Abstract: Under direction of a machine controller, an endless chain conveyor is incrementally passed by a plurality of loader heads. The loader heads receive a series of components taped on a reel supplied substrate, sever individual taped components from the supply, and load the individual taped components onto clip carriers of the endless conveyor, on command, in a preferred sequence. The clip carrier mounted components are then indexed past a cutter assembly for trimming the lengths of the leads and removing the substrate, and a positioning disc assembly for positioning the components in the clip carriers before being passed to a rotary transfer assembly. The rotary transfer assembly removes individual components from the conveyor and rotates to an unload position above a linear loader, which laterally transfers the components from the rotary transfer to an insert head assembly.

Abstract: Under direction of a machine controller, an endless chain conveyor is incrementally passed by a plurality of loader heads. The loader heads receive a series of components taped on a reel supplied substrate, sever individual taped components from the supply, and load the individual taped components onto clip carriers of the endless conveyor, on command, in a preferred sequence. The clip carrier mounted components are then indexed past a cutter assembly for trimming the lengths of the leads and removing the substrate, and a positioning disc assembly for positioning the components in the clip carriers before being passed to a rotary transfer assembly. The rotary transfer assembly removes individual components from the conveyor and rotates to an unload position above a linear loader, which laterally transfers the components from the rotary transfer to an insert head assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for intermittently feeding wire forward along a generally longitudinal axis, cutting and forming a front end of the wire at a first station into a jumper bridge for an electronic hybrid substrate and presenting the jumper bridge at a second station for removal from the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to form leads of components prior to insertion into a printed circuit board while, at the same time, straightening bent leads and testing the electronic functioning of each component through the use of a controller which electronically simulates the operating mode of the component. The orientation of the component is also tested.

Abstract: An improved head assembly, for an electronic component lead cutting and clinching mechanism, having an improved construction for detection of lead absence or presence incorporating pivotal anvils which complete electrical circuits during the cutting and/or clinching of the component leads. The pivotal anvils cooperate with pivotal cutter-former arms which are actuated by a reciprocable driver. The driver includes a receiving and orienting tip for aligning the scrap portions of the leads for evacuation from the head assembly. Adjustable eccentric pins allow adjustment of the anvils for manufacturing tolerance corrections and for lead receiving orifice corrections.

Abstract: Under direction of a machine controller, an endless chain conveyor is incrementally passed by a plurality of loader heads. The loader heads receive a series of components taped on a reel supplied substrate, sever individual taped components from the supply, and load the individual taped components onto clip carriers of the endless conveyor, on command, in a preferred sequence. The clip carrier mounted components are then indexed past a cutter assembly for trimming the lengths of the leads and removing the substrate, and a positioning disc assembly for positioning the components in the clip carriers before being passed to a rotary transfer assembly. The rotary transfer assembly removes individual components from the conveyor and rotates to an unload position above a linear loader, which laterally transfers the components from the rotary transfer to an insert head assembly.

Abstract: Under direction of a machine controller, an endless chain conveyor is incrementally passed by a plurality of loader heads. The loader heads receive a series of components taped on a reel supplied substrate, sever individual taped components from the supply, and load the individual taped components onto clip carriers of the endless conveyor, on command, in a preferred sequence. The clip carrier mounted components are then indexed past a cutter assembly for trimming the lengths of the leads and removing the substrate, and a positioning disc assembly for positioning the components in the clip carriers before being passed to a rotary transfer assembly. The rotary transfer assembly removes individual components from the conveyor and rotates to an unload position above a linear loader, which laterally transfers the components from the rotary transfer to an insert head assembly.

Abstract: In an improved machine wherein a plurality of component dispensers transversely deposit individual axial-leaded components on a moving conveyor belt in a preferred sequence for subsequent taping of the leads to form a belt of sequenced components, the rate of component deposition is increased although the linear velocity of the conveyer is decreased. Component leads are received in conveyor notches having a pitch distance which is a submultiple of the spacing between the component dispensers.

Abstract: An apparatus for individually selecting a number of single in-line package (SIP) components and sequentially inserting them into a printed circuit board. The apparatus has a basic mode of operation, under a program control, comprising a shuttle assembly and a component pickup and insertion assembly, the shuttle assembly transferring a component from a selected one of a plurality of magazines and transferring the component to an unload station. At the unload station, the pickup and insertion assembly picks up the component from the shuttle assembly and rotates to a vertical position for insertion of the component in a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is mounted on a pantograph mechanism whose position is controlled by a tape reader or a computer which also determines the automatic sequencing of the shuttle block.

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 female contact formed of a unitary piece of metal is provided. The contact includes an opposed pair of cantilevered contact blades so arranged as to preclude overstressing of the blades upon insertion or withdrawal of a mating male pin terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for individually selecting a number of dual in-line (DIP) components and sequentially inserting them into a printed circuit board. The apparatus has a basic mode of operation, under a program control, and comprises a shuttle assembly and a component insertion assembly. In operation, the shuttle assembly transfers a component from a selected one of a plurality of magazines to an unload station. At the unload station, the shuttle assembly loads the insertion assembly which rotates to a vertical position for insertion of the component in a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is mounted on an X-Y positioning system controlled by a tape reader or a computer which also determines the automatic sequencing of the shuttle assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding and orienting parts. The parts are fed in sliding engagement along a guide step and ejected when misoriented. Misoriented parts are either blown off the guide step by an air knife or transversely displaced on the guide step by an ejector that alters their line of travel and causes them to fall off the guide step. All excess and misoriented parts are recirculated for refeeding and orienting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding and orienting parts having at least one terminal depending from each body. The parts are fed with at least one terminal in sliding engagement along a guide rail. Misoriented parts are blown out of engagement with the guide rail by a fluid ejection means and recirculated for refeeding and orienting.

Abstract: In a centering device for electronic components equally spaced and traveling on a continuous conveyor, an actuator provided including a pair of pivoting, spring-loaded blades for positioning the bodies of the components before they are transferred from the continuous conveyor into a taping mechanism.

Abstract: An improved spade terminal having two receptacles for use on a printed circuit board, slidingly receives the prongs of spade connectors between flat surfaces. A pair of tabs forming the base of the terminal are inserted into and extend through a hole in a printed circuit board. Each of the tabs is provided with raised abutting means which maintain separation of the tabs after insertion into a circuit board thus allowing automated mechanical clinching of the tabs to firmly hold the terminal on the board prior to soldering. A continuous strip of stamped and formed terminals feed an automatic insertion head.

Abstract: Two or four lead DIP components are stored in a generally vertical, adjustable chute for gravity feed during lateral removal of a single component by a coacting shuttle tooling clamp arm from the bottom of the supply. Individual component removal is facilitated by a spring biased plunger for blocking removal of the bottom-most component until the coacting clamp arm raises the plunger against the action of the spring biasing.

Abstract: Under direction of a machine controller, a traversing shuttle automatically selects one component among a plurality of radially leaded components stored on continuous component belts, centers the component, shears the selected component from the belt, and conveys the component to a pivotable insertion head. The insertion head clamps onto the component leads, pivots and inserts the component leads into predrilled holes in a positioned printed circuit board. A mechanism beneath the board, cuts the leads and clinches the shortened leads to the board. The board is repositioned and another radial lead component of the same or different type and electrical size is selected and the cycle is repeated. Different spacings of components on the storage belts and different lead spacings are automatically accommodated.

Abstract: In an improved machine wherein a plurality of component dispensers transversely deposit individual axial-leaded components on a moving conveyor belt in a preferred sequence for subsequent taping of the leads to form a belt of sequenced components, the rate of component deposition is increased although the linear velocity of the conveyer is decreased. Component leads are received in conveyor notches having a pitch distance which is a submultiple of the spacing between the component dispensers.

Abstract: Under direction of a machine controller, a traversing shuttle automatically selects one component along a plurality of radially leaded components stored on continuous component belts, centers the component, shears the selected component from the belt, and conveys the component to a pivotable insertion head. The insertion head clamps onto the component leads, pivots and inserts the component leads into predrilled holes in a positioned printed circuit board. A mechanism beneath the board, cuts the leads and clinches the shortened leads to the board. The board is repositioned and another radial lead component of the same or different type and electrical size is selected and the cycle is repeated. Different spacings of components on the storage belts and different lead spacings are automatically accommodated.