Abstract: A connector processing machine includes a contact feeding mechanism at a contact loading station having a dereeler configured to support a contact reel having a strip of contacts and a feed device configured to feed the contacts from the contact loading station to a contact stacking station. The connector processing machine includes a contact stacking module at a contact stacking station having a contact punch mechanism with a contact cutter configured to successively shear the contacts from the contact strip and a contact inserter mechanism with a contact pusher configured to successively move the sheared contact into a contact nest where the contacts are stacked into a contact stack. The connector processing machine includes a contact manipulator configured to pick the contact stack from the contact nest and place the contact stack into a connector housing.

Abstract: An autonomous mobile vehicle includes an automatic guided vehicle (AGV), a platform assembly coupled to the AGV, and a collaborative manipulator mounted to a support plate of the platform assembly. A safety sensor is coupled to the collaborative manipulator and includes a first proximity sensor fixed relative to the support plate and a second proximity sensor coupled to the collaborative manipulator proximate to a gripper of the collaborative manipulator and movable with an arm of the collaborative manipulator. The safety sensor determines when the gripper is located at a home position proximate to the support plate by detecting the second proximity sensor in proximity to the first proximity sensor.

Abstract: A connector processing machine includes a contact feeding mechanism at a contact loading station having a dereeler configured to support a contact reel having a strip of contacts and a feed device configured to feed the contacts from the contact loading station to a contact stacking station. The connector processing machine includes a contact stacking module at a contact stacking station having a contact punch mechanism with a contact cutter configured to successively shear the contacts from the contact strip and a contact inserter mechanism with a contact pusher configured to successively move the sheared contact into a contact nest where the contacts are stacked into a contact stack. The connector processing machine includes a contact manipulator configured to pick the contact stack from the contact nest and place the contact stack into a connector housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembling machine includes a connector strip feed unit including a feeding device configured to index the connector strip through a feed track in successive feed strokes and a contact loading assembly loading contacts into the connector strip. The contact loading assembly includes a wire distribution unit and a wire feed unit having a feeding device configured to simultaneously index wires through feed tracks in successive feed strokes. The wire feed unit includes a wire guide assembly guiding the wires through the wire feed unit. The contact loading assembly includes a contact forming unit and a contact loading device loading the contacts made from the wires into the connector strip as the connector strip is advanced through the electrical connector assembling machine.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembling machine includes a connector strip feed unit including a feeding device configured to index the connector strip through a feed track in successive feed strokes and a contact loading assembly loading contacts into the connector strip. The contact loading assembly includes a wire distribution unit and a wire feed unit having a feeding device configured to simultaneously index wires through feed tracks in successive feed strokes. The wire feed unit includes a wire guide assembly guiding the wires through the wire feed unit. The contact loading assembly includes a contact forming unit and a contact loading device loading the contacts made from the wires into the connector strip as the connector strip is advanced through the electrical connector assembling machine.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembling machine includes a connector strip distribution unit including a reel cradle for holding a reel of the connector strip and a roller for rotating the reel of the connector strip to unwind the connector strip from the reel. The electrical connector assembling machine includes a connector strip feed unit including a feeding device configured to index the connector strip through a feed track in successive feed strokes. The electrical connector assembling machine includes a connector strip notching unit including a notching device configured to cut notches in the connector strip at designated locations. The electrical connector assembling machine includes a contact loading unit loading contacts into the connector strip and an electrical connector separating unit for separating the electrical connector from the connector strip.

Abstract: A vision inspection system includes a platform supporting parts for inspection at an inspection zone, an inspection station positioned adjacent the platform at the inspection zone including an imaging device to image the parts in a field of view above the upper surface, and a vision inspection controller receiving images from the imaging device. The vision inspection controller includes an auto focus module for orienting the imaging device relative to the inspection zone. The auto focus module determines a working distance for the imaging device from the inspection zone. The auto focus module calculates an image contrast score of pixel values of the images at various working distances from the inspection zone. The vision inspection controller causes the inspection station to operate the imaging device at an imaging working distance corresponding to the working distance associated with the highest image contrast score.

Abstract: A vision inspection system includes a platform supporting parts for inspection at an inspection zone, an inspection station positioned adjacent the platform at the inspection zone including an imaging device to image the parts in a field of view above the upper surface, and a vision inspection controller receiving images from the imaging device. The vision inspection controller includes an auto focus module for orienting the imaging device relative to the inspection zone. The auto focus module determines a working distance for the imaging device from the inspection zone. The auto focus module calculates an image contrast score of pixel values of the images at various working distances from the inspection zone. The vision inspection controller causes the inspection station to operate the imaging device at an imaging working distance corresponding to the working distance associated with the highest image contrast score.

Abstract: An autonomous mobile vehicle includes an automatic guided vehicle (AGV), a platform assembly coupled to the AGV, and a collaborative manipulator mounted to a support plate of the platform assembly. A safety sensor is coupled to the collaborative manipulator and includes a first proximity sensor fixed relative to the support plate and a second proximity sensor coupled to the collaborative manipulator proximate to a gripper of the collaborative manipulator and movable with an arm of the collaborative manipulator. The safety sensor determines when the gripper is located at a home position proximate to the support plate by detecting the second proximity sensor in proximity to the first proximity sensor.