Abstract: A terminal crimping machine includes a termination tool having crimp tooling defining a crimping zone that receives the terminal and the wire. The crimp tooling is actuated during a crimp stroke to crimp the terminal to the wire. The terminal crimping machine includes a wire clamp holding the wire near the crimping zone. The wire clamp releases the wire prior to completion of the crimp to allow extrusion of the wire during the crimping process. Optionally, the wire clamp may release the wire prior to bottom dead center of the crimp stroke. The wire clamp may release the wire after the terminal partially retains the wire.

Abstract: A terminal crimping machine includes a termination tool having crimp tooling defining a crimping zone that receives the terminal and the wire. The crimp tooling is actuated during a crimp stroke to crimp the terminal to the wire. The terminal crimping machine includes a wire clamp holding the wire near the crimping zone. The wire clamp releases the wire prior to completion of the crimp to allow extrusion of the wire during the crimping process. Optionally, the wire clamp may release the wire prior to bottom dead center of the crimp stroke. The wire clamp may release the wire after the terminal partially retains the wire.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for a terminal crimping machine includes a feed track and a strip locator. The feed track has a top plate and a side wall. The top plate extends from a front of the feed track to a rear of the feed track. The top plate is configured to receive thereon a terminal strip having a plurality of terminals arranged along a carrier strip. The terminal strip is configured to be moved from the rear to the front towards a crimping zone of the terminal crimping machine. The side wall has a fixed edge above the top plate. The strip locator is coupled to the feed track. The strip locator has a rail movably coupled to a support wall. The support wall is fixed relative to the feed track. The rail is biased against the terminal strip to force the terminal strip against the fixed edge of the side wall.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for a terminal crimping machine includes a feed track and a strip locator. The feed track has a top plate and a side wall. The top plate extends from a front of the feed track to a rear of the feed track. The top plate is configured to receive thereon a terminal strip having a plurality of terminals arranged along a carrier strip. The terminal strip is configured to be moved from the rear to the front towards a crimping zone of the terminal crimping machine. The side wall has a fixed edge above the top plate. The strip locator is coupled to the feed track. The strip locator has a rail movably coupled to a support wall. The support wall is fixed relative to the feed track. The rail is biased against the terminal strip to force the terminal strip against the fixed edge of the side wall.

Abstract: A terminal applicator (50) for attaching electrical terminals (52) to a wire includes a terminal hold down device (90) for limiting movement of the terminal during the crimping process. The hold down device (90) includes a hold down arm (92), a pair of guide rods (102), and a removable standoff (130). The guide rods (102) are carried by a reciprocating ram (68) and are arranged so that when the standoff abuts a travel limit block (148) the hold down arm remains in close proximity to the terminal while the ram (68) continues its motion to complete the crimping cycle.

Abstract: A machine for terminating wire assemblies comprising: a means for holding a wire assembly; a linear movement means for moving said means for holding between a first area and a second area; an insertion head; and, a means for dislodging; wherein, after a wire assembly is loaded into the means for holding a wire assembly, the means for holding a wire assembly is moved by the linear moving means from the first area to the second area for assembly termination by the insertion head; and, following termination, the assembly is at least partially unseated from the means for holding a wire assembly by the means for dislodging.

Abstract: A machine for terminating wire assemblies comprising: a means for holding a wire assembly; a linear movement means for moving said means for holding between a first area and a second area; an insertion head; and, a means for dislodging; wherein, after a wire assembly is loaded into the means for holding a wire assembly, the means for holding a wire assembly is moved by the linear moving means from the first area to the second area for assembly termination by the insertion head; and, following termination, the assembly is at least partially unseated from the means for holding a wire assembly by the means for dislodging.