Apparatus for helically assembling at least two filaments

An apparatus (310) for manufacturing stranded cables comprises a supply spool assembly (320, 322) having filaments wound thereon, and a flyer (316) mounted for rotation about a central axis for imparting a rotational movement to the filaments, while guiding them axially through the apparatus (310). The filaments are wound together as they pass a gathering point centrally disposed to the central axis and downstream of the flyer (316). A filament advancing assembly (16) is provided downstream of the gathering point to impart an advancing speed to the filaments. A control system allows for the control of the number of revolutions of the flyer (316) per unit length of filaments advancing through the gathering point to ensure that a constant helical pitch is obtained. The tension in the filaments is controlled by creating an adjustable opposition to the pulling action of the filament advancing assembly (16) on the filaments thereby ensuring the production of a high quality stranded cable.