Abstract: The method of making a flat wiring harness consists of a pre-shaping process, a shaping process, and a wire bonding process. In the pre-shaping process, the intertwined wires are combed to be smoothed and straightened out and are pushed by a press block into parallelly arranged grooves in a series of longitudinally lined jigs and kept therein by a cover. In the shaping process, the group of wires thus laid in parallel lines in a series of the grooved jigs are shaped into a desired pattern of the flat wiring harness by moving any desired grooved jigs horizontally along guide slots formed in a holder plate, on which the grooved jigs and associated components are mounted. In the bonding process, the shaped flat wire group is applied with adhesive on one side through a screen which is patterned according to the shape of a final flat wiring harness. As the adhesive hardens, the wires are bonded together and a flat wiring harness of a desired two-dimensional shape is obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating and orienting conductors from a bundled array into a planar array includes a grooved template and means for fixedly uniting the conductors when disposed in the groove. A cable adapted for connection to a flat ribbon cable connector includes a portion of bundled connectors, and a portion including conductors separated by hand into the grooves on a template and fixedly retained in position by a laminate material connected thereto. The method involving use of the apparatus to produce the product described above is also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A lead straightening and trimming apparatus for the leads of electrical components such as stators. The apparatus includes a pallet having positioning posts which position the stators on the pallet and also position coils within the stator. The apparatus also includes a rotating helical pick-up tool which is movable between a retracted position and an extended position adjacent to a component supporting pallet having lead retaining posts. The pick-up tool operates to capture the free ends of leads extending from posts provided by the pallets. Upon retraction, the pick-up tool moves the associated free ends of the leads to a partially straightened gripping position. The apparatus also includes a combined gripper straightening and cutting apparatus which grips the associated lead adjacent to the pallet post with a force insufficient to cut the lead. Retraction of the gripper straightens the portion of the lead extending from the retaining post of the pallet.

Abstract: A compact wire straightener module having a plurality of curved tubes for simultaneously straightening a large number of wires. Each tube bends its wire in a first plane and then bends the wire in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. The wires are not pulled through the wire straightener module; but rather, after one end the wires has been secured, the wire straightener module moves in a horizontal direction along the wires to perform the straightening operation. This movement of the wire straightener module allows for use in a compact automatic cable assembly by eliminating the need for a separate mechanism to pull the wires through the wire straightener module. Further, each tube is a continuous assembly so that threading wire through the module is simple and fast.

Abstract: A flatpack lead forming, cutting, and straightening machine. The flatpack is unloaded from the carrier and aligned for later processing by its leads, rather than the body portion. The first processing step forms the lead by bending them downwardly against an anvil, and then bending them outwardly to form the foot. The leads are cut by an upwardly-moving cutter to prevent downward flagging of the leads. The flatpack is then placed between two vertically mounted plates such that one set of plates contacts a pair of leads disposed on opposite sides of the flatpack body. The plates are moved upwardly and downwardly to flex the leads and remove the set therein. Adjacent lead pairs are flexed 180 degrees out of phase in this process. The formed, cut, and straightened flatpack is then loaded into a handling tube for storage or transport to the assembly area. A transport mechanism transports the flatpack from each stage of the process to the next stage.

Abstract: An electronic and/or electric parts assembling apparatus inserts a pin or pins of the electronic and/or electric parts with a predetermined pressure in a chuck released condition. Magnitude of motion of the electric and/or electric parts is monitored for detecting completion of insertion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for straightening the pins of a computer chip, logic or integrated circuit, or other type of semiconductor device having a pin grid array (16). The apparatus includes a rotating turret (28) for positioning the pin grid array (16) at a plurality of stations (20) and (22) for performing a series of straightening operations to the pins (18) at each station, first and second rakes (110) and (110.sup.2), each of the rakes (110 and 110.sup.2) having a plurality of tines (112) extending therefrom for insertion between the pins (18) of the pin grid array (16) in first and second directions, a jig (136) having a plurality of holes (146) therein for receiving the pins (18) when the jig (136) is moved toward the wafer (40) of the pin grid array (16) to straigthen the pins (18), and appropriate controls for advancing the pin grid array (16) positioned in the turret (28) from one station to another and controlling the insertion of the tines (112) of the first and second rakes (110) and (110.sup.

Abstract: A toroidal coil winding machine for winding a wire in a coil on a work such as a toroidal core of a magnetic head comprises, as the principal components, a rotary table for fixedly holding a work thereon, capable of being turned intermittently through an angle of 180.degree. at a time, a pair of mobable arms disposed on the diametrically opposite sides of the rotary table, respectively, provided with mechanical hands for gripping a wire, respectively, and capable of being moved between the respective front positions and the back positions, a clamping device for holding one free end of the wire, mounted on the rotary table, a loop holding device for holding loops of the wire wound on the work while the rotary table is stopped, mounted on the rotary table, a wire reel for feeding the wire, a wire holder disposed near the wire reel for temporarily holding the wire drawn out from the wire reel, and a cutter disposed near the wire holder for cutting the wire in a predetermined length.

Abstract: A cable tray for use with a tool for applying a connector to a multiconductor flat cable includes a planar grooved cable positioning surface that aligns individual conductors of a flat cable and a cable transfer rod removably and rotatably mounted perpendicular to the length of the grooves and spaced from a cable positioned on the grooves of the positioning surface an amount sufficient to engage the surface of a cable inserted therebetween and upon rotation of the rod accurately advance the terminal edge of the cable to a desired termination position and securely hold the cable in position until a connector is terminated thereto.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly system is disclosed. One aspect of the system is the robotic end effector for gripping and inserting each component into the circuit board. The end effector includes a compliance mechanism which compensates for variations in body-to-lead configurations to permit components to be precisely placed without damage to the component body or leads. Another aspect of the system is a programmable lead clinching system for clinching leads of each component as the component is inserted into the circuit board. The clinching system includes a clinch element and a drive system for driving the clinch element through a predetermined series of strokes to clinch the component leads.The system further includes a component presentation module, with a plurality of component feeder devices for feeding a number of different component types, and a presentation robot for sequentially selecting each component to be inserted in the board and delivering the component to a part presentation station.

Abstract: An apparatus for straightening pin grid array leads includes a support guide for the grid leads and a plurality of laterally movable blades for extending between the leads and movable in both directions therebetween for engaging and bending the leads as they move in both lateral directions and then back to center alignment.

Abstract: Apparatus generally for bending wire and particularly for bending and aligning probe pins. The preferred embodiments consists of a small diameter stiff wire with one end formed into a small closed loop, and the other end attached to a handle.

Abstract: A straightening device (16) for bent fuel assembly alignment pins (12) in an upper core plate (10) comprises elongated mast (22) having an upper and lower portion, bail (25) secured to the upper portion and cross member (28) secured to the lower portion. At one end of the cross member (28) is attached pin straightening assembly (19), the other end having counterweight (31) to assure a horizontal orientation of the cross member (28). Pin straightening assembly (19) is further comprised of housing (37) having wedge-shaped adjustable shim (61) connected to its top surface, the housing (37) secured to the cross member (28) by baseplate (34). Four axially compressible and laterally deformable compression springs (41) are connected between baseplate (34) and housing (37) to provide angular and translational compliance for housing (37).

Abstract: A straightener for straightening longitudinal cylindrical bars includes: a machine body, a driving wheel unit having plural driving wheels rotatably mounted on one side of the machine body, an idle plate assembly having plural idle plates retained on the opposite side of the machine body interlacedly facing the plural driving wheels, and a driving motor for driving the driving wheels, so that upon a transverse feeding of a deformed bar into a slit defined by the driving wheels and the idle plates and rotating the wheels as driven by the motor, the bar can be arcuately moved downwardly through the arcuate slit and rotatively bitten by the wheels and the idle plates to straighten the bar.

Abstract: A splicing tool system for high voltage transmission lines in which a pair of semi-circular jaw members with an internal configuration to match the lay of the wires of the transmission line is frictionally applied to the end of a cut transmission line and moved longitudinally of the line to replace any misplaced wires to a proper lay configuration on the transmission line. The tool is adapted to be operated by a longitudinal motion of remote control source and rotate about the axis of a transmission line.

Abstract: A capstan drive assembly for electric arc welding receives filler wire which can have an undetermined cast to the wire. The assembly provides for self feeding of the wire from the inlet completely through to a welding torch. No portion of the assembly must be opened or disassembled to feed the filler wire. The wire is captured in a groove on the periphery of a capstan and held in place by spaced apart pressure rollers which serve to impart a predetermined cast to the filler wire. The predetermined cast overcomes any previous cast which was present in the wire. After the wire has received this cast, it is directed between opposite sides of wire straightening rollers which serve to bend the wire in the opposite direction of the predetermined cast and apply sufficient force to counteract the set cast. This apparatus and procedure results in producing a filler wire which is substantially straight.

Abstract: In an apparatus for aligning pins of PGA devices in a predetermined array of parallel rows, a comb assembly includes a plurality of tines disposed in side-by-side spaced parallel array. Adjacent tines are spaced apart a distance greater than the maximum cross section of a pin of the PGA device and a slide mechanism actuates the PGA device through the comb assembly whereby the comb tines engage between the rows of pins in the PGA device and straighten the same by a combing action. The comb tines are oriented relative to the PGA device to engage the pins along substantially their entire length.

Abstract: An apparatus for straightens long slender shafts by moving a force couple over the length of the shaft as the shaft is rotated. The force couple is applied by two or more contact points with at least two contact points being located on opposite sides of the shaft. The contact points are mounted on a movable base. A pair of parallel guide rods receive the base and restrain the base against movement in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. A lever, pivotally mounted to the base, holds one of the contact points. Movement of the lever controls the magnitude of the force couple and movement of the base relative to the shafts. The lever can be manually operated to lend simplicity to the apparatus.

Abstract: In apparatus for disposing DIP leads in a predetermined and preselected condition of straightness and orientation, a trackway for operatively supporting and moving DIPs therealong from a loading station to a discharge station, a forming station positioned along the trackway subsequent to said entrance station. The forming station includes laterally spaced rotatable forming rollers on opposite sides of the trackway, anvils confronting the inner faces of the leads between the forming rollers and anvils. The rollers and anvil having cooperating confronting surfaces adapted to engage the DIP leads adjacent the shoulder to the outer terminal ends, the forming rollers cooperatively associated with the anvils and spaced therefrom to define a nip gap. DIPs are moved through the nip gap whereby DIP leads are contacted to align them in predetermined orientation and at a predetermined angle relative to the body portion.

Abstract: In an apparatus for feeding self-hardening hot rolled wires from supply reels to a consumer and for straightening the wires, in each feed path there is a rotor-type straightening device (3) with a straightening rotor (3b) deflecting the wire (1) radially between two fixed wire guides (3a) and rotating at high speed; the wire forms loops (12, 16), in front of and behind the rotor-type straightening device (3), the front loop (12) having assigned to it a sensing means (5, 8, 10) which switches off the rotor-type straightening device (3) when the length of this loop falls below a minimum value, while assigned to the rear loop (16) are two switches (18, 19) which, when a maximum or a minimum permitted length of this loop is reached, control the rotor-type straightening device (3) so as to correct the loop length.

Abstract: A pitch transition wire guide apparatus for use in wire harness fabrication machines includes a plate member having a wire engaging edge and a corresponding number of open-ended wire guide channels, each extending inwardly from the edge to a closed end. The closed ends of said channels are spaced apart by a centerline spacing different from the centerline spacing of the open ends in said edge. The plate is reciprocably moveable between a first position wherein the open ends are in surrounding engagement with the wires adjacent the edge and a second wire-receiving position wherein said wires are disposed at the closed ends. The guide includes actuation means for moving the plate member between said first and second positions. Actuation of the wire guide causes movement of the wires within their respective channels to alter the centerline spacing thereof. The wire guide is useful for making smooth continuous transitions between production runs of different pitch wire harnesses.

Abstract: Leads of a leaded component are straightened by bending the leads outward past the yield point of the lead material, and then bending the leads inward past the yield. In a particular arrangement, a component rests with the lower or outer ends of the leads in transverse grooves in sliding members. The sliding members are moved outward, bending the leads outward. The component is then pushed up between comb members having inner end surfaces with ribs and grooves. The leads move up in the grooves and are bent inward.

Abstract: A device installed on a traveling wire EDM apparatus for straightening the electrode wire and providing the electrode wire with a needle point end for facilitating manual threading of the electrode wire through close tolerance closed wire guide members. The device takes the form of a pair of spaced-apart current conductive metallic studs, a heat shield being located at some intermediate portion between the metallic studs. The metallic studs are connected across a source of electrical power. A length of wire proximate its end is held manually over the metallic studs, with an intermediate portion of the wire disposed within the heat shield, and a pull is manually exerted on the wire beyond the metallic studs while the wire is being heated by electrical current flow through the wire between the two metallic studs. The wire is heat-straightened and ruptures at its portion within the heat shield, with sharp needle point ends being formed at the point of rupture.

Abstract: A lead straightener and flatner for semiconductor devices having a female die and a male die with a plurality of triangular shaped teeth beveled at their ends to allow easy penetration between the leads of a semiconductor device. The triangular configuration allows the leads to be straightened laterally and longitudinally before they are flattened horizontally. Small deformations cause indentations to be made in the leads without perturbing their general shape so that the spring energy of the leads is reduced.

Abstract: A support fixture for a printed circuit board connector having L-shaped wire wrapping pins attached to a printed circuit board includes a plurality of L-shaped elements, each for placement in the L-shaped space defined by adjacent arrays of pins, connector body and printed circuit board. An outer L-shaped structure is juxtaposed with the pins at their bends and with the elements to preclude motion of the pins at their bends in response to wire wrapping forces on the ends of the pins protruding from the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A device for sensing and straightening the pins of a kinescope is configured congruently to the outside of the base of the kinescope. A slidable pin is included in the device to engage the high voltage pin of the kinescope. The pin closes a switch which turns on a light to indicate that the high voltage pin is properly located in the silo of the base.

Abstract: An automatic lead sensing and fine-forming system is disclosed for preparing the leads of electronic compnents so that they are ready to be inserted by robots into holes on printed circuit boards. The positions of the lead tips and the positions of the holes are sensed and compared to determine if any leads need to be bent. These leads are then bent and the force on the leads and their displacement are sensed and recorded during the process. The data recorded is then used for subsequent bendings, where necessary, for bending the leads to the target locations so that all the leads fit simultaneously into the holes. To simplify image processing, the lead tips are illuminated by light originating from substantially isotropic directions from locations substantially coplanar with the region of the lead tips.

Abstract: A spacer for spacing the leading component of a single file column of electronic components from the following component as the components are advanced by a feeder along a path which extends to a pick-off point of a component handling machine, each electronic component having a body portion and lead wire means projecting from the body portion below the feeder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning projecting parts of an assembly, such as integrated circuit electrical connector pins. A deformation plate at a first deformation station of the apparatus deforms the pins in a first vector direction, e.g., radially outward. At a second deformation station, the apparatus deforms the pins in a second vector direction, e.g., radially inward. The method causes the pins to be aligned to a very narrow tolerance.

Abstract: A machine for straightening shafts which may be extremely crooked has a pair of bending members which may take the form of eccentric rollers mounted on parallel shafts having a common vertical center line, and which engage the shaft to be straightened as it enters between the bending members and deform the shaft in opposite directions, while rolling the shaft, thereby straightening it. Auxiliary rollers are movable into and out of the region between the bending members so as to locate the shaft to be bent between the bending members while they are at their greatest separation. These auxiliary rollers are capable of bending the shaft to be straightened so as to fit between the bending members. The auxiliary rollers remain in their inward position and locate the shaft to be straightened, and prevent it from escaping from between the bending members, until the bending members engage the shaft to be straightened.

Abstract: A simplified method of and apparatus for mounting an electronic part such as a transistor on a circuit board. Two or more selected ones of terminals of an electronic part are angularly bent in prior, and when the electronic part is to be mounted on a circuit board, the terminals are forcibly inserted into through-holes of the circuit board to an extent wherein bent portions of the terminals are projected below the circuit board. As a result, if a weak force is applied to pull the part off, the bent portions of the terminals will frictionally engage with edges of the through-holes to prevent the part from being removed from the board.

Abstract: In apparatus for disposing DIP leads in a predetermined and preselected condition of straightness and orientation, a trackway for operatively supporting and moving DIPs therealong from a loading station to a discharge station, a forming station positioned along the trackway subsequent to said entrance station. The forming station includes laterally spaced rotatable forming rollers on opposite sides of the trackway, anvils confronting the inner faces of the leads between the forming rollers and anvils. The rollers and anvil having cooperating confronting surfaces adapted to engage the DIP leads adjacent the shoulder to the outer terminal ends, the forming rollers cooperatively associated with the anvils and spaced therefrom to define a nip gap. DIPs are moved through the nip gap whereby DIP leads are contacted to align them in predetermined orientation and at a predetermined angle relative to the body portion.

Abstract: A motor driven apparatus to efficiently and reliably straighten the leads of a pin grid array (PGA) so that the leads are aligned parallel with one another and perpendicular to the flat PGA body. The apparatus includes a nest of parallel knife blades which is mounted for linear travel so as to be either introduced to or retracted from the grid of PGA leads. The nest of knife blades is carried by an oscillator assembly which is adapted to automatically oscillate (i.e. pivot) the blades between respective rows of PGA leads. When the nest of knife blades is introduced to the grid of PGA leads, the back-and-forth oscillations of the knife blades will cause the blades to engage and straighten any bent leads. The PGA is carried by a rotatable table assembly. When the nest of knife blades is retracted from the grid of PGA leads, the table assembly may be automatically rotated (e.g.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a tool having a pliers-like configuration for separating the wires of a twisted pair. The tool employs a pair of rotatable, tubular jaws for effecting the separation of the wires as the twisted pair is drawn therethrough. More than one pair of twisted wires may be separated simultaneously if desired. The rotating action of the tubular jaws minimizes operator fatigue, eliminates stretch damage to the wire insulation and reduces wear of the jaw surfaces, which are preferably formed of a resilient material.

Abstract: A tool for aligning the leads or pins of a connector while they are inserted in the holes of the electronic package to which the connector will be attached is described. Guide rails, which are attached to a fixed-block on one end and a removable slidable block at the other end, are placed between the leads to align them in one direction. A comb having protruding teeth is positioned so that the teeth are placed between the leads in a direction perpendicular to the guide rails. The guide rails and teeth align and constrain the leads in the same pattern as the holes of the package and a clamp holds the guide rails and teeth in place. After the leads have been started to be inserted in the holes of the electronic package the comb is removed. The slidable block is removed from one end of the guide rails, and the guide rails are pulled out of their position between the leads. The connector leads are then fully inserted into the holes.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and forming leads of electronic parts to desired shape comprises a main body including a feeder, a cutter, and a former, and a hopper attached to the body close to the feeder. The hopper includes a received with aprons, a belt conveyor arranged adjacent to the aprons and operated by belt wheels on shafts, a pair of covers having guide and straight portions, and a pair of guides located near the conveyor. The feeder includes one pair each of toothed feed wheels and outer feed wheels mounted on a countershaft. The cutter includes one pair each of guide holders and the inside cutting edges with their edges extended beyond the dedendum circles at the outer feed wheels. The former includes one pair each of bender holders and benders outside, both mounted on the cutter shaft. Each bender has a leaf spring wide enough to cover the periphery, from the dedendum circle to the tooth tops, of the associated fed wheel so as to bend and form the lead in each tooth space of the wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining electronic component pin alignment includes a support member having an adjacent lead shear, a stationary nest, a printed circuit board and a component feeder. A component in the component feeder includes a chip having a plurality of leads. The leads have a first end connected to the chip and a second free end. A movable lead guide engages the first end of the leads. A robot is mounted adjacent the support member for picking up the component from the component feeder, inserting the component into the stationary nest moving the component relative to the stationary nest for moving the lead guide from the first end of the leads toward the second free end of the leads, moving the component from the stationary nest to the shear for shearing the second free end of the leads, and moving the component from the shear to the printed circuit board and urging the leads into corresponding holes formed in the printed circuit board.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and method of setting up apparatus for the automatic cutting and/or shaping of IC components carried in a tubular carrier and advanced for processing by gravity. A base plate is disposed at an angle of approximately forty degrees to the horizontal and provides a supporting means for gravitational feeding of these components from a removable U-shaped retainer to a guide and then to a die station. At this die station a resiliently tired feed wheel engages the body of the IC component which is metered and advanced with an intermittent motion. This motion is provided in a timed relationship with two rotating shafts which have pins moved in a precise orbit around a shaft centerline. These pins are one-hundred-eighty degrees out-of-phase with each other. The rotated feed wheel and attached tire are intermittently moved in a strict timed relationship to the movement of the two shafts by a one-way clutch driven by one of the shafts and by an eccentrically moved Pitman arm.

Abstract: The projecting leads of electrical components can be automatically aligned by placing the component in a holder (12) with the leads (15) depending therefrom, sliding each lead into a tapered central groove (21) of a rotating alignment body (18), and withdrawing the lead once it has been re-oriented along a desired alignment axis (17). The holder (12) is reciprocated to and from the rotating bodies (18) along spring-loaded guide rods (13) riding in bores (10). A motor (5) drives the bodies (18) by means of pulleys (9, 19) and belts (20).

Abstract: A mechanism for straightening bent terminals on an integrated circuit package comprises a base having a pair of spaced apart arms pivotally coupled thereto. Rollers attach to the arms to support and move a plate when the arms are pivoted. The plate has a first set of holes which are tapered to accept bent terminals and to straighten them when they are forced into the taper. A plurality of pins extend from the base between the arms and stop parallel to the plate. The plate has a second set of holes through which the pins move when the arms are pivoted. A plurality of intermeshed gears couple to the base and the arms to pivot the arms in synchronization and move the plate perpendicular to the pins which push the integrated circuit package straight out of the first set of holes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for handling single in-line packaged (SIP) components wherein the components are individually selected from a plurality of magazine supplies, transported to a gauging station at which the leads thereof are straightened and aligned and electrical functioning of the component is tested, and transferred from the gauging station to an insert station at which the leads thereof are inserted into corresponding holes of a printed circuit board.

Abstract: Individual ones of articles such as (LED) devices 10 are fed and positioned at one or more stations along a path traversed by the devices. A track 30 guidably advances the devices 10 in single file to and beyond stations 63 and 64 successively located along the path represented by a channel 35 in the track 30. An assembly 50 shuttles, transversely of the channel 35, a plurality of fingers 66-70 simultaneously from a working state to and from a transitory state with respect to devices 10 in channel 35. The fingers may be in the form of thin, upright blades 66-70 which are engaged to assembly 50 and extend substantially normally of and into channel 35 in response to the shuttling. An indexing blade 68 extends from the front of and into channel 35 when shuttling assembly 50 is in the working state to block a waiting file of devices 10.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for handling a component having a body and one or more members protruding therefrom, such that the protruding members are put in proper, mating registration with corresponding holes of a substrate or the like. The components are handled during transport and insertion by gripping of the bodies thereof, and the method and apparatus of the invention compensates for any offset in X, Y, and .theta. between the profile of the body and a particular pattern or location of the protruding members relative to the profile of the body.

Abstract: An alignment tool is formed by a pair of mutually interacting comb-like members which, in the open position, receive a plurality of pin terminals depending from a connector between the tines and, in the closed position, the tines engage the pin terminals from opposite sides in trapping them and forcing them to a correct aligned position. After mounting of the terminals into respective apertures of a circuit board or the like the tool is released and, because of its relatively thin dimensions, can be readily removed from between mounted and mounting members.

Abstract: An electronic component lead straightening device and method for conditioning, or reconditioning, electronic devices having an elongated body portion of possible different sizes and materials, and a plurality of metal leads extending from opposite edges of the body portion. The leads, for appropriate use of the electronic component in a circuit, such as a printed circuit on a mounting board, requires their disposition at a preferred predetermined angle to the body, and in substantial parallel mutual relationship, one to another.

Abstract: A device for straightening wire, particularly coiled wire, is disclosed. The device includes at least two banks of rollers that are pivotally mounted with respect to a supporting base.

Abstract: A system for producing electrolyte impregnated capacitor elements comprises a reforming device for reforming the leads of capacitor elements which are brought thereto, a clutch device for clutching the reformed capacitor elements, an aligning device for aligning a predetermined number of the reformed capacitor elements, a holding device holding the aligned capacitor elements, an electrolyte impregnating vessel receiving the aligned capacitor elements to impregnate with the electrolyte, a blow-off device for blowing off the excess amount of electrolyte from the electrolyte impregnating capacitor elements, and transmission devices each operated in a predetermined sequence to transmit the capacitor elements between the above mentioned capacitor element treating devices.

Abstract: A combing device for 90 degree axial rotation of a pair of adjacent cable conductors from an original axial orientation. The device comprises a profiled conductor manipulating channel adapted having an upper outwardly flared surface extending the longitudinal length of one sidewall defining the channel. A tapered cut is formed into the flared surface from one end of the channel, and is of decreasing depth therealong, terminating at a point on the flared sidewall surface. Upon simultaneously addressing two parallel and adjacent conductors into the channel at a suitable angle thereto, and drawing the conductors toward the opposite end of the channel while decreasing the angle therebetween, one conductor freely enters the channel, and the other conductor, after having been momentarily deterred by engagement against the tapered cut, rolls into the channel atop the first conductor.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for terminating flexible flat electrical cable, including means for transposing selected pairs of adjacent conductors into a vertical orientation for subsequent common termination in a single terminal slot. The transposing means includes conductor pushing blades each of generally inverted U-shaped profile having outwardly divergent bottom surfaces, and a template having profiled channels therein defined by inwardly convergent sidewalls of a prescribed angled configuration. The cable is positioned above the template, and upon downward actuation of the conductor pushing blades against the selected pairs of adjacent conductors, said conductors are made to rotate into a vertical orientation while proceeding deeper into the profiled template channels. A combing member is further disclosed for preorientation of the selected conductor pairs prior to their insertion into the template.

Abstract: A coordinate array of terminal pins are straightened and aligned in precise rows and columns by flexing one-half of the pins in one direction while flexing the other half of the pins in an opposite direction. This coordinate alignment is attained by inserting first rows of pins (13) into apertures (31) formed in a first set of slide bars (36) and second rows of pins (13) into apertures (32) formed in a second set of slide bars (37) which are interleaved with the first bars. A pair of air cylinders (81 and 89) are programmed to operate to reciprocate the slide bars (36 and 37) in opposite directions to flex the terminal pins beyond elastic limits and back to their origin point. The flexing operation is effective to align the pins in a coordinate array without introduction of detrimental stresses in a terminal pin support, such as a connector housing (11) or a printed circuit board (102).