Abstract: A press (10) for operating a tooling unit in the performance of a manufacturing operation, such as crimping terminals onto a conductor. The press is adapted for attachment to the frame of a host machine (12), such as a lead maker, and for receiving a tooling unit, such as a terminal applicator (52). The press (10) includes a frame (13), a carriage (20) arranged for reciprocating motion with respect to the frame (13) and a ram (110) in sliding engagement with and carried by the carriage (20). A relatively low powered actuator (22) causes the ram (100) to move through a first incremental amount of movement during the first portion of the crimp cycle and a second, more powerful, actuator (80) causes the carriage (20) and ream (110) assembly to move through a second incremental amount of movement to complete the crimp cycle.

Abstract: A wire processing machine is disclosed having a wire feed unit (14) that draws wire (22) from an endless source (20). A wire processing unit (12) receives the wire from the feed unit for performing a manufacturing operation therewith, the wire being intermittently fed by the feed unit (14). A dereeling unit (18) is provided having a drive mechanism (28,30) in driving engagement with the wire (22) for removing the wire at a constant speed. A tensioning device (42, 46, 74, 76) is provided to maintain a desired tension on the wire (22) during dereeling. A wire marking unit (16) is provided including a wire storage mechanism (110, 114, 138, 140) arranged for storing a selected length of wire so that the marking unit can be positioned close to the machine (10).

Abstract: A machine (10) is disclosed for processing an insulated wire (12), to sever the wire into a feed end (178) and an eject end (180), and to remove a selected portion of insulation from each of the ends. The machine (10) includes a wire cutting and stripping unit (22) including a left blade (64) having first and second spaced cutting edges (148, 154) associated therewith and a right blade (64') having third and fourth spaced cutting edges (148', 154') associated therewith. Additionally, a mechanism (60, 62, 126) is provided for moving the left and right blades (64, 64') in converging directions (170, 172) toward each other so that the first and third cutting edges (148, 148') effect the severing of the wire (12).

Abstract: A machine (10) is disclosed for processing an insulated wire (12), to sever the wire into a feed end and an eject end, and to remove a selected portion (132) of insulation from each of the ends. The machine (10) includes a wire cutting and stripping unit (22) including left and right cutting and stripping blade holder assemblies (42, 44). Each holder assembly includes three sets of cutting and stripping blades (58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63) for severing and stripping three different wire gage sizes. Additionally, a mechanism (60, 62, 126) is provided for rotating the left and right holder assemblies (42, 44) so that selected blades converge toward each other to effect the severing of the wire (12). After severing the wire, the left and right holder assemblies (42, 44) are further moved in the converging directions so that appropriate blades move into insulation cutting engagement with the feed side end and the eject side end.

Abstract: A mechanisms (18) is disclosed for feeding electrical wire (24) in a lead making machine (10) and for positioning the end of the wire with respect to an applicator press (14) for termination. The mechanism includes a wire feed unit (42) mounted on a platform (40) that is pivotable from a position adjacent a wire cutting and stripping unit (34) and a position adjacent the applicator press (14). Two concentric drive shafts are provided, the outer shaft (44) being hollow and the inner shaft (62) being within the outer shaft. The inner shaft is drivingly coupled to the feed unit while the outer shaft is rigidly attached to the platform. A single actuator motor (196) drives both the inner and outer shafts (62, 44) through a coupling (204) that selectively couples to and decouples from each. The coupling includes an air cylinder (218) and two clutches 230, 232) that operate to lock one shaft in position while permitting the other shaft to be rotated by the motor.

Abstract: An automated method of making and stacking electrical leads (66) is disclosed. The machine (50) for making the leads (66) includes a maneuvering clamp (102) that grips an end (72) of the lead and, while pivoting and moving along a defined path (104), manipulates the lead (66) to form a U-shaped portion (110) and substantially parallel side legs (112, 116). The U-shaped portion (110) is picked up by a projection (90) on a conveyor belt (88), the lead being folded over to about one half its length, and is transported to a stacking tray (100).