86  along which the second plurality of pulleys  84  are distributed along the second frame member  82 . Moreover, in this embodiment, the first plurality of pulleys  74  and the second plurality of pulleys  84  remain within the common plane P 1  through the rotation of the second pulley array  70  about the pivot axis  74  similar to that shown in  FIGS.  7 A- 8 E . 
     Operation of the accumulator  56 ′ to store a predetermined length of fiber optic cable  58  is similar to that described above for  FIGS.  7 A- 8 E .  FIG.  9 B  illustrates the accumulator  56 ′ in the load position where the fiber optic cable is able to pass between the first plurality of pulleys  74  and the second plurality of pulleys  84  in a substantially straight travel path.  FIG.  9 C  illustrates the accumulator  56 ′ in the threaded position, where the fiber optic cable  58  is threaded through the first and second pulley arrays  68 ,  70  in a serpentine travel path from the unwinder  52  to the winder  54 . Accordingly, the relative movement of the first pulley array  68  and the second pulley array  70  should not be limited to any particular type of movement between the two pulley arrays  68 ,  70 . 
       FIGS.  10 A and  10 B  illustrate a manufacturing system  96  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, in which like reference numbers refer to like features in the manufacturing system  50  illustrated in  FIG.  5   . The manufacturing system  96  includes an unwinder  52 , a winder  54 , and a plurality of accumulators  56  disposed between the unwinder  52  and the winder  54 . In this embodiment, the unwinder  52  and the winder  54  are configured to operate with more than just one accumulator  56  (e.g., two accumulators  56   a ,  56   b ). In this regard, because the cut in the fiber optic cable  58  may be made upstream of the accumulator  56 , the unwinder  52  is no longer operatively tied to the accumulator  56  and may be used with more than one accumulator  56 .  FIG.  10 A  illustrates the unwinder  52  being operatively coupled to the first accumulator  56   a  while  FIG.  10 B  illustrates the unwinder  52  being operatively coupled to the second accumulator  56   b . This may be advantageous in designing and improving manufacturing systems and processes for making jumper fiber optic cables, for example. 
       FIG.  11    is an exemplary method  98  for forming coils  60  using the manufacturing system  96  illustrated in  FIGS.  10 A and  10 B . In a first step  100 , the unwinder  52  may be operatively coupled to the first accumulator  56   a . By way of example, and without limitation, the unwinder  52  may be positioned on a movable platform or conveyor (not shown) for moving the unwinder  52  between the plurality of accumulators  56 , which may be in a fixed position on a factory floor or other support surface. In a next step  102 , the first accumulator  56   a  may be threaded so as to hold a predetermine length L of fiber optic cable  58 . The process for threading the first accumulator  56   a  was described above and will not be repeated here for sake of brevity. The predetermined length L of the fiber optic cable  58  may correspond to the desired length of the jumper fiber optic cable  10  (e.g., 20 m, 30 m, etc.). When the desired length of fiber optic cable  58  has been stored in the accumulator  56   a , and in a next processing step  104 , the fiber optic cable  58  may be cut or severed from the spool  62  of fiber optic cable  58  associated with the unwinder  52 . In this embodiment, however, the fiber optic cable  58  may be cut upstream of the first accumulator  56   a  so that the unwinder  52  is operatively disconnected from the first accumulator  56   a.    
     In a next step  106 , the unwinder  52  may be operatively coupled to the second accumulator  56   b . For example, the movable platform may be activated, such as under the control of controller  92 , such that the unwinder  52  is now positioned adjacent to the second accumulator  56   b . In a further step  108 , the winder  54  may be operatively coupled to the first accumulator  56   a . By way of example, and without limitation, the winder  54  may be positioned on a movable platform or conveyor (not shown) for moving the winder  54  between the plurality of accumulators  56 . 
     With the unwinder  52  and the winder  54  so positioned relative to the second accumulator  56   b  and first accumulator  56   a , respectively, and in a next step  110 , the winder  54  may be used to form a coil  60  from the predetermined length L of fiber optic cable  58  stored in the first accumulator  56   a . In another step  112 , using the unwinder  52 , the second accumulator  56   b  may be threaded so as to hold a predetermine length L of fiber optic cable  58 . The process for threading the second accumulator  56   b  is the same as that described above and will not be repeated here for sake of brevity. The predetermined length L of the fiber optic cable  58  may correspond to the desired length of the jumper fiber optic cable  10 . When the desired length of fiber optic cable  58  has been stored in the second accumulator  56   b , and in a next processing step  114 , the fiber optic cable  58  may be cut. Again, the fiber optic cable  58  may be cut upstream of the second accumulator  56   b  so that the unwinder  52  may be operatively disconnected from the second accumulator  56   b . In a preferred embodiment, the step  110  of forming a coil  60  from the fiber optic cable  58  stored in the first accumulator  56   a  and the step  112  for threading the second accumulator  56   b  with fiber optic cable  58  may be performed together such that at least a portion of the time for performing the steps  110 ,  112  overlap (e.g., performed simultaneously). 
     In yet a further step  116 , the unwinder  52  may be operatively coupled to the first accumulator  56   a , and in another step  118 , the winder  54  may be operatively coupled to the second accumulator  56   b . In step  120 , the winder  54  may be used to form a coil  60  from the predetermined length L of fiber optic cable  58  stored in the second accumulator  56   b . In another step  122 , using the unwinder  52 , the first accumulator  56   a  may be threaded so as to hold the predetermine length L of fiber optic cable  58 . When the desired length of fiber optic cable  58  has been stored in the first accumulator  56   a , and in a next processing step  124 , the fiber optic cable  58  may be cut. The fiber optic cable  58  may be cut upstream of the first accumulator  56   a  so that the unwinder  52  may be operatively disconnected from the first accumulator  56   a . In a preferred embodiment, the step  120  of forming a coil  60  from the fiber optic cable  58  stored in the second accumulator  56   b  and the step  122  for threading the first accumulator  56   a  with fiber optic cable  58  may be performed together such that at least a portion of the time for performing the steps  120 ,  122  overlap (e.g., performed simultaneously). 
     In accordance with the method  98 , the steps  106 - 124  may be repeated so long as there is fiber optic cable  58  remaining on the spool  62  to produce a plurality of coils  60 . When the spool  62  runs out of fiber optic cable  58 , a new spool may be operatively coupled to the unwinder  52  and the process continued for making additional coils  60 . 
     In one aspect of the disclosure, it should be understood that the predetermined length L of fiber optic cable  58  stored in the accumulators  56   a ,  56   b  is a selectable quantity and may be changed depending on the length of the jumper fiber optic cable  10  desired. For example, and as noted above, the length of the jumper fiber optic cable  10  may be 20 m, 30 m, or some other greater or lesser value. The length of the coil  60  is related to the desired length of the final jumper fiber optic cable  10  in a known manner. For example, the length of the coil  60  may be slightly greater than the length of the jumper fiber optic cable  10  and some portion of the coil  60  is removed during the termination of the ends with connectors  14 . In any event, the length of the fiber optic cable  58  that is to be stored in the accumulators  56  is a known quantity, and that quantity can be adjusted. 
     The length of the fiber optic cable  58  stored in an accumulator  56  is primarily determined by the size of the pulleys  74 ,  84 , the spacing between adjacent pulleys  74 ,  84  on the first and second pulley arrays  68 ,  70  in the direction of the distribution axis  76 , and the spacing between adjacent pulleys  74 ,  84  on the first and second pulley arrays  68 ,  70  in the direction of the translation axis  80 .  FIG.  12    is a schematic diagram of a model that illustrates a portion of the travel path of the fiber optic cable  58  through the pulleys  74 ,  84  of the first and second pulley arrays  68 ,  70 , respectively. As noted in this figure, the travel path may be separated into sections a, b and c. 
     Assuming that the fiber optic cable  58  contacts the pulleys  74 ,  84  (which are all assumed to be of identical size) in quarter and half circles only and at the inner diameter D i  of the pulleys  74 ,  84 , one can approximate the length of the sections a, b and c of the fiber optic cable  58  in the accumulator  56 . In this regard, if one designates the number of pulleys  74 ,  84  on the pulley array  68 ,  70  having the fewest number of pulleys as N, then one may calculate an approximate length L of the fiber optic cable  58  in the accumulator  56  using basic trigonometry. More particularly, this approximation may be given by: 
         L= 2 N √{square root over (( h−D   o ) 2 +( C+D   o   −D   i ) 2 )}+ ND   i π,  (1)
 
     where D i  is the inner diameter of the pulleys  74 ,  84 , D o  is the outer diameter of the pulleys  74 ,  84 , C is the clearance between pulleys  74 ,  84 , and h is the separation distance of the pulleys  74 ,  84  (outer diameter to outer diameter). As noted above, L is a known and selectable variable. Accordingly, the above equation may be solved for h, which corresponds to how far apart the first pulley array  68  and second pulley array  70  have to be separated in order to have the selected length L of the fiber optic cable  58  (and which is controllable). Solving equation (1) for h provides: 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   h 
                   = 
                   
                     
                       D 
                       o 
                     
                     + 
                     
                       
                         
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               
                                 L 
                                 - 
                                 
                                   
                                     ND 
                                     i 
                                   
                                   ⁢ 
                                   π 
                                 
                               
                               
                                 2 
                                 ⁢ 
                                 N 
                               
                             
                             ) 
                           
                           2 
                         
                         - 
                         
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               C 
                               + 
                               
                                 D 
                                 o 
                               
                               - 
                               
                                 D 
                                 i 
                               
                             
                             ) 
                           
                           2 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   2 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     The parameters of the accumulator  56 , including N, C, D i , D o  and L, may be input or programmed into controller  92 . Thus, during the threading process of the accumulator(s)  56 , the desired length of fiber optic cable  58  may be stored in the accumulators  56  by controlling the distance between the first and second pulley arrays  68 ,  70  along the translation axis  80  as dictated by equation (2). 
     As discussed above, the ability to operationally separate the unwinder  52  from the one or more accumulators  56  allows manufacturers greater flexibility in designing their manufacturing systems. For example, in some circumstances, the speed of the unwinder  52  may be greater than, and perhaps significantly greater than the speed of the winder  54 . In this regard, imagine a scenario where the time to fill an accumulator  56  with the desired length of fiber optic cable  58  is T and the time to empty the accumulator  56  and form a coil  60  from the fiber optic cable  58  stored in accumulator  56  is nT, where n is an integer value, such as 2, 5 or 7 (i.e., the unwinder  52  is 2 times, 5 times, or 7 times faster, respectively, than the winder  54 ). In that case, then a manufacturing system may be designed to take advantage of that increased speed of the unwinder  52  relative to the winder  54  to increase the production of coils  60 . 
       FIGS.  13 A and  13 B  illustrate another manufacturing system  130  in accordance with a further embodiment of the disclosure that takes advantage of the decoupling of the unwinder  52  and the plurality of accumulators  56 , and an unwinder  52  having a speed greater than that of the winder  54 . As illustrated in these figures, the manufacturing system  130  includes an unwinder  52 , a plurality of winders  54 , and a plurality of accumulators  56  generally disposed between the unwinder  52  and the plurality of winders  54 . In this embodiment, the time to fill an accumulator  56  is n times faster than the time to make a coil  60 . Thus, to maximize the production of coils  60 , the manufacturing system  130  includes (n+1) accumulators  56  and (n+1) winders  54 , but only one unwinder  52 . 
     An exemplary method  132  of using the manufacturing system  130  to produce coils  60  is illustrated in  FIG.  14   . In the method  132  illustrated in  FIG.  14   , the cutting steps and coupling steps provided as separate steps in  FIG.  11    have been incorporated into the use steps of the winder/unwinder for simplicity. In a first step  134 , an index counter i may be set to 1. In a next step  136 , the unwinder  52  may be used to fill the i th  accumulator  56 ( i ) with a predetermined length L of fiber optic cable  58 . In a further step  138 , and in substantially simultaneous fashion, the winder  54  associated with the i th  accumulator  56  is used to form a coil  60  from the length of fiber optic cable  58  stored in the accumulator  56 ( i ), and the unwinder  52  is used to fill the (i+1) accumulator  56  with a predetermined length of fiber optic cable  58 . 
     In a next step  140 , the index counter i may be increased by 1. The method  132  may then reach a decision block  142 . At the decision block  142 , the value of the index counter is checked to see if it has reached the value of (n+1). If the outcome is a no, then the method  132  returns to junction  144  and steps  138  and  140  are repeated. If the outcome of the decision block  142  is a yes, then in a next step  146 , the index counter i is set to 1 again. In a next step  148 , and in substantially simultaneous fashion, the winder  54  associated with the (n+1) accumulator  56  is used to form a coil  60  from the length of fiber optic cable  58  stored in the (n+1) accumulator  56 , and the unwinder  52  is used to fill the i th  accumulator  56  with a predetermined length of fiber optic cable  58 . 
     The method  132  then returns to junction  144  and the manufacturing steps may be repeated so long as there is fiber optic cable  58  remaining on the spool  62  in the unwinder  52  to produce a coils  60 . When the spool  62  runs out of fiber optic cable  58 , a new spool may be operatively coupled to the unwinder  52  and the process continued for making additional coils  60 . 
     The manufacturing system  130  described above may be advantageous for designing a manufacturing system that operates in a continuous or semi-continuous manner. For example, given the relationship between the speeds of the unwinder  52  and winders  54 , the manufacturing system  130  may configured to produce a coil  60  every T seconds. Moreover, this “steady state” process may be achieved with only a single unwinder  52 . 
     The manufacturing systems  96  and  130  are just two exemplary manufacturing systems that are possible due to the operational decoupling of the unwinder  52  from the accumulator  56 . Aspects of the disclosure are not limited to the two arrangements illustrated in these manufacturing systems. It should be recognized that manufacturing systems with many different numbers, arrangements, etc. of unwinders, winders, and accumulators are possible to achieve the improved production of coils for use in jumper fiber optic cables. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, it is possible to use an unwinder with more than one accumulator and to have arrangements where the number of unwinders, winders, and accumulators are mismatched. For example, the number of unwinders  52  may be less than the number of accumulators  56  and less than or equal to the number of winders  54 . Moreover, the number of winders  54  may be less than or equal to the number of accumulators  56 . In various embodiments, the sum of the unwinders  52  and the winders  54  may be less than or equal to the number of accumulators  56  in the manufacturing system. 
     While the present disclosure has been illustrated by the description of specific embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. The various features discussed herein may be used alone or in any combination within and between the various embodiments. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The present disclosure in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.