Abstract: A plurality of closely-spaced components on a substrate have their leads bent simultaneously to secure the components to the substrate. Two air cylinders are secured at opposite ends of a stationary plate. One cylinder displaces a first plate in opposite linear directions. The other cylinder displaces a second plate in the same directions as the first plate but opposite in sense. An array of lead bending jaws are secured to each movable plate in mating pairs for bending the leads of a corresponding component, one jaw of the pair is secured to and moved by one plate and the other jaw of the pair is secured to and moved by the other plate.

Abstract: A bending device has a slot defined by facing side walls which taper from a reference plane in a direction to widen the slot proportionately with the slot depth to form two opposed facing bending edges. The angle the side walls taper from the reference plane is significant wherein each angle is within a range defined by a minimum value to assure the edges penetrate and sever the tab at its extremities and a maximum value to insure the tab is not completely severed during bending.

Abstract: A pair of fingers are operated by air cylinders at different rates in accordance with a given wiring function. In one function, one finger engages, supports and aligns an IDT at low pressure prior to insertion of the wire by the other finger at high pressure. The opening and closing of the fingers is also at high pressure. The closing of the fingers captivates the wire in alignment therewith as the tool travels from terminal to terminal. The wire is severed from the last terminal in the wiring sequence by an air operated knife. The tool is adapted to be connected to a robotic arm.

Abstract: A turret is rotatably secured to a housing adapted to be secured to a robot wrist having a reference orientation and axis. The turret has a plurality of interchangeable lead processing devices which are selectively aligned to the reference orientation and axis. When so aligned a lead processing device is engaged with a selected component and operated to cut and bend the lead of that component. A second component's lead may be processed by the same or a different lead processing device secured to the turret. The latter device is aligned to the reference orientation and axis prior to processing the second component's lead. The robot is programmed to align the reference axis and the corresponding processing device to the selected component whose lead is to be processed.

Abstract: A wire insertion tool includes a pair of fingers which are selectively cammed to different states. One finger supports the terminal as the wire is inserted into the terminal by the other finger avoiding reaction forces on the substrate to which the terminal is attached. The fingers have a state in which they keep the wire aligned with the insertion portion of the fingers as the fingers travel from terminal to terminal in a wiring cycle. The fingers have a wire sever state to sever the wire at the end of the wiring cycle in which a length of wire is attached to a plurality of terminals. A feed assembly feeds wire to the fingers as the wire is played out during the wiring cycle to minimize tensioning the wire as the tool travels.

Abstract: A set of lead bending fingers are spaced to receive an array of transistor leads adjacent their respective bending surfaces. In the bend mode, the fingers are driven toward each other in close interdigitated relation for bending closely-spaced leads. A spiral cam drive member simultaneously drives the bending fingers in a single rotary motion of the drive member.

Abstract: A lead processing assembly includes a pair of aligned lead cutting and bending discs having adjacent lead processing edges which rotate tangentially to process closely-spaced leads of a component. The discs are driven concurrently by corresponding nested levers operated by a camming slot displaced linearly to rotate the discs in two angular directions. A plurality of such assemblies can be driven by a common cam drive plate.

Abstract: A plurality of component lead processing assemblies are located in a plane each releasably secured to a different given location on a support structure. Each processing assembly has an anvil and a lead processing part which is rotatable relative to the anvil for performing the lead processing on leads of components secured to a printed circuit board. A link structure is coupled to each lead processing part movable in a direction parallel to the plane of the processing assemblies for concurrently rotating the processing parts in response to the actuation of drive means.

Abstract: A lead cutting and clinching device includes a housing to which an air cylinder and a cylindrical anvil are secured. A lead cutting and clinching element driven by the air cylinder is rotatably mounted to the anvil and has a cylindrical outer peripheral edge coextensive with the anvil outer surface. A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the lead cutting and clinching element, outer surface of the anvil, and the outer peripheral surface of the housing, in the same angular radial segment having its origin at the axis of rotation of the clinching element are substantially coextensive in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the clinching element. An array of these component lead processing devices may be formed with the circular surfaces in the radial segments contiguous with each other to closely space the lead cutting and clinching elements of the array.

Abstract: The leads of an IC module are bent to secure the module to a printed circuit board by a pair of rotatable bending members driven concurrently by a camming member which rotates about an axis normal to the axes of rotation of the bending members. Cam follower projections from the bending members engage spiral cam slots in the camming member. The slots spiral away from the axis of rotation of the camming member. All of the above structures are beneath the circuit board and above the lap of an operator who places the module on the board from above the board.

Abstract: An array of reciprocating rods are aligned with circuit board lead apertures and are normally biased to engage the printed circuit board apertures. When leads are present the rods abut the leads. Circuit connectors attached to the rods close a circuit path when a missing lead is sensed. When one or more of the leads of a given component are missing, a circuit is closed and an indicator lights.

Abstract: A component element bending apparatus includes a pair of bending jaws which are radially displaced by spiral and radially extending camming slots in adjacent respective rotatable drive and stationary discs when the rotatable drive disc is activated. The rotatable disc is driven by a drive lever coupled to an air-operated drive plate.

Abstract: When operating a system embodying the invention, the operator sits in a convenient position with his knees beneath the conveyor carrying the printed circuit boards. The tools for bending, cutting and otherwise operating on the components leads are located above the operator's lap, secured to the conveyor support structure. When a circuit board reaches a position in front of the operator, the board stops, the various bending, cutting or other special tools move into position, and the operator inserts the components the leads of which will extend beneath the circuit board in alignment with the tools. The leads of some components are bent by being forced against the sloped surface of a tool while the components are being inserted by the operator. The leads of others are bent and, if needed, cut by machine operated tools, actuated by the operator, after the components are inserted.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for adjusting an inductor that is mounted on a circuit board. The inductor is of the type comprising two extensible sections connected at one respective end to the circuit board and connected at the other respective end by a connecting portion integral to the inductor. The electrical value of the inductor is adjusted by mechanically engaging the connecting portion between first and second push rods and moving the connecting portion so as to simultaneously extend or compress the two extensible sections. The first push rod extends through an opening in the circuit board to apply mechanical force against the connecting portion and the second push rod extends from above the circuit board so as to clamp the connecting portion between the first and second push rods.

Abstract: A procelain on steel printed circuit board includes apertures whose edges are rounded. An aperture is formed by first punching or otherwise making an aperture in the uncoated steel of somewhat larger size than desired, then employing a pair of dies, each with rounded shoulders and a center region of smaller area than the aperture. When the board is placed between the dies with the center region of the latter aligned with an aperture, and pressure is applied to the dies, they engage and round the edges of the aperture. The excess displaced material is forced into space between the original peripheral edge of the aperture and the center region of the dies, thereby decreasing the size of the aperture to the desired size and forming a relatively smooth tapered transition region between opposite surfaces of the board and the outer circumference of the aperture of reduced size. The steel is coated with porcelain after the finished apertures are formed.