Abstract: The subject contact adjusting apparatus functions to precisely adjust the spacing between the two parallel arms of F-shaped contacts. The contacts are placed in a cutout in the top surface of a platen with the base of the contacts resting against a contact positioning guide that protrudes from the top surface of the platen, where the two parallel arms of the contacts face upward. A movable contact retention head is then lowered into place to hold the contacts in alignment. The contact adjustment head is activated, pliers fashion, to adjust the spacing between the two parallel arms of the contacts.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method are disclosed for affixing bondable finger contacts (102) to a printed circuit board (330). The bondable finger contacts, as supplied, are wound on a reel (301) in a virtually continuous fashion. Each of the contacts is carried between a pair of attached support carriers (105 and 106). At a first station the support carriers are severed (305, 306, 307, 313, 314 and 315) from a selected group of contacts but these contacts remain interconnected and supported by a strip of protective adhesive tape (108). Thereafter the contacts are transferred (310, 311 and 312) to a second station where they are brought into engagement with an aligned printed circuit board (331, 332, 333, 334 and 337). Application of heat and pressure to thermally curable adhesive (109) on the contacts bonds (335, 336 and 339) the contacts to the circuit board. During these operations the protective tape covers the contact area thereby reducing the possibility of contact area contamination and damage.

Abstract: Measurement of the contact resistance between printed circuit patterns on a circuit board and contacts within a circuit board connector is facilitated by apparatus for gaining access to the measurement points without disruption of the electrical connections between the circuit board and the connector. The apparatus includes an electrically insulated handle to which is affixed a pair of finger probes and a pair of length-adjustable pogo probes. The finger probes engage a conductor finger on the circuit board and make electrical contact therewith. Correspondingly, the pogo probes engage a contact within the connector and make electrical contact with it. Application of a known constant current through one finger and one pogo probe and measurement of the voltage appearing between the other finger and pogo probe yields the contact resistance between the conductor finger and the connector contact without disruption of the electrical connection therebetween.