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.