Abstract: An adjustable width chain conveyor is disclosed. The conveyor includes angled supports having inclined slide portions on which the chain can slide inwardly or outwardly to accommodate variations in the effective width of products or to compensate for misalignment of conveyor components as the conveyor wears, beyond the tolerance permitted by the product support surface area. A cover is provided to prevent the chain from tipping off of the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for adapting a variable center distance electronic component insertion machine to form and insert the leads of components into particularly closed spaced mounting holes of a circuit board.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for consistently handling, inserting, and driving wire pins of reduced cross-section into circuit board holes and the like while retaining control of the pins and avoiding breakage of the apparatus due to constraints imposed thereon by such reduced cross-section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for sequentially centering off-center bodies of a series of taped electrical components such that the component leads may be formed or bent closely to the bodies to realize denser population of the components on a circuit board. Fragile-lead components are protected by trimming the leads to remove the components from the tapes prior to centering the bodies.

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: 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: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously cutting and clinching both parallel rows of leads of DIP type electronic components. The apparatus operating adjacent the undersurface of a printed circuit board into which component leads have been inserted includes a cutter capable of clinching the lead rows either inward toward each other or outward.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially feeding non-axial lead electrical components in their manufacturing strips from a magazine to a forming station where they are removed, bent into a substantially axial lead configuration and taped between two pairs of continuous ribbons of tape. The leads are straightened while in the manufacturing strip by being placed under tension.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially feeding non-axial lead electrical components in their manufacturing strips from a magazine to a forming station where they are removed, bent into a substantially axial lead configuration and taped between two pairs of continuous ribbons of tape. The leads are straightened while in the manufacturing strip by being placed under tension.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting predesignated transistor components from a plurality of loading stacks, transporting them to a pickup position by a shuttle mechanism, transferring them to an insertion head collet member, inserting them into a circuit board and clinching the leads thereof. The apparatus includes an X-Y axis positioning mechanism and a rotary holder for the circuit board that allows the components to be inserted into the circuit board at 0.degree., 90.degree., 180.degree. and 270.degree. orientations.

Abstract: An axial lead component dispensing apparatus having a simultaneously adjustable pair of guide plates, advancing mechanism and lead severing mechanism mounted on a support. Two racks and a pinion actuate and synchronize the simultaneous lateral adjustment of the guide plates.