Abstract: Apparatus for feeding an insulated electrical wire, or the like, axially with respect to a transverse plane in which a single pair of blade cutting edges are supported for movement toward and away from the axis of the wire. Each blade has a continuous cutting edge forming the periphery of an opening through the blade. The wire is advanced a predetermined distance through the aligned blade openings by a pair of conveyors on opposite sides of the plane of the blade edges. The blades are moved in opposite directions to sever a premeasured length of wire from the supply by first portions of each blade edge. The severed wire portion is then moved by the conveyors to a second axial position and the blades are again moved to cause second portions of the cutting edges to pass partially through the layer of insulation, stopping before contacting the conductor. Axial movement of the wire then causes the engaged blades to sever a slug of insulation and strip it partially or fully from the conductor.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding an insulated electrical wire, or the like, axially with respect to a transverse plane in which a single pair of blade cutting edges are supported for movement toward and away from the axis of the wire. Each blade has a continuous cutting edge forming the periphery of an opening through the blade. The wire is advanced a predetermined distance through the aligned blade openings by a pair of conveyors on opposite sides of the plane of the blade edges. The blades are moved in opposite directions to sever a premeasured length of wire from the supply by first portions of each blade edge. The severed wire portion is then moved by the conveyors to a second axial position and the blades are again moved to cause second portions of the cutting edges to pass partially through the layer of insulation, stopping before contacting the conductor. Axial movement of the wire then causes the engaged blades to sever a slug of insulation and strip it partially or fully from the conductor.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing and stripping a portion of a coating material from an elongated member such as an insulated electrical conductor, or the like, utilizing a pair of overlapping blades having cutting edges formed at the junction of two planar surfaces meeting at an acute angle. The blades are moved relative to one another, radially of the conductor, to cause the cutting edges to move radially partially through the layer of insulation. Relative movement of the blades and conductor axially of the conductor completes the severing of a slug of insulation, all in accordance with the prior art. The present apparatus is distinguished by making the planar surface portions immediately adjacent the cutting edges of the overlapping blades and engaged with the portion of the insulation to be stripped, i.e., the portions of the blades which apply the axial severing force, at equal angles, either 90.degree. or an acute angle, to the direction of relative movement.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting, severing and stripping a portion of a covering layer, such as insulation, from the end of a filamentary core material, such as an electrical conductor. The apparatus includes means for clamping the workpiece to restrain axial movement thereof and a pair of blades which move radially of the workpiece to cut the insulation and then axially to complete the severing operation and strip the severed slug fully or partly from the conductor. The apparatus is powered by a pneumatic cylinder and includes means for automatically varying the clamping force on the workpiece commensurately with the axial pulling force exerted by the blades during severing and stripping. Unique mounting and moving means for the blades and workpiece clamping members are provided to permit pivotal mounting of the blade and clamping member supports while constraining reciprocal movement thereof radially of the workpiece to a linear path.

Abstract: Methods of cutting and stripping insulation and other coverings from electrical wires, optical cables, and the like, using one or more blades while protecting the wire from undesired scoring or nicking. In one embodiment, two or more blades are moved radially inwardly to cut the insulation to a desired depth, close to the wire, and then moved apart by a short distance before being moved axially to strip the insulation. In a second embodiment, the blades are moved toward one another to cut the insulation to the desired depth, then moved apart by a distance greater than the depth of cut, moved axially by a distance less than the length of the cut, moved toward one another to grip or pinch the insulation and again moved axially to sever and strip the slug of insulation. In a third embodiment a pair of gripper members engage the insulation as the blade or blades cut to the desired depth and strip the slug off the conductor after movement of the blade(s) out of engagement therewith.