Abstract: Terminal crimping apparatus having crimping dies and crimping anvils and strip feeding means for feeding terminal strip to a crimping zone between the dies and anvils has a strip lifter mounted on the press ram which lifts the strip above the level of the crimping anvils after completion of a crimping operation. The strip lifter prevents misfeeding of the strip in that after being lifted, the strip is above the surface of the anvil assembly and can be fed therepast in preparation for the next crimping cycle.

Abstract: Slug retainer for the die assembly of a stamping and forming machine comprises a thin sheet of resilient metal which is on the rear end of the removable portion of the die assembly. Slugs produced by the punch and die are pushed through a slug passageway in the die assembly and through a slug opening in the sheet. The metal sheet has an integral ear which bears agains the endmost slug and which is flexed when the endmost slug is ejected. Slugs are thereby prevented from spilling when the removable portion of the die assembly is removed.

Abstract: Stamping and forming machine has first and second tooling assemblies which are movable relatively towards and away from each other. Pilot pins are mounted on, and moved with, the first tooling assembly. The pilot pins enter pilot holes in the strip material and are movable on the first tooling assembly between extended positions and retracted positions. When the tooling assemblies are in their open, or separated, positions, the pilot pins are in their retracted positions and clearance is provided to permit feeding of the strip between the two tooling assemblies. As the tooling assemblies move to their closed positions, the pilot pins move to their extended positions and perform their piloting function. The pilot pins are actuated by an actuator which is separate from the actuator which moves the tooling assemblies.