Abstract: A wire processing machine includes a signal applicator that applies a sensing signal to a section of wire. When the signal applicator is applying the sensing signal to the wire core of a section of wire, the wire processing machine is actuated to move a pair of wire processing blades until the wire processing blades contact the wire core. When the blades contact the wire core, the wire core is grounded, which is sensed by the control unit of the device. The position of the wire processing blades when the wire core is grounded is used to determine the diameter of the wire core.

Abstract: A wire gripping assembly is provided with a pair of lever arms that are each movable between a gripping position and a release position. Each lever arm includes a plurality of engagement teeth that interact with drive teeth formed on a moving rack member. The rack member is coupled to a piston movable within an open interior of a drive cylinder. Pressurized air is supplied to either side of the piston to move the piston and rack member. The movement of the piston and the rack member within the drive cylinder results in pivoting movement of the first and second lever arms between the gripping position and the release position.

Abstract: A wire processing machine includes a signal applicator that applies a sensing signal to a section of wire. When the signal applicator is applying the sensing signal to the wire core of a section of wire, the wire processing machine is actuated to move a pair of wire processing blades until the wire processing blades contact the wire core. When the blades contact the wire core, the wire core is grounded, which is sensed by the control unit of the device. The position of the wire processing blades when the wire core is grounded is used to determine the diameter of the wire core.

Abstract: A wire feed station of a wire processing system draws a supply of wire into the system. The wire feed station includes first and second feed wheels that create a nip to pull the wire through the feed station. A drive assembly is coupled to the first and second feed wheels to cause rotation of the feed wheels. The drive assembly includes first and second drive shafts that are coupled to the first and second feed wheels through a pair of flexible couplings. The flexible couplings allow the first and second feed wheels to move relative to each other to adjust the feed nip. The flexible couplings allow a single drive motor to rotate the first and second feed wheels through a pair of drive shafts without the use of a complex belt or gear assembly.

Abstract: A wire gripping assembly is provided with a pair of lever arms that are each movable between a gripping position and a release position. Each lever arm includes a plurality of engagement teeth that interact with drive teeth formed on a moving rack member. The rack member is coupled to a piston movable within an open interior of a drive cylinder. Pressurized air is supplied to either side of the piston to move the piston and rack member. The movement of the piston and the rack member within the drive cylinder results in pivoting movement of the first and second lever arms between the gripping position and the release position.

Abstract: A wire feed station of a wire processing system draws a supply of wire into the system. The wire feed station includes first and second feed wheels that create a nip to pull the wire through the feed station. A drive assembly is coupled to the first and second feed wheels to cause rotation of the feed wheels. The drive assembly includes first and second drive shafts that are coupled to the first and second feed wheels through a pair of flexible couplings. The flexible couplings allow the first and second feed wheels to move relative to each other to adjust the feed nip. The flexible couplings allow a single drive motor to rotate the first and second feed wheels through a pair of drive shafts without the use of a complex belt or gear assembly.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for cutting and stripping insulated wire. The apparatus includes a pair of cutting heads which are mounted on a supporting structure in opposed relation and each head includes a cutting blade and a stripping blade which is located downstream of the cutting blade. The insulated wire is fed between the cutting heads by a pair of endless belt feed units, one of which is located upstream of the heads and the other is located downstream of the heads. Each feed unit includes an endless timing belt, and the belts of each feed unit cooperate to move the wire in both a downstream and upstream direction during the programmed sequence of operation. The belts of each feed unit are moved in a direction toward each other by a chain drive and a torsion spring is operably connected to the chain drive in a manner such that operation of the chain drive in a direction to move the belts toward each other will increase the force of the torsion spring to provide a yieldable force against the wire.

Abstract: A machine including apparatus for accurately measuring and inserting into the machine almost any desired predetermined length of insulated wire, a device for cutting the wire to that length and stripping the insulation from the ends of the wire, and apparatus for attaching a terminal to one or both of the stripped ends. The measuring apparatus includes a pair of belts each reeved about a pair of pulleys. From the measuring apparatus the wire passes through a flexible tube and through two linearly aligned grippers, separated by the cutting and stripping device. Once the wire is fed to the proper length, the two grippers grip the wire, and the wire is cut and stripped, creating a lead of the predetermined length. As the wire and lead are drawn back, the stripped ends may be inspected by an inspection device so as to ensure that they are properly cut and stripped before electrical terminals are applied.

Abstract: A series of wire processing machines strip insulation from wire segment ends and attach electric terminals to the ends. A quality control device inspects each stripped end and sends signals which prevent the terminal attachment machine from operating upon the defective stripped end. The quality control device comprises an illuminated field at which the stripped end momentarily stops, an optical lens opposite the illuminated field for providing an optical image of the stripped end, and a converter for converting the optical image to an electronic image signal. Solid state electronic circuits compare the image signal to a reference signal, provide an error signal if the stripped end is defective and store the error signal in a memory circuit. The error signal, if present, is recalled from the memory at the appropriate time and converted to an output signal which prevents the downstream terminal attachment machine from operating on the defective wire end.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for repeatedly cutting segments from a strand of wire or cable and for conveying them to work stations so that either or both ends can be processed to provide a partly or fully finished wire lead or cord.

Abstract: The metal stem of the gripper head assembly incorporates a flexible rubber section which permits limited movement of the gripper to align the gripper with the bottle while any necessary or desirable vertical movement is accommodated by vertical movement of the metal stem against the bias of the spring. The flexibility afforded by the rubber is adequate for self-alignment purposes but is not great enough to allow pendulation or swinging of the bottles during horizontal transport.