Abstract: Apparatus for assembling electrical connectors to multi-conductor insulated cables, comprises a table which is movable along a first path past a fixed cable clamp, the table carrying a cable stripper assembly and a connector applicator assembly, which are independently movable on the table along paths perpendicular to the second path. The table and the two assemblies are arranged to be moved cyclically so that first a cable held by the cable clamp has the insulation stripped from an end portion thereof by the stripper assembly, whereafter a connector previously fed to the applicator is applied to the end of the cable. The stripper assembly may have cable shield slitting means and the applicator may have cable shield folding back means.

Abstract: An applicator for applying an electrical connector to a cable, comprises a roller having a recess in which is an anvil. The roller can be moved between a first angular position to allow a connector to fall from a connector magazine into the recess and a second angular position in which the anvil is opposite to a crimping die which is actuable to cooperate with the anvil to apply a connector in the recess to the cable.

Abstract: Stripping tool for removing a length of outer insulation from the end of shielded ribbon cable comprises means for aligning lateral edges of cable, means for clamping planar surfaces at end of cable, and parallel shear blades which descend to shear the edges of the cable along the length of insulation to be removed, exposing the shield along at least one edge. The shear blades are fixed to a ram which also carries a scoring blade which cooperates with a scoring blade below the cable to form cuts in opposed planar surfaces of insulation. The insulation is stripped by pulling against the scoring blades leaving the shield intact.

Abstract: Apparatus (26) for taping bundles of wires (4) into compact sheaves (8) comprises first and second bundling rolls (28, 30) having cylindrical surfaces (36, 38) which are in contact in a nip zone (40). First and second tapes (42, 46) are fed towards the rolls on one side of the nip zone and extend through the nip zone. Wires (4) are presented to the rolls on the one side (52) and passed through the nip zone during rotation of the rolls (28, 30). Tape is applied to each bundle from opposite sides of the bundle. On the other side (54) of the nip zone the tape is cut between adjacent bundles by knives (60) on a cutting wheel (56). A plurality of taping devices (26) can be provided on a harness making machine (12) so that the completed harnesses (2) are taped at several locations (10) along their lengths.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting the ends of a plurality of wires to the terminals in a connector comprises a press having a reciprocating ram and insertion tooling on the ram for inserting the wires into terminals in a connector located in an insertion zone beneath the ram. The wires are presented to the insertion zone by means of a slide member which is movable between a loading station, which is beside the insertion zone, and an insertion station. Connectors are delivered to the insertion zone during each operating cycle by a connector feeding means. The apparatus is of the manually assisted type in that an operator need only place the wires on the slide while it is at the loading station.