Qu'est-ce qu'une machine de câblage à arche ?

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Sur 20 août 2026

A Machine de pose de type arc (also known as a Bow Cabler, Skip Stranding Machine, or Bow Twister) is a high-speed cable manufacturing machine that assembles 2–6 (sometimes up to 7) insulated cores or conductors into a multi-core cable using rotating bows and 100% back-twist technology. It is primarily applied to ABC aerial bundled cables, control cables, mining cables, and low-to-medium voltage power cables typically up to 120 mm².

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The machine delivers uniform lay length, excellent roundness, and near-zero residual torsional stress in the finished cable. Independent AC servo drives for the bow rotor, haul-off (capstan or caterpillar), and take-up, combined with PLC + HMI control, enable stepless pitch adjustment and line speeds commonly reaching 150 m/min.

How Does a Bow Type Laying Up Machine Work?

The machine operates on the skip/bow stranding principle. Insulated cores are paid off from stationary or cradled bobbins and guided through a series of high-tensile steel or carbon-fiber bows that rotate at high speed around the cable axis. As the bows rotate, each core is laid helically while receiving a precise 100% back-twist that cancels the rotational stress that would otherwise remain in the cable.

The central core (if present) runs straight through the axis. Optional filler pay-offs (up to 24 stations) and online semi-tangential taping heads can be integrated so that filling and wrapping occur in the same pass. A dual-wheel capstan or caterpillar haul-off pulls the finished cable at constant tension, and the take-up unit winds it onto large drums (commonly PN1250–PN2500). Full-to-empty bobbin tension is maintained by electromagnetic or powder brakes with automatic compensation.

This design produces cables that meet the geometric and mechanical requirements of multi-core constructions described in IEC 60502-1 for extruded power cables.

What Are the Main Technical Advantages Compared with Cradle-Type Laying-Up Machines?

Bow-type machines offer significantly higher productivity and better stress control for medium-section multi-core cables.

Fonctionnalité	Bow Type / Skip Stranding Machine	Machine de pose de berceau traditionnelle
Back-twist	100% (near-zero residual stress)	Partial or limited
Max rotor speed	150–500 rpm (model dependent)	50–200 tr/min
Typical line speed	Up to 150 m/min	Lower (inertia-limited)
Productivité	3–10× higher for suitable sizes	Lower
Suitable cross-section	ABC, control & power ≤120 mm²	Câbles d'alimentation de plus grande section (>120 mm²)
Pitch adjustment	Variation continue via automate programmable/IHM	Changements de vitesse manuels
Tension stability	Constant full-to-empty bobbin	Variable
Noise & enclosure	Fully enclosed, typically <75 dB	Higher noise, often open
Online filling & taping	Easy single-pass integration	Usually separate operations

Typical Technical Parameters of Modern Bow Type Laying Up Machines

Model Range	Bobine de déroulement (mm)	Max Rotate Speed (rpm)	Vitesse de ligne (m/min)	Section du conducteur (mm²)	Max Core Ø (mm)	Puissance moteur principal (kW)
630–800 series	630–800	600–880	100–290	1.5–10 / small control	6–15	35–55
KW-100 / 1000	1000	400–500	150	8–70 (1+3B to 1+5B)	12	45–65
KW-125 / 1250	1250	300–400	150	10–95	16	55–75
KW-160 / 1600	1600	180–400	120–150	14–120	20	65–90

Pay-off and take-up drum sizes are customizable. Copper single-wire diameter ≥1.5 mm and aluminum ≥1.7 mm are standard minimums. Lay length is typically adjustable from 30 mm to 1500 mm or more via PLC.

Which Cables Are Best Produced on a Bow Type Laying Up Machine?

The machine is optimized for:

ABC (Aerial Bundled Conductor) overhead cables (2–6 cores)
Control and instrumentation cables
Low- and medium-voltage multi-core power cables (XLPE, PVC, rubber)
Mining and flexible rubber-sheathed cables
Certain OPGW and reverse concentric-lay constructions when combined with tubular stranders

It is less suitable for very large cross-section power cables (>120–150 mm²) or heavily armoured constructions, where planetary or drum-type laying-up machines remain preferred.

Key Selection and Application Guidelines for Engineers and Purchasers

Core count and size: Confirm 1+3B, 1+4B or 1+5B configuration matches the target cable.
Back-twist requirement: 100% back-twist is essential for flexible or high-reliability cables to avoid insulation stress and improve bending performance.
Haul-off choice: Dual-wheel capstan for medium cables; caterpillar for larger or heavier sections.
Filling & taping: Specify number of filler stations and whether online non-metallic or copper-tape wrapping is required.
Drive system: Independent AC servo motors + Siemens or equivalent PLC/HMI are now industry standard for pitch accuracy (±3% or better) and process data logging.
Safety & noise: Fully enclosed guards with observation windows and noise below 75 dB improve operator environment and meet modern factory standards.

Common failure modes to prevent:

Uneven tension causing bird-caging or core migration → use closed-loop electromagnetic tension control.
Residual twist → verify 100% back-twist setting and correct bow geometry.
Pitch variation → ensure proper synchronization of main rotor, haul-off and take-up.

Industry Trends 2024–2026

Manufacturers continue to adopt lighter carbon-fiber or high-tensile steel bows, higher servo integration, and Industry 4.0 data interfaces. Demand remains strong for ABC cable production lines in Asia, Middle East and Latin America. Fully enclosed, low-noise designs with online quality monitoring are becoming the baseline expectation for new installations.

Key Takeaways

A Bow Type Laying Up Machine provides high-speed, low-stress assembly of 2–6 core insulated cables with 100% back-twist.
It delivers 3–10 times higher productivity than traditional cradle machines for cables up to approximately 120 mm².
Modern machines feature independent servo drives, PLC/HMI stepless pitch control, constant tension and optional online filling/taping.
Correct selection of bobbin size, haul-off type and filler configuration directly determines cable roundness, electrical performance and long-term reliability.

For detailed technical drawings, customized configurations or production-line layout proposals tailored to your specific cable constructions, Demande d'informations.