Method and apparatus for indentifying a region of an S-Z stranded cable core and for marking an outer sheath covering the S-Z stranded cable core to indicate a region thereunder

摘要

A process and apparatus for marking an outer jacket of an S-Z stranded cable to indicate the locations of switchbacks thereunder. The process comprises passing a portion of a cable core within a field of view of an imaging means to acquire an image thereof. The quantity of visually distinguishable conductors in the acquired image is compared to a reference value. If the reference value is exceeded, a transition region or switchback is indicated. Once a transition region is indicated, its position is tracked through a outer jacketing step. A marking to indication the location of the transition region is applied to the outer jacket according to the tracked position of the transition region.