and the wire is then compacted in not more than two reducing dies the dies being arranged so that the wires forming the strand are free to move relative to one another to prevent birdcaging during the reduction in area of the strand to compact it application_number US 48092574 A description apparatus for carrying the invention into effect comprises an elongated frame 10 one end of which is connected to a stranding machine which may be of the form diagrammatically shown in fig1 or fig2 this stranding machine is of the known type and may comprise either a sun and planet type of machine shown in fig1 in which the usual rotating cage c supports the rotatable wire carrying bobbins b at positions spaced from the central axis of rotation of the cage so that the bobbins rotate planet fashion about such axis or the stranding machine may be of known tubular type shown in fig2 in which the wire carrying bobbins b are mounted in a cage c in axially spaced relationship for rotation about the central axis i e the axis of rotation of the cage as will be seen from fig3 the stranding machine is provided with the usual lay plate 11 which rotates with the cage c and which is provided with the usual holes 12 for the passage of the individual wires 13 from the bobbins b to the usual closing die 14 mounted on stationary die support 15 carried on frame 10 thus the lay plate 11 rotates relative to the non rotating closing die 14 thus in the known way winding the several wires 13 around the central or.