Abstract: A technique for separating the stator leads of an electric motor during the manufacturing process. The technique comprises a system having a lead gathering assembly, a lead separator, and a drive mechanism. The lead gathering assembly is adapted to gather together a plurality of stator windings extending from a stator. The lead separator having a plurality of teeth adapted to separate a stator winding from the plurality of stator windings gathered together by the lead gathering assembly. The drive mechanism is adapted to drive the lead separator into the plurality of stator windings. The lead separator has teeth to separate each of the stator windings gathered together by the lead gathering assembly.