Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially automatically joining front and back parts of buttons employs a turntable with retaining means that are rotated through a series of stations at which the parts are placed in the retaining means in a desired orientation, joined, and checked for defects. A human operator places button front parts at a first station, and the remaining stations carry out the assembly and quality control steps automatically. Placement at the first station determines the alignment and orientation of the two buttons.

Abstract: A fastener system for multi-piece swage type fasteners, including a pin and a collar, and providing a stump type fastener constructed to be set as a pull type fastener with the fastener pin having a threaded gripping portion and including an installation tool having a swage anvil and a rotary nut member adapted to be threaded onto the threaded pull portion of the pin whereby a relative axial force is applied between the pin and the collar via the nut member and swage anvil to cause the anvil to radially overengage the collar to swage it into locking grooves on the pin and the pull portion remaining on the pin after installation.

Abstract: A wire crimping machine automatically adjusts the crimping means to the proper crimp depth for a selected size of wire and the size of the contact to be crimped onto the wire. The size of wire to be crimped is selected by the operator. As a wire is inserted into the machine for crimping, an arrangement of light emitting diodes, photo diodes, and associated circuits determine the wire's size and whether the wire is stripped. The crimping means is allowed to actuate only if the wire is stripped and the wire's size is the same as that selected by the operator.

Abstract: The quality of a crimped connection produced by the application of a crimping force (F) to a crimping barrel (WB) of an electrical terminal (T) with a wire (W) therein, is carried out by measuring the peak value (PV) of the crimping force (F) and comparing it with a reference value. The incremental values (IV) of the crimping force are measured during its application and are stored in the form of an actual crimping force value envelope (EA). The incremental values of an ideal crimping force are measured during its application and are stored in the form of an ideal crimping force value envelope (EI). The envelopes (EA and EI) are then compared to determine the quality of the crimped connection.

Abstract: A roller type hemming apparatus for hemming a workpiece having a peripheral bent portion includes a hem roller rotated under pressure along the bent portion of the workpiece, a hem roller support adapted for displaceably supporting the hem roller, and a robot hand adapted for shifting the hem roller through the hem roller support while pressing the hem roller on the bent portion of the workpiece.

Abstract: A caulking machine has a column with a table for placing a work piece having rivet shanks passing therethrough, a cylinder vertically movably mounted on the column, a piston shaft fixedly mounted in the cylinder so as to be movable together with the cylinder, a spindle rotatably mounted in the piston shaft, and a rivet head forming tool having a forming shaft and mounted to the bottom end of the spindle. The forming shaft is adapted to be pressed against the rivet shank in the work piece by operating the cylinder, and can be rotated by a motor via the spindle to form a rivet head on the rivet shank. The machine has a rotation detector for determining whether a rivet head is being formed or the machine is idling by measuring the rotation of the forming shaft. If it is determined that the machine is idling, a display device can be activated and the operation of the machine can be stopped.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method and apparatus for producing a shaped filamentary structure and more particularly, to filamentary structures which can be subjected to further processing to produce a carbon-carbon product. A specific use of the invention is in the production of discs for use in aircraft braking systems.The method includes needle punching a unidirectional layer of filaments to give a degree of dimensional stability; cutting a plurality of segments from the layer of needle punched filamentary material; assembling a plurality of segments in side-by-side contiguous relationship to produce a filamentary layer of the required structural shape; superimposing at least one similar layer on the first layer and needle punching the assembled layers to produce cross-linking of the layers.

Abstract: A crimping machine is disclosed for making a crimp connection of an electrical connector with an electrical conductor. A fixed tool receives the connector with crimpable prongs in a position for receiving the electrical conductor therebetween. A movable tool crimps the prongs against the conductor by a reciprocating stroke and a strain gage senses the force transmitted between the tools. A control device responds to a predetermined value of force for terminating the crimping stroke and measuring means measures the length of the crimping stroke. Indicating means indicates when the length of the stroke of the movable tool deviates from a predetermined stroke length as an indication of a defective crimp connection.

Abstract: A crimping system for crimping electrical connectors to cables. The system can automatically sense the size of a connector and can automatically determine a minimum acceptable distance of work travel in relation to the size of a connector. The system can crimp articles and control the movement of an indentor by use of a computer. The system can sense predetermined crimping information and at least partially record crimping information. The system can determine the occurrence of a bad crimp. The system can monitor predetermined characteristics of the crimping system. The system can sense free travel movement of an indentor and determine appropriate work travel movement of the indentor relative to sensed free travel movement. The system can sense free travel movement of an indentor and compare sensed free travel movement to a stored memory of potential free travel movements and connector sizes. The system can have a computer controller for, at least partially controlling a hydraulic drive system.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method and apparatus for producing a shaped filamentary structure and more particularly, to filamentary structures which can be subjected to further processing to produce a carbon-carbon product. A specific use of the invention is in the production of discs for use in aircraft braking systems.The method includes needle punching a unidirectional layer of filaments to give a degree of dimensional stability; cutting a plurality of segments from the layer of needle punched filamentary material; assembling a plurality of segments in side-by-side contiguous relationship to produce a filamentary layer of the required structural shape; superimposing at least one similar layer on the first layer and needle punching the assembled layers to produce cross-linking of the layers.

Abstract: The installation comprises a press (2) having a press ram (22) which is driven by a drive electric motor (26), to drive an applicator ram (47) of an electrical terminal applicator (44). A control circuit arrangement (89) controls the drive motor (26) so that the press ram (22) is brought at least substantially to its top-dead-center, home position after each press cycle and also has sensors (140 and 142) for sensing the absence of a terminal (T) from a strip (S) and of terminals (T) fed to the applicator (44), to cause the press ram (22) to carry out an extra cycle to place the next following terminal (T) on the anvil (58) of the applicator (44). The control circuit arrangement (89) controls a lead making machine (114) which includes the applicator (44); and performs various other control functions.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting fasteners which are press fit through aligned apertures in side-by-side workpieces. The apparatus includes a frame which is moveable relative to the side-by-side workpieces, the frame including a main frame and a subframe mounted on the main frame and moveable between the first and second positions. The subframe carries tooling in the form of a drill and an upper ram. Also, mounted on the main frame are upper and lower spaced apart clamps which may be selectively moved into contact with upper and lower surfaces of upper and lower workpieces. The upper ram can be moved into contact with a headed fastener to force the shank of the fastener through aligned apertures drilled in the workpieces. A vibrating apparatus is associated with the upper ram and will be operated to hammer the upper ram while it is still being maintained in contact with the fastener after the fastener has been inserted into the workpieces to fully insert the fastener and relieve any stresses which may be present.

Abstract: In the wire press-installing apparatus of this invention, the ram is lowered onto the joint block to press wires into rows of receiver terminals that are erected at specified pitches on the joint block of a wiring harness. The joint block is intermittently fed by a distance equal to the pitch of the terminal rows and only the predetermined wires are selectively taken out and seated into the associated rows of receiver terminals. This prevents wrong wires from being seated in unintended terminals or the joint block from being fed by a wrong pitch. The apparatus has a wire misinstallation detection mechanism, which consists of wire guides mounted vertically slidable on the lower front and back side of the vertically movable wire press-installing blade through a resilient member.

Abstract: A wire press-installing apparatus wherein a ram is lowered onto the joint block to press wires into rows of receiver terminals that are erected at specified pitches on the joint block of a wiring harness. The joint block is intermittently fed by a distance equal to the pitch of the terminal rows and only the predetermined wires are selectively taken out and seated into the associated rows of receiver terminals. This prevents wrong wires from being seated in unintended terminals or the joint block from being fed by a wrong pitch. The apparatus has a wire misinstallation detection mechanism, which consists of wire guides mounted vertically slidable on the lower front and back side of the vertically movable wire press-installing blade through a resilient member.

Abstract: A device for automatically securing a borderwire on a mattress innerspring comprising a plurality of coils is disclosed. The device comprises a tool for sequentially joining segments of the borderwire to perimeter ones of the coils located along a perimeter of the innerspring, apparatus for advancing the mattress innerspring and borderwire toward the tool, a conductive element for sequentially contacting the perimeter ones of the coils, a sensor for detecting contact of the conductive element with the perimeter ones of the coils, and a control responsive to the sensor for actuating the tool.

Abstract: A machine for mounting a plurality of conductors of a multiconductor cable on a plurality of contacts or connection grooves of a connector, which includes a connector holder secured on a top surface of the base section to hold a connector having a row of connection grooves or contacts and a conductor carrier rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a top surface of the base and movable along the axis and the vertical plane. The conductor carrier includes a carrier arm provided on the conductor carrier for reciprocating movement in a direction perpendicular to the vertical plane; two pairs of fingers, one provided on the conductor carrier and the other on the carrier arm, to pick up the conductor from the receiving groove and bring it over to a position above a desired connection groove or contact of the connector; and a pusher provided adjacent one of the pair of fingers for reciprocating movement along the vertical axis to insert the conductor into the desired connection groove or contact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning tooling and riveting the apparatus including a frame provided with opposed riveting rams (96, 86) and clamps (34, 36). The first clamp (34) is extended above the work plane established by the outer surface of one workpiece (10) with the lower ram retracted. Next, the frame (26) is moved downwardly until the first clamp touches the workpiece. An encoder (140) measured the amount of first clamp collapse during overtravel of the frame after the first touch is sensed. The frame is now backed off this distance to establish a work line coextensive with the work plane. The lower clamp (36) is then raised to clamp the workpieces (10, 12) and drill carried by a sub-frame (66) will now drill aligned apertures through the workpieces. The subframe is indexed to another position to place rams (96, 86) is alignment with the apertures. The upper riveting ram (96) is then advanced to its full down position to set an upper cavity and is locked under high pressure.

Abstract: A device for fitting and crimping end pieces on electric conductors includes an end-piece distributor, a holding device for maintaining the end of the conductors in position and a device for transferring the end-pieces from the distributor to the holding device and for positioning the end pieces on the ends of the conductors at the end of such transfer. The transfer device includes a crimping device as well as a closure means, partially closed at rest, which may pass to the open condition under the action of stop devices provided respectively close to the distributor and the holding means so as to make possible access to and/or removal of the end piece.

Abstract: A working apparatus for applying a working to a work placed on a pallet conveyed by a conveyer by staking a part of the work or fitting an element to work. The apparatus includes a working head vertically moved between a raised working position where the working head applies the working upon the work from beneath and a lowered rest position. A lifting device disposed beside the working head in the lowered rest position moves the working head up and down. An operating device is also disposed beside the working head in the lowered rest position. The operating device is displaced sideways to be brought into cooperation with the working head in the working position and operates the working head to apply the working to the work.

Abstract: A domed cap button collet and the method and apparatus for the manufacture of same by deforming a flat domed button collet having an elastic body including: a shank; a radially extending plate-like flange located one end of the shank; and, a cap formed of malleable material overlying the outer surface of the flange and crimped to the peripheral portion of the flange. Pressure is simultaneously applied to bend the flange and cap member into a substantially convex dome shape. Upon removal of the pressure, the cap member retains its dome shape and the flange member reverts to its original plate-like configuration.

Abstract: A mechanism for sensing whether the leads of a dual-in-line electrical component are in their proper position projecting through the appropriate openings in a printed circuit board. The sensor uses fiber optics to indicate whether the leads are properly positioned by using light reflected from the lead to activate a photo transducer which indicates to the computer controlling the machine operation whether the leads are properly positioned. The sensor fiber optics has light emitting and light receiving filaments operative parallel to the board surface so that the sensor only responds to the presence or absence of a component lead.

Abstract: A device for fastening superimposed sheets of metal or the like together by punching corresponding portions of the sheets into displaced positions relative to the adjacent areas of the sheets, then spreading one displaced portion of one sheet, under pressure, into interlocking engagement with the adjacent areas of the other sheet while retaining the corresponding displaced portion of the other sheet from spreading under the same pressure.

Abstract: Sleeves inserted in the coolant conductors of a steam generator of a nuclear-reactor plant are rolled by remotely controlled apparatus minimizing the time which personnel must spend within the radioactive environment of the channel head of the steam generator. A sleeve is rolled by a tube provided with rolls which are normally retracted and which, during a rolling operation, are extended into rolling engagement with the sleeve by a rotating tapered mandrel. The mandrel advances into the tube rotating the rolls while progressively increasing the pressure between the rolls and the sleeve. The sleeve is rolled near its upper end and also at its lower end in its region which is within the tube sheet by upper and lower rolling tools. The tube carrying the rolls is moved into the sleeve by a remotely controlled drive. The drive is a low voltage motor for the upper tool and a hydraulically driven piston for the lower tool.

Abstract: A cut-clinch mechanism for cutting and forming the leads of electronic components inserted into the openings in a printed circuit board, the mechanism having a fixed cut-clinch head supporting a movable cut-clinch head with a bi-directional drive means for incrementally moving the heads toward and away from one another to accommodate variable spaced component leads.

Abstract: A head assembly for a cut-clinch mechanism that cuts and forms lead wires of an electrical component that extend down through openings in a printed circuit board. The assembly has a fixed knife and a movable knife driven by a pneumatic cylinder into cutting relationship with the fixed knife. The drive has a piston which encloses an electrical contact responsive to contact of the movable knife with a lead wire to signal the presence of the lead wire. The electrical contact is adjustable to fine tune the sensor.

Abstract: A riveting press wherein the motor for the movable riveting tool is started in automatic response to closing of two discrete switches. One of the switches can be closed by a rivet which is already applied to a workpiece, such as a piece of textile material, and such one switch is located at a variable distance from the riveting tools. The other switch is also located at a selected distance from the riveting tools and can be closed by a marginal portion of the workpiece whereby the tools automatically apply a rivet to that part of the workpiece which is disposed therebetween while the two switches are closed.

Abstract: A portable tool for simultaneously terminating a plurality of conductors in a mass termination, insulation displacement connector. The connector is positioned in a connector holder mounted on a wiring board. The tool includes structure for detachably mounting the tool on the connector holder. The tool also includes an insertion assembly which reciprocates relative to the holder for moving the conductors to terminate them in the connector. The mounting structure includes locking structure for locking the tool to the holder only prior to termination of the conductors. Thus the operator is prevented from inadvertently removing the tool from the holder prior to conductor termination.

Abstract: A mechanism for cutting and clinching spaced leads of variously sized electrical components which leads have been inserted through preselected openings in a printed circuit board either by a manual insertion or automatic insertion. The cut-clinch mechanism has a housing adapted to be moved toward and away from the underside of the board, the housing carrying a fixed cutting and clinching head and a movable cutting and clinching head positioned by a drive mechanism that is program controlled for each given component inserted into the board to properly space the movable cut-clinch head from the fixed head so that the leads of the variously sized given components can be automatically cut and clinched.

Abstract: A mechanism for sensing that all the leads of a dual-in-line electrical component are in their proper position projecting through the appropriate openings in a printed circuit board. The sensor uses fiber optics to indicate that all the leads are properly positioned by using light reflected from the lead to activate a photo transistor which indicates to the computer controlling the machine operation that all the leads are properly positioned.

Abstract: A device for the assembly of insulating glass panes comprises an upright wall equipped with supporting rollers, the lower edge of this wall being provided with driven conveying rollers for glass panes, and a carrier with guide rollers for glass panes movable into or out of the upper zone of the glass panes. The wall can be shifted forward and backward at right angles to its plane by at least the thickness of one glass pane with its spacer frame attached thereto, transversely to the conveying direction of the glass panes. A beam liftable and lowerable underneath the wall carries lifting lugs and guide rollers engaging between the conveying rollers. Furthermore, a measuring device at least partially fixedly mounted on the framework is provided, for example a photoelectric cell, to detect the thickness of a glass pane with its spacer frame attached thereto and to shift the wall backward by this amount.

Abstract: Apparatus to automatically attach a terminal to electrical wire and thereafter to install insulating pods on the terminal. The apparatus includes a press which attaches the terminal to form a terminated wire and a transfer block which moves the terminated wire to an insulation pod installation station. The pods are delivered to the pod installation station in an interconnected fashion so as to form a strip of pods. The first pod on the strip is separated from the rest of the strip and placed on the terminated wire.

Abstract: During assembly of a brake booster employed in a hydraulic brake system of an automotive vehicle, the two casing shells of the booster are moved relative to each other by compressing the elastic seal disposed between the two casing shells an amount until a predetermined distance is achieved between the surface at one casing shell used to mount a master cylinder on the booster and the force-transmitting end of the push rod of the booster. In this position, the two casing shells are then operatively connected to each other to maintain the predetermined distance. This method of assembly and the arrangement for implementing the method simplifies the manufacturing of a brake booster.

Abstract: An electronic component lead cutting and outwardly clinching mechanism for cutting the component leads that extend from the underside of a printed circuit board and for outwardly clinching the portions of the leads remaining after the cutting to the underside of the printed circuit board. The severed scrap portions of the leads fall into a scrap discharge chute to be carried away from the cutting and clinching mechanism. A lead detector is incorporated into the mechanism to detect the presence or absence of the leads during the shearing action.

Abstract: A cut-clinch mechanism with a movable knife that is arranged to be slidably attached to a piston rod so that when the cutting edge of the knife engages a lead-in wire, a sensor will be contacted to indicate the lead-in wire is in a proper position for cutting and clinching.

Abstract: The plugging into a box having several recesses of the ends, having generally crimped connections, of electrical conductors is provided. A box carrier brings a box with a socket into a position fixed in space opposite the connection to be plugged in. This connection is brought into the plugging-in position by means of a gripper actuated by a drum moved by a carriage and acting on a plate which moves the pushrods recalled by springs. The invention applies to the automatic plugging in of electrical conductors.

Abstract: A component mounting apparatus includes a pushing member for inserting a pair of terminal wires of an electric component into a circuit board and a clinching mechanism operatively provided below the circuit board for bending the terminal wires, extending outwardly from the circuit board, sideways in a direction towards each other for fixedly mounting the electric component on the circuit board. The clinching mechanism includes a pair of arms which come into contact with the terminal wires for bending the same. Each of the arms is provided with a pair of stress detecting elements which detects the stress set up in the arm upon contact between the arm and the terminal wire for detecting whether or not the electric component is properly mounted on the circuit board.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying and detecting the end of a wire segment in a computer controlled harness maker in which the wire is crimped twice in close proximity 90 degrees apart thereby forcing the wire next to the crimp to enlarge in size. The crimped wire is then pulled between two surfaces of the pinch mark detector which are spring loaded and rides at the nominal wire diameter until the crimp passes through the pinch mark detector depressing a plunger to activate a metal sensitive proximity switch providing an output signal representative of a pinch mark detect condition.

Abstract: A contact crimping machine for use with a pin having a wire receiving seat includes a chamber, a plurality of crimping dies and actuating means for activating the crimping dies. Means are provided selectively to move one of the pins through the chamber into communication with the crimping dies, and restraining means are provided for maintaining a pin in suspended position removed from the actuating means. The contact crimping machine is constructed so that when the pre-stripped end of a wire is placed into the wire receiving seat of a pin, and downward pressure is supplied, the pin engages the actuating means and the crimping dies are momentarily urged against the wire receiving seat thus crimping the pre-stripped end of the wire within the wire receiving seat. Circuit means are provided to automatically position the next pin into place.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming and securing parallel lead electronic components inserted in a printed circuit substrate is provided. The apparatus includes a selectively rotatable driving assembly selectively displaceable towards an electronic component inserted into a printed circuit substrate, a lead bending assembly mounted on the driving assembly for bending the leads, and a cutting assembly mounted on the bending assembly for cutting the leads, the bending and cutting assemblies actuated by displacement of the driving assembly. The apparatus may include a sub-assembly for disposal of chips removed from the leads during cutting and a detection sub-assembly for detecting the presence of an inserted electronic component.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously cutting and clinching both parallel rows of leads of DIP type electronic components. The apparatus operating adjacent the undersurface of a printed circuit board into which component leads have been inserted includes a cutter capable of clinching the lead rows either inward toward each other or outward.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the continuous mechanical fabrication of starting sheets for the electrolytic refining of metals, especially copper, from electrolytically deposited sheets which have already been cut to certain dimensions and straightened, the sheets being continuously moved forward along a predetermined path of movement at a substantially constant rate of advance and a movement component directed parallel to the path of movement of the sheets, of which the speed substantially corresponds to the rate of advance of the sheets, being imparted both to the components to be connected to the sheets and to the tools, at least when they are acting directly or indirectly on the sheets.

Abstract: Apparatus for crimping terminals onto the ends of wires comprises a loading station at which the wires are serially loaded into a groove in a rotating drum. During rotation of the drum, the wires are moved laterally to a wire feeding station at which each wire is fed axially by the rotating drum, in cooperation with a pressure roller, to a crimping station at which a terminal is crimped onto the wire.

Abstract: A hopper funnels a plurality of electrical leads one on top the other and serially drops the leads onto a rotating cylindrical feed roller. The roller is provided with a helical groove which picks off individual leads and transports them transversely of their lengths along the top of the cylindrical roller. The pitch of the groove determines the spacing between transported leads. The roller simultaneously projects each lead lengthwise toward a sensing device which senses the end of each lead in turn and also triggers an applicator which connects an electrical contact to each sensed lead. The leads are then transported along the roller to an escapement station at the end of the roller where the leads escape by gravity to a collection area. An ejectment mechanism initially detains each lead from the escapement station until connected with a contact. The ejectment mechanism positively ejects each lead toward the escapement station.

Abstract: A hopper funnels a plurality of electrical leads one on top the other and serially drops the leads onto a rotating cylindrical feed roller. The roller is provided with a helical groove which picks off individual leads and transports them transversely of their lengths along the top of the cylindrical roller. The pitch of the groove determines the spacing between transported leads. The roller simultaneously projects each lead lengthwise toward a sensing device which senses the end of each lead in turn and also triggers an applicator which connects an electrical contact to each sensed lead. The leads are then transported along the roller to an escapement station at the end of the roller where the leads escape by gravity to a collection area. An ejectment mechanism initially detains each lead from the escapement station until connected with a contact. The ejectment mechanism positively ejects each lead toward the escapement station.

Abstract: An application machine for staking contacts, e.g. circuit board pins, in a hole in a circuit board including an extendable staking anvil mounted on a toggle linkage. The staking anvil is provided with a bore and a fluidic sensor in communication with the bore to detect the presence of a clear circuit board hole for insertion of a contact in the hole. In the event no hole is present, or a contact has already been staked in the hole, a control system responsive to the fluidic sensor retracts the extendable anvil and prevents staking a terminal pin in the circuit board where no hole is present, or where a pin has already been staked in the hole.