Abstract: An apparatus for processing a cable including an insulating member, a shielding layer, and a conductor, the apparatus includes a frame forming a housing having an aperture configured to receive an end portion of the cable; a first gripping member disposed within the housing and being configured to grip the cable; and a second gripping member disposed within the housing and being configured to grip the cable; wherein the second gripping member is mounted within the housing so as to be movable relative to the first gripping member to effect fanning and cutting of a portion of the shielding layer.

Abstract: A wire guide and a laser wire-processing device that includes a wire guide are provided. The laser wire-processing device includes a housing and an aperture in a side of the housing, wherein the aperture defines a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the aperture. The laser wire-processing device also includes a backstop arranged in the housing and aligned with the longitudinal axis, the backstop defining a wire-contact surface in a facing relationship with the aperture. The laser wire-processing device also includes a wire guide arranged in the housing to manipulate a wire inserted through the aperture into a desired position relative to the longitudinal axis between the aperture and the backstop. The laser wire-processing device also includes a laser operable to direct a laser beam toward an insulation layer of the wire. The wire guide could be a tube arranged in the device or a backstop guide.

Abstract: A wire processing system includes a tray having at least one tray surface configured to sequentially receive a first wire and a second wire from a wire feed system of a wire processing machine. The tray surface has a surface feature configured to provide a wire-to-surface coefficient of friction between the tray surface and the first wire higher than a wire-to-wire coefficient of friction between the first wire and the second wire laying on top of the first wire. The wire-to-surface coefficient of friction reduces movement of at least a portion of the first wire relative to the tray surface during movement of the second wire relative to the first wire.

Abstract: A wire processing system includes a tray having at least one tray surface configured to sequentially receive a first wire and a second wire from a wire feed system of a wire processing machine. The tray surface has a surface feature configured to provide a wire-to-surface coefficient of friction between the tray surface and the first wire higher than a wire-to-wire coefficient of friction between the first wire and the second wire laying on top of the first wire. The wire-to-surface coefficient of friction reduces movement of at least a portion of the first wire relative to the tray surface during movement of the second wire relative to the first wire.

Abstract: A method 500 of operating an automated machine 100 is provided for inserting wires into grommet cavity locations 110 of an electrical connector 112 to compensate for manufacturing tolerances associated with the electrical connector. The method comprises inserting wires into grommet cavity locations of the electrical connector based upon a plug map 300 having offset values to compensate for manufacturing tolerances associated with the electrical connector. The method may further comprise selecting from a plurality of pre-generated plug maps having offset values the closest matching pre-generated plug map for the electrical connector based upon offset values associated with each of the plurality of pre-generated plugs maps. The selected pre-generated plug map having offset values corresponds to the plug map used to insert wires into grommet cavity locations of the electrical connector.

Abstract: A system (100) for additively manufacturing a composite part (102) is disclosed. The system (100) comprises a delivery guide (112), movable relative to a surface (114). The delivery guide (112) is configured to deposit at least a segment (120) of a continuous flexible line (106) along a print path (122). The print path (122) is stationary relative to the surface (114). The continuous flexible line (106) comprises a non-resin component (108) and a thermosetting-epoxy-resin component (110) that is partially cured. The system (100) also comprises a feed mechanism (104), configured to push the continuous flexible line (106) through the delivery guide (112). The system (100) further comprises a cooling system (234), configured to maintain the thermosetting-epoxy-resin component (110) of the continuous flexible line (106) below a threshold temperature prior to depositing the segment (120) of the continuous flexible (106) along the print path (122) via the delivery guide (112).

Abstract: A method (400) of additively manufacturing a composite part (102) is disclosed. The method (400) comprises applying a thermosetting resin (252) to a non-resin component (108) of a continuous flexible line (106) while pushing the non-resin component (108) through a delivery guide (112) and pushing the continuous flexible line (106) out of the delivery guide (112). The continuous flexible line (106) further comprises a thermosetting resin component (110) that comprises at least some of the thermosetting resin (252) applied to the non-resin component (108). The method (400) further comprises depositing, via the delivery guide (112), a segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106) along the print path (122).

Abstract: A method (300) of additively manufacturing a composite part (102) is disclosed. The method (300) comprises depositing a segment (120) of a continuous flexible line (106) along a print path (122). The continuous flexible line (106) comprises a non-resin component (108) and a thermosetting resin component (110) that is not fully cured. The method (300) further comprises, while advancing the continuous flexible line (106) toward the print path (122), delivering a predetermined or actively determined amount of curing energy (118) at least to a portion (124) of the segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106) at a controlled rate after the segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106) is deposited along the print path (122) to at least partially cure at least the portion (124) of the segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106).

Abstract: A system (100) comprises a delivery guide (112) movable relative to a surface (114). The delivery guide (112) is configured to deposit a continuous flexible line (106) along a print path (122) that is stationary relative to the surface (114). The system (100) further comprises a vessel (236), configured to hold a volume of a liquid photopolymer resin (252) and to apply a quantity of the liquid photopolymer resin (252) to the non-resin component (108) to create the continuous flexible line (106). The system (100) further comprises a feed mechanism (104), configured to pull the non-resin component (108) through the vessel (236) and to push the continuous flexible line (106) out of the delivery guide (112). The system (100) further comprises a source (116) of curing energy (118).

Abstract: A method (500) of additively manufacturing a composite part (102) comprises applying a first quantity of a first part (253) of a thermosetting resin (252) to a first element (271) of a non-resin component (108) by pulling the first element (271) through a first resin-part applicator (236) and applying a second quantity of a second part (255) of the thermosetting resin (252) to a second element (273) of the non-resin component (108) by pulling the second element (273) through a second resin-part applicator (237). The method (500) also comprises combining the first element (271) with the first quantity of first part (253) and the second element (273) with the second quantity of second part (255), to create a continuous flexible line (106). The method (500) additionally comprises routing the continuous flexible line (106) into a delivery guide (112) and depositing, via the delivery guide (112), a segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106) along a print path (122).

Abstract: A method (400) of additively manufacturing a composite part (102) comprises applying a photopolymer resin (252) to a non-resin component (108) while pushing a continuous flexible line (106) through a delivery assembly (266). The continuous flexible line (106) comprises the non-resin component (108) and a photopolymer-resin component (110) that comprises at least some of the photopolymer resin (252) applied to the non-resin component (108). The method (400) also comprises depositing, via the delivery assembly (266), a segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106) along a print path (122). The method (400) further comprises delivering curing energy (118) to at least a portion (124) of the segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106) deposited along the print path (122).

Abstract: A method (400) of additively manufacturing a composite part (102) comprises applying a liquid photopolymer resin (252) to a non-resin component (108) to create a continuous flexible line (106) by pulling the non-resin component (108) through a vessel (236), containing a volume of the liquid photopolymer resin (252). The continuous flexible line (106) comprises the non-resin component (108) and a photopolymer-resin component (110) that comprises at least some of the liquid photopolymer resin (252) applied to the non-resin component (108). The method (400) further comprises routing the continuous flexible line (106) into a delivery guide (112), pushing the continuous flexible line (106) out of the delivery guide (112), depositing, via the delivery guide (112), a segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106) along a print path (122), and delivering curing energy (118) at least to a portion (124) of the segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106).

Abstract: A method (400) of additively manufacturing a composite part (102) comprises pushing a continuous flexible line (106) through a delivery guide (112). The continuous flexible line comprises (106) a non-resin component (108) and a photopolymer-resin component (110) that is partially cured. The method (400) also comprises depositing, via the delivery guide (112), a segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106) along a print path (122). Additionally, the method (400) comprises delivering curing energy (118) at least to a portion (124) of the segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106) deposited along the print path (122).

Abstract: A system (100) for additively manufacturing a composite part (102) is disclosed. The system (100) comprises a housing (104) and a nozzle (107). The nozzle (107) is supported by the housing (104). The nozzle (107) comprises an outlet (110), sized to dispense a continuous flexible line (112). The continuous flexible line (112) comprises a non-resin component (114) and a photopolymer-resin component (116). The system (100) also comprises a feed mechanism (118), supported within the housing (104). The feed mechanism (118) is configured to push the continuous flexible line (112) out of the outlet (110) of the nozzle (107). The system (100) further comprises a light source (120), supported by the housing (104). The light source (120) is configured to deliver a light beam to the continuous flexible line (112) after the continuous flexible line (112) exits the outlet (110) of the nozzle (107) to at least partially cure the photopolymer-resin component (116) of the continuous flexible line (112).

Abstract: A method (400) of additively manufacturing a composite part (102) is disclosed. The method (400) comprises depositing, via a delivery guide (112), a segment (120) of a continuous flexible line (106) along a print path (122). The continuous flexible line (106) comprises a non-resin component (108) and a thermosetting-epoxy-resin component (110) that is partially cured. The method (400) also comprises maintaining the thermosetting-epoxy-resin component (110) of at least the continuous flexible line (106) being advanced toward the print path (122) via the delivery guide (112) below a threshold temperature. The method (400) further comprises delivering a predetermined or actively determined amount of curing energy (118) to the segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106) at a controlled rate while advancing the continuous flexible line (106) toward the print path (122) to at least partially cure the segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106).

Abstract: A system (100) for additively manufacturing a composite part (102) comprises a delivery guide (112) and a surface (114), at least one of which is movable relative to another. The delivery guide (112) is configured to deposit at least a segment (120) of a continuous flexible line (106) along a print path (122). The print path (122) is stationary relative to the surface (114). The continuous flexible line (106) comprises a non-resin component (108) and a photopolymer-resin component (110) that is partially cured. The system 100 further comprises a feed mechanism (104) configured to push the continuous flexible line (106) through the delivery guide (112). The system 100 further comprises a source (116) of a curing energy (118). The source (116) is configured to deliver the curing energy (118) at least to a portion (124) of the segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106) after the segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106) exits the delivery guide (112).

Abstract: A method (300) of additively manufacturing composite part (102) comprises depositing a segment (120) of a continuous flexible line (106) along a print path (122). The continuous flexible line (106) comprises a non-resin component (108) and further comprises a photopolymer-resin component (110) that is uncured. The method (300) further comprises delivering a predetermined or actively determined amount of curing energy (118) at least to a portion (124) of the segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106) at a controlled rate while advancing the continuous flexible line (106) toward the print path (122) and after the segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106) is deposited along the print path (120) to at least partially cure at least the portion (124) of the segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106).

Abstract: A system (100) for additively manufacturing a composite part (102) is disclosed. The system (100) comprises a delivery guide (112), movable relative to a surface (114). The delivery guide (112) is configured to deposit at least a segment (120) of a continuous flexible line (106) along a print path (122). The continuous flexible line (106) comprises a non-resin component (108) and a thermosetting resin component (110) that comprises a first part (253) and a second part (255) of a thermosetting resin (252). The print path (122) is stationary relative to the surface (114). The delivery guide (112) comprises a first inlet (170) configured to receive the non-resin component (108), and a second inlet (250) configured to receive at least the first part (253) of the thermosetting resin (252). The delivery guide (112) is further configured to apply the first part (253) and the second part (255) of the thermosetting resin (252) to the non-resin component (108).

Abstract: A method (300) of additively manufacturing a composite part (102) comprises depositing a segment (120) of a continuous flexible line (106) along a print path (122). The continuous flexible line (106) comprises a non-resin component (108) and a photopolymer-resin component (110) that is partially cured. The method (300) also comprises delivering a predetermined or actively determined amount of curing energy (118) at least to a portion (124) of the segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106) at a controlled rate while advancing the continuous flexible line (106) toward the print path (122) and after the segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106) is deposited along the print path (122) to at least partially cure at least the portion (124) of the segment (120) of the continuous flexible line (106).

Abstract: A system (700) for additively manufacturing a composite part (102) comprises a delivery guide (112), movable relative to a surface (114). The delivery guide (112) is configured to deposit at least a segment (120) of a continuous flexible line (106) along a print path (122). The continuous flexible line (106) comprises a non-resin component (108) and a thermosetting-resin component (110). The thermosetting-resin component (110) comprises a first part (253) and a second part (255). The non-resin component (108) comprises a first element (271) and a second element (273). The system (700) further comprises a first resin-part applicator (236), configured to apply the first part (253) to the first element (271), and a second resin-part applicator (237), configured to apply the second part (255) to the second element (273).