EP1324354B1 - Process and device for the continuous production of a corrugated coaxial cable - Google Patents

Abstract

Continuous fabrication of a coaxial cable involves imparting corrugations to a conductor of the cable in a corrugator which is caused to operate at constant speed. <??>An Independent claim is also included for an apparatus for continuously fabricating a coaxial cable, which comprises a corrugator for imparting corrugations to a conductor of the cable, at least one drive station for driving a portion of the cable, and control mechanisms arranged to control a drive station speed as a function of a corrugator speed.

Description

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a corrugated coaxial cable.

Coaxial cables are widely used today for multiple applications and particularly in radio frequency signal transmissions. For example, such cables are known for transmitting television signals or cellular telephone signals of various generations.

A coaxial cable includes a central conductor surrounded by a dielectric and a peripheral conductor generally protected by a polymer sheath. In many cases, the dielectric is made of an expanded and extruded polymer, and the peripheral conductor is copper or aluminum. In many cases, the peripheral conductor is corrugated so as to provide the coaxial cable flexibility that is compatible with the installation conditions while ensuring the best transmission qualities.

It is well known that these transmission qualities depend both on the intrinsic qualities of the inner and outer conductors and the dielectric, but also on the respect of the nominal geometrical values of these same conductors, characterized by the outer diameter of the central conductor, by the diameter inside or an equivalent diameter in the case of a ring-shaped peripheral conductor, and finally by the regularity of these intrinsic characteristics or of these nominal values along the axis of the cable. The manufacturing process therefore comes to a large extent both in the economic aspect of the finished cable both in pure value and value after production efficiency, and in the ability to achieve the cable at high speeds while keeping this quality.

The known methods, while they undoubtedly make it possible to produce quality products which are widely marketed, have some disadvantages. Thus, the most commonly used methods are based on taking the central conductor's production drum surrounded by its dielectric, and then introducing this element into the cylindrical peripheral conductor which is pulled by a caterpillar and is then corrugated before being wound on a reception drum. At the outlet of the upstream drum, the central conductor element surrounded by its dielectric passes over a regulator puppet whose role is to correct the unwinding speed of this drum. At the outlet of the annealer, the cable element comprising the annular peripheral conductor passes over a puppet also charged to regulate the speed of rotation of the receiving drum.

In this method, the reference unwinding speed is the speed of the track for pulling on the peripheral conductor. Therefore, and despite the regulations of the original drum and the receiving drum, the annealing head is subjected to a force which varies continuously in intensity and direction due to the continuous variations in speed of the original drum, which corresponds to a variable amount of intermediate product per unit of time, and continual variations in speed of the receiving drum, which corresponds to a variable quantity of finished product per unit of time.

Therefore, this method involves measuring or estimating the axial force exerted on the annealing head and returning it permanently to its equilibrium position by changing the speed of rotation of the tool allowing achieve annealing. This change in speed itself causes changes in tension on the entire line and thus causes the game of the aforementioned puppets to change the input and output speeds for the drums mentioned above.

This situation can be summarized by noting that, in such a method, the peripheral conductor is brought into the annealer at a given speed which is the velocity used as a speed reference to the manufacturing line. The quantity of conductor thus brought is equal to the amount of conductor consumed by the corrugator, this quantity therefore being a function of the reference speed of the track and the diameter of the welded conductor before entering the annealer. This same amount of consumed conductor is of course a function of the parameters of the corrugation, in particular the diameter on annulus, the bottom of the annulus and the shape of the corrugation. As for the central conductor with its dielectric, it is driven by the annealing operation which is carried out in compression on the dielectric and a voltage is required to tension the same central conductor element provided with its dielectric.

The use of such a method therefore involves defining a peripheral conductor speed (which is in the form of a tube before annealing) and a diameter for this peripheral conductor, then by calculating an approximate speed of rotation of the annealing head. During the start-up tests, the different voltages, voltage for unwinding of the original reel and tension for accumulation on the receiving reel are then adjusted in order to obtain the desired sizing.

It is therefore understood that the change of a single parameter requires the change of all the other parameters to maintain the desired dimensioning, resulting on the one hand a complexity of operation not conducive to excellent yields and on the other hand many risks of malfunction which lead to either quality deterioration or additional manufacturing waste.

Finally, in such a method, taking into account the speed variation of the original drum and therefore the induced voltage for the cable element (consisting of its central conductor and its dielectric) introduced into the peripheral cylindrical conductor, can estimate that the sliding of the peripheral conductor on the dielectric is never constant. This is all the more important as the incident cable element, formed of its central conductor provided with its dielectric, passes only on a puppet at the exit of the initial drum and thus tends to retain its initial curvature on drum. However, this curvature is not regular, changes as unwinding and this cable element is by nature in an unstable position at the time of introduction into the peripheral conductor. This requires adjusting the parameters to find a compliant cable. In addition, the dielectric breakdown faults on the upstream reel are directly reflected at the level of the annealer by a voltage variation generating a variation of the annealing shape.

Existing methods are therefore based on a permanent regulation of a system of several parameters around an optimum operating point which can itself be obtained only after gradual adjustments. (Some existing processes do not include not even the flexibility of operation introduced at the lateral floating of the annealing head and its use to regulate the speed of rotation of the annealing head). In any case, the existing processes are therefore processes capable of producing quality cables but at the cost of great difficulty of control and control of the process, a vigilance that is not very compatible with certain modern production requirements, and very limited speeds. All these points inevitably have consequences, even relatively small, on the optimum quality of a product such as coaxial cable whose performance is precisely partly related to a high geometric regularity of the constituent elements. Finally, it results in fairly bad yields due either to long adjustment or re-adjustment times involving delicate operations, or to fairly high levels of waste due in particular to performance drifts.

The present invention therefore aims to overcome these multiple disadvantages by providing a more stable process and easier to adjust while allowing to consider higher manufacturing speeds without risk of quality degradation, reducing waste and energy. defects due to manufacturing drifts.

The invention also aims to promote the tandem of certain operations such as the realization of the dielectric or cladding.

The present invention therefore aims at greater stability and increased productivity in order to offer the possibility of increasing speeds.

According to a first aspect, the invention is based on the principle of operating the annealer at a constant speed. According to a second aspect which can be implemented independently of or in conjunction with the first aspect, the operating speed of the corrugator is selected as a reference speed for adjusting the speed of at least one of the driving elements of the device for moving the cable or a part thereof during manufacture.

More specifically, according to the invention there is provided a method of continuously manufacturing a coaxial cable in which rings are formed on a cable conductor in a corrugator and the anneller is operated at a constant speed.

• en amont de l'anneleur, on entraîne le conducteur à une vitesse intermédiaire constante,
• on règle la vitesse intermédiaire en fonction de la vitesse de l'anneleur,
• à un poste d'introduction situé en amont de l'anneleur, on introduit un élément de câble dans le conducteur,
• en amont du poste d'introduction, on entraîne l'élément de câble à une vitesse amont constante,
• on règle la vitesse amont en fonction de la vitesse de l'anneleur,
• en amont du poste d'introduction, on donne à l'élément de câble une forme rectiligne,
• en aval de l'anneleur, on entraîne le conducteur à une vitesse aval constante,
• on règle la vitesse aval en fonction de la vitesse de l'anneleur, et
• la vitesse aval est égale à la vitesse intermédiaire.

The method according to the invention may have at least any of the following characteristics:

• upstream of the annealer, the driver is driven at a constant intermediate speed,
• the intermediate speed is adjusted according to the speed of the corrugator,
• at an introduction station located upstream of the annealer, a cable element is introduced into the conductor,
• upstream of the introduction station, the cable element is driven at a constant upstream speed,
• the upstream speed is regulated according to the speed of the corrugator,
• upstream of the introduction station, the cable element is given a rectilinear shape,
• downstream of the annealer, the driver is driven at a constant downstream speed,
• the downstream speed is regulated according to the speed of the corrugator, and
• the downstream speed is equal to the intermediate speed.

According to the invention there is also provided a device for the continuous production of a coaxial cable comprising a corrugator for forming rings on a conductor of the cable and control means, the control means being arranged to operate the corrugator at a speed constant.

• il comprend en amont de l'anneleur une chenille amont d'entraînement d'un élément de câble destiné à être introduit dans le conducteur, et
• il comprend en aval de l'anneleur une chenille aval d'entraînement du conducteur.

The device according to the invention may also have at least one of the following characteristics:

• it comprises, upstream of the annealer, an upstream crawler for driving a cable element intended to be introduced into the conductor, and
• it comprises downstream of the annealer a downstream crawler driver training.

• à au moins un poste d'entraînement, entraîner une partie du câble à une vitesse d'entraînement ;
• dans un anneleur, former des anneaux sur un conducteur du câble, et
• régler la vitesse d'entraînement en fonction d'une vitesse de l'anneleur.

Also provided according to the invention is a method of continuously manufacturing a coaxial cable comprising the steps of:

• at least one training station, driving a portion of the cable at a driving speed;
• in an annealer, forming rings on a cable conductor, and
• adjust the drive speed according to the speed of the fitter.

• l'anneleur est situé en aval du poste d'entraînement,
• au poste d'entraînement, la partie du câble comprend le conducteur,
• à un poste d'introduction, on introduit la partie du câble dans le conducteur, le poste d'entraînement étant situé en amont du poste d'introduction, et
• le poste d'entraînement est situé en aval de l'anneleur.

The method according to the invention may advantageously have at least one of the following characteristics:

• the annealer is located downstream of the training station,
• at the training station, the part of the cable includes the driver,
• at an introduction station, the part of the cable is introduced into the conductor, the driving station being situated upstream of the insertion station, and
• the training station is located downstream of the anneller.

• un anneleur pour former des anneaux sur un conducteur du câble ;
• au moins un poste d'entraînement d'une partie du câble ; et
• des moyens de commande,

dans lequel les moyens de commande sont agencés pour commander une vitesse du poste d'entraînement en fonction d'une vitesse de l'anneleur.The invention also provides a device for continuously manufacturing a coaxial cable comprising:

• a corrugator for forming rings on a cable conductor;
• at least one drive station of a portion of the cable; and
• control means,

wherein the control means is arranged to control a speed of the drive station according to a speed of the annealer.

• l'anneleur est situé en aval du poste d'entraînement,
• au poste d'entraînement, la partie du câble comprend le conducteur,
• il comprend un poste d'introduction de la partie de câble dans le conducteur, le poste d'entraînement étant situé en amont du poste d'introduction, et
• le poste d'entraînement est situé en aval de l'anneleur.

The device according to the invention may advantageously have at least one of the following characteristics:

• the annealer is located downstream of the training station,
• at the training station, the part of the cable includes the driver,
• it comprises a station for introducing the cable part into the conductor, the driving station being situated upstream of the introduction station, and
• the training station is located downstream of the anneller.

• en aval de l'anneleur, on installe une gaine sur le conducteur, et/ou
• en amont de l'anneleur, on assemble un conducteur central et un diélectrique du câble.

In any of the methods of the invention, provision may be made for

• downstream of the annealer, a sheath is installed on the driver, and / or
• upstream of the annealer, a central conductor and a dielectric of the cable are assembled.

• La figure 1 est une vue de côté d'une extrémité d'un câble coaxial fabriqué au moyen du procédé de l'invention, montrant les différentes couches du câble ;
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique en élévation d'une chaîne de fabrication selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ; et
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique en coupe longitudinale de l'anneleur de la chaîne de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique en coupe longitudinale de la tête de l'anneleur de la figure 3, et
• la figure 5 est une vue analogue à la figure 2 montrant un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description of two preferred embodiments given as non-limiting examples with reference to the drawings in which:

• The figure 1 is a side view of an end of a coaxial cable made by the method of the invention, showing the different layers of the cable;
• the figure 2 is a schematic elevational view of a production line according to one embodiment of the invention; and
• the figure 3 is a schematic view in longitudinal section of the annealer chain of the figure 2 ,
• the figure 4 is a schematic view in longitudinal section of the head of the annealer of the figure 3 , and
• the figure 5 is a view similar to the figure 2 showing another embodiment of the invention.

In the embodiments that will be described, the method according to the invention aims at producing a coaxial cable 2 with a corrugated cable as represented for example in the figure 1 . This cable comprises a metal central conductor 4 constituting the core of the cable. The cable comprises a dielectric material 6 of cylindrical tubular shape covering the central conductor 4. The dielectric is constituted by an expanded and extruded polymer. The cable further comprises a peripheral conductor 8 of cylindrical tubular shape covering the dielectric material 6. Finally, the cable comprises a sheath 10 of cylindrical tubular polymeric material covering the peripheral conductor 8. The layers 4, 6, 8 and 10 are directly succeed each above the others and in this order along the radial direction from the central axis of the cable. Such a structure is known in itself and will not be further detailed here.

The peripheral conductor 8 is corrugated to provide the cable with a certain flexibility in a manner known per se. The annealing operation consists in forming a helical groove or in the form of a straight corrugation in the peripheral conductor from the external face thereof to give it the appearance of a succession of rings.

In a manner known per se, the device illustrated in FIG. figure 2 comprises a manufacturing drum 12 or upstream drum constituting a reserve of a cable element formed at this stage only by the central conductor 4 and the dielectric 6 surrounding it.

The device forms a production line comprising different stations that the cable element traverses successively, the production however taking place continuously. The upstream and downstream directions therefore refer to the direction of movement of the cable element during manufacture, indicated by the arrow 11.

Downstream of the drum 12, the chain comprises an insertion station 14 in which the cable element 4, 6 coming from the drum is introduced into the peripheral conductor 8 still in the state of smooth tube.

Downstream of this introductory station, the chain comprises an intermediate drive station 16 in which the peripheral conductor 8 is driven in the downstream direction. This item comprises in particular a track 18 comprising two endless belts driving the driver following a straight horizontal trajectory and extending above and below the driver 8 of either side of it to sandwich it.

Downstream of the intermediate drive station 16, the chain comprises an annealing station or annealer 20 in which the corrugations are produced on the peripheral conductor 8.

Finally, at the downstream end of the chain, the latter comprises a reception drum or downstream drum 22 on which is wound the cable element comprising at this stage the central conductor 4, the dielectric 6 and the annular peripheral conductor 8. .

We will briefly describe with reference to Figures 3 and 4 the annealer 20 which is of a conventional type.

The annealer 20 comprises a frame 40 and a hollow shaft 42 traversed along its axis 45 by the cable element during manufacture. The annealer comprises two rolling bearings 44 with which the shaft is rotatably mounted relative to the frame about the axis 45 which is also the axis of the cable. This rotation is indicated by the arrow 46. The cable element slides in the shaft along the downstream direction 11 parallel to this axis without turning on itself. To avoid problems of contact friction in the shaft, sufficient clearance is provided between them.

The annealer comprises a motor 48 driving the shaft 42 in rotation through a transmission 50.

The annealer comprises a ring head 52 rigidly attached to the upstream end of the shaft 42 and therefore rotating at the same speed. This speed of rotation is called the speed of the corrugator in the present description.

The annealer comprises a tool holder 54 connected to the head 52 by a transverse axis 56 radial to the axis of rotation 45. The head comprises actuating means of the axis for adjusting a radial position of the tool holder relative to the head along the arrow 57, and an angular position along the arrow 59 depending on the parameters of the desired annealing.

The annealer comprises a tool 56 of annular or helical shape depending on the type of annealing, housed in the tool holder 54, a rolling bearing 58 being interposed radially therebetween. The tooling 56 and the bearing 58 have a common axis that is not illustrated, parallel and remote from the axis 45 or inclined with respect to the axis 45. Due to the presence of the bearing 58, the tooling 56 is free to rotation relative to the tool holder 54 which only defines the angular and radial position of the tool relative to the axis 45 of the cable.

In operation, the tool 56 rolls on the cable 2 by performing annellings by deformation of the peripheral conductor 8. This movement results from the conjunction of the rotation 46 of the annealer and the sliding of the cable in the annealer.

According to the invention, the chain further comprises an upstream drive station 24 extending downstream of the upstream drum 12 and upstream of the insertion station 14.

The chain further comprises a downstream driving station 26 extending downstream of the annealer 20 and upstream of the receiving drum 22. This driving station serves to drive towards the drum the cable element provided with the ringed peripheral conductor 8.

The training stations 24 and 26 are shaped essentially as the intermediate training station 16 and formed of a caterpillar each.

As we see on the figure 2 , this chain does not include a jumper interposed between the track 24 and the annealer 20 to adjust the tension of the element of cable. Similarly, in the present example, the downstream puppet usually disposed between the annealer 20 and the receiving drum 22 and used for speed control is replaced by a simple guide pulley 30.

Thus, in this example, it imposes the passage of the cable element, formed only of the inner conductor 4 and the dielectric 6, in the upstream drive station 24 whose double merit is to confer a stable speed V1 to the cable member and remove its curvature memory to make it rectilinear and thus avoid turbulence when introduced into the peripheral conductor 8 which is driven by the intermediate station 16 at a speed V2.

This mode of introduction has the advantage of not disturbing the positioning of the copper ribbon under the welding torch, thus reducing the risk of welding defect. It also has the advantage of putting the dielectric at an optimum position relative to the hot spot given by the solder conductor.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the speeds V1 and V2 of these two stations are fixed and constant in time. This eliminates the disadvantage of parasitic relative slippage of the cable element consisting of the central conductor 4 provided with its dielectric 6 relative to the annular peripheral conductor 8 at the leveler 20.

The cable element provided with its dielectric and the welded peripheral conductor is then brought before annealing in the annealer 20 at given and predetermined speeds. The amount of peripheral conductor given by the caterpillar 16 is equal to the amount of peripheral conductor consumed by the corrugator 20. This amount of peripheral conductor consumed is a function of the speed V2, the diameter of the tube of the peripheral conductor 8 and the parameters of the corrugation, namely the diameter on corrugation, the bottom of the 'annealing, the pitch and shape of the annelure.

As a result, this positive drive makes it possible to set the rotational speed of the head of the annealer 20. According to the invention, this becomes the reference speed, unlike the previous processes which took as speed reference point that of the intermediate position 16. In addition, the speed of the annealer is here constant.

Similarly, in the method of the invention, the speed V3 of the downstream station 26 is made equal to the speed V1 of the upstream station 24 driving the central conductor with its dielectric. This speed V3 remains proportional to the reference speed which is that of the corrugator irrespective of this one, even in the phase of rise and fall of speed. It is the same for the speed of station 24.

Thus, for the present implementation of the invention, a speed of the annealer 20, tooling, annealing diameter and annealing base are defined. Then, from these parameters, the speed V2 of the tube of the peripheral conductor 8, the diameter of the tube and the speed V1 of the cable element formed of the central conductor 4 and the dielectric 6 are defined. These calculations are within the range of the skilled person.

Therefore, during the implementation of the method, it is much easier than in known methods to adjust the correct operation, the operation is then of great stability.

It can be seen that the method of the invention eliminates the disadvantages of known methods related to permanent instability and driving difficulty based on predetermined drive speeds and stable annealing speed. It also avoids the instabilities due to the winding memory of the dielectric 8, the dielectric diameter variations and the different voltage variations on either side of the annealer.

This very stable operation therefore also corresponds to a minimum of constraints on the die and therefore to a stationary wave ratio (TOS) of interest. Likewise, the absence of voltage variation at the winding on the downstream drum 22 has a beneficial effect on the TOS.

Naturally, the chain comprises control means 21 for setting the speed of the annealer 20.

The annealer 20 and the different drive stations 24, 16, 26 may be driven by a common motor. However, in view of the problems that can arise from the possible transmission gaps and vibrations due to cyclic variations generated by a mechanical transmission, it will be advantageous to provide electronic control means for adjusting the speed of the various positions of training.

The pulley 30 gives a minimum tension and in practice sufficient for the cable to exit the annealer but without interfering with the formation of this annulus.

The figure 5 presents a second embodiment quite close to the mode of the figure 2 .

In this second embodiment, given the great operating stability of the chain according to the invention and the management of different elements in speed and not in tension, one can also provide a tandem thereof with a line 34 for manufacturing the cable element comprising the conductor 4 and its dielectric 6, or with a line 36 placing the outer sheath 10.

Thus, as illustrated in figure 3 , there is arranged upstream of the upstream drive station 24 and instead of the upstream drum 12 a production line 34, not shown in detail but known in itself, in which the dielectric 6 is installed on the central conductor 4. This chain operates continuously and in direct connection with the previously described production line.

Alternatively, one can replace the chain 34 by two manufacturing reels 12 operating alternately so that when one of the reels is fully unwound, the second reel immediately takes over. During the devitation of this second drum, the first is replaced by a full drum. This ensures a permanent supply of the chain upstream.

Similarly, it is possible to provide downstream of the production line a sheathing chain 36 operating continuously and in direct connection with the chain according to the invention described above. This chain allows the introduction of the sheath 10 on the cable element provided with the annular peripheral conductor 8.

A tandem setting of two receiving reels may also be provided at this level.

In the present example, the chain further comprises means for measuring the position of the pulley 30, here in the vertical direction, and for changing the speed of the downstream driving station 26 when this position exceeds a predetermined threshold. The purpose of this Speed control is to ensure that the pulley keeps a fixed position.

The tandemings make the process particularly economical by ensuring a very high quality yield and result in a considerable reduction of the waste associated with each start of the individual operations.

In a manner known per se, the invention can be implemented with a corrugator operating at a speed of 8,000 to 15,000 revolutions per minute. All equipment in the chain can be connected to a fieldbus. The control means 21 may be connected to a computer receiving data from all the members of the chain for their display in real time for manufacturing monitoring purposes and for archiving.

Of course, many modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the scope thereof defined by the appended claims.

Claims (25)

1. A method of continuously fabricating a coaxial cable (2) in which corrugations are imparted to a conductor (8) of the cable in a corrugator (20), the method being characterized in that the corrugator is caused to operate at constant speed.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that, upstream from the corrugator (20), the conductor (8) is driven at an intermediate speed (V2) that is constant.
3. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the intermediate speed (V2) is adjusted as a function of the speed of the corrugator.
4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a cable element (4, 6) is inserted into the conductor (8) at an insertion station (14) situated upstream from the corrugator (20).
5. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the cable element (4, 6) upstream from the insertion station (14) is driven at an upstream speed (V1) that is constant.
6. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the upstream speed (V1) is adjusted as a function of the speed of the corrugator (20).
7. A method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that a rectilinear shape is imparted to the cable element (4, 6) upstream from the insertion station (14).
8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the conductor (8) downstream from the corrugator (20) is driven at a downstream speed (V3) that is constant.
9. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that the downstream speed (V3) is adjusted as a function of the speed of the corrugator (20).
10. A method according to claim 2 or claim 3 and according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that the downstream speed (V3) is equal to the intermediate speed (V2).
11. Apparatus for continuously fabricating a coaxial cable (2), the apparatus including both a corrugator (20) to impart corrugations to a conductor (8) of the cable and control means (21), the apparatus being characterized in that the control means are arranged to cause the corrugator to operate at constant speed.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that upstream from the corrugator (20) it includes an upstream caterpuller (24) for driving a cable element (4, 6) for insertion into the conductor (8).
13. Apparatus according to claim 11 or claim 12, characterized in that downstream from the corrugator (20) it includes a downstream caterpuller (26) for driving the conductor (8).
14. A method of continuously fabricating a coaxial cable (2), the method comprising the steps consisting in:

    - at at least one drive station (24; 16; 26) driving a portion of the cable (4, 6, 8) at a drive speed (V1, V2, V3); and

    - in a corrugator (20), imparting corrugations to a conductor (8) of the cable;

    the method being characterized in that the drive speed (V1, V2, V3) is adjusted as a function of a constant corrugator speed.
15. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the corrugator (20) is situated downstream from the drive station (24; 16).
16. A method according to claim 14 or claim 15, characterized in that the portion of the cable at the drive station (16; 26) includes the conductor (8).
17. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that, in an insertion station (14), the cable portion (4, 6) is inserted into the conductor (8), the drive station (24) being situated upstream from the insertion station (14).
18. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the drive station (26) is situated downstream from the corrugator (20).
19. Apparatus for continuously fabricating a coaxial cable (2), the apparatus comprising:

    - a corrugator (20) for imparting corrugations to a conductor (8) of the cable;

    - at least one drive station (24; 16; 26) for driving a portion of the cable; and

    - control means (21);

    the apparatus being characterized in that the control means (21) are arranged to control a drive station speed (V1, V2, V3) as a function of a constant corrugator speed.
20. Apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the corrugator (20) is situated downstream from the drive station (24; 16).
21. Apparatus according to claim 19 or claim 20, characterized in that, at the drive station (16; 26), the cable portion includes the conductor (8).
22. Apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that it includes an insertion station (14) for inserting the cable portion (4, 6) into the conductor (8), the drive station (24) being situated upstream from the insertion station (14).
23. Apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that the drive station (26) is situated downstream from the corrugator (20).
24. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that a sheath (10) is installed on the conductor (8) downstream from the corrugator (20).
25. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or any one of claims 14 to 18 or claim 24, characterized in that a central conductor (4) and a dielectric (6) of the cable are assembled together upstream from the corrugator (20).

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