Abstract: Stripping apparatus (4) for an electrical bar conductor (8) having a metal core with two longer sides (12) and two shorter sides (16) coated with an electrically insulating coating (20). The apparatus (4) comprises a first stripping portion (24) that at least partly houses the conductor (8) arranged along a prevailing extension (X-X), so as to rest on one of said longer sides (12) cantilevered relative to a pair of supports (28). The first stripping station (24) houses a first pair of broaches (40), opposite to one another and arranged at opposite sides relative to the conductor (8), said broaches (40) being axially movable relative to a cross working direction (Y-Y) perpendicular to the prevailing extension (X-X). The broaches (40) are aligned with said stripping portion (36) relative to the prevailing extension (X-X), so as to carry out the removal of the insulating coating (20) at the stripping portion (36) comprised cantilevered between the supports (28).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for twisting rectangular rotor and stator conductor ends whereby most if not all conductor ends are bent at once, radially adjacent ends being bent in opposite directions. A lost motion member may be used to bend selected conductors through lesser angles for such purposes as phase interconnection and power leads. The rectangular conductors are retained against twisting so that flat conductors will bend about an axis perpendicular to the larger dimension of the conductor cross section. Various features of the methods and apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: Method for removing winding conductors from a twisting machine and placing them in a rotor or stator stack. For a plurality of rectangular winding conductors each having a pair of legs separated by an amount equal to the distance between a predetermined number of rotor or stator slots in which they will be inserted, moving a plurality of fingers of a clamping assembly between the legs of a plurality of winding conductors in a twisting fixture to retain the winding conductors, moving the clamping assembly away from the twisting fixture to withdraw the winding conductors from the twisting fixture, providing relative movement of the clamping assembly and a rotor or stator to insert free ends of the winding conductors into a rotor or stator, and moving the fingers of a clamping assembly from between the legs of a plurality of winding conductors. A preferred embodiment of the method is disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming motor winding conductors rectangular conductor wire.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for insertion of preformed rotor and stator conductors into a twisting machine for forming hairpin shaped conductors of rectangular wire into stator conductors.

Abstract: Stators having female connectors and methods for forming female connectors integral with the stator winding conductors, thereby avoiding the necessity of use of a separate female connector. A typical connector in accordance with the present invention has a first length of the wire adjacent an end of the wire striped of insulation, and a second length of the wire adjacent the end not greater than the first length of wire being bent in a substantially closed loop, the loop preferably being pressed flat so as to have a thickness less than the wire. Also preferably the wire bends in a first direction and then bends in a circular arc to form the loop, the center of the loop being substantially aligned with a center of the wire. Various embodiments are disclosed as are exemplary simple methods for forming the female connector.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for pre-forming insulated conductors for motor rotors and stators for use in a next process in forming motor rotors and stators. In accordance with the full exemplary process, insulated rectangular cross-section wire is received from a spool, straightened, stripped over a predetermined length, fed to a bender, cut to length and then bent into the desired hairpin shape and placed on a feeder for the next process. The method and apparatus may be fully automatic, including automatically adjusting itself as required to make hairpin shaped conductors of different lengths, each length having its free ends stripped over a desired length. The method and apparatus for bending, as well as other methods and apparatus disclosed, may be used alone or in other combinations.