SZ Stranding Technology

GF SZ Stranding Machine

High-speed SZ strander for power cables, building wires and flexible cords.
Up to 400 m/min. Interchangeable capsule formats for the optimal cable formation, every time.

S lay reversal Z lay
GF SZ stranding machine - high-speed SZ strander for power cables, building wires and flexible cords, front view
400 m/min
Maximum line speed
S–Z
Alternating lay, zero reel rotation
Multi format
Interchangeable stranding capsules
CE
Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC — Made in Italy
The technology

What is SZ stranding?

SZ stranding is the cable manufacturing technology that twists insulated conductors together by alternating the lay direction — first in an “S” direction, then in a “Z” direction — instead of rotating heavy reels around the cable axis. The pay-offs stand still; only the lightweight stranding rotor oscillates.

The result: dramatically higher line speeds, in-line operation with taping and extrusion for continuous production, and a compact machine that fits where a conventional helical strander never could. That is why SZ stranding is today the reference process for building wires, flexible power cords and multi-core power cables.

The GF SZ stranding machine takes this principle to its limit — engineered and built in Italy to run at up to 400 metres per minute, day after day.

SZ stranded core extrusion crosshead jacketed cable
See it in motion

The machine, in action

Watch the GF SZ strander at work — from the oscillating rotor to the stranded core.

GF SZ stranding machine - full length view of the SZ strander with safety guarding for cable production lines
Why GF

Built for speed.
Designed for versatility.

Every detail of the GF SZ strander serves one goal: maximum output on the widest possible product mix, without compromise on quality.

Up to 400 m/min

Engineered for high-speed continuous production. The stationary pay-off principle of SZ technology, combined with a rigid welded frame and precision rotor, keeps the process stable at speeds conventional stranders can't reach.

Interchangeable capsule formats

Quick-change stranding capsules with different hole layouts let you match the machine to each product and always obtain the optimal cable formation — no mechanical modifications, no compromises.

Drops into your line

Designed to integrate with new or existing line equipment: pay-offs, feeding capstans, torsion locking units, taping heads, extruders and take-ups.

Safety, full length

Full-length guarding with inspection windows and multiple emergency stops along the frame. CE marked in compliance with Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.

Configured at order

Motorization and electrical control panel are defined at order stage to match your line control architecture and your product mix. One machine, your specification.

Made in Italy

Entirely designed and built in Italy by GF Costruzioni e Manutenzioni in Ravenna — engineering, fabrication, assembly and testing under one roof.

GF SZ stranding machine - detail of safety guard rail and emergency stop on the SZ strander frame
Versatility

One machine.
Every formation.

GF SZ stranding machine - close-up of interchangeable stranding capsules with multiple hole formats for optimal cable formation

Interchangeable capsule formats

The heart of the GF SZ strander is its rotor, fitted with quick-change stranding capsules. Each capsule format carries a different hole layout, sized to the number and diameter of the conductors being stranded.

Switching products means switching capsules — in minutes, without mechanical modifications to the machine. Your conductors are always guided in the geometry that produces the best possible cable formation.

  • Optimal formation for each conductor count and size
  • Fast product changeover — swap the capsule, not the machine
  • Wide product mix on a single strander
  • Custom capsule formats engineered on request
Applications

Made for cable makers

The GF SZ stranding machine strands insulated conductors for the products that power buildings, machines and infrastructure.

Power cables

Multi-core low-voltage power cables: SZ-stranded cores ready for filling, taping and sheathing — in-line or off-line.

Building wires

Standard building wires stranded at maximum line speed — the classic SZ application, where the 400 m/min headroom pays for itself.

Flexible cords

Flexible power cords and appliance cables with class 5 conductors, stranded gently thanks to the low-tension SZ process.

Control cables

Multi-element control and signal cables, with capsule formats matched to higher element counts.

GF SZ stranding machine - elevated view of the complete SZ strander for power cable and building wire production
Technical data

Specifications

Key operating data of the GF SZ stranding machine. Final configuration is defined together with your engineering team at order stage.

Stranding technology SZ stranding — alternating S and Z lay, stationary pay-offs
Maximum line speed Up to 400 m/min Top of class
Stranding elements Configurable via interchangeable capsule formats, matched to the product mix
Product changeover Quick capsule swap — no mechanical modifications to the machine
Applications Power cables, building wires, flexible cords, control cables
Line integration Compatible with pay-offs, feeding capstans, torsion locking units, taping heads, extruders and take-up systems
Motorization Configured at order (motor and drive matched to line architecture)
Electrical control panel Configured at order, ready for line-level integration
Safety Full-length guarding with inspection windows, multiple emergency stops
Certification CE — Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC Certified
Design & manufacturing Italy — GF Costruzioni e Manutenzioni S.r.l., Ravenna
Gallery

Engineering, rendered

GF SZ stranding machine - front view of the SZ strander with full-length yellow safety guards
GF SZ stranding machine - open guard view showing the stranding rotor and capsule stations
GF SZ stranding machine - side profile of the high-speed SZ strander for cable production
GF SZ stranding machine - rear three-quarter view with drive unit of the SZ stranding line machine
GF SZ stranding machine - top angle view of the SZ strander accumulator section
GF SZ stranding machine - detail of interchangeable stranding capsules inside the rotor
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is SZ stranding?
SZ stranding is a cable manufacturing technology that twists insulated conductors around each other by alternating the lay direction: first in an “S” direction, then in a “Z” direction. Because the pay-offs remain stationary and no reels rotate around the cable axis, SZ stranding reaches much higher line speeds than conventional helical stranding and can run in-line with extrusion for continuous production.
How fast is the GF SZ stranding machine?
The GF SZ strander is engineered for line speeds up to 400 m/min, depending on the product being stranded — top-of-class performance for this machine category.
Which cables can be produced?
The machine strands insulated conductors for power cables, building wires, flexible power cords and control cables. The interchangeable capsule formats allow a wide product mix on the same machine.
How do the interchangeable capsule formats work?
The stranding rotor accepts quick-change capsules with different hole layouts. By selecting the capsule format that matches the number and size of the conductors, you always obtain the optimal cable formation — without mechanical modifications to the machine. Changing product simply means changing the capsule.
Can it be integrated into an existing stranding line?
Yes. The GF SZ stranding machine is designed to integrate with new or existing line equipment: pay-offs, feeding capstans, torsion locking units, taping heads, extruders and take-ups. Motorization and the electrical control panel are configured at order to match your line control architecture.
Is it CE certified and where is it built?
Yes. The machine complies with the European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC (CE marking) and is entirely designed and built in Italy by GF Costruzioni e Manutenzioni S.r.l. in Ravenna.
Can the machine be customized?
Yes. Capsule formats, motorization, electrical control panel and integration interfaces are defined at order stage, so the machine is tailored to your product mix and to your production line.

Let's talk about
your stranding line.

Request the technical documentation of the GF SZ stranding machine, or tell us about your product mix — our engineers will configure the machine around it.

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