Abstract: A tool has a first gripping portion or arm and a second gripping portion or arm hingedly connected to the first gripping portion. The first and second gripping portions define a cable space therebetween sized to receive a cable. A first lever arm and a second lever arm extend from the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion, respectively. A flexure is arranged between the first lever arm and the second lever arm and biases the first and second lever arms into a predetermined position.

Abstract: A cutting blade assembly for use with a rotating cable preparation device includes a cutting blade defining a cutting edge and adapted to attach to a rotating member of the cable preparation device. The cutting blade assembly is selectively movable in a cutting direction for at least partially cutting a cable held by the device. The assembly further comprises a blade stop positioned adjacent to the cutting edge of the blade and defining a stop surface. The stop surface is arranged at a predetermined distance from the cutting edge of the blade in a depth direction of the blade, and extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the cutting direction and generally parallel to an axis of the cable.

Abstract: A cutting blade assembly for use with a rotating cable preparation device includes a cutting blade defining a cutting edge and adapted to attach to a rotating member of the cable preparation device. The cutting blade assembly is selectively movable in a cutting direction for at least partially cutting a cable held by the device. The assembly further comprises a blade stop positioned adjacent to the cutting edge of the blade and defining a stop surface. The stop surface is arranged at a predetermined distance from the cutting edge of the blade in a depth direction of the blade, and extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the cutting direction and generally parallel to an axis of the cable.

Abstract: A cable preparation machine includes a frame forming a cable cutting zone, the frame having a cable opening along a cable axis at the cable cutting zone receiving an end of a cable. The cable preparation machine includes a pulley assembly rotatably coupled to the frame about the cable axis and a drive assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly to rotate the pulley assembly about the cable axis. The cable preparation machine includes a blade assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly and rotated with the pulley assembly about the cable axis. The blade assembly includes a blade having an arcuate cutting edge configured for cutting an insulator from the end of the cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to verify that proper tooling has been installed in a cable preparation apparatus and/or to calibrate the tooling prior to running the cable preparation apparatus with a cable inserted therein. The method includes: inserting a reference device between blades of the cable preparation device; moving the blades inward toward the reference device until the blades engage the reference device; collecting data to determine when the blades engage the reference device; and comparing the collected data of the blades to an expected range of data of the reference device, wherein if the collected data of the blades does not conform to the expected range of data of the reference device the tooling is not validated, and the apparatus alerts the user.

Abstract: A method of removing a foil shield from a cable. The method includes: positioning the cable proximate a heating source; heating the foil shield in a designated area to weaken the foil shield; and removing an outer insulation of the cable and the foil shield after the foil shield has been heated.

Abstract: A cable preparation machine includes a frame forming a cable cutting zone, the frame having a cable opening along a cable axis at the cable cutting zone receiving an end of a cable. The cable preparation machine includes a pulley assembly rotatably coupled to the frame about the cable axis and a drive assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly to rotate the pulley assembly about the cable axis. The cable preparation machine includes a blade assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly and rotated with the pulley assembly about the cable axis. The blade assembly includes a blade having an arcuate cutting edge configured for cutting an insulator from the end of the cable.

Abstract: A cable preparation machine includes a frame forming a cable cutting zone and having a cable opening along a cable axis at the cable cutting zone receiving an end of a cable. The cable preparation machine includes a pulley assembly rotatably coupled to the frame about the cable axis, a drive assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly to rotate the pulley assembly about the cable axis, and a blade assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly and rotated with the pulley assembly about the cable axis. The blade assembly is configured for cutting an insulator from the end of the cable in a first cutting configuration when the cable is positioned in the cable opening and the blade assembly is configured for cutting a cable braid from the end of the cable in a second cutting configuration when the cable is positioned in the cable opening.

Abstract: A cable preparation machine includes a blade assembly having arms and braid blades mounted thereto and disposed about a cable opening receiving a cable end along a cable axis. The arms are movable between retracted positions and advanced positions to move the braid blades. The braid blades have edges configured to engage a cable braid of the cable to cut the cable braid. The cable preparation machine includes a mandrel coupled to the end of the cable between the cable braid and an inner insulator of the cable. The braid blades are rotated around the cable axis pressing the cable braid between the edges of the braid blades and the mandrel to cut the braid blade.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to verify that proper tooling has been installed in a cable preparation apparatus and/or to calibrate the tooling prior to running the cable preparation apparatus with a cable inserted therein. The method includes: inserting a reference device between blades of the cable preparation device; moving the blades inward toward the reference device until the blades engage the reference device; collecting data to determine when the blades engage the reference device; and comparing the collected data of the blades to an expected range of data of the reference device, wherein if the collected data of the blades does not conform to the expected range of data of the reference device the tooling is not validated, and the apparatus alerts the user.

Abstract: A cable preparation machine includes a blade assembly having a plurality of arms and braid blades mounted to the corresponding arms. The arms and the braid blades are disposed about a cable opening configured to receive an end of a cable therein along a cable axis. The arms are movable relative to each other between retracted positions and advanced positions. The arms move the braid blades closer to each other within the cable opening as the arms are moved from the retracted positions to the advanced positions. The braid blades have edges configured to engage a cable braid of the cable. The braid blades are driven inward by the arms moving to the advanced positions to pinch the cable braid inward against an inner insulator of the cable and flare outward an end of the cable braid forward of the braid blades.

Abstract: A cable preparation machine includes a frame forming a cable cutting zone, the frame having a cable opening along a cable axis at the cable cutting zone receiving an end of a cable. The cable preparation machine includes a pulley assembly rotatably coupled to the frame about the cable axis and a drive assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly to rotate the pulley assembly about the cable axis. The cable preparation machine includes a blade assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly and rotated with the pulley assembly about the cable axis.

Abstract: A method of removing a foil shield from a cable. The method includes: positioning the cable proximate a heating source; heating the foil shield in a designated area to weaken the foil shield; and removing an outer insulation of the cable and the foil shield after the foil shield has been heated.

Abstract: A cable preparation machine includes a blade assembly having arms and braid blades mounted thereto and disposed about a cable opening receiving a cable end along a cable axis. The arms are movable between retracted positions and advanced positions to move the braid blades. The braid blades have edges configured to engage a cable braid of the cable to cut the cable braid. The cable preparation machine includes a mandrel coupled to the end of the cable between the cable braid and an inner insulator of the cable.

Abstract: A cable preparation machine includes a frame forming a cable cutting zone and having a cable opening along a cable axis at the cable cutting zone receiving an end of a cable. The cable preparation machine includes a pulley assembly rotatably coupled to the frame about the cable axis, a drive assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly to rotate the pulley assembly about the cable axis, and a blade assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly and rotated with the pulley assembly about the cable axis. The blade assembly is configured for cutting an insulator from the end of the cable in a first cutting configuration when the cable is positioned in the cable opening and the blade assembly is configured for cutting a cable braid from the end of the cable in a second cutting configuration when the cable is positioned in the cable opening.

Abstract: A cable preparation machine includes a blade assembly having a plurality of arms and braid blades mounted to the corresponding arms. The arms and the braid blades are disposed about a cable opening configured to receive an end of a cable therein along a cable axis. The arms are movable relative to each other between retracted positions and advanced positions. The arms move the braid blades closer to each other within the cable opening as the arms are moved from the retracted positions to the advanced positions. The braid blades have edges configured to engage a cable braid of the cable. The braid blades are driven inward by the arms moving to the advanced positions to pinch the cable braid inward against an inner insulator of the cable and flare outward an end of the cable braid forward of the braid blades.

Abstract: A crimping tool is provided for crimping a workpiece. The crimping tool includes a crimping head having a crimping zone and a crimping jaw held within the crimping zone. The crimping tool also includes a workpiece holder having a holding element configured to hold the workpiece. The workpiece holder is pivotally connected to the crimping head. The workpiece holder is pivotable between a loading position and a crimping position. The workpiece is receivable by the holding element when the workpiece holder is in the loading position. The holding element holds the workpiece in the crimping zone for engagement with the crimping jaw when the workpiece holder is in the crimping position. A cover plate is held by the workpiece holder. The cover plate is movable relative to the workpiece holder between an open position and a closed position. The cover plate is configured to engage the workpiece when the workpiece is held by the holding element of the workpiece holder.