Submarine-coaxial-cable manufacture at southampton factory. II

This article is a sequel to "submarine-Coaxial-Cable Manufacture at Southampton" by the same author, (Abstr. 11112 of 1963). The vast requirement for this type of cable as links in global communications, coupled with new techniques and improved design, prompted the equipment of a new factory. The article describes the development problems involved and the design and lay-out of the new plant based on previous experience. Of the new techniques employed, argon-arc seam welding of the longitudinally wrapped copper tape conductors and the precision shaving to size, under temperature controlled conditions, of the polythene core insulation, are particularly described. Standard manufacturing lengths, corresponding to submerged repeater spacing, are stated to be 20 miles.