Abstract: A machine for forming the leads of electronic components has an endless load transporting belt. The load transporting belt is mounted on rollers which are arranged in a triangular configuration so as to support the load transporting belt with its forward run extending along a longitudinally elongated planner work plane which extends through a work station. A first guide rail is disposed opposite and extends longitudinally of the forward run to define a component guideway therebetween which extends through said work station. A second guide rail is located below and supports the forward of the load transporting belt. A drive motor is connected to the load transporting belt to drive it through said work station. At least one lead working mechanism located in said work station and has work tools disposed laterally outwardly from the guide rails and remote from said support face, for use in forming the leads of said electronic components.

Abstract: A machine for use in shaping the leads of electronic components has a component transporter which comprises a pair of discs each having a resiliently flexible outer peripheral portion in which a plurality of lead receiving notches are formed. Edge separation slots subdivide the peripheral edge portion into a plurality of independently flexible segments. Magnets are arranged to deflect successive segments laterally away from one another during passage through the loading station to widen the gap between the segments to receive the body of a component therebetween and thereafter permit the successive segments to move toward one another to clamp in the body of a component therebetween. A transfer wheel has a peripheral edge formed with a plurality of component recesses. The transfer wheel is mounted to rotate with its peripheral edge overlapping a length of the outer peripheral portion of the discs during passage through the loading station.

Abstract: A component feeder mechanism for feeding electronic components which are not taped together into a component lead forming machine. The feeder mechanism includes a frame having a guide track extending therethrough along which the component leads pass to enter the lead forming machine. A spacer disc is rotatably mounted on the frame and has notches at the peripheral edge thereof which move along the guide track and which serve to move the lead wires one at a time along the guide track to transfer the components from a feeder magazine to the forming machine. The components are spaced from one another a distance equal to the peripheral distance between the notches at the edge of the spacer disc. The spacer disc is driven by a transmission which serves to synchronize the rotation of the spacer disc with the forming machine.