Abstract: A device that automatically engages a contact, having a tip portion and a barrel portion, to a stripped end of an insulated wire. The apparatus includes a crimping gun having at least a pair of opposing jaws, and a push rod having a distal end that engages the tip portion of the contact and moves the contact to a pre-determined position between the jaws of the crimping gun. The device also includes a detector that sends out a signal upon sensing that the stripped end of the insulated wire has made contact with a rear most portion inside of the barrel portion of the contact, and a CPU in communication with the crimping gun and the detector. The CPU directs the crimping gun to crimp the contact to the stripped end of the insulated wire upon receipt of the signal from the detector.

Abstract: A wire gripper (48) includes a housing (50,52,56) that defines a chamber (62) which has sidewalls (64) that taper in an axial direction. Jaws (66) are closely and slidably received into chamber (62). Axial spring (74) biases jaws (66) axially outwardly relative to chamber (62). Radial springs (78) bias jaws (66) toward sidewalls (64). A double-acting cylinder (94) moves housing (50,52,56) axially outwardly to tighten jaws (66) around a wire (200), and axially inwardly to move jaws (66) against jaw stop (88) to open jaws (66). Preferably, axial movement of wire (200) pulls pivoting blades (6,8) closed. Gripper (48) may be modified to cut or punch wire (200) rather than grip it.