Abstract: A method and apparatus for shaping the winding end turns of a stator assembly wherein the outside diameter of the end turns is first engaged by a set of alternate segments in a circular array and is thereafter engaged by a set of intervening segments of the array while the first set remains engaged. The motion and configuration of the segments avoids the risk of pinching a wire of the winding by eliminating relative circumferential closing movement between adjacent segments. The inside diameter of the end turns is shaped by an expandable mandrel assembly that includes interengaged shoes that have a sliding movement in expansion and contraction that also avoids the risk of pinching strands of the winding.

Abstract: A lead straightening and trimming apparatus for the leads of electrical components such as stators. The apparatus includes a pallet having positioning posts which position the stators on the pallet and also position coils within the stator. The apparatus also includes a rotating helical pick-up tool which is movable between a retracted position and an extended position adjacent to a component supporting pallet having lead retaining posts. The pick-up tool operates to capture the free ends of leads extending from posts provided by the pallets. Upon retraction, the pick-up tool moves the associated free ends of the leads to a partially straightened gripping position. The apparatus also includes a combined gripper straightening and cutting apparatus which grips the associated lead adjacent to the pallet post with a force insufficient to cut the lead. Retraction of the gripper straightens the portion of the lead extending from the retaining post of the pallet.

Abstract: A blade replacement technique for removing and replacing the wedge guide, coil feeder and/or pusher blades of coil inserter tooling is disclosed. The tooling includes a circular array of coil feeder blades and a circular array of wedge guide blades, with the wedge guide blades being in face-to-face apposition with the feeder blades and being radially outwardly of the feeder blades. A collet encircles the wedge guide blades and has a first surface restraining an intermediate portion of each wedge guide blade against axial and radial displacement and second surface facing and spaced from each wedge guide blade and defining a clearance zone. Each wedge guide blade is supported and restrained at its proximal end by being received in an annular groove in a support plate. Each coil feeder blade has its proximal end received in a slotted ring and each feeder blade is axially restrained by a pin projecting radially outwardly in each slot.

Abstract: Transfer and inserter tooling for receiving coil windings from a coil winder such as a shed winder, and for inserting the coils into a dynamoelectric component such as a motor stator. The tooling includes a transfer tool molded of plastic and providing a cylindrical array of cantilever-supported fingers. The coils formed on the winder are positioned in a predetermined arrangement within the spaces between the fingers. Also included is an inserter tool having a cylindrical array of cantilever-mounted fingers and operable to insert coils positioned within the spaces between the fingers into the slots of a stator and the like. The transfer tool and inserter tool fingers are provided with interfitting alignment and guide means which properly position associated fingers of the two tools when the tools are assembled for transfer of the coils from the transfer tool to the inserter tool.

Abstract: A shed-type coil winder is disclosed in which a shed form is supported against rotation within a rotating wire feed envelope. Rotation of the shed form is prevented by an eccentric drive. The eccentric drive includes a wire support rotating about a first axis and an eccentric ring rotating about an eccentric axis spaced from and parallel to the first axis. The eccentric ring is driven by a parallelogram-type linkage so that it rotates with the flyer support in a uniform manner. The eccentric ring engages an eccentric cam on a form support to hold the form support against rotation while the flyer support and the eccentric ring rotate. A window is provided in the eccentric ring through which a wire guide extends with clearance. Consequently, the eccentric drive does not interfere with the rotation of the wire guide system. A jump actuating system is connected to the form support system to axially move the form in a stepwise manner.

Abstract: A coil winding system is disclosed in which wire directing shrouds are installed in a stator where the winding is performed to direct the wire of the coils into the proper position within the stator. An automated system provides a loading gripper head for picking up an unwound stator at a pick-up position on a supply conveyor and for transferring such unwound stator to a loading-unloading position on an indexing table. A shroud gripper subsequently installs the shrouds in the stator at the loading-unloading position and the stator and shrouds are locked with respect to the table. The indexing table then transports the unwound stator to a winding position and simultaneously moves a wound stator to the loading unloading position. The shroud gripper then removes the shrouds and an unloading gripper transports the wound stator to a discharge conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for winding coils in the slots of an externally-slotted dynamoelectric machine core member comprises a flyer and a support for the core. Shroud member portions are disposed within the path of rotation of the flyer. Two rotatable wheel elements are provided on opposite sides of the core and having peripheral surfaces adjacent the shroud portion surfaces. The outer surface of each shroud portion has an outwardly extending groove therein and the peripheral surface of the respective wheel element extends into the groove thereby inhibiting rotation of the shroud member. Each of the wheel elements has a cut-out portion which communicates with its peripheral surface and which has a radially extending trailing edge which faces the respective core side as the wheel element is rotated in a direction to move the edge from the inner to the outer end of the respective shroud surface. The wheel elements are rotated in opposite directions and the cut-out portions are phase-displaced by 180.degree.

Abstract: Disclosed is the apparatus and method for depositing a winding of varying depth along the teeth of a stator. The necessity for complex motion of the winding head is avoided by moving the head in conventional reciprocating fashion and then introducing winding turn distributing elements from outboard of the stator. The distributing elements are moved radially inward between the path of the wire-dispensing component of the winding head and the end faces of the stator tooth receiving the winding. The distributing elements are moved in a series of reciprocating strokes of decreasing length as the winding head moves through its winding path, thereby distributing the windings in increasing depth toward the base of the stator tooth receiving the winding.