Patent Publication Number: US-2023137798-A1

Title: Device and method for twisting single cables

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Applicant claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of European Application No. 21206482.8 filed Nov. 4, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to a device and a method for twisting single cables, in particular for twisting single cables in pairs, to form a cable bundle. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Cable bundles, which are obtained by twisting single cables, are required in various industrial fields of application. Before twisting, the single cables are usually cut, i.e., shortened, to a certain length and where necessary also finished, i.e., provided with a contact part or the like. 
     With some conventional devices and methods according to the prior art, the cable pair consisting of the single cables is clamped between a holding unit at one cable end and a twisting unit at the other cable end and twisted by rotating the twisting unit. The resulting shortening of the cable pair is compensated by a longitudinal displacement of the twisting unit. A corresponding device is disclosed for example in EP 1 032 095 A2. With this type of conventional devices and methods, the single cables are torsioned, i.e., rotate about their own single cable axis. 
     EP 0 917 746 A1 discloses a device which allows cable pairs to be twisted without impermissibly torsioning the single cables. In this case, the holding unit is replaced by untwisting units, which each grip the single cables individually at one cable end (the trailing end). A longitudinally displaceable guiding apparatus separates the two single cables with a guiding mandrel and moves in the direction of the untwisting units during the twisting process. The lay length can be kept constant thereby. 
     DE 10 2017 109 791 A1 discloses a device having untwisting units which are oriented parallel to one another at the start of a twisting process and are pivoted inwards in a motorised manner during the twisting process. The pivot angle is increased continuously during the twisting process by a control apparatus. 
     Problem to be Solved 
     In the device known from EP 0 917 746 A1, the guiding mandrel is provided, which makes the single cables and the lay length uniform. In particular in the case of long cables, which are for example longer than 5 meters, in particular longer than 7 meters, and preferably in the range of 10 meters long, an undesirable tendency for the cables to oscillate can occur during the twisting process, as a result of which the lays can become irregular, for example as a result of an unequal lay length. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects of the present disclosure address the aforementioned problem. According to one aspect, a device and a method are provided. Further aspects, features, developments and advantages can be found below and in the attached drawings. 
     According to one aspect, a device for twisting single cables about a twisting axis to form a cable bundle along an extension axis comprises single rotating units, a twisting unit and a guiding apparatus. The single rotating units (individual rotating units) are spaced from one another. For example, the distance is variable. The single rotating units are configured to hold, for example grip, cable ends separately at one end of the single cables. Each single rotating unit can be mounted rotatably about an associated pivot axis. The twisting unit is configured to hold and twist cable ends at the other end of the single cables. 
     A guiding mandrel is fastened to the guiding apparatus. The guiding mandrel is used to separate the single cables, at least in some regions, during a twisting process which is carried out by the twisting unit, in a region in which there is a transition from an untwisted region consisting of single cables to a twisted region consisting of a cable bundle. The guiding mandrel has a thickened portion on one side, which is opposite its fastening to the guiding apparatus. The thickened portion has larger dimensions in a direction transverse to the running direction of the guiding mandrel than in most of the guiding mandrel. 
     The thickened portion is a limited region, which takes up, for example, less than 25%, preferably less than 15% of the extent of the guiding mandrel in the running direction. 
     With the aid of the thickened portion, undesirable oscillations, which can occur during the twisting process in particular of longer cables in the range of &gt;5 m, preferably &gt;7 m and in particular of approximately 10 m in length, can be effectively reduced. This results in a more uniform lay sequence and a better quality of the twisted cable bundle. 
     In embodiments, the thickened portion is designed to limit an oscillating movement during the twisting process. 
     In embodiments, the guiding mandrel has a substantially circular cross-section, at least in some regions. The guiding mandrel has a larger diameter in the region of the thickened portion than in most of the guiding mandrel. This results in a particularly simple configuration. 
     In embodiments, the thickened portion is formed on the end of the guiding mandrel opposite the fastening to the guiding apparatus. The guiding mandrel then terminates at the thickened portion. As a result, undesirable influences of an excessively long guiding mandrel can be reduced further. 
     In embodiments, the guiding mandrel comprises a widened portion in the direction of the fastening to the guiding apparatus, so that a guiding region for the single cables is formed between the widened portion and the thickened portion. The guiding region is preferably designed such that the single cables do not leave the guiding region even if they have a strong tendency to oscillate. This ensures secure guiding of the single cables during the twisting process. 
     According to a further aspect, a method for twisting single cables about a twisting axis to form a cable bundle along an extension axis is provided and uses the device described herein. The method comprises: separately holding cable ends at one end of the single cables by means of the single rotating units; holding cable ends at the other end of the single cables by means of the twisting unit; rotating the twisting unit to carry out a twisting process; and limiting an oscillating movement during the twisting process by means of the thickened portion of the guiding mandrel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
       In the drawings, 
         FIG.  1    shows a schematic diagram of a region of a cable bundle to illustrate terms used herein; 
         FIG.  2    shows a region of the cable pair of  FIG.  1    with further aspects for illustration; 
         FIG.  3    shows a schematic diagram of a twisting apparatus with a twisting unit and in each case one single rotating unit per single cable, to illustrate terms and processes used herein; 
         FIG.  4    shows a schematic side view of a device for twisting single cables according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  5    shows a schematic three-dimensional view of individual components of the device  100  of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  6    shows an untwisting unit according to an embodiment in an enlarged view; 
         FIG.  7    shows parts of the untwisting unit of  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  8    shows a parallel position of the single rotating units; 
         FIG.  9    shows a partially cut away view from above of the untwisting unit, in a parallel position; 
         FIG.  10    shows a partially cut away view from above of the untwisting unit, in a pivoted position; 
         FIG.  11    shows an untwisting unit in a variant with a pivot drive; 
         FIG.  12    shows a schematic perspective diagram of the guiding apparatus and a part of the twisting unit; 
         FIG.  13    shows the guiding apparatus with a guiding mandrel in an intermediate position; 
         FIG.  14    shows the guiding apparatus with the guiding mandrel in a twisting position; 
         FIG.  15    shows the guiding apparatus in a side view; 
         FIG.  16    shows the guiding mandrel in a detail view; 
         FIG.  17    shows the constituents of the device  100  in an initial position before a twisting process; 
         FIG.  18    shows the constituents of the device  100  in a starting position of a twisting process; 
         FIG.  19    shows the constituents of the device  100  in an intermediate position; 
         FIG.  20    shows a view from above of the single rotating units shortly before completion of the twisting process, with contact of the guiding mandrel; 
         FIG.  21    shows a view from above of the single rotating units shortly before completion of the twisting process, without contact of the guiding mandrel; 
         FIG.  22    shows the elements of the device in a position in which the guiding apparatus has continued its linear movement until the guiding mandrel has reached approximately the cable ends; and 
         FIG.  23    shows a view analogous to  FIG.  22    with a position of the guiding mandrel outside the extension axis A. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG.  1    shows a schematic diagram of a region of a cable bundle, which is denoted as a whole by  10 . The cable bundle comprises a single cable  11  and a single cable  12 , as a cable pair. It should be noted that the number of two single cables  11 ,  12  is exemplary and non-limiting and that the aspects and features described herein can also be applied in full or in part to cable bundles having more than two single cables  11 ,  12 , and identical or similar effects result. In embodiments, two single cables  11 ,  12  can nevertheless be used for one cable bundle  10 . 
     In  FIG.  1   , a first cable end  15  of the single cable  11  and a first cable end  16  of the single cable  12  are located on the same side. By way of example, the first cable ends  15 ,  16  are already finished, in the present case in the form of a contact  13   a  and a sleeve  13   b  on the first cable end  15  and a contact  14   a  and a sleeve  14   b  on the second cable end  16 . In a region to the right of the dashed line labelled B in  FIG.  1   , the single cables  11 ,  12  are twisted, as a result of which there are points at which the single cables  11 ,  12  intersect in a projection plane, for example in the drawing plane of  FIG.  1   . In the twisted region to the right of the line B, the cable bundle  10  runs along an extension axis A. 
     Twisted as used herein means a state in which the cables  11 ,  12  wrap around one another, i.e. are entwined. An identical intersection in the projection plane is present when there is the same sequence of single cables at two intersections in the direction perpendicular to the projection plane. The distance between two adjacent identical intersections is referred to as the twisting lay length or also simply as the lay length for short and is denoted by a 2 . Two eyelets  19  result in the projection plane between two adjacent identical intersections and should be as small as possible for a high-quality cable bundle  10 . 
     The designations from  FIG.  1    are transferred to the following paragraphs and are not described again. 
     A portion of the cable pair  10  is shown again in  FIG.  2    for illustration. The untwisted ends of the single cables  11 ,  12  have a length a 1  to a first intersection point P 1 , at which the twisted region begins. The distance between two identical intersections or crossovers of the cables  11 ,  12  in the twisted region is specified as the lay length a 2 , as described above. 
     The distance a 3  is defined in a direction substantially perpendicular to the running direction of the cable pair  10  in which the distances a 1 , a 2  are defined. The distance a 3  defines the spacing of the single cables  11 ,  12 , in this case for example at the end at which the untwisted single cables  11 ,  12  are present. 
       FIG.  3    shows a schematic diagram of a general twisting device  100  having a twisting unit  30 , single rotating units  41 ,  42 , which are each provided for one single cable  11 ,  12 , and a guiding apparatus  35 . For illustration purposes, the cable bundle  10  of  FIGS.  1  and  2    is shown clamped in the twisting device  100  according to  FIG.  3   . The single cable  11  is clamped at its trailing end into the single rotating unit  41 . This end is also referred to below as the first end  15  of the single cable  11 . The single cable  12  is clamped at its trailing end into the single rotating unit  42 . This end is also referred to below as the first end  16  of the single cable  12 . 
     The single rotating unit  41  is arranged such that it holds the first end  15  of the clamped single cable  11  along its cable axis v 1  at the first end  15 . The single rotating unit  42  is arranged such that it holds the first end  16  of the clamped single cable  12  along its cable axis v 2  at the first end  16 . Each single rotating unit  41 ,  42  can be rotated about the respective cable axis v 1 , v 2  of the single cable  11 ,  12  which is clamped into the respective single rotating unit  41 ,  42 , at least in a direction which effects untwisting (untorsioning) of the respective single cable  11 ,  12 . Preferably, each single rotating unit can be rotated either forwards or backwards as desired about the respective cable axis v 1 , v 2 , which is indicated in  FIG.  3    with a double arrow Q 1  and Q 2 , respectively. Each single rotating unit  41 ,  42  can also be referred to below as an untwisting unit. 
     Untwisting (untorsioning) as used herein comprises for example reducing or eliminating a torsional force or torsional moment which would be generated in each single cable  11 ,  12  by the joint rotation. Untorsioning or untwisting does not necessarily have to be carried out fully to achieve the advantages described herein. I.e., over the course of the twisting process, the (total) rotation angle of the twisting unit  30  can be smaller than the (total) rotation angle of the single rotating units  41 ,  42 . 
     The guiding apparatus  35  is used to separate the single cables  11 ,  12  at least in some regions, during most of the twisting process in a region in which there is the transition from the untwisted region to the twisted region, i.e., approximately at line B of  FIG.  1   . The guiding apparatus  35  can be guided or displaced in a controlled manner during a twisting process, in a direction x substantially parallel to a twisting axis V. The twisting axis V is generally identical to the extension axis A. 
     The twisting unit  30  is configured such that it can rotate about a twisting axis V in a twisting direction P in order to carry out a twisting process. In other words: The twisting unit  30  can be driven in rotation about the twisting axis V so that it rotates in the twisting direction P in order to carry out a twisting process. To compensate the shortening of the single cables  11 ,  12  wrapping around one another during the twisting process, the twisting unit  30  is displaceable in a direction u substantially parallel to the twisting axis V. A direction running parallel to the twisting axis V as used herein also includes the direction on the twisting axis V itself. 
       FIG.  4    shows a schematic side view of a device  100  for twisting the single cables  11 ,  12  to form a cable bundle  10 , to illustrate an embodiment. It should be noted that the constituents and processes discussed in connection with  FIG.  4    do not necessarily have to be carried out in their entirety for the implementation of the present invention. 
     In  FIG.  4   , the single cables  11 ,  12  are fed by their respective leading ends to processing modules  103 ,  104 ,  105 ,  106 , which perform manipulations on the cables  11 ,  12 . For example and without limitation, the leading ends of the single cables  11 ,  12  are each stripped of insulation by means of a cutting head  102  and fed successively by means of a first pivot unit  107  to processing modules  103 ,  104 . Here, for example, the contacts  13   a ,  14   a  and the sleeves  13   b ,  14   b  of  FIG.  1    are mounted on the respective conductor ends of the single cables  11 ,  12 . Then the first pivot unit  107  pivots the cable pair  10  back again, and the leading ends of the single cables  11 ,  12  can be gripped by an extension slide  109 . The single cables  11 ,  12  are extended, depending on the desired cable length, by the extension slide along a guide rail  105  in the linear guiding direction defined by the guide rail  105 . 
     The single cables  11 ,  12  are then gripped by a second pivot unit  108  and severed and stripped of insulation by the cutting head  102 . The trailing conductor ends are fed by the second pivot unit  108  to the processing modules  105 ,  106  on the other side and fully finished, i.e., for example provided again with a sleeve and a contact. 
     A transfer module  111  receives the trailing end  17  of the single cables  11 ,  12 , brings it to a smaller distance, and transfers it after a pivoting movement individually to the respective single rotating unit  41 ,  42 , which are combined in an untwisting apparatus  40 . A transfer module  112  transfers the leading end  16  of the single cables  11 ,  12  to the twisting unit  30 , which is also referred to as twisting head. To carry out the actual twisting process, the twisting unit  30  is rotated, as already described above with reference to  FIG.  3   . The twisting unit can simultaneously be moved in the direction of the untwisting unit  40  with controlled tensile force during the twisting process. 
     A control unit  200  controls some or all of the elements of the device  100 . 
       FIG.  5    shows a schematic three-dimensional view of individual components of the device  100  of  FIG.  4   ; for better comprehensibility, other components of the device  100  are not shown in  FIG.  5   .  FIG.  4    shows the untwisting unit  40 , the guiding apparatus  35  and the twisting unit  30 . 
       FIG.  6    shows an untwisting unit  40  according to an embodiment in an enlarged view. The untwisting unit  40  comprises a first single rotating unit  41  having an associated first single rotating gripper  41   a  and a second single rotating unit  42  having an associated second single rotating gripper  42   a . The first single rotating gripper  41   a  is mounted rotatably in a first spindle housing  41   b . The second single rotating gripper  42   a  is mounted rotatably in a second spindle housing  42   b . The first single rotating gripper  41   a  can be set in rotation by means of a first untwisting motor  41   e . The second single rotating gripper  42   a  can be set in rotation by means of a second untwisting motor  42   e . The first spindle housing  41   b  is fastened to a first housing support  41   c . The second spindle housing  42   b  is fastened to a second housing support  42   c.    
     The first housing support  41   c  is mounted pivotably about a first pivot axis  41   f  in a first support housing  41   d . The second housing support  42   c  is mounted pivotably about a second pivot axis  42   f  in a second support housing  42   d . The pivot axes  41   f ,  42   f  run substantially parallel to one another. Each pivot axis  41   f ,  42   f  runs substantially perpendicular to the extension axis A of the cable bundle  10 . 
     The distance  45  between the support housings  41   d ,  42   d  in a direction parallel to the pivot axes  41   f ,  42   f  is variable. For simplicity, the distance  45  is also referred to herein as the distance between the single rotating units  41 ,  42 . To change the distance  45 , the support housings  41   d ,  42   d  are displaceable relative to one another along a linear guide at right angles to the extension axis A by means of a distance-adjusting apparatus  50 . In the embodiments shown herein, the constituents of the distance-adjusting apparatus  50  are formed by two spindles, a coupling piece  56  and a spindle drive, by way of example. The two spindles are coupled to one another with a coupling piece  56 . The spindle drive (not shown) is coupled suitably to the coupled spindles. One of the spindles is right-handed and the other of the spindles is left-handed, which results in an adjustment of the distance  45  which is symmetrical relative to the extension axis A when the spindles thus coupled are driven. 
     The shortest distance between a tip  41   g  of the first single rotating gripper  41   a  and a tip  42   g  of the second single rotating gripper  42   a  depends on the one hand on the distance  45  between the single rotating units  41 ,  42  and on the other hand on a pivoting angle α defined by a pivot about the respective pivot axes  41   f ,  42   f.    
     An adjustment of the distance  45  is carried out by means of the control apparatus  200 , for example. The distance  45  can take place, for example following the sequence of a method in the course of which a twisting process is carried out, in a program-controlled, user-controlled or program-controlled and user-controlled manner. 
       FIG.  7    shows parts of the untwisting unit  40  of  FIG.  6   ; the single rotating units  41 ,  42  are omitted for better clarity. The first housing support  41   c  comprises a first gear piece  51   b , which meshes with a first gear counter piece  51   c . The first gear counter piece  51   c  is fastened to a first bushing  51   a , which is mounted on a spline shaft  54 . The second housing support  42   c  comprises a second gear piece  52   b , which meshes with a second gear counter piece  52   c . The second gear counter piece  52   c  is fastened to a second bushing  52   a , which is mounted on the spline shaft  54 . 
     The spline shaft  54  can be displaced longitudinally in the bushings  51   a ,  52   a . When displaced longitudinally in this manner, the rotation of the spline shaft  54  is transferred to the respective bushing  51   a ,  52   a . Because of the meshing of the respective gear pieces  51   b ,  52   b  with the respectively associated gear counter piece  51   c ,  52   c , the housing supports  41   c ,  42   c  pivot by an absolute value of equal amount but in opposite directions. This pivoting movement changes the angle α. An angle sensor  55  is provided to measure the angle α and to output an angle measurement signal. A brake  53 , which can be operated electromagnetically, for example, is actuated according to the angle measurement signal in order to lock the single rotating units  41 ,  42  in a fixed or fixable angle α to one another depending on the angle measurement signal. The actuation is carried out for example by the control unit  200 . 
     Before the twisting process can begin, the cable ends of the single cables  11 ,  12  are transferred to the untwisting grippers  41   a ,  42   a  of the single rotating units  41 ,  42 . For this, there must be both a defined distance  45  and a defined angle α; the single rotating units  41 ,  42  must be oriented parallel to one another for this.  FIG.  8    shows such a parallel position of the single rotating units  41 ,  42 ; here, the distance  45  corresponds to the defined distance  45  at which a transfer of the cable ends of the single cables  11 ,  12  to the untwisting grippers  41   a ,  42   a  is possible. Such a position (distance and angle position) of the single rotating units  41 ,  42  is referred to herein as a parallel position. A position (distance and/or angle position) which differs from the parallel position is referred to herein as a pivoted position. 
       FIG.  9    and  FIG.  10    each show a partially cut away view from above of the untwisting unit  40 . In  FIG.  9   , the housing supports  41   c ,  42   c  of the single rotating units  41 ,  42  are in the parallel position shown in a perspective view in  FIG.  8   . In  FIG.  10   , the housing supports  41   c ,  42   c  of the single rotating units  41 ,  42  are in a pivoted position. 
     A stop element  42   g , for example a stop plate, is fastened to one of the spindle housings  41   b ,  42   b , for example to the second spindle housing  42   b . A movable stop  57  is fastened to one of the parts of the untwisting unit  40  which is fixed in position opposite the spindle housings  41   b ,  42   b , for example to the support housing  42   d . The movable stop  57  limits the value by which the respective single rotating unit can be pivoted in that it provides a stop surface for the stop element  42   g  of the spindle housing  42   b . As a result, the angle α is limited by the coupling of the single rotating units  41 ,  42  via the above-described gear mechanism. 
     The movable stop  57  is adjustable, for example by means of electric motor. To obtain the parallel position shown in  FIG.  8    and  FIG.  9   , the movable stop  57  is adjusted correspondingly so that the single rotating units  41 ,  42  assume (i.e., achieve, take) the parallel position. During the twisting process, the movable stop  57  is adjusted appropriately such that pivoting is possible but the pivoting is limited such that the tips  41   g ,  42   g  of the single rotating grippers  41   a ,  42   a  do not touch one another or come too close to one another. 
       FIG.  11    shows an untwisting unit  40  in a variant with a pivot drive  42   h  for the controlled pivoting of the housing support  42   c . Not shown in  FIG.  11    but present is a pivot drive  41   h  for the controlled pivoting of the housing support  41   c . Each pivot drive  41   h ,  42   h  has, for example, an electric motor and a gear to pivot the associated housing support  41   c ,  42   c  about the pivot axes  41   f  and  42   f , respectively. The distance  45  is adjusted as in the variant presented above with reference to  FIG.  6    to  FIG.  10   . However, by means of the controlled pivotability, the pivoting is likewise limited such that the tips  41   g ,  42   g  of the single rotating grippers  41   a ,  42   b  do not touch one another or come too close to one another during a twisting process. The parallel position can be defined in a targeted manner by means of the controlled pivotability. 
       FIG.  12    shows a schematic perspective diagram of the guiding apparatus  35  and a part of the twisting unit  30 . An operating apparatus  31  with a clamping cylinder  32  which can be moved in parallel is provided on the twisting unit  30 . The clamping cylinder  32  is positioned on the twisting unit  30  since the positioning of the twisting unit depends on the cable length. 
     The guiding apparatus  35  has a guiding mandrel  360 , which is used to separate and guide the single cables  11 ,  12  during a twisting process. The cable ends  15 ,  16  of the single cables  11 ,  12  which are clamped into the single rotating units  41 ,  42  are clamped individually at this end and thus not in a rotationally fixed manner. Without the guiding apparatus  35  there is no predictable lay length. The guiding apparatus  35  is displaceable in the direction x (see  FIG.  3   ) during the twisting process. When the guiding mandrel  360  separates the single cables  11 ,  12  during the twisting process and the guiding apparatus  35  is moved correspondingly, the lay length a 2  can thus be kept substantially constant or even varied in a controlled manner. The displacement movement of the guiding apparatus  35  takes place in coordination with the rotation speed of the twisting apparatus  30  in order to obtain a desired lay length a 2 . 
     The guiding apparatus  35  is designed such that the guiding mandrel  360  is movable out of the twisting axis V, for example can be pivoted out of the twisting axis V. Advantageously, the guiding mandrel  360  is moved out of the twisting axis V when the guiding apparatus  35  is moved towards the twisting apparatus  30  before completion of a twisting process. 
     In the structure shown in  FIG.  12   , the guiding apparatus  35  has a clamping element  352 , a clamping spring  351 , a locking rocker  353 , a pawl  354  and a toggle lever  355 . The guiding mandrel  360  is mounted pivotably in the guiding apparatus  35  such that it is pivotable out of the twisting axis V by operating the toggle lever  355 . The operating direction of the toggle lever corresponds to the direction in which the clamping element  352  can be displaced. The clamping element  352  is arranged such that it can interact with the clamping cylinder  32  when there is a corresponding distance between the twisting unit  30  and the guiding apparatus  35 . In other words: When there is a corresponding distance between the twisting unit  30  and the guiding apparatus  35 , the clamping element  352  of the guiding apparatus  35  can be operated by means of the clamping cylinder  32  of the twisting unit. 
       FIG.  12    shows an initial position in which the guiding mandrel  360  is in the position pivoted out of the twisting axis V. Operation of the clamping element  352  towards the toggle lever  355  causes the toggle lever  355  to pivot the guiding mandrel  360  into the twisting axis V in order finally to assume a twisting position, which is mentioned further below. Operation takes place counter to the preloading force of the clamping spring  351 . The pawl  354  and the locking rocker  353  cause the guiding mandrel  360  to latch into the twisting position. 
       FIG.  13    shows the guiding apparatus  35  with the guiding mandrel  360  in an intermediate position. In the intermediate position, the guiding apparatus  35  is moved in the direction of the twisting unit  30 . The clamping cylinder  32  causes the clamping element  352  to stay still and the movement of the guiding apparatus  35  counter to the stationary clamping cylinder  32  to pivot the guiding mandrel  360  via the toggle lever  355 . 
       FIG.  14    shows the guiding apparatus  36  with the guiding mandrel  360  in a twisting position in which it is pivoted into the twisting axis V between the single cables  11 ,  12  to be twisted.  FIG.  15    shows the guiding apparatus  35  in a side view. Before the twisting position shown in  FIG.  14   , the pawl  354  has run over a latching piece  358  and latched in. The locking rocker  353  is spring-loaded by means of a spring  356 . When a point  357  is operated, the lock is undone again. 
     After the position shown in  FIG.  14    has been assumed, the clamping cylinder  32  is retracted. The guiding mandrel  360  remains in the twisting position shown in  FIG.  14   . Then the guiding apparatus  35  can be brought closer to the twisting unit  30 . 
       FIG.  16    shows the guiding mandrel  360  in a detail view. The guiding mandrel  360  has a thickened portion  361  on the side opposite its fastening to the guiding apparatus  35 . In the case of a guiding mandrel  360  with a circular cross-section, the guiding mandrel accordingly has a larger diameter at least in some sections in the region of the thickened portion  361 . The guiding mandrel  360  is likewise thickened up the shaft, for example by means of a larger diameter in the case of a circular cross-section. A guiding region  362  is formed between the two thickened portions. The single cables  11 ,  12  are in contact with the guiding region  362  during a twisting process. Such a geometry can help effectively to prevent oscillation processes of the single cables  11 ,  12 , in particular when long cables in the range of over five meters, preferably over seven meters, are twisted. 
       FIG.  17    shows the constituents of the device  100  in an initial position before a twisting process. The extended, finished single cables  11 ,  12  are clamped into the respective elements of the untwisting unit  40  and the twisting unit  30 . The untwisting grippers  41   a ,  42   a  are in the parallel position at the corresponding defined distance  45 . The guiding mandrel  360  is outside the extension axis A. After transfer of the single cables  11 ,  12 , the twisting unit  30  moves away from the untwisting unit  40  somewhat in order to stretch the single cables  11 ,  12 . 
     Then the guiding apparatus  35  is moved in the direction of the twisting unit  30 . The clamping cylinder  32  is retracted so that the guiding apparatus  35  can be brought very close to the twisting unit  30 . This position is shown in  FIG.  18    and is referred to as the starting position. The guiding mandrel  360  is pivoted into the extension axis A and separates the twisting region, in which the twisting of the single cables  11 ,  12  takes place and the twisted cable bundle  10  is produced (to the right of the guiding mandrel  360  in the drawings), from the untwisted region (to the left of the guiding mandrel  360  in the drawings). 
     The twisting process begins in that the twisting unit  30  rotates and twists the single cables  11 ,  12  to form the cable bundle  10 . The single rotating units  41 ,  42  ensure by means of their rotation that the single cables are not torsioned in themselves, i.e., about their respective cable axis v 1 , v 2 . During the twisting process, the guiding apparatus  35  moves at a controlled speed in the direction of the untwisting unit  40 , wherein the controlled speed results from the rotation speed of the twisting unit  30  and the desired lay length a 2 . The twisting unit  30  is likewise moved minimally towards the untwisting unit  40  in order to compensate the twisting-induced shortening of the twisted cable bundle  10 . This movement can take place with controlled tensile force, for example. Particularly with long cables of more than 5 meters, in particular more than 7 meters, the thickened portion  361  on the guiding mandrel  360  reduces the vertical oscillation of the cables  11 ,  12  and thus improves the quality of the twisting process.  FIG.  19    shows an intermediate position which is assumed after the start of the twisting process and before completion of the twisting process. 
       FIG.  20    and  FIG.  21    each show a view from above of the single rotating units  41 ,  42  shortly before completion of the twisting process. In  FIG.  20   , the guiding mandrel  360  is still in contact with the single cables  11 ,  12 . To bring the first intersection point P 1  even closer to the cable ends of the single cables  11 ,  12 , the guiding apparatus  35  moves the guiding mandrel  360  further, so that it loses contact with the single cables  11 ,  12 , as shown in  FIG.  21   . In  FIG.  21   , the distance  45  between the single rotating units  41 ,  42  has additionally been reduced further. The actual twisting process is complete. A final twisting process follows, in which the twisting unit  30  is again rotated in the twisting direction, wherein the first intersection point P 1  is guided even closer to the conductor ends. 
     The twisting process and the subsequent final twisting process are then complete, and the fully twisted cable assembly is released from the twisting unit  30  and the single rotating units  41 ,  42  and, for example, dropped into a cable trough  160  (see  FIG.  4   ). Before release, the no longer rotating twisting unit  30  can be moved further in the direction of the untwisting unit  40  in order to relax the twisted cable bundle. In this case, the angle position of the single rotating units  41 ,  42  can be blocked by operating the brake  53 . 
       FIG.  22    shows the elements of the device  100  in a position in which the guiding apparatus  35  has continued its linear movement until the guiding mandrel  360  has reached approximately the cable ends. Now an unlocking cylinder (not shown) operates the point  357 , as a result of which the guiding mandrel  360  pivots into the position, shown in  FIG.  23   , outside the extension axis A owing to the released spring force. The guiding apparatus  35  can then be moved to the initial position without the guiding mandrel  360  interfering with this movement. 
     Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.