selected to optimize the sz stranding process the rotation relationship between two adjacent rotatable guide members 20 r can best be visualized as a function of the angular position u03b8 m of a u201c master u201d guide member 20 r and the angular position u03b8 s of a corresponding u201c slave u201d guide members thus for a prior art mechanical system where the rotation ratio r is fixed the angular position u03b8 s of the slave guide member is determined by the function u03b8 s r u03b8 m which is a linear function in u03b8 in contrast the rotation relationship programmed into controller 160 can allow for a much more complex functional relationships between the angular positions and rotation speeds of guide members 20 a non linear rotation relationship is useful for example to minimize tension spikes that can occur during the sz stranding operation fig6 is a schematic diagram of an example sz cable forming system u201c system u201d 200 that includes apparatus 10 of the present disclosure system 200 includes strand storage containers 210 typically in the form of spools or u201c packages u201d that respectively hold and pay off individual strands 40 and optionally one or more individual core members 30 system 200 include a strand guide device 220.