Abstract: Armatures for electric machines of the direct current type conventionally include a slotted core and commutator on a common shaft. This apparatus is for winding coils in the core slots and for connecting the coil leads to the commutator. The commutator is provided with bars and risers and the risers with slots. The apparatus includes a supporting frame and a support on the frame for holding an armature in winding position. Lead-connecting mechanism is mounted on the frame adjacent to the armature support in juxtaposition to the commutator of the armature for locating two coil leads in two riser slots, respectively. The lead-connecting mechanism is further supported for limited rotational movement about the axis of the armature shaft. Coil-winding mechanism is provided on the frame for winding a coil on the core of the armature.

Abstract: A supporting mandrel receives a plurality of electrical motor core laminations in columnar relation. An overhead ram carrying a ram head is in movable relation towards and away from the supporting mandrel along the columnar axis. A cylinder is formed in the ram head opening towards the supporting mandrel. A piston is reciprocably mounted in the cylinder and is coupled in force transmitting relation to the upper end of said column. Selectively releasable fluid pressure is operable to move the piston toward the supporting mandrel for compressing the laminations in the column. Coplanar pick-off fingers are mounted in an axially aligned member and are movable in a radial direction relative the axis and exert a holding force to at least one lamination. The plane of the fingers is spaced a predetermined axial distance from the upper column end defining a predetermined stack height of laminations. The holding force is maintained until the fluid pressure to the piston is released.