Abstract: A retaining member for a circuit board array is provided. The retaining member includes an elongated support post having a first end and an opposite second end. A protrusion extends from the first end. The protrusion is configured to be received in a slot having side walls in a circuit board array. The support post is movable to move the protrusion within the slot from a first position wherein the protrusion is disengaged from the side walls of the slot to a second position wherein the protrusion engages the side walls of the slot to retain the circuit board array.

Abstract: A vacuum selector is provided. The vacuum selector includes a housing having first and second faces, the first face including first and second openings, the second face including a primary opening that communicates with the first and second openings along a flow path through the housing. The vacuum selector further includes a slider member movably provided in the housing and traversing the flow path, the slider member including a selector opening therethrough, the slider member being movable transversely to the flow path such that the selector opening changes the flow path to adjust flow communication between the primary opening and the first and second openings.

Abstract: A vacuum selector is provided. The vacuum selector includes a housing having first and second faces, the first face including first and second openings, the second face including a primary opening that communicates with the first and second openings along a flow path through the housing. The vacuum selector further includes a slider member movably provided in the housing and traversing the flow path, the slider member including a selector opening therethrough, the slider member being movable transversely to the flow path such that the selector opening changes the flow path to adjust flow communication between the primary opening and the first and second openings.

Abstract: A single cycle positioning system utilizing a DC motor wherein a wide ranging incoming AC supply voltage is rectified and a fixed frequency variable duty cycle pulse width modulation is provided to apply a predetermined rms DC voltage to the motor for a single cycle of operation.

Abstract: A wire stripping apparatus for stripping insulation material (48) from an insulated electrical conductor (50) includes a first stripping blade (40) having a first cutting tip configuration (44, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72) and a second stripping blade (42) supported in opposing relation to the first stripping blade (40) having a second set of cutting tip configuration (46, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70, 74) different from the first set of cutting tip configuration (44, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72) encompasses and uniformly strips an insulation slug from a periphery of the insulated conductor (50).

Abstract: A detector unit (30) for use in a wire handling machine (10) includes an encoder (38) for monitoring movement of the wire (26) along a wire feed path (28) and for detecting the presence of a splice (130) and the end of the wire (26) as it is being fed. The shaft (58) of the encoder is electrically interconnected to the frame (12) of the machine by means of a brush (66) and leaf spring (68) and includes an enlarged diameter (62) for engaging and being driven by the wire being fed. A presser member (84), which is electrically isolated from the frame (12), is arranged to urge the wire against the enlarged diameter (62) so that when a the wire is fed it causes the shaft (58) of the encoder to rotate proportionately. When the controller unit (126) detects wire movement that is substantially different from that expected, the machine is stopped and an appropriate message is displayed.

Abstract: A mechanisms (18) is disclosed for feeding electrical wire (24) in a lead making machine (10) and for positioning the end of the wire with respect to an applicator press (14) for termination. The mechanism includes a wire feed unit (42) mounted on a platform (40) that is pivotable from a position adjacent a wire cutting and stripping unit (34) and a position adjacent the applicator press (14). Two concentric drive shafts are provided, the outer shaft (44) being hollow and the inner shaft (62) being within the outer shaft. The inner shaft is drivingly coupled to the feed unit while the outer shaft is rigidly attached to the platform. A single actuator motor (196) drives both the inner and outer shafts (62, 44) through a coupling (204) that selectively couples to and decouples from each. The coupling includes an air cylinder (218) and two clutches 230, 232) that operate to lock one shaft in position while permitting the other shaft to be rotated by the motor.