Abstract: An automated flexible manufacturing system for fabricating electrical cable harness assemblies. The system includes a wire preparation system in which the wires are cut to length, provided with the desired electrical terminations and marked for identification under the control of computing means to which wire harness data is fed. The prepared wires are transported to an automated cable harness assembly system which is also controlled from computing means to which the wire harness data is fed.

Abstract: The harness formation interchange for use with a robotic end-effector includes a plurality of tool storage units at each robot work station. Each of the storage units incorporates a powered tool clamping assembly consisting of power driven clamps which move in a path normal to the longitudinal axis of an insertion tool finger to be clamped thereby. Additionally, the storage units are each provided with a powered latch release unit which moves around an insertion tool finger clamped by the power driven clamps to engage and release a tool latch mounted on the robotic end-effector.

Abstract: A double pinch-push contact insertion end-effector for performing contact insertion on a universal basis. End-effector comprises a front jaw assembly which is moveable relative to a rear jaw assembly. Each jaw assembly comprises a pair of jaws, where each pair is individually actuable to effect contact insertion.