Abstract: An apparatus for preparing the free ends of individual wires of a multi-conductor cable is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wire nest for separating the individual wires into distinct multiple wire sets and each wire of the wire sets includes multiple conductive strands. A wire stripper is provided in alignment with the wire nest to grip outer insulative coverings of the wires in each set and strip a preselected length of the covering therefrom. A wire twister is provided generally adjacent the wire stripper to engage and twist the multiple strands of each wire and a trimming knife cuts the exposed, twisted wires after they have been twisted.

Abstract: An improved coding station for a wire harness processing machine includes a wiper assembly mounted alignment with a reciprocating knife assembly. The knife assembly has a plurality of individual cutoff blades which reciprocate in a cutting action to sever coding lugs formed on electrical connectors. The wiper assembly includes a wiper arm which extends out from a base portion to a location spaced apart from a cutoff anvil so that it contacts outer surfaces of the cutoff blades to provide an edge which wipes severed coding lugs from the cutoff blade outer surfaces.