Abstract: A robotic labeling system includes a package locating system, a package identification system having a scanning device configured to scan an identification tag on the package to identify an orientation of the package in the labeling station, and a label application system including a label printer and a label applicator. The label printer prints at least one label for the package. The label applicator includes a multi-axis robot having an arm movable in three-dimensional space. The label applicator has a portrait end effector coupled to the arm configured to transport the label from the label printer to the package in a portrait orientation. The label applicator has a landscape end effector coupled to the arm configured to transport the label from the label printer to the package in a landscape orientation. The label applicator is operated based on the orientation of the package in the labeling station as determined by the scanning device.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembling machine includes a connector strip feed unit including a feeding device configured to index the connector strip through a feed track in successive feed strokes and a contact loading assembly loading contacts into the connector strip. The contact loading assembly includes a wire distribution unit and a wire feed unit having a feeding device configured to simultaneously index wires through feed tracks in successive feed strokes. The wire feed unit includes a wire guide assembly guiding the wires through the wire feed unit. The contact loading assembly includes a contact forming unit and a contact loading device loading the contacts made from the wires into the connector strip as the connector strip is advanced through the electrical connector assembling machine.

Abstract: A robotic labeling system includes a package locating system, a package identification system having a scanning device configured to scan an identification tag on the package to identify an orientation of the package in the labeling station, and a label application system including a label printer and a label applicator. The label printer prints at least one label for the package. The label applicator includes a multi-axis robot having an arm movable in three-dimensional space. The label applicator has a portrait end effector coupled to the arm configured to transport the label from the label printer to the package in a portrait orientation. The label applicator has a landscape end effector coupled to the arm configured to transport the label from the label printer to the package in a landscape orientation. The label applicator is operated based on the orientation of the package in the labeling station as determined by the scanning device.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembling machine includes a connector strip feed unit including a feeding device configured to index the connector strip through a feed track in successive feed strokes and a contact loading assembly loading contacts into the connector strip. The contact loading assembly includes a wire distribution unit and a wire feed unit having a feeding device configured to simultaneously index wires through feed tracks in successive feed strokes. The wire feed unit includes a wire guide assembly guiding the wires through the wire feed unit. The contact loading assembly includes a contact forming unit and a contact loading device loading the contacts made from the wires into the connector strip as the connector strip is advanced through the electrical connector assembling machine.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembling machine includes a connector strip distribution unit including a reel cradle for holding a reel of the connector strip and a roller for rotating the reel of the connector strip to unwind the connector strip from the reel. The electrical connector assembling machine includes a connector strip feed unit including a feeding device configured to index the connector strip through a feed track in successive feed strokes. The electrical connector assembling machine includes a connector strip notching unit including a notching device configured to cut notches in the connector strip at designated locations. The electrical connector assembling machine includes a contact loading unit loading contacts into the connector strip and an electrical connector separating unit for separating the electrical connector from the connector strip.

Abstract: A connector assembling machine a revolver mechanism coupled to a frame. The revolver mechanism includes a shaft coupled to the frame, an actuator operably coupled to the shaft to rotate the shaft, and a rotor rotated by the shaft. The rotor includes a hub coupled to the shaft and mounting brackets extending from the hub. The revolver mechanism includes cartridges coupled to the mounting brackets each having cartridge walls forming a connector cavity configured to receive an electrical connector. The cartridge has a window exposing receptacles of the electrical connector. The rotor is rotated to move the cartridges between a connector loading station, a connector processing station, and a connector unloading station. The cartridges are loaded with the electrical connectors in the connector loading station and unloaded in the connector unloading station. The cartridges position the electrical connectors for loading support plates into the receptacles in the connector processing station.

Abstract: A connector assembling machine a revolver mechanism coupled to a frame. The revolver mechanism includes a shaft coupled to the frame, an actuator operably coupled to the shaft to rotate the shaft, and a rotor rotated by the shaft. The rotor includes a hub coupled to the shaft and mounting brackets extending from the hub. The revolver mechanism includes cartridges coupled to the mounting brackets each having cartridge walls forming a connector cavity configured to receive an electrical connector. The cartridge has a window exposing receptacles of the electrical connector. The rotor is rotated to move the cartridges between a connector loading station, a connector processing station, and a connector unloading station. The cartridges are loaded with the electrical connectors in the connector loading station and unloaded in the connector unloading station. The cartridges position the electrical connectors for loading support plates into the receptacles in the connector processing station.

Abstract: A part packing system for packing a part in an elongated bag includes a bag holding machine including a first bag gripper mechanism, a second bag gripper mechanism, and an air nozzle. The first bag gripper mechanism is configured to hold a first end of the elongated bag. The first bag gripper mechanism opens the first end of the elongated bag. The second bag gripper mechanism is configured to hold a second end of the elongated bag. The second bag gripper mechanism closes the second end of the elongated bag. The air nozzle is located proximate to the first bag gripper mechanism. The air nozzle is configured to inflate the elongated bag with an airflow directed into the first end of the elongated bag. The first bag gripper mechanism holds the inflated elongated bag with the first end open to receive the part in the open first end while the air nozzle directs the airflow into the elongated bag.

Abstract: A part packing system for packing a part in an elongated bag includes a bag holding machine including a first bag gripper mechanism, a second bag gripper mechanism, and an air nozzle. The first bag gripper mechanism is configured to hold a first end of the elongated bag. The first bag gripper mechanism opens the first end of the elongated bag. The second bag gripper mechanism is configured to hold a second end of the elongated bag. The second bag gripper mechanism closes the second end of the elongated bag. The air nozzle is located proximate to the first bag gripper mechanism. The air nozzle is configured to inflate the elongated bag with an airflow directed into the first end of the elongated bag. The first bag gripper mechanism holds the inflated elongated bag with the first end open to receive the part in the open first end while the air nozzle directs the airflow into the elongated bag.

Abstract: A contact insertion machine includes a contact feeder having a feed finger configured to feed contacts of a power connector assembly in a feed direction along a feed track during a contact loading process. The contact insertion machine includes a power connector assembly holder holding a housing of the power connector assembly and movable relative to the feed track to position the housing to receive the contacts in a contact stack. The contact insertion machine includes a contact retention plate located upstream of the power connector assembly holder having a contact insertion port therethrough. The contact insertion port is aligned with the feed track downstream of the feed track. The power connector assembly holder is movable relative to the contact retention plate to position the housing to receive the contacts through the contact insertion port.

Abstract: A contact insertion machine includes a contact feeder having a feed finger configured to feed contacts of a power connector assembly in a feed direction along a feed track during a contact loading process. The contact insertion machine includes a power connector assembly holder holding a housing of the power connector assembly and movable relative to the feed track to position the housing to receive the contacts in a contact stack. The contact insertion machine includes a contact retention plate located upstream of the power connector assembly holder having a contact insertion port therethrough. The contact insertion port is aligned with the feed track downstream of the feed track. The power connector assembly holder is movable relative to the contact retention plate to position the housing to receive the contacts through the contact insertion port.

Abstract: A gripper head and method for use to pick up and securely hold an electrical component. Gripper arms move between a gripper jaw first position in which the gripper arms are spaced from the electrical component and a gripper jaw second position in which the gripper arms engage the electrical component to prevent the electrical component from moving in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the gripper head. A securing plate moves between a securing plate first position in which the securing plate is spaced from the electrical component and a securing plate second position in which the securing plate and the securing projection engage the electrical component to prevent the electrical component from moving in a direction in line with the longitudinal axis of the gripper head and rotationally about the longitudinal axis.